No Place Like Home

As the royal carriage pulled to a stop outside the palace entrance, the door was held open for the Queen and Princess. Bella stepped straight into her husband's arms and relaxed immediately.

"I have missed you my love."

"As I missed you Edward. It is good to be home."

She then went round hugging each of her children before taking the young Prince Robert and Prince Arthur into her arms. The next carriage rolled to a stop and the Queen returned to her husband's side. Duke Jasper climbed from the carriage before turning to help his weak wife. The King rushed forward to help. The way his wife had described Alice's health was a little off.

"Edward, please. I can walk alone."

"Are you quite sure Alice? I do not want you falling."

"I am quite sure."

"Okay. It's good to see you again. It has been too long."

"Yes. Jasper would not allow me to leave home. I am truly sorry for missing the birth of your most recent children."

"It is nothing to worry about. You are here now. Come, let's go inside and you can meet them."

"Thank you."

The entire family gathered in the largest of drawing rooms, afternoon tea being served. The Queen had her youngest brought forth and placed into Alice and Jaspers' arms.

"They are wonderful. So adorable. As are all your children."

Everyone had a fun afternoon. The drawing room was filled with laughter and glee. The Duchess hadn't felt so happy and alive in a long time. But she grew tired quickly and retired to her chambers until dinner. Bella took her children from the room to give her husband time with his brother.

She sent her children to her personal drawing room before heading to her chambers. After a quick bathe, she was dressed and returned to her children. The five eldest sat in a corner, picking up some embroidery. Her other 13 children, Robert and Arthur not present for feeding, were sat around their mother. Bella listened to their tales of what they had been doing whilst she was away. Elisabeth telling her sisters of William and how Mother had acted.

"Mother?"

"Yes Martha?"

"Why doesn't Uncle Jasper and Aunt Alice live in the palace?"

"That is a story that you must ask your Uncle. Why don't you run along and ask him now? You could take your brothers and sisters."

"Okay Mother."

Martha, Isadora, Charles and Young Edward made their way through the palace halls before knocking on the door to the drawing room their father and Uncle were in.

"Enter."

Pushing the door open, a wide smile spread across the King's face at the sight of his children.

"What can I do for you, darlings?"

"Mother said we should ask Uncle about a story."

"What story would that be Isadora?"

"Why you don't live with us?"

"Ah."

The brothers looked between themselves, their mood having dropped slightly. Jasper pulled Isadora and Martha onto the lounger on either side of him. Edward took both his sons onto his knees.

"When I was 16, your grandfather told me that I had to marry. I knew that he would speak to me about that and I was ready to tell him that I was in love."

"With Aunt Alice?"

Chuckling, he nodded his head.

"Yes with Aunt Alice. She was very beautiful and I saw her often. She lived one town over from here so I would often ride over to her and we'd go on walks and horse rides and picnics. When your grandfather found out, he told me that I could no longer see her. I was to marry a different woman. The Princess Marian of Etresea. I didn't love her and I refused to marry her. Because I refused to marry Marian war broke out between our Kingdoms. Your grandfather banished me from the palace and stripped Alice of her title. The war was won but your grandfather wouldn't take me back. We lost many men in that war and he blamed me. Aunt Alice and I got married and lived together. We never saw our family's. It was just us, but we were happy."

"Didn't Father ever see you?"

"No. He wasn't allowed to."

"I asked about your Uncle but your grandfather told me nothing. I had to focus on becoming King. But I always thought about my brother."

"Why is Uncle Jasper back now?"

"Well, when I became King there was nothing to stop me giving your Uncle his crown back. I couldn't make him King, like he was supposed to be. But I offered him the crown of Prince. After what your grandfather did to him, he wouldn't return to the palace. So I made him a Duke. That's why he doesn't live at the palace."

"I'm sorry Uncle Jasper."

"There is nothing to be sorry about Martha. I have a beautiful wife that I love. And I have many wonderful nieces and nephews. Now that you know the story, why don't we go to dinner?"

"Okay. Can I sit next to you Uncle Jasper?"

"Martha, darling, you know that you aren't allowed to."

She frowned sadly. She really liked her uncle.

"Why don't we play a game outside tomorrow Martha? All of us together."

"What game?"

"You can choose."

"Any game I want?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

She was much happier now. The six of them made their way to the great hall for dinner. The youngest sat at one end of the long table, the adults at the other. Alice took full advantage of being able to drink wine. They all ate, laughed and talked for hours. The children were sent to bed at different hours depending on their age until it was just Alice, Jasper, Bella and Edward. It had been a long time since any of them had felt so light hearted. Especially Alice. But everyone had their limits, Jasper escorted his wife to bed in the early hours of the morning.

A little tipsy, King Edward followed his wife to her chambers. He slowly stripped her from her dress and lavished her body. She'd filled out over the years. Her body was absolutely perfect. He lapped at her until she shattered into a million pieces. He then proceeded to love her in the way only he ever would. Her chambers were filled with pants, groans, moans and short breaths until they both fell asleep. Even when they woke, they still felt the need to love.

This time Lady Angela took the morning silence from her Queen as a good thing. It gave her private time with her husband after being away from him. She had been given the opportunity to leave the palace and live a quiet life with her husband and child but she decided to stay. Both Angela and Ben liked working close to the King and Queen and they were given more than enough time with their family. When the Queen's service bell rang through their room, she sighed and fell to her husband's chest.

"I suppose it's time for us to get dressed now."

"You could ignore it just once. Explain to the Queen later."

"No. She'll be tired. And the King will call for you soon anyway. I'm sure she is going to be busy tomorrow morning too."

"Are you suggesting that the Queen will be engaged in the marital bed tomorrow morning?"

"Perhaps."

"If you tell anyone of such a thing she will have you for treason."

"Then I shall not speak of it ever again."

The bell rang again. Hurrying to get ready, she dashed as quickly as was allowed to the Queen's chambers.

"Good morning Bella."

"Why are you late Angela?"

"I was in the company of my husband this morning."

"As was I. The maids are preparing a bath for me. Would you have my breakfast fetched, I'm afraid I'm rather famished?"

"Of course."

"And eat something yourself."

Bella smiled up at her friend. Angela curtseyed and left again. A maid approached the Queen to let her know that bath tub was prepared. She stripped from her robe and slipped into the bath. It was good to be home. Her breakfast was served whilst she was still in the water. By the time she was dressed and ready for the day, her family were all out on the lawn, in the middle of a small game of cricket.