The newly minted Grand Duke and Duchess returned home to Suffolk. On the trip, when they felt safe to talk, they discussed the new turn of events. It all happened so fast and was so very unexpected. Since they're both so surprised, it's hard to put into words.

There are both good and bad about this outcome. One great consequence is the Duchy of Suffolk is now aligned with the territory of Wales. Since The King himself is the sovereign ruler of Wales, Henry made it clear during morning talks, Charles's duty would be to administer governance over this territory as well.

He had stated "I haven't the time to properly invest in the Wales region. I am much too busy ruling the kingdom at large. Until I have a son, which I will with Ann, you will rule the day-to-day nonsense. You and Mary have proven yourselves capable. You will receive the royal governing documents bi-weekly regarding the Wales estate."

So matters of Wales now fall to him. That provides more opportunity for his own Duchy. Plus in a roundabout way, this restores to his wife her old title of address, Her Royal Highness of Wales. It also allows her the rights and properties thereof traditionally given to the Prince of Wales, including the use of the official seal for correspondence.

Though the King also made clear "She is not a princess, but a Duchess. A Grand Duchess. The Grand Duchess of Wales. And mind you, she is still at the bottom in the order of succession."

How kind, Charles had wanted to express with sarcasm. But he knew better and stayed silent. Instead, he thanked His Highness and let him know "We will honorably govern the territory."

Then King Henry explained, "I know. That's why I gave it to you. In Wales, I have a stately manor home. It was given to my mother. I have never used it, have no need to. It's yours to use when you need to travel there. In fact, I think I'll give it to you outright. Consider it a dowry."

This time he thanked his father-in-law, not the king. After that they talked about more matters of Wales and The Grand Duke was given the Wales documents. Another thing given to them was additional guards. Now that they are Grand, the King saw fit to update their protection. This is actually wonderful because now Charles can assign more men to Mary's security detail.

With a sigh of irritation, the Grand Duke of Suffolk rested his head back on the seat. Mary rested her hand on his. They laced their fingers together. "Whatever happens we will govern justly. We won't fear either the future or failure. Even great attempts are considered worthy if we at least try to serve with honor and dignity," she told him.

Looking at her he agreed. "True. But our plates just got a little more full. We're going to have to split our time up too. Our lives have become busier." And it did.

Letters came pouring in from Wales by the dozens. It seemed word got out there's a new regional ruler. Day after day more mail seemed to arrive by basket fulls. Charles had to have Mary help him respond to them. If he tried to do it himself the first batch of letters wouldn't be completed until Christmas. She assisted him in organizing a system. With the help of two well-read, and trusted, servants the mail became separated into piles. The piles are labeled crucial response, casual response, and delayed response.

All of the crucial responses fell to the Duke to answer unless he needed advice. Then he'd ask his Duchess. The casual responses went into Mary's basket, and together they would read and respond to the delayed ones. The mail system worked with ease. It truly saved Charles from going round the bend.

Then came word from the Welsh nobles that there are fortification problems. So with all the mail and now the fortification issues, by the end of the month, the new grand territory governors knew they needed to visit there. They readied themselves to travel the first week of March.

Now, this posed a problem as their journey might conflict with the craft festival. Both Charles and Mary promised to be back by the last Saturday of the month. Plus she told Lady Ashdown she would correspond via Maggie her mail magpie.

Mary has never owned a formal pet, but she does have Maggie. She obtained Maggie as a young child. Always one to be fascinated by things, at the time the young princess was interested in mail-carrying birds. The palace owned several pigeons, a raven, and of course falcons. Being curious about how they worked, she began reading on the topic. Through her reading, she learned magpies can be just as adept for message carrying and are more intelligent than pigeons, and other smart birds.

After asking her father for one, he at first refused saying "Why would you want a magpie? They're stupid filthy creatures." Not ever really giving him an explanation, she begged using her sweet voice and pretty blue eyes. He eventually gave in and had a servant buy his pearl a magpie.

Mary told the servant exactly what she wanted. "The magpie must be a girl with black and white coloring." The servant nodded and returned hours later carrying a birdcage. Inside the cage is the prettiest magpie Mary ever saw. White beak with a black tip, black body with white-tipped wings, and white on the back of its head. It was not just all black and white for the bird has a bit of blue in the tail.

