Christmas Party / New Year 1533

Most of the winter I had spent traveling back to Bavaria wondering if this had been a mistake to even come back. My visit would be a fleeting visit people would see me arrive, but they wouldn't know just how long I was spending here. While I was here I hoped to catch up with my sister Beatrice who had been so silent for the past year I had no clue if she still resided at this court or had gone on to another. Taking a cup of mulled wine I looked around the great hall in hopes to see my son, but Richard was not here yet himself. Finding a quiet corner, I stayed there out of the way for the time being hoping to come across a devious maid who would tell me all about the king and just what or who he had been up to.

A servant entered and shouted

"His Majesty the King and his Highness Prince Maximilian!"

Richard walked into the Hall while everyone bowed at him. He was followed by a lady carrying Max in her arms. He was one years old, now. And this was his first Christmas. Richard sat on his thone and the little Prince was placed on a comfortable chair next to him. He looked around to see if there was someone familiar. Until he looked at a corner and he opened his mouth in surprise. He saw Isabella, but he couldn't believe his eyes

Inge joined the Christmas Party with little Leo. He could walk, now. Holding his little hand, she walked until the big table and sat there with the other guests. Her dress was very simple and elegant at the same time. She wondered if Daniel was around. It was a long time since she talked to him

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Inigo walked into room with Francisca. He decided to leave for Spain at the beginning of the new year. But for now, he just wanted to enjoy Christmas Tide with his wife and family. He bowed before the King and reached his table. Musicians were playing music and servants were pouring some excellent red wine

Juliet along with her little girl Elizabeth Grace walked into the great hall. Elizabeth Grace giggles like a one year old girl would. Juliet took Elizabeth Grace up to her uncle."Merry Christmas your majesty"She said as Elizabeth Grace reached out for her great uncle the king.

Richard Meyer wrote:

A servant entered and shouted

"His Majesty the King and his Highness Prince Maximilian!"

Richard walked into the Hall while everyone bowed at him. He was followed by a lady carrying Max in her arms. He was one years old, now. And this was his first Christmas. Richard sat on his thone and the little Prince was placed on a comfortable chair next to him. He looked around to see if there was someone familiar. Until he looked at a corner and he opened his mouth in surprise. He saw Isabella, but he couldn't believe his eyes

Nothing had really changed here all the familiar faces were still here. But what was really touching was that Richard had our son sitting next to him on his throne. A very bold move, one that made me nervous. Not wishing to cause attention to myself, I kept to the outskirts of the hall watching couples dancing, taking up the center hall. A flurry of red dresses swished around in circles as the ladies dance partners had a grin fixed firmly on their faces. I stood a few feet away from Richard and Max still shielded by the courtiers. "Happy new year your Majesties"

Richard greeted Lady Inge and Ambassador Mendoza. He nodded with a smile at his niece

Merry Christmas, Juliet. Hope you're enjoy the festivities. I wish all the best in the new year for you and your little daughter..

After she left his presence, he saw Isabella approaching the throne. He smiled nervously as his heart started beating faster. She was still beautiful as he remembered her

Happy new year, Isabella. I'm glad to see you back at court. How are you?

He asked, while noticing she couldn't remove her eyes from Max, sat next to him

Grace started to cry when she was pulled away from her great uncle. "Oh sweetie it's ok."She said as Grace pulled her to her great uncle. "Sorry uncle I think she wants to spend time with you."She said as Grace nodded her head.

Inge Bergmann wrote:

Inge joined the Christmas Party with little Leo. He could walk, now. Holding his little hand, she walked until the big table and sat there with the other guests. Her dress was very simple and elegant at the same time. She wondered if Daniel was around. It was a long time since she talked to him

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It had been such a while since Sybille had seen her good friend Inge. Little Leo was sitting proudly as her son next to his mother. The parts of Leo that she could not recognise must of been from his fathers side. Pulling out the chair that was free next to Leo Sybille seated herself down. Hello my darling friends.

Inge smiled brightly as she saw her dear friend Inge. She missed her

"Sybille! Oh God..so long time. I find you so beautiful. Happy new year, my dear. How are you?

She asked, while Leo was smiling at Sybille as she sat next to them

Thank you Inge of course beauty is only skin deep. I am lad to see you both here. I can hardly keep up with who is where and Amelia hasn't been home in a year! Still I hope she is happy wherever she may be. Sybille promptly removed the napkin from it's holder and laid it over her lap. For when the food was to be served.

Inge put her napkin on her lap as well, and she made the same with Leo. She knew he was very hungry and waiting for food. She turned towards Sybille

"Sadly I have no news of her, Sybille. I heard that she lives at english court, now. And there are rumors about an engagement..or secret marriage. But nothing more. Hope she is fine. And what about you, dear friend? Are you happy?"

She smiled, before glancing at the King for a little while

Sybille could hardly believe her ears Amelia to secretly engage! She couldn't think of what was more displeasing having secrets from her secrets. Or an English duke marrying into the greatest German family other than the royal family itself. To an Englishman as always I am the last to hear of anyone's plans in my family. Do you think she shall always live in England. It didn't bother Sybille if her siblings were always away from court. She had Inge who was the next best thing to family.

