Great Hall

She sat at the table with some of her friends and giggled with them as they pointed out the handsome met at court. One of them mentioned a very good-looking one who just entered the hall. Charlotte glanced behind to see who she was talking about and saw Anthony. He was here. Her heart leaped into her throat and she went over to him, hearing the girls continuing giggling behind her. Slowly she approached him. "Sir Anthony?" She gave a little curtsy and her hand flew to her heart. "You've arrived," she could not suppress her smile.

I took another goblet, as I drank it I turned around and saw a vision come my way. I could not move, I was at a stand still. She spoke, I then took her soft hand in mine, brought it to my lips and kissed it softly. "My lady Charlotte, i'm very pleased to see you again." I said with a smile and bowed my head. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and kiss her so badly. "How do you fare this evening?"

She almost felt like a fool, just staring at him. He hadn't changed one bit. Still handsome, and his smile still made her melt. She wished she could have checked her appearance first. She was getting curvier, and her breasts were a little more full, filling out her bodice. She smiled as he kissed her hand. "It's wonderful to see you here, I hope you are well, I am glad you made the journey safely," she blushed at how far he had traveled for her. "I am very well, my lord. All the better now that you're here," She looked into his eyes, whispering "I missed you.."

I barely heard a word she said I was so taken by her. Except when she whispered in my ear, my knees when weak. "Yes, I well and so very pleased to see you." I said admiring her and all her beauty. "How are you, are you well?" I asked as a shudder went down my back after she whispered into my ear.

She smiled softly at him and couldn't help chuckling a little to hide her nervousness. "I'm very well, a little dizzy right now, let's find a table." She led him to a spot in a corner where it was a little quieter. "Please, tell me how your journey went, I was so pleased you asked to come and visit." she felt the heat rise in her face and felt silly for blushing.

When she said she felt dizzy, I just figured she had drank too much wine. "Yes, of course lets sit where it more quite." I smiled when I smelled her perfume. It reminded of the night we made love. "Well when you said you were not married nor betrothed I just had to come see you. How could I forget I ever forget your sweet lips, your touch." I grazed her cheek with my palm.

Anthony's words made her smile, his touch brought back memories of their night together,"Truly? I could not forget you either. I was so sure I'd never see you again. Now this is like a wonderful dream." She smirked at the thought of still being single. "I am not the type to hunt for a husband. Nor would I want one arranged for me," she shrugged. She doubted she would be wed if her recent fears were confirmed.

I took her hand in mine and smiled at her. "My lady, your so beautiful any man would be lucky to have you. I should think a woman with such spark and allure, would be married off. However, i'm very fortunate....as to have a second chance with you." I said as I became even more taken by her with every glance she gave me.

She smiled at his words, she heard them from others but they meant the most coming from Anthony. "You always say charming things, and I am flattered to receive them. In truth how could I ever marry, when you were the only one who made me feel..." she lost her speech when she looked into his eyes. Tears came to her eyes, surprising her. She wiped them away. "I thought I was used to letting people go. But you were different."

As she spoke, I saw her eyes well up. I took her hand and kissed it. I then wiped her cheek with my thumb. "Do not weep my lady, for I am here to wipe your sorrows away." I said and smiled at her. "Would you care to accompany me for a walk?"

She looked at him and felt silly for crying. "Of course, I shall accompany you." She rose from her seat. "There are some beautiful gardens here," she offered, thinking vaguely that it was nearly the same thing he'd told her when they met.

I took her hand and placed it under my arm as we walked across the Great Hall. "Well it's a beautiful night, It should be seen." I said happy just to be in her presence once more.

William walked into the great hall, and rubbed his forehead with his two pointer fingers. He had such an exhausting day. Everyone wanted something from him, and wanted him somewhere with them. But, enough was enough! He was finally going to relax. With that he sunk into the first seat he could find, and smiled in awe. "Now this is what I like," he said, to himself.

A servant announced the King and Richard walked into Hall for dinner. He smiled as he saw Eleanor at the table and sat next to her

Eleanor...my love! I'm so happy we can finally have dinner together. Sorry if I have been so busy. How are you?

