<div style="text-align: justify;">Esther was trying to keep her worries away from her mind for now. She didn’t have her sister, brother in law and nephew around all the time, after all. For now, she really hoped to forget about the rumors and simply enjoy her time with them. That, and she knew that her sister would probably go into protective sister mode if she seemed too upset. And she really, really hoped that her sister would not hear someone speaking directly about her inability to provide the King with a child. That could, and probably would, lead to embarrassments Esther really didn’t want to have to deal with.<br/><br/>Her expression turned lighter when Cosimo thanked her. “You are welcome, dear”, she replied, laughing softly. It was so adorable to hear the little boy call her <span style="font-style: italic">‘Auntie Queen’</span> that Esther refrained from correcting him. As far as she was concerned, Cosimo could call her whatever he wanted, as long as he allowed her to shower him with kisses. In her heart, Esther feared that Cosimo, and whatever other children her sister had, would be her only chance to love a child of her own blood like her own. Of course, she wouldn’t touch this matter now.<br/><br/>Focusing on her nephew’s future, Esther nodded when her sister told her she would miss the boy if he went to Oxford. Of course she could understand that, and would never push the issue if her sister said she didn’t want to send Cosimo off to study elsewhere. “I know you would, sister, and it was merely an option in case you and Fernando prefer to send him to study abroad. I know it seems to be becoming habitual for families to do so, and in that case, England would be a good option, I believe”. <br/><br/>When Isabel told her God would bless her with a child, Esther forced herself to smile and nod. “I believe He will, sister”, she murmured, even though her faith wasn’t as strong as Isabel’s regarding this matter. <br/><br/>Releasing her nephew after another shower of kisses, she looked at Isabel. “What do you say we add a trip to our palace near Oxford to our plans? I believe Braiden would have to stay behind, but we can go and take Cosimo with us. It is a lot smaller than this one, and it reminds me of home”, Elizabeth proposed, thinking that maybe a few days away from Court would do both sisters good. With all these rumors around, all the Queen wanted was a break and some space - even from her husband, she had to admit, if only to herself.</div>