The Grand Hall

The main hall at the palace.

I was in the Grand Hall at Godollo Palace, father was away on an errand and would return in a few months. I was acting as Regent, as I had locked my sister away for arguing with me. I had received word from Cassandra Pennyfeather that she had arrived and was bringing me two prisoners, one of whom had been causing real trouble to my beloved aunt Elizabeth, which I would not stand for.
I sat on the throne in the Throne in the Grand Hall and wait for them to arrive.

I was only 20 and young, but I was not like my mother or sister, I despised them.

We arrived. But she did not take us to an island instead it was a palace. Beautiful palace. We entered into this room. On the throne was a young lady. She is about my age. So we are both princesses. This should make for an interesting day. But I must tread lightly. I do not know how are I must not make waves.

We had arrived at the Palace of her Highness Princess Nadia and it was time for this Katherine and her mother to meet my boss. We entered the room and both Katherine and Abigail were placed on their knees before her as I spoke.

"Princess Nadia, I have bought you the two prisoners. Ones I do hope that you will give me the pleasure in executing myself, especially the pirate. I say as she looked towards me.

I entered the grand hall with Cassandra and the prisoners and placed both of them on their knees before her. I made sure to stay close by with my blade at the ready if I was asked to use it.

I was sat on my throne as Cassandra entered with the prisoners and they were put on their knees before me. I noticed at how keen Cassandra was to kill them both, but she needed to wait.

"Cassandra, have patience, I know that you enjoy killing people as you are a pirate, but first I will let them speak. I say to her as I looked first towards Katherine.

"Katherine Elizabeth Tudor, daughter of King Henry VIII of England, or should I rephrase that to illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII and of the pirate Abigail Smith. I am correct, am I not? I say to her as I looked at her waiting to see her response.

Cassandra forced Abigail and myself to kneel before Nadia.  

. Princess Nadia,  I am sure that Elizabeth, your aunt,  has told you many things.  But forgive me for saying this.  I never spoke to your Elizabeth Hampton.  I was announced as Grand Duchess.  I have never spoken to her about anything.  I know that she does not like me because she thinks that I,  as well as the Swedish family, is out to hurt her.  I did not know my mother but it was a happy happenstance that I met Abigail.  I recently met the rest of my family when I went to Sweden on the behalf of the French king.  At the wedding of the King and Queen of Sweden is where I found my father who has embraced me as his daughter along with my two aunts.  Then that I met my mother.  I was invited by His Majesty King Gustav and Her Majesty Queen Mary along with his sisters to go to Romania to secure the match between the monarch of Romania to one of Sweden's princesses.  I was there in Romania with my family and I wanted to watch over them.  I have done nothing to your aunt.  She is interested in the crown of Romania.  It was our visit that angered Elizabeth.  We were there only to make a match between King Marius and Princess Rebecca.  Elizabeth misunderstood our intentions. She could not harm the Swedish Royal Family but hurt me. I am sorry if she felt slighted in any way.  That is truth of it on my word.  If you wish you could send a letter to King Marius and King Gustav and they will tell you that I speak the truth.  Elizabeth has not told them that she drugged me and brought me here..  I watched Nadia's expression to see her reaction

I looked at her intensly and I could hear in her voice the hatred that she had for my aunt.

"You really have no idea do you? Before you and the Swedish Royal Family arrived in Romania, King Marius was extremely unwell and many feared he would pass, my aunt Elizabeth was always bybhis side as his close companion and friend. She nursed him back to help, with her experience in herbal medicine and yet you arrive there in Romania and accuse her of being a witch.

You see my aunt tells me everything. She was getting back on her feet recovering after the time when she was heartbroken and betrayed by her best friend. You may have been there with the royals, but you upset my aunt.

Why would I send a letter to King Gustav of Sweden, I have no need. I am still deciding whether I should kill you or not. Give me a good reason why I shouldn't? I say to her seeing what she would reply to me as I knew my aunt better than she did.

I looked at Nadia and I wondered if she would believe what I have to say.  

. Princess Nadia,  I do not know anything about your aunt's relationship with King Marius.  What I do know is that I met King Marius when he was in Sweden for the wedding of King Gustav and Queen Mary.  He was talking with Princess Rebecca.  They seem to get along nicely.  So we came to Romania to arrange the match with King Marius and Princess Rebecca.  I do not know anything about your aunt and I certainly would never call her a witch.  She gave me no indication of that.  I will say that I did not trust her and maybe that is the reason why.  Perhaps she believes that we are trying to get close King Marius or take him away from her.  They may be friends but we are not trying to move in on her.  King Marius and Princess Rebecca like each other.  I could see that he cares for her and wishes to marry her.  That is why we are here.  I love my family and I do not want them harmed but your aunt wants the Swedish family gone from Romania.  I doubt that they want Elizabeth to stop being friends with King Marius and his sister Princess Christine.  Them being friends is great and her helping him get better is great.  But why would she not want him to be happy.  Rebecca seems to make him happy. Would she not want him be happy that her friend has found someone that he could love and they can love him.    You would be happy if your friend found happiness.  Unless she loves him.   You understand .    You love your aunt well I too love my aunt and I would do everything I could to make her happy.   I do not want to see anyone I care about in suffer.  I believe that you feel the same.  But we are not here to cause anyone pain   I wait to see if she understands

I Listened to her words as she really had thought about it all in detail.

