<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #FF0000">Elizabeth</span> felt her heart race in her chest while she waited for her father to respond to Wil's invitation. Once Sir Jonas said yes to Wil, she took a deep breath and dared to smile. Johanna smiled as well, and the two sisters exchanged a glance. There was not much more than that for them to do right now, as any other display of emotion would probably upset Sir Jonas.<br/><br/>Elizabeth wondered to herself how wonderful it would be to have dinner alone with Wil. Of course, that would never be possible unless they were married. Her mind wandered off to other ideas, and she looked away from Wil. It was for the best that she stopped herself, lest she ended up doing something that would make their situation even more complicated.<br/><br/>Her thoughts returned to Wylyam when he spoke again. Jousting. She really hated the idea of jousts, with all those lances and the risk of someone getting injured. Her blue eyes kept changing from her father to her brother, and then to Wil, waiting for someone to say something to dispel her fears. <br/><br/>Much to her disappointment, both Peter and Sir Jonas nodded. They would participate, of course. Why would they not? Sir Jonas was the one to speak. “Peter and I will join the joust, as we often do. It would be… a pleasure to be on the same team”, he added, not really feeling like he could refuse. He had risked his life for the man’s daughter’s safety, after all. Elizabeth couldn’t help but chime in, despite her attempts at indifference. “Do not get injured, sir”, she nearly pleaded, her voice soft. “I… would like you to carry my favor when you joust”. Yes, she knew she would be in big trouble as soon as they saw themselves back at their chambers. But for now, it mattered not. She was a young woman in love, and nothing more, now.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">*********************</div><br/><span style="color: #FFFF00">Queen Beatrice</span> was relieved when Victoria stepped away from her. The woman was as venomous as a serpent, the Queen thought to herself, insisting on pointing out that she had not given the King an heir. They were young, still. The good Lord would soon provide them with one. Taking a deep breath, Beatrice touched her husband’s hand gently and shot a quick smile at Rebecca, whom she had noticed watching her interaction with the King. The poor girl had gotten a bad lot in life with that woman as a mother. <br/><br/>“I would like to see if the girl would be willing to be among my ladies”, she whispered to Theodore, her gaze moving to indicate Rebecca. “Would you arrange for this conversation, my love?”, the Queen requested, not really wanting to deal with Victoria for more time than necessary. And after all, her father was the one who had to give permission, even if the mother actually pulled the strings around the household.<br/><br/>Once that said, the Queen would carry on with the ceremonious greetings. Most ladies would receive blue necklaces, as Beatrice rarely held any ill will towards anyone, and she would exchange a loving glance with her husband every now and then, whenever they had a moment between two of their guests.</div>