He asked with a tender smile, holding her delicate hand in his

Charlotte needed human interaction again, and needed to be with people. She walked into the great hall, recognizing some faces and seeing some new ones as well. She smiled, hearing musicians in one corner and people eating, drinking and generally enjoying themselves this spring night. She took a goblet of Rhine wine and began to walk towards the musicians, their sprightly music was enchanting. Suddenly she noticed a woman around her age, and in her good mood she decided to introduce herself. "Good evening I'm Charlotte, are you new at this court?"

Running left Isabella severly hurt but she smiled when she saw the Ambassador waiting for her.

"I will be quick I have to go back to Spain I need to know that Joanna is being treated properly within her entitled rank. I know what the emperor is like unlike some of you thing is the child I bore with Richard is a bastard lets face facts and I cannot take him back with me I have left him upstairs in my chamber I will write to you on certain things concerning Spain. I promised my Farther that I would be a dutiful Princess my country needs me their is money enough to find him a wet nurse."

Isabella could feel her stitches open but she would be damned to stay here another second whilst worry of Joanna filled her mind.

"I hope you out of all people understand this position I am placed in I have to remain loyal to my country my farther promise and to ease my mind."

Inigo bowed as he saw the Princess. After she finished her speech, he answered

Your Highness, I understand your position. In spite of I have never hidden my disapproval for your relationship with the King, I know in what situation Queen Joanna is. I don't know if it's a good idea leaving your child here. I heard you had a surgery, and I would never allow my wife to travel in such conditions. But..if you're sure about your decision, I'll give you my support about Queen Joanna. Don't worry..

"She is also my Aunt I never thought of her as mad so I simply cannot understand this reason to put her away and I have a younger sister I fear for her safety aswell."

Isabella was in pain but she wasn't going to admit that to anyone.

"We both know that their is a chance that I myself might not come back Charles could have me locked away but then their is my sister I thought you would be happy that I am going it clears the way. I have learnt my lesson a child doesn't bring people closer together it pushes them further apart and what started out as something beautiful is now not so. You should of seen the way he looked at me after I had given birth I felt no love from him like a blank canvas. I need to go otherwise I shall miss my ship"

Isabella covered her eyes she did not want him to see her cry it was a point of weakness.

Inigo sighed deeply

Your Highness, I assure you that Queen Joanna is not mad at all. She just suffers because of lonliness. I don't know what's Emperor Charles is doing, but I promise that I shall write to him talking on behalf of his mother and your sister..

He paused, noticing that she was very pale

I think every men look women with different eyes after a birth. But not with less love. I..I see you're pale. Do you feel well, mi senora?

Isabella looked at him her anger was rising and so was the pain in her stomach.

"No he can't go anywhere near my sister I shall tell you something that no one else knows I write letters to the Queen and she does not sound mad and is reluctant to talk about her living conditions all I can imagine is her being locked up in a room cold and the smell being that of a stench which would make your eye's water she understands deeply how I am feeling but when your wife gives birth will you look at her differently? "

Reluctantly Isabella gave in

"Ok you may take me back to my chamber until the pain goes away. You can tell me about you're wife."

Trying to smile isabella clung to his arm

Inigo offered her his arm

I'm sure that your sister will help Queen Joanna. But you can't do it now. It's evident that you need to rest. When my wife Francisca gave birth our son Diego, I felt happy but also different. Becoming parents changes everything. But I have to say..there is still the same passion between us..

He said while escorting her towards her chambers

"You make me jealous Inigo because you love you're wife but have you ever remained faithful? They say passion and love is for an everlasting marriage I hope you both will be blessed with many more children."

Isabella told him sincerely enjoying this conversation.

"I like listening about your marriage how did you meet I gather by her name that she is also from Spain aswell. Will you keep me updated on any progress with my Aunt please and apologize to your wife for keeping you away from her whilst all this is going on I do not mean to keep you from her out of malice."

Inigo smiled. He was surprised by her interest in his marriage. Especially because he always condered her an enemy. Since she is a rival to his cousin Eleanor

Thank you, my lady. Oh..Francisca. My wife's name is Francisca. And I have always been faithful to her. Even when we were far from each other. I met her in Spain. She was the only daughter of a good friend of mine. He never arranged a marriage between us. But we fell in love little by little. And don't worry about the Emperor: I still have some ascending on him..

Isabella was listening contently she was finding his life rather interesting she stopped at her bedchamber door wondering what hold he had on the Emperor.

"You know what real love is. Thankyou for escorting me to my chamber if I receive any further news I will let you know."