Before the one-month celebration, however, there would be a smaller christening ceremony for close family and friends, where the child would be officially named. Simon planned to hold this ceremony during the fourth week after the baby’s birth, a day, or two before the one-month celebration. That way, the guests invited to the christening could stay in the castle until the one-month banquet. Father Matthew would naturally preside over the christening, and Simon was currently writing to his friend Luis, asking if he would be the godfather of the child.

As his best friend, Simon thought Luis would make the perfect godfather. They had even discussed this topic before when...