And she loved it from the start. Right from the get-go, she set out to train the bird. The first couple of weeks were hard. The magpie was stubborn, but eventually, the bird got the hang of it. Until one week when Mary didn't even keep it in the cage. Even then Maggie flew back. So now she has a free-roaming magpie that her parents think she lost ages ago. Not true, rather the bird is so intelligent it can be trusted to be loyal, unlike people.

When Mary calls it with a whistle, Maggie flies to her arm. She lets out a song of hello, to announce her presence, then greets her mistress with an "Apple. Apple come here Apple." That's what she calls Mary. If Maggie has a lot to say, then she'll talk... a lot. Her mistress also found out that the bird is also good for spying. She will reverberate the speech and only Mary knows she can do that.

In days of loneliness at Ludlow, the sad princess would talk to her bird. It was there the magpie learned more words. And no matter what she always returns when called, always. When Maggie met Lady Agnes, the housekeeper tried to get her to speak. Except she would only call "Apple. Apple come here." She refused to talk for Lady Ashdown. Then when the lady tried to feed her, Maggie pecked her finger.

"Foul filthy beast," Lady Agnes scolded. But Maggie disagreed. "Maggie is a good bird. Apple come here." Yes, Maggie, the magpie is a wonderful creature!

On the first Monday of March, the Grand Duke and Duchess set off for their new territory. It was a long trip that required them lodging in Hereford. This is great because Charles and the Viscount, Walter Devereux, can chat. It gave the two time to talk and discuss their trade partnership in more detail. While the two men talked, Mary and the Countess chatted too.

Countess Bridgette is a simple but cultured lady. Mary found the woman is easy to talk to and fun to be around. The two ended up playing a game of rummy together, to which the Countess beat the Duchess fair and square. Admittedly, cards are not Mary's strong suit but she does favor dominos. They played that next and the Duchess made up for her loss by winning all five rounds.

The next day the couple traveled to Cardiff, where their new manor home is supposed to be. "According to the manor document it should be down this road," Charles explained. He had shown it to the driver that morning. Peering out the window, he yelled out "Stop the carriage! Driver, stop the carriage!"

At the stop, Charles hauled his wife out. They both stood off to the side of the road looking at a view, from an area of clearing. Mary could not believe it. For there stood a small ramshackle cottage, not a huge manor like they had envisioned. "This must be a mistake. It has to be." She snatched the paper out of her husband's hands and read it. Taking in the directional marks a determination was reached. "I knew that tiny thing could not be our new home. My father would never own anything that simple." The residence they were looking at is very tiny, cute but small. Much too small for a king, more like a miniature king.

She then explained "The map is upside down. So we need to turn around and go back that way, but take a turn to the right this time."

Giving her husband back the map, he felt like an idiot. Why didn't he realize the map was upside down? Seeing her husband's face, she told him "It's a common mistake. Anyone would have made the same error. Don't beat yourself up over it. We'll just change our direction is all."

They got back in and turned their party around. Now on the right path, this time Mary was the one to "Stop the carriage!" Upon getting out the Grand Duke and Duchess stood on the hill overlooking the manor.

Charles took it in and said "Yes. This is more like your father." Staring down, its magnificence is easy to see with the sheer massive size of the home. It loomed heavy and large over the brush of trees. Beautiful landscaping that would make their own landscaper jealous stole the show from afar. Lush gardens, shrubbery, trees, and plenty of hunting grounds.

Once back into the carriage, it drove them up the long winding dirt road leading to the iron gate and deposited a shocked couple at the front doors. "Good lord. From afar it didn't seem so big. This is almost as obscene as Whitehall Palace," Mary mentioned.

The housekeeper, groundskeeper, and butler came out to greet them. Lady Enid, as she is known, was the one to speak first. "Welcome to Wales your Royal Highnesses. We at Hapus House are ever so glad to have you." The older lady, of red hair, curtsied to them both.

Then the butler introduced himself. "Good day. I am Glyn your butler. Please let me know if there is anything at all you need. I am here and happy to serve you." He bowed.

