Receiving Room of Elizabeth Hampton

I had been informed by my guards that King Marius's sister Christine wished to speak with me. I informed them to bring her to the receiving room where we could talk. I could not imagine what it was that she wanted this time.

Elizabeth's guard escorted me to see her. . Marius came back from Sweden. After celebrating the wedding of King Gustav to Mary Tudor. He is to a visit with King Gustav's sister, Princess Rebecca. She is traveling here as we speak.

I looked at Christine and was surprised at how she had learnt of this news before I did.

"King Gustav of Sweden is coming here with his sister? Well what a pleasant surprise that is. I shall greet them personally myself. I have to ask you this though, how did you learn of this information before I did?

I see what she is asking. I thought to myself she wanted to know why is the King of Sweden want with Marius. I will not tell her that they are coming to induce his sister to him so I just look at her and smile. I guess we will see their intentions for the visit.

I looked at her closely as I could see she had confidence in her.

"We will indeed see what the intentions are. I would however, advise you not to interfere with the visit. I will speak with them personally.

I realize she is unnerved by this. Thinking that everyone must go through her first she must be boiling hot inside realizing that she will not get her way this time Elizabeth I am sure that Marius will want to see the visitors himself. Since they are coming to see him. I do not believe that the King and Queen of Sweden would want see you rather than my brother. So I will notify him once they arrive. I do not think that it is wise for you to intervene . I smile as I say this to her. I know that she wants to rule over my brother and the kingdom. So, knowing that the visitors are royalty she will not try to argue with them. She has to notify my brother first. But I must be careful not to antagonize her. I do not want her to retaliate against me for saying this.

I was furious inside, by what Christine was saying to me. I would think of how to deal with the situation later.

"Of course the King and Queen of Sweden will want to see Marius and that they will. I shall notify Marius myself of their upcoming arrival, you my dear have no need to notify him. I will not argue with the King and Queen, they will be welcomed into Romania. You should go and prepare for their visit. I say to her as I signal for one of my guards to come over.

As he approached, I whispered in his ear, "When the visit arrives from Sweden, ensure that King Marius greets them on the first night, then come and inform me and we shall make sure that he is unwell for the rest of the visit. I say to him as he bows his head and leaves the room. I return my gaze back to Christine.

"Christine my dear, did you really think that I would greet the Royal Family of Sweden, without Marius being present? How foolish, you are. A King should greet a King. I say smirking to myself.

. Do not worry. I know that you are aware of the protocol of greeting royalty. I will go and get myself ready for the visit. I am interested in the reason for the visit.. I leave Elizabeth's room. I will go to my chambers and when I see that she did not have me followed I will go to see Marius.

I go to Marius ' chambers. I knocked at his door and his man servant opened the doors. . Dear brother I just came from talking to Elizabeth. The King and Queen of Sweden are coming to see you. I do not know the reason for the visit but I think that Elizabeth has her own agenda. You must be careful around her.

I looked towards Christine, I still did not like the girl.

She had left my presence, without even a curtsy towards me, which I thought was extremely rude. I looked to my loyal guard.
"Follow her, make sure it is her chamber that she goes too. I know what she is like, she may go and try to see Marius. Keep your distance and observe from afar. I will go and ready myself for this arrival. I say as my guard left and followed Christine.

As Christine arrived in her chambers to get ready to see Marius, one of her chamber maids came up to her.
"Your Highness, please wait. It is unwise, that you visit King Marius, at this moment, for when you left the Duchess's room, I noticed as you were coming here into your chambers, that from a distance, one of her guards was watching you. She must have had you followed. The maid said to Christine.

. Yes I knew that she would.  That is why I came here first.  I am going to wait for a moment.  Then would you out to him . Maybe you can keep him engaged while I slip pass.  Then I will go to see Marius when it is clear.  Thank you for your concern.  Now will you go and distract him for me  I smile as I leaves.  I knew that would do this.  Elizabeth thinks that I have to bow to her . She forgets hat I am still the King's sister

I wonder what she is up to. I saw her whispering to the guard about something. I imagine that it has something to do with Marius. I believe that she is going to try to keep him away from the visitors from Sweden.

I looked towards the guard as he returned to me.

"You followed her to her room and made sure that the young maid distracted you so she could slip in to see Marius? I asked. He nodded his head to me.
"Perfect, now she will inform Marius of the Royal visit, he of course will be surprised by the news. Christine will think, that by telling him, she has one over on me. Not true of course, it is all part of my plan. I have a special plan for Christine, I want you to go and pay the maid for her service. I say to him as I got ready for the royal visit.

I know that I must get ready for the visit with the King and Queen of Sweden and the people who are with them. But I think that I will go to see Elizabeth first. . Elizabeth I want you to know that I am aware of what you are trying to do. Do you think that I am that stupid. Of course you do. My maidservant was all too willing when I asked her to distract your guard. It does not matter. I must also greet the visitors as is my duty to stand with my brother. You must have forgotten this. No worries, if I am not there Marius will be worried at my absence and he will send a servant to escort me to him. I must be careful around Elizabeth. She is cruel and manipulative. She can not keep Marius away from Court for to long and I am sure that he will not have something done to me. This I know.

Elizabeth is wicked. I must try to convince the royal visitors not to allow Elizabeth get away with keeping Marius away. Her telling them that he unable to continue with the visit. I think that the King and Queen will not tolerate this.

I stared Christine in the eye as she approached me.

"Christine, I knew that you would recognise that the maid was there on my orders and I know that you are not stupid and that you would think that I thought you were. I know very well that it is your duty to stand beside King Marius as the Royal Guests arrive and I never had anything against that for I know that Marius would not be happy if you were not there. Tell me, you say you know what I am doing, then please explain to me, what is it that I am doing? I say to her as a maid began to do my hair very carefully.

I looked at Elizabeth should I say everything or just enough to make her wonder. . I know that you really do not want Marius to see the Royal family from Sweden. I also know that you are smart enough to have Marius make the initial visit. Whether he will be at the another meetings remains to be seen. You are probably wondering why they are coming to visit. I am waiting for the visit. Marius had a nice time in Sweden. He tells me that the Queen of Sweden is very beautiful. I do not believe that you have met King Gustav. I have. He is quite handsome and a kind man. Perhaps they wish to thank him for being there to help celebrate Queen Mary's coronation. I am told that it was a wonderful affair.

I looked Christine directly in the eye as she spoke.

"I do happen to know why they visit. You see the King of Sweden wishes to present his sister to King Marius as a possible suitor. Why do you even think that I would deny this meeting?

Christine is very smart. . I too know the reason for the visit. Of course you would not get involved with the initial visit. I know that you have something planned for the visitors and Marius. What if Marius decided that he wishes to marry the princess from Sweden. I see that look in her eyes. I believe that she may be a little nervous.