Gold Tinged Pearls

6 January, 1362. Westerhaven Palace, Islia

The days continued turning colder and shorter. Christmas at court was celebrated more lavishly than it had the previous year, when the country had still been in the throes of recovery after a spring and summer at war.

William walked into their warm, cozy bedchamber to find his wife sitting by the roaring fire, smiling as she read what looked like a letter.

"What are you reading that's making you smile like that, wife?" he called out as he made his way into the dressing room to change his clothes for the Twelfth Night banquet. "It better not be a love note from another man!"

"Well, it is from another man." William heard Camilla's voice call back. "And it does involve a kind of love. But it's nothing you should feel threatened by, so don't worry."

"What?" he roared and stomped back out into the bedchamber to confront her. Who the hell thought it was a wise move to send his wife romantic letters?