December 19th , 1555

Richmond Palace

Edward sat in a wooden armchair beside his beloved Isabella. She was beginning to show the earliest signs of pregnancy, a warming sight as Yuletide approached. Her ladies were decorating Richmond with Isabella supervising and occasionally getting up to help herself. Ruth was the top of the staircase, tying branches to the banister. Catherine and Marie de Meluen were at the bottom, tying bows to lace around the branches. He noticed that the sisters would have to exchange with Ruth, craftily put together by Isabella, no doubt. He also noticed that the other ladies were not anywhere in sight.

"Where are Lady Norfolk's favorites?" He chuckled quietly to Isabella.

She smirked. "They are off washing linens. It was the only way Ruth would associate herself with Catherine and Marie."

Ruth walked down the stairs and snatched three bows that were beside Catherine.

"There is no need for anger, Lady Norfolk!" Marie exclaimed.

Ruth turned and curled her lip. "Marie, there is no need for you to speak."

Ruth walked back up the stairs and began tying more boughs to the banister.

Catherine whispered something to Marie and the sisters fell upon each other, giggling. Edward heard footsteps and turned to see Dudley and Edward's Vice Chamberlain, William Cecil.

"Your Majesty," Cecil bowed. "there are some matters that must be addressed."

Edward turned to Isabella. "I will be back soon sweetheart,"

Rising to his feet, he stretched and began to follow Dudley and Cecil back to his privy chamber. The large wooden doors loomed in front of him, and Edward sighed, not wanting to do much work with his queen expectant and Yuletide so close. Reluctantly, Edward swung the heavy doors open and instinctively strode to his desk, plopping down into the chair. His two advisors shuffled in behind him, almost silently, as if they had obtained dire news of the northern rebellion or some other pressing matter. He nodded to Northumberland and Cecil to begin.

"You Majesty, as you know childbirth is a very dangerous endeavor, and I would suggest that you have a second bride in mind just so that in the event of Her Majesty's passing, there will be an alternative wife to continue the succession." Northumberland spoke curtly, several papers in his hands.

Edward glared at him and rose menacingly from his desk. Cecil warily stepped back from Edward while Northumberland stood stoically before him.

"Northumberland," Edward took a sigh, he was shaking, his eyes like daggers in their sockets. "If Isabella does not survive the birth of the child, we will discuss a second wife for me after the period of mourning has passed. I do not plan to lose her to this first babe and I will do everything in my power to ensure that I do not. If God's will takes her from me, that is when I will search for a new bride."

Edward stared at Northumberland for a few minutes more before shouldering past him towards the door. His head swung around to glare at Cecil, and he forcefully pushed open the oaken doors open. He walked purposefully back to the grand hall where Isabella and her ladies were sitting, still decorating the staircase. As she turned to smile at him, a twinge of anxiety pierced his heart. Presently, the royal couple were celebrating Yuletide, the impending arrival of Prince Eric of Sweden to take Elizabeth home to become his wife, and Isabella's success at becoming pregnant. It could all be torn away from him so easily and only God had the final say in the matter. He gazed upon his wife with a hunger, never wanting her to slip away from his grasp.

"Edward, what bothers you so?" Isabella's soft voice shocked him back into reality.

He cleared his throat and sat beside her. "Nothing for you to worry of my dear wife. Only matters of state that Northumberland felt to bring to my attention."

Her eyes widened. "Not a rebellion, I hope."

Edward shook his head. "It is nothing pressing." He danced around telling her what was discussed in his privy chamber.

"Edward, what are you not telling me?" She glared at him.

Edward sighed. "It was about your condition. Northumberland wanted me to begin searching for a new wife in the event that you die in childbirth."

Isabella nodded curtly, but she did not speak. Edward knew his wife had a distaste for Northumberland and his suggestion of searching for her replacement was not going to serve to smooth their relations.

"I sent him away. I know you are stronger than what meets the eye." He continued cautiously.

She smiled softly at him and put her hand over his. "I am glad that you are aware of this,"

Edward nodded before drifting back into thought. He visualized Isabella lying in her chamber, her bright blue-grey eyes lifeless, her soft white skin cold to the touch. It chilled him to see her that way, even in his mind. He watched her, her eyes danced as she watched her ladies decorate the hall, suddenly she became more precious to him, their time together was not something to be taken lightly. Northumberland had opened his eyes to their mortality and suddenly he felt the urge to be closer to her.

"Isabella, I love thee." He whispered softly, pressed his lips to her ear.

She grinned at him. "I love thee as well, Edward."

He placed his hand over hers. "I will be sure that Northumberland doesn't bother you while you are my consort,"

She rolled her eyes. "Northumberland is a fool,"

"He is my closest advisor and I wish for you-"

She raised her hand. "I am tired, I will go to my chamber now, excuse me, Your Majesty."

Isabella rose from her chair and tuned towards the direction of her chamber.

"I will come to you tonight, my love" Edward called after her.

She looked back at him. "I believe it is best that you do not,"

Edward watched her disappear from view and he let out a deep sigh. The rift between Isabella and Northumberland was growing wider, and he was left in the middle to sort it all. His good sense told him one thing: only one of them would remain in his life.