"When our wives were children..." Arthur began knowing full well he might upset his father, though he hoped not too terribly. "They were taught all number of prayers, but if you were to ask either one of them which one they remember most fervently, it is rather simple." The Prince brought himself to smile as though reflecting on a happy memory or tale, but it was rather the opposite. "Give me children else I die." Arthur shook his head, a part of relieved even if he would not admit it as such that his wife had in fact given him not one but two wonderful children. "They prayed to God every night, begged him to give them children one day. Though I suspect what they both truly meant, was to give them sons."
Arthur inhaled slowly on the cigar, generally he was not one for such things but this holiday season seemed an appropriate time for such indulgences and moments with his father. "Sons inherit, sons determine their success as wives. That's all they've ever been taught. And while you may tell Arabella you would be thrilled with a daughter, that it would not change her standing your eyes, it changes her standing in the law. And she would never believe you." The Prince looked up to the ceiling and sighed.
"Think of her suffering. Years spent with an old man, the most fertile and prime years of her life and God gave her nothing. But therein lies just how special she is. How unique, magical, a unicorn of sorts of women." Arthur mused rather interestedly, though he left out his copious notes on Arabella's cruelty. "The late Duke disposed of two women who could bear him no children. But he kept her around. No matter how many times she failed, he kept her there in his clutches. He would never let her go. Now isn't that something? A man who had failed so miserably at her own duty was so beloved he would have stayed with her an eternity if he could." The great love between Arabella and Richard was arguably their own redeeming quality for their time together.
"And not just him. Even before my beloved mother died, the moment Arabella because the Duchess of Suffolk, she may as well have been Queen. Everyone at court listened to her, followed her. They begged to keep her company, to be invited to her legendary parties. The proverbial belle of the ball. She defied what her place she have been and ascended to such great heights." Arthur look a long sip on the drink in his hand.
"The country adores her, truly. She's your biggest asset. And she would do anything for you. It doesn't matter what Arabella's reasons are... but she would. She would stab Alex through the heart, her own sister if you commanded such of her. She's remarkable woman, beautiful, if not a little old fashioned. Her elegance and grace is virtually unobtainable by anyone else. And yet nothing in her life is truly safe if she doesn't have a son." Arthur in his ignorance could not see the irony of the statement, that even a son wasn't enough to keep her safe. After all, as far as he knew, his mother was dead.
"It's very kind of you to allow for separate events. Alex will be truly grateful to have that moment with the children. And having Her Majesty there will make Alex equally happy. The distance between the two of them has been difficult on Alex. Though now she will have more than her hands full with the children to keep her busy. And of course nothing would take away from the grandeur of the Queen's event when the time comes. The nation shall rejoice in the birth of the child, and they should not be deprived of their Queen's grace and serenity."
Arthur reflected for a moment further. "The new Duchess of Kent would be a fine choice, certainly a strong candidate." Arthur made no motion to correct his father that her name was in fact Alice. He wouldn't care, nor would he retain that information or worse, he already knew that it was Alice and he simply chose to use the wrong name, perhaps to irritate. He supposed it didn't matter. "You are making up for everything now. This is a wonderful Christmas so far. I can't wait to see how it continues. As for the Godfather, I have not yet decided."
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