November 10th,1555

Greenwich Palace

Curse Northumberland for his defiance! His hunger for a French ally will stop him at nothing, he has gone against his king and for that he shall suffer.

Edward scowled as the Dudleys entered the banquet and took their seats at the end . Elizabeth sat beside him, marveling at her future husband, Prince Eric. Isabella had to be presented to court separate from as she dressed in her chamber and he was anxious to see her. The empty seat beside him made him twitch and he kept glancing towards the door. The casual conversations seemed to drone on and his mind was on the night Isabella had spent in his chamber. Seeing her in her night shift among his sheets had enthralled him but she cleverly wrapped herself in one coverlet and left the other for his use to prevent his touch. He thought about her head on his chest as he poured out things to her that he had shared with no other and she listened, comforting him when his eyes became misty. She spoke to him gently and watched him intently, she made him feel loved, a feeling a woman had never given him. His mother had died only days after his birth and his sisters were young at his birth. Yet, Isabella did it skillfully, as if it were an art. If the Lady Anne had been as loving and kind he pitied his father for seeking annulment from her.

"Presenting the Lady Isabella!"

His head turned sharply and the sight that his eyes befell enamored him more than her first portrait. She was dressed in a royal blue gown, with a dark green jewels in the bodice. Her hair was not covered by a hood and it flowed freely behind her, bright red like a flame. She curtsied and strode confidently to her seat beside him. She flashed him a smile and Edward nodded back to her.

"Ah, do I sense love between the English monarchs?" Henry II chuckled and raised his glass. "May God bless the union of Edward VI and the Lady Isabella with many healthy sons!"

"Amen!" Mary of Spain nodded her approval although Edward sensed a slight.

Mary wanted her son Henry to succeed him so that he could return England to Catholicism so that the Great Whore in Rome could rule over his people. Isabella sensed his discomfort and rested her hand upon his.

Isabella smiled at their guests. "As we pray for all of your kingdoms to grow and prosper."

The men seemed to watch Isabella as she charmed them. Edward felt even more blessed to possess her when the other kings could not. She was a gem, no less than that and Dudley scowled at her as she made herself more of a queen.

"Aye, Edward you have picked quite a lass. I, myself would not mind to seek annulment to compete for her hand." Phillip chuckled heartily at his jest while Henry II nodded in agreement.

Catherine de' Medici had grown used to the slights against her due to Henry's many mistresses but Mary had not for Phillip typically kept his affairs discreet. With a swift motion Mary had struck the King of Spain in front of the entire court. She grabbed her son and stormed off, the large doors slamming behind her.

"Well we now see who the real King of Spain is!" Eric of Sweden's laugh echoed around the silent banquet hall, causing the party to erupt in laughter and jests.

"Phillip does she handle your foreign policy?"

"I'm quite sure a lady as eloquent as Phillipa would not know the meaning of foreign policy."

Even the women giggled behind their fans to maintain their modesty, although Isabella glanced at Edward from the side of hers, her smile wide in amusement.

Phillip slammed the table, causing a servant to drop a tray of food. "I am the King of Spain! She is an insufferable wench and no claim to the English throne will change such! I would much rather suffer the depths of Hell than remain married to her." The Spanish king was red in the face and Edward was not surprised to hear such things said about his sister.

He knew she was defiant and angry often. Her temper was nothing like her mother Catherine's, more like their father Henry. Isabella stared at Phillip wide eyed and she turned to stare at Edward as if she were imagining him saying something similar about her. Isabella was an ideal woman, quiet and submissive and Edward thanked God for her.

"Your Majesty, your wife doth contain much love and praise for thee. Though, not of the womanly temperament she has borne you children and fulfilled her duties as your wife and queen," Isabella was attempting to diffuse the situation and Phillip glared at her.

Edward readied himself to defend Isabella from the Spanish king's wrath but to his surprise Phillip relaxed and sat back in his seat. Henry of Portugal had noticed the ease with which Isabella had calmed him.

"A German princess and an English queen she has been since birth," He raised his glass for another toast and the ale slid easily down Edward's throat.

The servants placed more plates in front of them and the scent of the spices rose. Ginger, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and chives were bright and heavy in the air.

The Duke of Norfolk stood. "In honor of His Majesty and honorable Lady Isabella, we the guests pray for many years of peace within your lands and harmony within the royal union."

Another toast. Another glass of wine or ale. The revels were in full swing and Isabella sat beside him, her cheeks flushed from the wine.

"Is my beloved pleased?" He inquired.

She nodded. "I am the most happy,"

Edward noticed Isabella's servant Ruth seated beside the Duke of Norfolk. A peculiar placement unless the two were betrothed.

Isabella seemed to notice his curiosity. "Aye, my lord. The Duke of Norfolk seeks my dear Ruth's hand."

Edward nodded and reclined in his seat. The music played on and the chatter continued. The dance floor began to fill and Isabella tugged his sleeve as if she were a small child.

"May we please dance?"

He did not speak but he stood and offered her his hand. She took it eagerly and nearly dragged him to the floor. She danced well, graceful as a swan. Edward pardoned himself back to his seat, much more interested in watching her than engaging her. She spun around, her dress becoming a blur of royal blue and green, reflecting Edward's own feelings.

She had made him a peacock.