Once Carlos had taken his leave Stephanie called Lula to her and readied for bed. Whilst upbraiding her hair they talked of the days events.

"He is so…unlike the courtiers at home, Lula. More real, more alive"

"I be thinkin' it a'cause hes not been to court much, my lady"

"Yes, I should think that would explain it"

"Do you be needen' anythin' else, Lady?"

"No, thank you, Lula. Wake me up early, tomorrow? Carlos, uh, Sir Carlos, want to ride early"

Lula hid a smile when her Lady slipped in her speech, "Yes, Lady"

Once the Princess was comfortable Lula blew out all the candles bar one and left, closing the adjoining door with a soft click. Stephanie drifted off to dreams which were filled with riding Bright, Carlos' smiling face and his gentle lips on hers.

"Lady, Lady, wake up"

"What? Huh?"

"Lady, Sir Carlos need to see you"

"Oh, um, ok. My robe Lula, please," her voice was husky with sleep and Stephanie blinked her eyes fully open.

Her robe was brought and she shrugged into it, slipped her feet into her slippers and nodded to Lula.

In her receiving room was Carlos and the envoy, as well as the Lord Chancellor, and a smattering of important people who Stephanie did not know. They all looked grieved.

The Lord Chancellor bowed low, almost to the ground, far to low to a princess. "Your Majesty, I regret to inform you that your great father, King Ferdinand the Second, passed away last night."

He looked up at Stephanie, tears running down his face, "I proclaim you, as is my right gifted to me by his late Majesty King Ferdinand, Queen of Jersey, Stephanie the First"

Bishop Edward stepped forward then, sinking to his knees, "All hail Queen Stephanie, long live the Queen"

A chorus of voices followed, "Long live the queen"

Stephanie stepped forward, "But I do not understand… my father is the King."

"Your Highness, your father is passed on, my sincere sympathies"

"No…"

"Gentlemen, I think perhaps her Majesty needs sometime alone," the small gathering left, to prepare to present this news to the Jersey people, for the coming of the new Queen, and to grieve for their departed Sire.

Back in Stephanie's rooms Carol called Lula and asked her for a glass of liquor, brandy, he suggested.

"Stephanie" Carlos gathered her into his arms, leading them to the settee

"Is it true, Carlos, is he really…dead"

"Oh, Stephanie, I wish it was not true" She sobbed into his shoulder, crying for the memories that she would never be able to share with her father, for the memories that would fade with time, but mostly for the fact that he was only 40, that she was much more then simply a King, he was a father.

"Will you, stay, Carols?"

"Of course, Majesty"

"Do not call me that, please"

"Stephanie… you should know. You are queen now, Queen of Jersey, Sovereign to a nation"

"It is a title I do not want!"