<div style="text-align: justify;">Date: December 25th, 1536<br/>Place: The Royal Palace<br/><span style="font-style: italic">The King's chambers</span><br/><br/>Esther waited with contained excitement for her husband. Despite having wedded him through arranged marriage, the Queen had fallen in love with the King, and could not be happier. Well, she could. If only she could provide her husband with a child - at this point, even a girl would do -, Queen Esther would consider herself the most blessed woman alive. Other than that, Esther could not wish for more. She lived in a beautiful palace, had lovely ladies around her, and was married to a loving husband who had refused to cast her aside due to her inability to conceive. She had wonderful siblings and a good father, and an adorable nephew who made her heart melt every time he called her ‘auntie Queen’. What more could she want? Well… a child, but that would have to happen in God’s time, not her own.<br/><br/>Deciding she would not think of problems now, Esther focused on the day ahead. She had to give her husband his Christmas gift, after all. She had ordered it from Scotland, as a means of ensuring she had the right one, as her father would choose and make sure it was a good bird, and also because she wanted it to be a symbol of her own company when they were apart for his hunts.<br/><br/>Hearing Braiden’s compliment made Esther’s heart race. This was the power her husband had over her. A simple compliment by him was enough to make her sigh and blush. “Thank you, my love”, the Queen finally replied, once she found her voice. Her ladies were waiting a few steps behind, as it was proper, one of them watching the King and Queen like a hawk. She needed to memorize every move and word she could, after all. <br/><br/>Not even remembering anyone else was around, Esther finally moved to make her usual courtesy to the King. “Would you allow me to lead you to your Christmas gift, my love?”, she asked, her voice betraying the excitement she felt. “I believe you will find it to your liking”, Esther completed, knowing that Braiden would probably like anything she found suitable for him, as he did every year. Giving him his gift first thing Christmas morning was her favorite tradition, she had to admit. <br/><br/>After requesting what she did every year, Esther waited, anxiety clear on her face, for Braiden’s response. With a soft smile - that caused the lady who was watching her to close hers -, the Queen offered her husband a ‘perk’. “If you are kind enough to accompany me, I may even dismiss my ladies for a few moments”, she completed before falling silent to, now, wait for the King’s answer.<br/><br/>The lady who had been watching the Queen wondered whether or not it would be a bad thing to be left behind. She would like to follow the royal couple around, but maybe this little time would give her the chance to add the events of this morning to her report and slip it under Lady Victoria’s door. It had been a while since she had sent the latest one, and the current one confirmed that the Queen was not yet with child, which was probably important information for the woman.</div>