Cosimo truly loved his aunt. Although he didn't understand just yet what being a queen meant to a country. He was still young enough to make up his own titles and tried to mimic others. It often amused his family member very much. Isabel would miss Cosimo greatly if he went to Oxford. She had no doubt it was a good school and would give him a grand education. But her secret goal in life was to only have one child. She loved being Cosimo's mother but she did not want to be with child ever again. Childbirth had terrified her and she was afraid she might not survive the next time. She did not want him to grow up without her. She just had not told Fernando that, yet. For now, he seemed content with just one son, but Cosimo was still young as well. None was making comments how Fernando would need an heir and spare for Tuscany.<br/><br/>Isabel nodded her head to Esther about Oxford. If she did send him to Oxford, she would not see him often and she did not like that idea. With Esther's own difficulties producing a child, Isabel didn't dare say how she hoped to never conceive again. Instead, she said.<br/><br/>"Oh, I know, beloved sister. It is definitely an option to keep in mind for his future."<br/><br/>Isabel squeezed Esther's shoulder when she said she believed God would bless her with a child. She knew her younger sister well enough to know she was forcing that smile. Isabel did understand why it would upset her. All good wives wanted to provide their husbands with a son. It was especially important if you were royalty. A queen was expected to provide at least one heir. Preferably a son. If she failed to do it, then people would start to suggest the king should find a new queen. Isabel truly hope that it would not come to that. She knew that Esther loved truly loved Braiden and he seemed to return the feelings.<br/><br/>While Isabel prayed that Cosimo would remain her only child, she also prayed her sister would know the joys of motherhood. Esther would be a great mother. Isabel smiled at Esther.<br/><br/>"That sounds like a wonderful idea. It would be nice to see Oxford in person."<br/><br/>And Tuscany was so far from home. It would be nice to see something that reminded them of home. Isabel was sure her brother-in-law could not go. His Majesty had so much to do, he couldn't just go away at the drop of the hat. But perhaps spending time with them would help Esther feel better about the whole situation. If nothing else, she would not have to hear the whispers for a few days.<br/><br/>------------------------------------<br/><br/>Fernando could see that Braiden was worried. It was a difficult situation all around. The king had to weigh the options. Tuscany was much smaller then England, but the line of succession still had to be clear. Peace was kept all around when the current ruler had at least one male heir. Isabel had provided him one and someday it would be expected that Cosimo's future wife gave him a son as well.<br/><br/>Fernando nodded his head.<br/><br/>"That is understandable. I can tell she loves you very much. I am sure it pains her that she has not given you a child yet."<br/><br/>And given how long the couple had been married and their age, most people would say a baby should have came by now. Although Fernando didn't like the choices Braiden was handed. He loved Esther as a sister and she would be surely be upset by this. And then Isabel would be upset because her sister was upset.<br/><br/>"The line of succession has to be maintained. And you are a good king, I know you do not want to ignite a war."<br/><br/>Which could very well happen. Sometimes the feelings of one had to be put aside for the benefit of many. No matter how much it hurt to think that.<br/><br/>"Could you take a law to your Parliament? Declare that Esther will always remain your queen, unless you, and only you, deem her unworthy?"<br/><br/>Fernando wasn't sure how all the laws worked in England, but he thought if it was possible, that could help that situation. It might not make Esther any happier about the baby situation, but at least then people in the Court couldn't attempt to get rid of her.