<span style="font-weight: bold">Date: December 25th, 1536<br/>Place: The Royal Palace</span><br/><br/>It was Christmas morning and there was no where else in the world Isabel de Medici would rather be. While Tuscany was her home now, a part of her heart was in England. Her beloved younger sister was the Queen of this country. They had been very close growing up and tried to still be close through letters and visits after their respective marriages.<br/><br/>Although Isabel's own marriage was different then Esther's. Esther had been betrothed to the Braiden, the current king. Isabel had been betrothed to another man but met her husband at engagement party for her sister. It had been a scandal in the making, especially since Fernando had been betrothed as well, but thankfully her father and father-in-law had given her and Fernando their blessings to marry in the end. Unlike some noble couples, they shared a bedroom where ever they went. At home and on trips. Isabel loved that Fernando was the last person she saw when she went to sleep and the first person she saw when she woke up. Isabel smiled at her husband as he began to wake up.<br/><br/>"Merry Christmas."<br/><br/>Isabel told him with a smile, leaning up on her elbow. Fernando replied in a heavy Italian accent.<br/><br/>"Merry Christmas, il mio amore."<br/><br/>Fernando put his hand behind her head to lower her head down to give her a kiss. Pretty soon their son, Cosimo, would wake up. He had been very excited to come to England with them for the holiday. He absolutely adored his auntie. Fernando and Isabel had no doubt that Esther would spoil him as much as she could during their visit too. For a moment, the couple decided to enjoy their peaceful moment before Cosimo woke up and they would all have to get ready for the formal traditions.<br/><br/>-------------------------<br/><br/>Victoria Dumont sighed as she woke up. It was Christmas morning but she would not be getting what she truly wanted for Christmas. She might live in this palace but it wasn't hers. It should be hers. She was married to the king's uncle, Thaddeus. The illegitimate, first born son of King Francis I. Born to the king's mistress, Thaddeus had no claim to the throne. Not once Francis had a legitimate son with his queen, who then went to have his own children. Thaddeus should be the king and she should be his queen.<br/><br/>So, once again, Victoria didn't get what she really wanted for Christmas. Instead, she'd have to play nice to her nephew, the current king, and his Scottish wife. Especially since her husband didn't seem to mind that Braiden had what should be his. She sat down in front of her vanity and grabbed a brush.<br/><br/>"Well, it is Christmas. I suppose I can be a little nice to Braiden and his little wife."<br/><br/>Victoria told her reflection as she began to brush her hair. Although the idea of being nice made her laugh out loud. Nice wasn't a word many would use to describe her.