King Richard's study room

Richard was sitting at his desk, reading some papers. He was thinking about his wife Eleanor...How to protect her from scandals in his court?

A groomsman stepped forward, giving a bow.

"Her ladyship, Gia Francesca Gasparri, Contessa of Venice, brings her salutations, majesty," he announced.

Richard raised his head from his desk as the servant announced the Countess of Venice

Let her come in...

Gia entered the room giving a slight nod to the servant before she dipped into a low and humble curtsey, not looking up until the king had spoken to her, "your majesty," she breathed.

Richard smiled at her and leaned his back against the chair

"Lady Gasparri...welcome to my court. Please, have a sit. What can I do for you?"

He asked with warm voice, showing her the chair in front of him

Gia arose from her curtsey, placing her hands together before her. "Your majesty is far too kind," she gave a smile. She glided toward the chair and took a seat, fulling the fabric of her gown to the sides as not to step on her small train.

She smiled, "I am come to thank your majesty for allowing me entrance into your beautiful palace, as well as to give you a gift."

Richard showed her a kind smile and looked surprised at her

A gift? Oh...you're too kind, my lady. I heard many good things about you. That's why it's a pleasure to have you as guest in my Palace. Feel at home, here...lady Gasparri...

He added, while gesturing to a servant to come closer

Gia gave a smile, "my lady in waiting, Mionetta, is outside the doors," she spoke to the servant.

She turned and gave a smile as the servant left the room, and quickly returned with her lady in waiting, Mionetta, who looked flustered as her gaze come in contact with the king's. The lady in waiting gave a blushing curtsey and placed a chest in Gia's hands before she curtseyed again, and hurried from the room.

Gia held the chest out toward the king, "a gift from Italy," she smiled. "Made from Venetian glass, to reflect the colors of the waters of the canals."

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A servant showed him the countess's gift. Richard glanced at her lady Mionetta with a weak smile. Then he looked admired at the glasses

Oh...they are beautiful, my lady! I really appreciate them. I suppose...that a person who brings such precious gift, is an admirable person too. Thank you, lady Gia...you allow me to call you Gia, right?

He asked with a kind smile on his face

Gia gave a smile, "I am very glad your majesty likes them." She gave a nod, "your majesty may do as you wish, yet, yes...I am fine with being called Gia," she smiled.

"I wanted to give your majesty something from Italy, something that shows its beauty, though I fear it may not compare to the beauty of your palace."

Richard smiled again and interlaced his fingers together on his stomach

It has been very kind of you, my lady Gia. I'll never forget such kindness. Tell me...have you relatives here at court? Or you're here alone?

He asked curiously, looking directly at her face

Gia lifted her head, "alas, I am here alone," she spoke. She gave a smile, "yet, I am come to visit my ward, the lady in waiting Charlotte Rosenauer, and see how she does at her duties."

Richard frowened a bit and thought for a little while, rubbing softly his chin. Then nodded with a smile

Charlotte Rosenauer...oh yes! I remember now...she is one of my Queen's lady in waiting. I'm glad to hear you have friends at court. And, as I told you, you can consider my Palace as your own house, lady Gia...You surely heard about my Queen Eleanor's coronation. Hope you'll attend to...

He said kindly, leaning his elbow on chair

Gia gave a nod and a smile, "thank you, majesty...and I would not dream of missing such a momentous occasion." She gave a laugh, placing her hand over her heart, "it has been a while since I have the seen the coronation of a queen...and I am sure your majesty has spared no expense in making her special day the most beautiful."

Richard nodded with a proud smile

Of course, my lady. My Queen deserves the best. And even if expensive...I want her coronation's day be inforgettable. I am happy to see her smile. I'm sure you understand, lady Gia. Are you married?

He asked curiously

Gia laughed, "certainly! A future queen should have all she wishes."

Her smile faded and her face grew grave a moment as she rubbed her hand against her neck. "I...have been widowed for nearly ten years, I'm afraid."

Richard's smile disappeared too, and an embarassed expression appeared on his face

Oh...I'm sorry, my lady. I didn't know about that. Please, forgive my question...

He said with low voice, noticing it was still painful for her

She shook her head, a smile on her lips. "No...he is in a much better place." She placed her hands in her lap, "it is only so very sad to think, that someone you were once bound to in matrimony and love, is suddenly gone, and our bonds cut."

She smiled, "but I am better now...I have put my sadness into more productive things."

Richard smiled weakly after her words

Oh...I'm glad to hear that you feel better. Time can heal every wound, lady Gia. And...what kind of things? If I may ask...

He asked curiously, rubbing softly his chin

She smiled, "ohhh, I have very much been a benefactoress for the arts," she nodded. "And I have found myself donating to, of course, the less fortunate and funding any businesses they have been trying to start," she looked out the window, "my proudest achievement is on the board of benefactors for a young women's school."

She leaned forward, her eyes looking into his majesty's. "I must confess, that is also why I am come," she gave a laugh, placing her hand under her chin. "I have heard much of your schools are very well run, and I have notied the art and architecture of your majesty's palace...I have come for some inspiration." She gave another laugh, "I am certain I shall find quite a bit at your new bride's coronation."

Richard listened carefully at her and nodded with interest

A school? Oh...it's a very interesting project, my lady. I think I can help you to do the same here at court. You can be....teacher of Palace, and bavarian young ladies will learn good manners from you, lady Gia. I'm sure my Queen will approve too...

He said smiling, noticing she was a very clever woman

Gia smiled brightly, tilting her head. "I think I should like that very much your majesty," she nodded. "Do you find your ladies of court very much in need of such lessons?" she tilted her head, again.

Richard laughed silently and shrugged a bit

Oh...I think my Queen's ladies are very good and nice girls. But maybe...some lessons about good manners can make them improve in their duties. You know...my Eleanor is still so shy and unexperienced about court life. So...she surely needs being surrounded by very well learned ladies in waiting...

He explained sincerely, with a smile on his face

Gia gave a smile, "I understand what you mean," she laughed.

She gave a smile, placing her hands together, "I should love to help her majesty...and her ladies."

She blushed a little, "...I must admit, I think I shoud love to work with her majesty." She looked out the window again, "at the school, I often teach the young girls and older ones lessons in grace and etiquette."

She leaned forward, looking his majesty in the eye. "Might I ask?...how do you find your new bride?" she smiled, "she is very pretty, and I see she has the greatest potential to be loved by your people."