<span style="font-weight: bold">Date: December 25th, 1536<br/>Place: The Royal Palace</span><br/><br/>Laughter woke Thaddeus from his slumber. Not the light melodious laughter of his favorite plaything, her name even he didn't remember, but the deep, mature laughter of his wife. Thaddeus didn't hear it enough anymore, in his opinion. He loved his wife's laughter, although it was usually brought on by something less then humorous.<br/><br/>Thaddeus rolled over in the bed and eyed Victoria as she sat at her vanity, brushing her golden hair. She truly was beautiful, even now in her older years: And even though Thaddeus took several lovers, it didn't diminish the love...and lust he had for his wife. Quietly, Thaddeus rolled out of bed, the sheets and covers rubbing together with his movements. "Victoria. My love." He stood behind her, noticing the slight lines on both their faces. To him, it only added to Victoria's mature beauty.<br/><br/>"It's will be easier to be kind to Braiden and Esther with time." He brushed aside the hair from her right shoulder and kissed the nook at the bottom of her neck. He didn't understand her ambition for the thrown. Well, a part of him did, but not a large enough part to reach for it. Thaddeus massaged his wife's shoulders for a moment before stepping back and heading for the closet.<br/><br/>"It's<span style="font-style: italic">is </span>Christmas and I have a gift for you." He reached into the far left corner and pulled out a velvet box wrapped with a royal blue ribbon. The inside held a rather ornate piece of jewelry: blue Sapphire and white Diamond cushioned in white gold. "This belonged to my mother." It's had been a gift from his father to his mother when Thaddeus was born. He laid the box on her vanity and stood behind Victoria, waiting anxiously for her to open it.<br/><br/>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Date: December 2nd, 1536<br/>Place: The Royal Palace of Savoy in Italy</span><br/><br/>Annalisa had been awake long before the sun. Her morning had been spent mostly pacing between her balcony and her room. She had a very important diplomatic trip ahead of her and, honestly, Annalisa was a bit nervous. A few times she had caught herself chewing on her nails: a habit she thought she had broken back when she was a child. After the 4th, maybe 5th, time catching herself, Annalisa gave a sigh and made her way to her closet. Most of it had already been packed up for her trip, but there was plenty still to chose from.<br/><br/>Once dressed, Annalisa made her way to the Courtyard. She was to begin her trip from Italy to England. "My dear Annalisa. Sending you will surely strengthen our relationship with England. You will write often?" The Queen, whom Annalisa had become great friends with, asked as she hugged the lesser ranked woman.<br/><br/>"Of course, Your Majesty." Annalisa smiled, curtsied, and climbed into her carriage. Her trip ahead was a long one.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">December 25th, 1536<br/>Place: The Royal Palace of England </span><br/><br/>Annalisa had shown up in the very wee hours of the morning, long before many of the Royal family had been awake. Of course, with it being Christmas, Annalisa didn't expect to greet, or be welcomed by, the Royal family. Today they would be enjoying themselves before their duties would resume, at least that's what Annalisa expected. For now, Annalisa decided to nap before awaking around midday and getting dressed.<br/><br/>Annalisa chose a navy blue gown, inlaid with gold along the bust and sleeves. It brought out the brown, or was it red, of her hair. She had decided to take a walk in the gardens and enjoy a day of relaxation before her more diplomatic duties would resume.