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[ They walk together towards the city, Mary proudly holding his hand. Can he tell how happy she is to be his wife? Of all the men in Rome, Mary undoubtedly has the best one. ]

There are so many we cannot hold to, such as living together or having children... [ The last part she says a bit sadly, though it's impractical to have children here in the middle of a war anyway. ] I should like it if we could dine together every evening.

[Henry shares that brief sadness — he trusts that Mary would know far better than him, and since she is obviously not barren with a son already, something else must be at work.]

I will make certain that we do.

[He promises, before his smile quirks.]

...And it shall make it easy for us to share a bed each night.

[Not that they don't already spend most nights together, but Henry is eager for all the places their lives intersect. He loves waking up to Mary beside him.]

[ It did take her a little while back home to conceive her son and she had a surgical procedure that also helped. That said, she assumes that she is fertile here. The gods have perhaps made it so that the Chosen cannot get pregnant. She is not the only woman here sleeping with a man and yet none have gotten pregnant so far. ]

My bed is obviously more comfortable, but you cannot move into Juno's insula, so we will make do. We should also make time to spend doing leisure activities together, such as riding horses or reading.

I would like that very much.

[If there is anyone Henry would gladly make time for every single day, it is Mary. Especially now. It's the opposite of a hardship.]

I have not forgotten how finely you ride.

[He grins at her, remembering their race on the day they exchanged love confessions, and squeezes her hand.]

What of love tokens?

[That was probably the best day she ever had in Rome. It was certainly the happiest. How pleased she was to give Henry her heart, and to have his in return.]

Tokens of affection are always welcome. We ought to exchange rings, Henry. They may be simple bands.

[Mary loves her diamonds, but they are limited here by both material and price point. She just wants to show the world that she and Henry belong to each other.]

Let us sort them out now.

[Henry replies, enthused. They are already making their way into the city proper — surely it cannot be hard to find a pair to purchase. As much as Henry wishes he could give Mary the finest jewellery, their limited funds in some ways make the task much easier.

A ring is but a symbol of their union. It is what it represents that is significant.]

[Mary grins in excitement. Even if they are just bands of gold, she will be happy for what they symbolize to each other. It shows that they are committed as long as fate will allow them to be.]

I know of a jeweler in the market. He will probably give us a good rate.

[Henry leans in, dipping to kiss Mary joyfully. He then gently nudges her forward, encouraging her to direct their way.]

Lead on, my Lady Percy.

Edited 2018-12-28 12:14 (UTC)

[ She gasps just a little. ] Do you know how happy it makes me to hear you call me that? [ Henry probably has a relatively good idea. Mary knows that she hasn't grinned this much since Matthew was alive. ]

As happy as I feel speaking it, I hope. [Henry's heart is full to bursting to see Mary's delight.] I shall say it often.

[And with immense pride. No one could possibly have a finer wife.]

Be that your jeweller over there?

[ Mary looks where he indicates and nods. ]

Yes, that's him. He's taken with me, I believe, though I think it is a reaction to my boon - the enhanced presence.

[ The man is already beckoning them over to look at his wares. He sets out a tray of gold bands. Perhaps they might be able to find ones with some interesting designs at least. ]

I would hardly judge him for it, whatsoever the cause. [Taken as he is with her. Henry lifts Mary's hand to press a light kiss to her knuckles.]

Allow me to pay. [He insists as they approach.] Though you ought to do the talking.

[He turns his gaze to the presented wares. Even if it cannot be as fine as he would seek back home, anything that sits on her finger should be elegant, with a delicate beauty. Nothing gaudy or poorly wrought.]

[ She holds up a ladies' ring for Henry to see. ]

What do you think of this one?

[ Mary tries it on and the fit is very good. She just wonders if they are actually able to afford this or not. ]

[Henry inspects it as she shows him, watching as she tries it on, warmth in his chest.]

'Tis beautiful. It suits you very well.

[ Mary does like the ring quite a lot, and it looks good on her finger. ]

I worry that it might cost too much... Have you found one that you like?

I shall earn more coin if needed.

[Henry reassures Mary. There is always labour for strong bodies, and he can write in Latin with a refined hand, handle horses, and hunt with skill.

Henry's eyes roam over the selection before he picks one to try on. It's plainer than hers, but he says:]

I could have it engraved at a later date.

[It's a good starting point.]

[ Mary looks at their rings and then back up at him. Even if they might be pricy, she wants a symbol of their love and commitment to each other. She nods.

They discuss pricing with the jeweler and come up with something reasonable, though they will be relying on credit. The merchant is happy to do it for them though, since he is so fond of Mary. She thinks that the merchant had kind of hoped she might marry his son, but both of them know that the Chosen seem to stick together.

As they walk away with their rings, Mary twines her fingers with Henry's and then holds up their hands. ]

It feels real now.

It does. [Henry looks to their joined hands, adorned with golden bands. His happiness resounds in his voice.] It is. O, my Lady Percy, it is.

[He has never felt such indescribable joy. The depths of feeling Mary has wrought in him leaves him astounded. His life was changed the moment that he met her. Lifting his gaze to her beloved face, he stops, halting her in turn.]

I would put your ring on your finger, my wife.

[It's indulgent, but the act of sliding her ring onto her finger himself would complete this perfect bliss.]

[ She's still not used to the name and it thrills her every time Henry says it. At his request, she takes off the ring and places it in his hand. ]

Please do.

[ Mary holds out her hand for him. ]

[Henry slides the ring onto Mary's finger, his heart thundering. So small a gesture and yet it is momentous to him. He claims her in deed as well as word.]

My wife and sovereign.

[He holds her gaze with his, lingering in her beautiful dark eyes. With a private and loving smile, he vows:]

All that is mine is yours. [She is a Percy now, his family in their eyes and in God's. What an extraordinary truth.] Esperance, Mary.

[ Mary feels as though her heart might burst out of her chest. She cannot remember the last time she felt so happy. ]

I am so happy to be yours, my love, my darling husband. [ Taking the ring that he purchased, Mary slips it on his finger. ] You have made me the happiest woman in all of Rome. Esperance.

[ After both rings are on, she rises up on her toes and presses her lips to Henry's. ]

[Henry draws out their kiss, pouring every drop of love he feels for Mary into it. When they eventually part, he murmurs:]

Let us head home.

[Now more than ever he wants to make love to Mary, and in doing so, consummate their marriage.]

[ Mary smiles up at him and nods, taking his hand and twining their fingers together. She too is ready to consummate their marriage, to show him just how much she loves him. ]

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