<img alt="" src="https://i.imgur.com/tf6F3nz.gif" style="float:left; padding:6px;"/><span style="color: #FF80BF"> "Good morning to you, King Raphael. Would it be an intrusion to join you?"</span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #A49FA3">"Lady Catalina,'' </span>he uttered her name with a wolfish smile tugging at his thin lips, and a slight bow of the head soon followed.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF80BF">"As always, your people continue to treat me so very well. I'd argue that my own family does not offer me such indulgences as you."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #A49FA3">"Do I? I'm glad to hear that.''</span>A knowing glint passed his eyes as he too gazed out to the serene body of water. He had barely been on the throne for a few, and already it appeared as if his reign was smothering some of the nobles. For a split second, he glanced away from the water and cast a quick glimpse behind his shoulder. A distended mass of people clustered around in the background, staring in his direction, all competing for their new King's attention, but Raphael could hardly tell who was his friend and who was his foe. Catalina's words always seemed to feel more genuine and reliable than half the people he met in his daily pursuits.<br/><br/><span style="color: #A49FA3">"Indeed, I've been occupied as my duty lies with England.'' </span>A woman passed them by and she coughed to alert the King's attention. When Raphael averted his eyes to her, she dipped into a light curtsy and he bowed his head in return, though before he knew it, his pair of glaciers were swiftly back on Catalina. He drew closer to her and shrugged a shoulder,<span style="color: #A49FA3">''and the Scots, they always seem to keep me busy. For now, we're at peace with one another, but tomorrow is another day, my dear. What are five years of peace, really? Sooner the barbarous Scottish King will look to advance upon us,''</span>he added with unusual composure, even though he was of the firm belief that such knowledge should never be publically shared with anyone.<span style="font-style: italic">Not unless I take the war to him!</span><span style="color: #A49FA3">''And the best form of government is one that embraces a balance of powers, so I have been preoccupied with that as well, and I wish to send a clear message to the people of England that their new King will never let them down.''</span>With an arch of a brow and a dark grin, Raphael looked at Catalina,<span style="color: #A49FA3"> ''but you need not concern yourself with that, my Catalina.''</span>He couldn't, however, help but laugh at her next question.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF80BF">"How does your Kingly status treat you, Raphael?"</span><br/><br/>[conversation continues in<a class="postlink" href="https://creativefreedomrpg.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&amp;t=53611">1x1</a>]<br/><br/><br/><span style="color: green">“Your Highness.” </span><br/><br/>Not too long after, Raphael caught the familiar faces of his Advisor and his wife, approaching.<span style="color: #BFBFBF"> "My Lord Andrew,''</span>Raphael smiled warmly as he made eye contact with his trusted Advisor, and turned his attention slowly to the woman on his arm,<span style="color: #BFBFBF">''Lady Grace, happy Easter. Good to see you fairing well. How is the baby?" </span>He addressed not only Grace but Andrew as well. Ever since Raphael was crowned, Andrew became the first person he saw in the morning and the last person to leave him in the evening, and he wouldn't have wished for any other. But today was a different day. Raphael hasn't had a chance to meet with Andrew in person after he returned home from the south of England the night before. After all the festivities of the day, he planned to send word to the most powerful barons and bishops of England for an important meeting in a week's time. He would also send for his chief ministers, Marshal and Chancellor. But prior to the meeting, he needed Andrew's advice concerning some matters.<br/><br/><span style="color: #40FFFF">"Your Highness. Happy Easter, my Lord,"</span><br/><br/>And of course, not long after, the presence of England's rightful Queen was all that filled Raphael's eyes as she made a deep curtsy and lowered her head.<span style="color: #BFBFBF"> "My Queen, happy Easter to you as well.'' </span>The color of her dress suited her so well and her grace was enough to conquer him that day. As much as he wanted to meet her mid-way with a kiss upon her forehead, Raphael remained where he stood, until she drew close enough so that he could take her hand in his, lean slightly forehead and press a kiss to the back of her hand.<br/><br/>He turned to her sister and greeted her with a small bow of his head,<span style="color: #BFBFBF">"Lady Olivia, how are you being treated in my court?''</span>The sister was a vision of genuine beauty and she looked every inch the refined court lady. A wisp of golden hair danced on a sudden gust, brushing his jawline as he briefly moved his fingers to massage the skin at his temples, silent troubles eyes rising to meet those of his Advisor.<br/><br/>While he remained beside Catalina, Raphael touched Emanuela's forearm and he looked between the Queen, Olivia, Andrew, his wife Grace, and Catalina, introducing the latter to those who haven't met her yet.<span style="color: #BFBFBF">"Perhaps you have heard, but this is my good friend, Princess Catalina of Aragon &amp; Castile, joining our court for the day, although I would be delighted if it would be true the lady came to live with us,''</span>he also proposed, casting a glance at Catalina with undecipherable aims shadowing his face, now that he discovered during their conversation a moment ago that she fancied some noble Englishman. Perhaps that man was in his court. Little did he know that Catalina was speaking of the Duke of Gloucester.<br/><br/>And where was he now?