<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #FF0000">The Saville family</span> stopped on their tracks when they saw Wil. The reactions were different for each family member. <span style="color: #FF0000">Johanna</span>, still hanging on to some childlike  innocence, opened a broad smile. <span style="color: #FF0000">Elizabeth</span>, feeling her heart jump, dared not smile, as she knew it would displease her father, but her clear blue eyes spoke a language only lovers could understand. <span style="color: #FF0000">Peter</span>, despite not having any particular problem with Wil, looked at him with the suspicion of a jealous brother. <span style="color: #FF0000">Sir Jonas</span> didn't change his expression, but his gaze made clear he was not happy to see Wylyam.<br/><br/>Despite his misgivings, Sir Jonas didn't deny Wil a hand shake. Peter hesitated for just a moment, but shook Wil's hand firmly and patted his arm.<br/><br/>Johanna, still smiling, shook her head. "I surely hope so. I am so happy to see you alive and well, Sir!", she exclaimed, with her usual spontaneous demeanor. Elizabeth stifled a bit of laughter. Johanna would never change, she thought with the indulgence of a proud mother.<br/><br/>When Wylyam approached Elizabeth, she felt as though her heart would burst out of her chest. Despite not having met Wil often since the day when he risked his life for her, Elizabeth had been keeping regular correspondence with him, and her feelings had only changed for the better.<br/><br/>Giving him her hand made the young woman sigh. She would love to give it once and for all, should her father simply relent. Closing her eyes when Wil kissed her ring finger, Elizabeth allowed herself to daydream for a moment, opening her eyes when Wil's beloved voice sounded. "I thank you, my lord", she murmured at his words on her looks, her voice filled with emotion. It felt so good to hold his hand that it took a great effort of will to slip her hand away - leaving her glove behind, almost as though the gesture had been an accident. <br/><br/>Hiding her hand behind her, Elizabeth paid attention to the exchange between the two men. Sir Jonas nodded at Wil's question. "Safe travels indeed", the man replied. "We will be staying until the end of the week, so I believe we could dine together should you wish our company", he answered to the invitation, not really having an alternative - despite the fact that he wanted to keep his daughter as far away from Wylyam as possible.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">**********</div><br/>Sitting by her king, <span style="color: #FFFF00">Queen Beatrice</span> watched the people who moved about the Great Hall. It was always entertaining to follow the relations between each member of the court. Some people had lots of friends, others were almost loners, others spoke to everyone but trusted none of their peers. It was a political dance the Queen always followed with interest. <br/><br/>When Henry and Victoria approached the King and Queen, though, the young woman turned her full attention to them. She was neutral towards Henry, but felt a little taken aback by Victoria. There wasn't, at least that she knew, any clear reason for the Queen to dislike the woman. It was just a gut instinct that told her that the woman was not one to be trusted. <br/><br/>Pushing her personal thoughts aside, the Queen turned to the woman when she spoke. Her eyes widened just a little in surprise. The Queen blinked a few times when she heard what the woman had brought her. Taking a second to swallow the lump on her throat, the Queen accepted the gift with a gracious nod. "I truly appreciate it, my lady", she replied, keeping a neutral intonation. "Mary", she called softly to one of her ladies.<br/><br/>The woman presented her with two boxes. They each had a rich necklace the Queen had ordered from France to give as gifts. The only difference she had made in the richly crafted pieces was that blue gems were given for those she approved, and red ones for those she did not. Naturally, only herself and the King were privy to the difference. "I hope you accept this token of my gratitude, and may your year be blessed, my lady", the Queen muttered politely, while gesturing for the lady in wait to hand her the one necklace adorned with rubies.<br/><br/>Now it was King Theodore’s turn to deal with Henry, for whom the Queen held no ill will.</div>