The Easter morning sun broke to find Richard already awake. Through the night he had busied himself with thoughts of the coming celebrations at the King's estate, sparing only a few hours for sleep. Anticipation had turned to anxiety as thoughts of failure nipped at the heels of his mind. To still his tumultuous mind, he reached for the egg that sat in the locked box beside his bed. Turning it in his hands as he fished out some paints and a paintbrush, he hoped that its crude images did not disappoint. When the church bells tolled the end of the morning mass, Richard had a servant run out to the church to begin preparations for his private ceremony. Of course Richard himself would not be attending, but there needed to be enough pomp for passersby to believe that he had. As he painted, he made a mental note to leave a generous tithe in the coming week.<br/><br/>When time came for Richard to attend the King's ceremony, he was dressed in his usual dour garments, but nonetheless had taken time to construct his appearance. His doublet was a coal grey with the slightest glimmer of purple in the sun. He had gone to great pains to acquire this item, having to correspond with his mother in order to source the material and lodge an insipid Italian tailor until his work was done. Although such lengths to acquire a doublet may have appeared to be a vain endeavor, Richard's pride would not allow for anything less. When the garment was finished, he had only to wait for an occasion to wear it, and Raphael's Easter celebration gave him the perfect opportunity.<br/><br/>There were other reasons for Richard to attend the celebrations. The joust roused his interest as he was never a man to pass an opportunity to display the skills his father had drilled into him. Although he loathed the man, he could not help but feel the slightest measure of gratitude for the training he had given Richard. "Stone is only as strong as its largest fissure" he thought to himself, and he had not broken under the cruel hand of his adopted father. Yet it was not warfare alone that had riled his thoughts. Princess Catalina would also attend the festivities. The egg in Richard's breast pocket pressed harder against his sternum as he inhaled deeply to still the growing pace of his heartbeat.<br/><br/>There was little doubt in his mind that the Princess would stand by his side, but he wondered how great a part she would play in the times to come. Her title was an appealing quality, but Richard worried that her friendship with the King ran deeper than her relationship with him. He snapped himself from his ruminations, steeling himself against his worried mind, and resolved to continue with what he set out to do. The Resurrection held little significance to him, but today was still important. There was no better time for him to test her affections and, if they held true, share his aspiration to the crown.<br/><br/>Richard was in no hurry to arrive on time, and there were a few matters to attend to on his trip. Halting his company outside a blacksmith, Richard entered alone. He considered every possibility over the past few weeks, preparing for any outcome, and if his machinations fell short, he would not die on some gallows.