Winter 1856

England entered one of the many drawing rooms of Windsor Castle and found princess Vicky playing the piano beautifully. The princess was now 16 and engaged to the crown prince of Prussia. That would mean England's "dear friend" Prussia would be at the wedding. She noticed England enter and turned around.

"Come in England. I was just trying to amuse myself." She continued to play a piece by Schubert. Vicky was now becoming a young woman. She had the beauty of her mother and the intelligence of her father the prince.

"One more year," England said casually. Vicky blushed and found a stopping place.

"Am I pretty?"

"Of course. Any princess of mine is beautiful. The prince will be happy to have you as a wife."

"The photographs don't hide anything," she joked. The door opened and prince Albert came into the room.

"Hello puss," he kissed her on the cheek and bowed to England. "I have some letters from Frtiz your fiance, and for England a photograph of our friend Prussia." England examined the photo. It is a tintype framed in gold. Prussia is wearing a suit and sitting down with his legs crossed. His grey hair was swept and curled at the sides.

"I should have a new photo taken soon," England remarked."I shall leave now. Please do play on Vicky. I want to hear as much of your piano skills before you leave us." Vicky smiled and played on with her father watching.

England went into another room and found the queen and her mother speaking.

"England, how nice of you to join us," the queen said. The queen was pregnant with what she says will be her final child. Following the birth of the Prince of Wales Victoria gave birth to Alice, Alfred, Helena, Louise, Arthur, and Leopold. England does his best to interact with the princes and princess as much as he can. Leopold however is mostly restricted to his room. The prince's health is monitored very closely. Any accident could lead to bleeding that can't be stopped. England does not say the dreaded word hemophilia out loud.

"Oh no need to join me," the duchess said." I am just reminiscing my days of marriage. Days that have long past."

"I remember," England said.

"I hate to say it, but I think it is time to look for a suitor for Alice," Victoria sighed. "All of my children are growing up so fast."

"Marriage is good for a the place of a woman. It may also quail the boyhood of the prince's," the duchess said.

"I can't even think of a suitor for Bertie. Oh it is much too soon mama. Would you agree England?"

"Indeed. Let us get through this marriage with Vicky first."

"Well said," Victoria smiled.

January 1858

At St James's Palace in the Chapel Royal the marriage of the princess and the prince of Prussia takes place. The princess is wearing white just like her mother did seventeen years ago. England will walk a pace behind the queen and prince consort. The Prince of Wales will be escorting his grandmother the duchess. The only royal family member not in attendance is princess Beatrice almost a year old.

Also in attendance is the crown prince of Prussia Wilhelm. Next to him is Prussia watching the ceremony.

Shortly after it is time for the princess to leave. She says goodbye to all of her brothers and sisters. When she reaches England she kneels and kisses him on the cheek.

"Goodbye friend," she says. England smiles and bows.

"Don't stay away too long." With that she left the room to board a carriage to take her to a ship bound for Prussia.

1901

England telegrams the Prince of Wales. It is nothing important just friendly talk. The Prince is delighted in the conversation and talks about his grandchildren and his mistress Alice Keppel. On England's desk is a small photo of the prince in his youth. The prince had his mother's looks but not his father's intelligence. The prince was slim framed and had a head of hair. Now the prince is quite large and balding.

Putting looks aside the prince is quite the man of society. Always attending this party or this charity with his wife Alexandra. It was his help that brought the monarchy from its knees when it needed the queen the most.

England doesn't like to think of that time. It was dark and it threatened to undo a system that had always worked. England is confronted with this time period as he steps into the queen's bedroom. On the right side of the bed is a small plaque with a drawing of the prince sleeping. A sleep that everyone wished he could have woken up from.