The castle had become a centre of entertainment and chaos—mostly because of James' rule, thank you very much. But his wife played her part too.

Her contribution to the kingdom was beloved by the lower classes, though less so by the nobles. Her reputation preceded her in everything she did. James could only admire her for it.

So it had been no surprise when she fell pregnant. A week-long feast was held for the royal couple. A month of celebration followed after the boy was born.

Everyone seemed to thank God for the gift. As if God gave her the child and not James after hours… Pfff, absolute tossers. Discrediting him so.

James' footsteps could be heard from a corridor away. Not angry or hurried. Perhaps the latter, yes. But for the right reasons.

‘How are my favourite humans doing?’ he asked as he entered the bedchamber.

He stripped his cloak from his shoulders, tossing it lazily on the ground. A smile spread across his face, making his hazel eyes seem brighter than the sun itself.

‘Ah-ah! There is my boy,’ James said, making a grand gesture of scooping Harry up in his arms and kissing his cheek. ‘No trouble, I presume? You are not allowed to make your mother's life harder.’

His gaze shifted to his wife. He smiled softly at her before bending down to kiss her cheek as she sat upon the bed. The boy cooed softly as James gently rocked him in his arms. ‘Hello, my love. How has the day been treating you?’