Inge Bergman's Bedroom

Inge smiled at Valery and Sybille. She reached her hand holding her baby in her arms

"You're a true friend and I'm so grateful, Sybille. Please, thank the King for allowing me to stay here under his protection. I just want to protect Leonardo and I don't care about ranks.."

She said sincerely

Sybille smiled mischievously.

'oh I shall find a way to show him how grateful I am. And we can go back to Germany whenever you are ready. Oh I would love to help with the nursery'

Inge smiled after kissing Leo's soft cheek

"Thank you so much, Sybille. But..what you mean for grateful about the King? I remind you that I have been grateful with a king too, in Italy. That's why I have a cute baby in my arms, now.."

She smiled softly and ironically

May I have a hold Leonardo Inge. I shot sybille a look then looked back to Inge. Sybille you can not be serious you can not bed the king of Bavaria he would never accept you

'no I shall not become his misteress more like someone to flatter'

Inge smiled and she looked at Sybille

"This is a wise decision, dear friend. Men can be persuasive. But we women must be stronger than them. Aren't you, my little angel?"

She said turning towards Leonardo and kissing his little hand

I looked at Inge wondering why she ignored Maria.

'i shall leave the match making to my papa. Anne is making a tea party to welcome Maria into the family we do hope you will be able to attend'

Inge's glance moved from Sybille to Maria. She smiled at her

"I will be ver happy to attend, Sybille. Lady Maria, let me tell you how much I am happy for you. You're going to be part of a great family. Not only for rank. But for noble souls of Cleves's sisters. And the Duke William will be worthy of you.."

She said with a sincere smile on her lips. Little Leo started playing with her hairs

Thankyou for such kind words lady inge tell me would you like me to stay with you while sybille heads back to Germany I do not mind at all. I smiled looking at the little bundle if joy placed in her arms

Inge smiled warmly at Maria

"I would be delighted, Your Grace. You're all very kind. Princess Valery, thank you for coming here to assist a servant. And Sybille, tell to Anne and Amelia that Leo and I are fine.."

She said as she turned her glance towards all three around her

Ah thank you very much lady inge sybille I shall walk with you to your voyage. I stood up stretching my legs feeling somewhat nervous about meeting William

Sybille smiled and kissed inge cheek.

'Of course I will we shall be eagerly awaiting you both'

Inge smiled greeting Sybille and Maria

"Thank you again. Now I think I'll feed this cute man from my breasts. And after that we shall fall asleep. I'm very tired.."

She admitted smiling at them

Sybille got up and straighten out her dress.

'I shall write you Inge and look after yourself let me know when you are ready to join us'

Inge kissed Sybille back and rested her head on pillow

"I shall join you as soon as I can, Sybille. Thank you for everything.."

She smiled pulling her baby closer to her body

Not wanting to bother the King anymore I came to talk to Inge the loneliness was consuming me by the second and I wanted someone who understood me I gently knocked and waited.

Inge was putting down Leo in his bed. He fell asleep immediately. When she heard knocking at her door, she came to open. She smiled seeing Maria

"Lady Maria! What a surprise..please, come in. Just don't talk aloud. Leo just fell asleep.."

She invited her to step in with a gesture of her hand

With gentle steps I entered her room noticing little Leo asleep. Sorry I keep forgetting that you are now a mother I should of asked you if it was ok to visit you. I whispered gently not moving from the spot as I knew I am heavy footed. I just needed someone who understands me and the choices I have made and the only person I could think of was you Inge.

Inge felt touched by her words. She smiled and she showed her the sofa

"Oh don't worry. Leo sleeps deeply. And neith a storm could make him wake up. But please, have a sit. I thank you for your consideration, Maria. What do you want to talk about?"

She asked with sweet, friendly voice

I sat next to her on the sofa thinking how could I explain even though we had both been in the same boat. We have both been in similar situations do you think that we can both go on and find love. I once was told that a bored woman can be a dangerous thing all I have ever wanted was to be loved by William. I blinked away my sadness I was not used to being lonely and it was to become a habit.

Inge listened her in silence. She sighed touching softly her arm

"Of course, you can still find love, Maria. You're still young and beautiful. And if Willian doesn't deserve you, you'll find someone worthy of your love. Be optimistic. I don't like seeing you so sad.."

She said showing a cheering smile

Sadly if my Farther found out about what I done I would be disinherited and dishonoured from the family I'm not saying that it is Williams fault as it is not but he goes away for long period of times. If anyone deserves a happy ending the it is you Inge. I said looking at her affectionately.

Inge smiled sweetly and she rubbed her arm softly

"Thank you, Maria. But you'll see, there will be an happy ending for you too. We can't decide who fall in love with. It just happens. So don't have regrets and go on with your life.."

She suggested, since Maria's experience was very similar to hers

I turned to around to see Baby Leo fast asleep in his cot like a perfect angel. I was grateful for Inge words but I would have William our marriage had been arranged since birth. You know Inge that if you do meet someone I would be more than happy to look after Leo for you my siblings have children but I never get to see them I often wonder who out of the Cleves sisters will have children first.

Inge glanced at little Leo too and she looked at her smiling

"Oh you know that you can come and spend time with Leo whenever you wish, Maria. No need I meet someone. I find very hard the idea of a marriage for me.."

She rolled her eyes shrugging