Veronica [Lovers: Angelika, Beatrix, Anne, Rose, Ursula]

For a long time, your damaged reputation haunts you. Your sudden marriage to Veronica, and subsequent rumors of being the one who impregnated the maid Angelika, made the public perceive you as a prodigal hedonist, more interested in pursuing pleasure than ruling. For years, decisions were made with little to no input from you, and many of the more powerful nobles drifted away from the court. It was only after years of diligence to your duties, as well as the support of your remaining allies, that you came to gain the respect of your vassals.

In spite of her lack of resources and low rank, Veronica has proven herself to be a solid asset. Her charm and good looks have won over many an important guests, helping to strengthen relations between you and your vassals. Her fecund body birthed a strong son almost nine months after your marriage, and the kingdom is content to see that, for now at least, the succession is solid. Personally, Veronica takes well to he wifely duties, both in and out of the bedroom. While it may be a stretch to call it love, the two of your understand that your fortunes are united, and she supports you in your decisions, ready to give advice or a comforting word. Her looks remained undisturbed by her pregnancy, and you spend almost every night together. Only a year after the birth of your first son, she is pregnant again.

After your brief tryst, Angelika fell pregnant with your first child. In spite of her condition, she kept working, unwilling to take any offers of less demanding positions. To your relief, she gave birth to a beautiful little girl. While it would be unlikely anyone would back a bastard son born of a common mother, you've had enough succession issues to last a lifetime. While you and Angelika remain on friendly terms, and often talk about the future of your daughter, she still feels embarrassment about the ordeal, and sees you as no more than a friend.

In a small inn, a woman gave birth to a son.

"Look at this one, he'll be a regular lady-killer, just like his father" Greta the barmaid says, swaddling her friend's newborn. Beatrix takes her baby in her arms, holding him close. At that moment she felt joy, but also worry. How would she provide for him with this rarely-visited inn? That fear was assuaged in time, however. An increase in royal patrols to the forest made the roads safe again, and traffic increased to a steady stream. The inn made good, if not extravagant, profits, and would stay in business for generations to come.

In the town of Kolburg, new children came to grace the city streets. A blond ragamuffin enters the small, but comfortable building he has always called home. His mother, a fierce woman to most but a loving mother to him, sees the telltale marks of a fight.

"What was it this time?" she asks

"They wanted my ring. Dad's ring..." he says, eyes cast downward. She starts cleaning his wound, noting with reassurance that the boy still wears his father's ring on his finger, his hand cradled in the other. She hasn't explained to him what it means, but he's quickly approaching the age when he will start to understand things for himself.

In the Hebrew quarter, Rose of Sharon, ever a dutiful mother, dresses her twins for temple. She had two boys, one named after her father, the other named Siegfried. The latter name drew many questions, though Rose always said she thought the name might help him fit in with the locals. Either way, her boys were bright and respectful, so the community was happy to have them.

In Maven's house, the birth of a new daughter was celebrated. It was often commented upon that she looks just like her mother.