Royal Stables

Edmund smiled and looked at John in wonder,"What did my papa say about me?"

I smile,"No he didn't. He only told you the tame version-he would not share such dark secrets,"I reply with a playful smile.

I turn to Edmund and pat his head,"And your father, wrote me on your birth and said you were the most precious and beloved boy. He loved you very much. You remind me very much of him."

"He loved you too, little Elizabeth. Said you were the image of your mother,"I reply and wink at Edmund.

Edmund chuckled cutely at John smiled happily.

I nod but remark upon how the little girl is already becoming French...her father would not have liked that.

"How are your studies going lad-are you being taught archery, sword fighting, about your people whom people you must protect?"I asj curiously.

Edmund glanced to his mother and then John,"I'm not taught those things. Just boring Latin and French and astronomy and arithmetic..."

I raise my eyebrows but I'm not surprised-he is raised in a sheltered environment by a woman,"We must remedy that,"I glance to his mother,"Musn't we lady Jane?"

I looked down the little girl and rolled my eyes but smiled at her mother's words.

"Well then I will teach him. He can't be brought up like Jasper was and only learn these things when he is old enough to leave home. Would you like that Edmund?"I ask.

Edmund nodded excitedly as his eyes glinted with the same blue sheen that his fathers once did.

"Oh he was that and more. In any other land he could have been a king, although his mother brought him up like a girl. It was his dear uncle and mine that taught him how to be a man,"I reply.

"Oh no! You had not met his mother-an awful woman. She married just one month after his father died,"I reply,"That is no good woman. Jasper was kind of heart and did not need to be taught that."

I shrug and don't voice my thoughts.