"...when he quickly pursued domestic stability early into his reign. Unorthodox of someone of his status, he demanded very little from his subjects within the court, allowing them to do as they please so long as their actions weren't a breach of loyalty to the crown. His royal portrait, instead of commissioning any of the famed artists residing within the capital, was instead painted by a trusted friend, disputably a fellow king who frequented the palace in disguise. Sources vary on said painter's identity; many suspected him to have been a dragon, some suspect a horse and few a goat. What is certain among historians decades later is that the king and his unknown man of the court were close the way a knight is close to his lord yet the two went great lengths to keep their relations a secret. It wasn't until the winter of 1598 that..."
--Republican Historic Archives, Volume 9 (1863).

Ahhhh, ambiguous lore! Ain't it sweet? :D

A gift for my mate's birthday, kind of as a response to what he did for my birthday last year and I have to credit him for original Spanish Habsburg-esuqe costume design he drew his sona in sometime around March (or was it February?). I can't tell you how long I was waiting to draw this for him, or rather color it. If I had more time I would have added better detail to his scepter and buttons. ^^'