Juliet Prinsen wrote:

Grace started to cry when she was pulled away from her great uncle. "Oh sweetie it's ok."She said as Grace pulled her to her great uncle. "Sorry uncle I think she wants to spend time with you."She said as Grace nodded her head.

Richard looked at the little girl and smiled. He nodded

It's alright, Juliet. Let her come to me..

Sybille of Cleves wrote:

Sybille could hardly believe her ears Amelia to secretly engage! She couldn't think of what was more displeasing having secrets from her secrets. Or an English duke marrying into the greatest German family other than the royal family itself. To an Englishman as always I am the last to hear of anyone's plans in my family. Do you think she shall always live in England. It didn't bother Sybille if her siblings were always away from court. She had Inge who was the next best thing to family.

Inge shook her head softly

"I don't know, Sybille. But I wish to see you all together again. I mean..you, Anne and Amelia. I wish I had a sister..but I don't care. Because I have you, dear friend.."

She added smiling stroking softly her hand

But Inge what of your plans. Once a time not so long ago you spreaded you wings and Leo came from such adventures. Do you not get bored being in my service. I sighed gently as I looked straight into her eye's. Sometimes being at court was boring same old faces. To me Inge would always be free to come and go as she pleased.

Inge shrugged smiling a bit and she shook her head

"How can I be bored in serving you, Sybille? You're more than my Mistress. You're my friend. Neverthless, I was living in Tuscany when Leo came to world. I had an adventure, yes..but I'm not proud of it. I am just so grateful for having Leo. He is the light of my life..so I don't regret that time.."

She smiled and caressed his soft, blonde hairs. Then she took a breath

"Now I wonder about sir Daniel. I thought he was interested in me..but he disappeared suddenly. I don't even know if he is still in Bavaria.."

Richard Meyer wrote:

Juliet Prinsen wrote:

Grace started to cry when she was pulled away from her great uncle. "Oh sweetie it's ok."She said as Grace pulled her to her great uncle. "Sorry uncle I think she wants to spend time with you."She said as Grace nodded her head.

Richard looked at the little girl and smiled. He nodded

It's alright, Juliet. Let her come to me..

She let Grace down and Grace's little legs ran to her great-uncle. Juliet smiled at the site.

Richard let little Grace sitting next to him. He smiled at the little girl and ordered a servant to bring her some water and candies

Inge Bergmann wrote:

Inge shrugged smiling a bit and she shook her head

"How can I be bored in serving you, Sybille? You're more than my Mistress. You're my friend. Neverthless, I was living in Tuscany when Leo came to world. I had an adventure, yes..but I'm not proud of it. I am just so grateful for having Leo. He is the light of my life..so I don't regret that time.."

She smiled and caressed his soft, blonde hairs. Then she took a breath

"Now I wonder about sir Daniel. I thought he was interested in me..but he disappeared suddenly. I don't even know if he is still in Bavaria.."

I knew nothing about men they were something of an enigma to me. But they had duties that often led to them staying away from the court only to arrive back out of nowhere. Men are complicated my friend. What is he like? I can't even remember what the Frederick man is like. Only that he has rather a lot in common with my father.

Sybille of Cleves wrote:

Inge Bergmann wrote:

Inge shrugged smiling a bit and she shook her head

"How can I be bored in serving you, Sybille? You're more than my Mistress. You're my friend. Neverthless, I was living in Tuscany when Leo came to world. I had an adventure, yes..but I'm not proud of it. I am just so grateful for having Leo. He is the light of my life..so I don't regret that time.."

She smiled and caressed his soft, blonde hairs. Then she took a breath

"Now I wonder about sir Daniel. I thought he was interested in me..but he disappeared suddenly. I don't even know if he is still in Bavaria.."

I knew nothing about men they were something of an enigma to me. But they had duties that often led to them staying away from the court only to arrive back out of nowhere.  Men are complicated my friend. What is he like? I can't even remember what the Frederick man is like. Only that he has rather a lot in common with my father.

Inge smiled at her words and she blushed a bit

"Oh..he is rather handsome, indeed. Blonde hairs, blue eyes..probably he is in another court with another woman. I would be not surprised..Oh..and how was your father, Sybille? You never talked about him, before.."

She asked, very curious to know more about the Cleves's family. She felt very grateful towards them

Francisca de Pacheco wrote:

Inigo Lopez Mendoza wrote:

Inigo walked into room with Francisca. He decided to leave for Spain at the beginning of the new year. But for now, he just wanted to enjoy Christmas Tide with his wife and family. He bowed before the King and reached his table. Musicians were playing music and servants were pouring some excellent red wine

With the season of winter slowly ending making way to  happier months. I had wondered whether now would be the best time to travel to Spain. Such had been the conversation between myself an Inigo for many months.
If we leave now then we would probably make it in time for Easter celebrations.
Their was so many people to meet when we went back home. That I couldn't contain such excitement I wished to see them all.

Inigo smiled. He nodded thoughtfully, thinking that she was perfectly right

Yes..we could pay an official visit for Easter. Or maybe before Easter comes, my love. But we should harry up. If you wish..we can take a ship for Spain..next week. Do you agree..mi hermosa Francisca?

He suggested smiling. They both needed to go back in their land for a while