Arrival in England

*to Elizabeth*
Thank you, my lady, your hospitality has been most appreciated. I will take you up on that on the morrow.
*watches her leave with longing- it is obvious he would rather spend more time dancing with the queen than at a likely awkward family dinner.*

*grins broadly at Marie's remark*
If so, hurrah! I shall be an...uncle?

No, you would have a sibling dearest Juan. Isabella and Carlos' child would be your sibling. *Rolls eyes at this handsome, but thick man*.

*leans over to whisper*
Isabella is not my mother and she is still not fully pleased with my existance as her husband's bastard. I am trying to be tactful and let her decide the relationship between myself and her future child.
*thinking, tact must be as foreign to this woman as is Spain*

*grasps both of Isabella's hands in his*
Is this true, my lady? Are we to be parents again?

*Leans over and smiles sheepishly* Thank you for being so patient with me. In Scotland, the royal bastards are well acknowledged and arouse no surprise. Please be kind to me if I make more stupid mistakes, such as that.

*smiles back, still whispering*
Such has been the case in Spain before, and of course I am an acknowledged part of the royal family. Most kings though are not as fortunate in marriage as my most serene father, and I fear her serene Imperial majesty was disappointed in his lack of restraint.

So, I should not mention your parentage? Or only tactfully?

I think it is best left unmentioned, as everyone knows whose son I am and whose son I am not.

*Marie smiles and places a hand on his knee in a way that is friendly but not over-intimate*. Thank God I have you. Now, could you tell me what this blasted thing is on my plate and whether it's edible? *Shows don Juan some truly horrible looking brown goo*.

*Isabella smiles*

Yes, my love. It's true.

Oh, my. *leans back in his chair*

Anything you need, darling, anything at all, you have merely to ask. This time I will be by your side as you have been by mine.

*Marie begins to tear up* A toast! To another Infante for Spain! *Raises my glass*.

*Isabella smiles gallantly and raises her glass*

And an Archduke for Austria! Or archduchess, I could fancy another daughter.

*gently removes Marie's hand from his knee*
I am reasonably certain it is gravy and am absolutely certain it is food.

Thank you. *Pokes at it and takes a bite, nearly gagging on it a it goes down slowly and arduously*.

So, *Clears throat* what do you think of mine cousin thus far?

She is among the most interesting women I have had the pleasure of meeting. We have many things in common, and of course she is quite beautiful.
*

*Juan eats heartily and gives every impression of enjoying the food.*

Darling when will the new little one arrive? Can I do anything? Order more prawns? More ladies? New gowns?

I don't know yet,

*Isabella frowns at Charles's suggestion of him inviting more women to court but she knows deep down it's for her best interest*

Prawns, yes please - more prawns.

I think I will definately be in the need of new gowns my love.

*Isabella whispers in Charles's ear not wishing for any to hear what she next has to say*

Is it not strange, my love how Juan is to be made King of Naples whilst our future child is to be merely a Duke or Duchess?

More prawns and new gowns there shall be, as my beloved requires!
*whispering*
Traquila, mi amor, I have written to Felipe requesting accountings of our territories in the New World with an eye to making our child king there if it be a son, and to more appropriately titling our daughters. Unfortunately war ravages my European lands due to the perfidy of Francis and I needs must ensure capable warriors rule them, which this baby will not be for some time yet.

So you propose to enthrone a bastard rather than legitimate offspring?

I propose to enthrone both, but I propose not to enthrone this child until he or she is born. I have enthroned Felipe, Maria is to be Holy Roman Empress and wife to my brother's son, and Juana to marry into your own royal house of Portugal!