Both the Duke and Duchess thanked them kindly. The minute they were escorted into the Hall Mary took one look around and laughed. Charles gave her a curious look. Turning to Lady Enid, she asked "Exactly how many rooms are in Hapus House?"

Smiling at her new lady, Enid responded with pride "One hundred and twenty-two rooms with three hundred and sixty-five windows, Your Highness. It is a lot of house to take in. There are also twelve entrances. You must have a look at the oak fireplace in the library. Come I'll show you both."

The friendly housekeeper led the couple down a long passageway to the fireplace. It is just as she said, large and ornate and very "Lovely. Everything here has been kept so well. It's such a shame this house has been sitting here with no live presence for so long."

With a nod, Lady Enid commented "Thank you for your kinds words My Lady. The last true resident was your grandmother, the dowager Queen. Your father has never visited, but now that the house has new owners I suspect all of that will be remedied." Looking at the new master of the Hall, she declared "I am sure you are interested in the hunting. Sir Osian can tell you all about that." She motioned to the groundskeeper.

A tall gangly man, dressed smartly, Sir Osian addressed the new owners. "That I can. There are walled gardens around the property, which is five thousand acres. There are several lakes on the property for good fishing, as well as open fields and forests for hunting. In the back, there are stables and kennels. Though there are kennels, the only dogs there be are corgis. Hapus breeds the corgi. I can take you to a hunting dog breeder during your visit if you like My Lord."

Already dumbfounded by the size of the house, Charles stood flabbergasted at the mention of the land. "Yes. That would be acceptable," he told the man. He's really not sure what he agreed to.

Taking his arm, Mary asked for a tour on the way to their room. They saw a lot of rooms and a lot of hallways. There's no way on earth they will be able to remember the direction of things. Once in their chambers, Lady Enid echoed Sir Glyn's words. "If you need anything just pull the bell cord here." She showed it to them. "It echoes downstairs in the servant's quarters. We are all eager to assist and serve. Owen will bring you dinner. I'm sure you are tired and famished from a day's worth of travel. No need to eat in the dining room, unless you want to. Ring when you're finished and ready to bathe." She curtsied and left the room.

The minute the door closed, Charles sat down on the seriously comfortable bed. "One hundred and twenty-two rooms, Mary. What are we going to do with that many living spaces? I have trouble navigating the ones At Westhrope. On the other hand, the grounds are amazing."

Coming to lay on the bed, his wife smiled. From her vantage point, she can see the ceiling and it is as ridiculous as the three hundred and sixty-five windows. Of course, her father's family would have the most embellished ceilings ever, with grandiose curved architectural detailing using wood. "I truly have no idea what we'll do with that many spaces. While a bit shameless, it's not surprising. But all in all, you do have to agree it's gorgeous."

"I do agree. It's unsettling for me. I haven't been a Duke for long and now I'm a Grand Duke managing two lands with a new house that has over a hundred rooms." With his shoulders a bit slumped, he ran a hand over his face.

Sitting up, Mary came to the back of her husband and wrapped her arms around him. "You're a good governor. Being a great leader of people is not about a title or a designation. It has more to do with impact, inspiration, and integrity. You're able to turn vision into reality with responsibility. It's also about having the ability to connect with people for the purpose of empowering their lives. That's what sets you apart from my father." She rubbed his shoulders.

Then, after kissing the back of his neck, she told him "My father has lost integrity with the people. He's still the king, but the way he's going about kingdom business is not winning people. And compared to our Duchy, London is repugnant. What the King once again cast aside, you've picked up and taken it. Although this house and this HUGE territory look daunting, it's an opportunity. Right where we are now, you Charles Brandon, can change your life and the lives of others. It will be... grand." She giggled at her joke.

Chuckling as well, he got up, then laid down on the massive bed. Mary crawled and hovered over him. "You are going to be great because you are great. And I'm here with you. I'll help you if you let me. So, let's seize this chance and run with it."

So far what the King has cast aside as unwanted has turned into a real blessing. His wife most of all is the biggest one. "I couldn't take this on without you. Right now the only thing I want to seize is you. Our grand opportunity can wait until tomorrow." With those words, he pulled her down and they began to kiss. Not knowing what awaits them, they can enjoy this moment at least.