"Of course I do not want any harm to come to my aunt and it is nice to see King Marius getting well again and back on his feet. You are aware that you talk a great deal, yes? My aunt has always been close to him, you have however really upset her and I might add when she had a very good plan going to help the King you once again ruined it. Give me a good reason as to why I should not execute you now. In Romania, what you have done is classed as treason. You say you went there on behalf of the French King to this wedding, why did he not go himself? Was he unwell? My aunt, she wants to see punishment for what has happened. Why do you not like my aunt Elizabeth? What would your father King Henry do huh? Until I decide exactly what I am going to do, you are to be imprisoned and your hands to remain bound.

I can not believe that Elizabeth lied to Nadia about me. She is like a snake. A woman with a forked tongue and she used it against me. I see what Elizabeth can hurt me while the family is around because they could stop her so she lied to her niece so that she can do harm to me. I only hope that Adrian finds us soon. Abigail looks very calm. Too calm. Perhaps she knew that Cassandra Pennyfeather was up to something so she has an alternate plan.

I was starting to lose my patience with this woman. I looked towards her then briefly towards Abigail then back at Katherine again.

"You like to talk a lot don't you. Elizabeth has never once lied to me about anything Duchess, oh yes I know that you are a Grand Duchess, not a Princess. King Marius is very much aware of Elizabeth's affection for him, but you know that sister of his stopped him from going through with it and said that a match with a Princess would benefit him more. Marius of course, is besotted by his sister and always listens to her, he then turned his eye away from Elizabeth but still allowed her to heal him.

You say my aunt wants to harm the Swedish family, well that is not true, harm you, well I can see why. You are always watching and staring at her. Anyway, I think we have heard enough of your talk. I believe it was time that you were gagged and taken to the cells whilst I make my decision on what to do with you. I say to her as I do nod to one of my guards and they come forward with a cloth gag, ready to gag her on my command.

I was listening to my daughter speak with Nadia then she glanced across at me and as she did this, whilst I looked calm, I gave her a signal with my eyes that I knew she would recognise as I had retrieved the dagger from my boot and no one was watching me, but keeping it hidden, I started cutting at my ropes. I could see Katherine looking over and giving her the signal as to what I was doing, I nodded to her to keep Nadia talking and everyone's gaze fixed on her, whilst I was cutting myself loose.

I can see that Abigail was reaching for a knife and was trying to cut her ropes.  So I wanted to keep all your in the room on me not on Abigail

King Marius specifically told Princess Christine that we were coming to Romania. King Gustav did not want Princess Rebecca to come Romania alone and since he had to speak to King Marius about the match we came along to escort her there. And King Henry recognizes me as his daughter and consider me as princess.  It does not matter whether you want to believe it or not.  Nevertheless.  You said that Elizabeth is your aunt.  That makes Queen Charlotte your mother.  I met your mother, She is a very beautiful woman.  Very nice and cordial. She gave my aunt, Queen Mary,  several wonderful gifts   It meant a lot to my aunt as well as King Gustav.  . Queen Charlotte also mentioned that she has a daughter named Talia. . In any case I have spent some time with Rebecca and King Marius.   Both seems kind and gentle.  But, I do not know why Elizabeth is so bothered by me.  I have done nothing to her but she drugged me and put me and Abigail on Cassandra's ship.  Then Cassandra brought us here.  If I did anything to her why did she want me away from Romania. She could have delt with me herself.  What have I done that requires me out of Romania.  Can you tell me as to what is it that I have specifically done to her. Exactly did I do?  Please let me know?  How did I ruin her plans to help King Marius.

Elizabeth has really told many lies to Nadia.  I can not really blame her.  She believes everything that Elizabeth says.  I can believe that Elizabeth would have Nadia on her side.  But to put a wedge between Charlotte and Nadia is cruel.  I guess if Nadia is angry with Charlotte it would be the ultimate betrayal.  Amazing.  She must be really afraid of Charlotte to go this far to hurt her. I hope that Abigail will soon free herself. Abigail and Adrian must have a plan to get us out of this before Nadia do Elizabeth's dirty work and have us killed.

I could see that Katherine had managed to get everyone to look at her and it was at this point when I finally managed to cut through the last of my ropes freeing my hands and with my quick movements, I beat one of the guards and managed to take his sword and whilst Nadia had her head turned, I was able to cut Katherine's ropes and that was when I spoke to her.

"Katherine, quickly run. I will meet you outside, I will deal with Cassandra. I say as I managed to headbutt Cassandra as we headed for the main door.

I was taken by surprise as Abigail had somehow managed to free herself from her ropes and then before Nadia returned to the room, they were both heading for the door. As I went for Katherine with my sword, I am headbutted by Abigail and then they both run towards the exit. I wanted to kill them myself and before they were out of the door, I managed to get hold of my dagger and I launched it at them and just before the door closed, I hit Abigail in the back with it as they went out.

I had just returned to the room where the prisoners were after going out to prepare the arrangements for their executions and as I returned, I noticed that they had both escaped and Cassandra Pennyfeather was there seeing to her Robert and I approached her.

"Cassandra, what the hell happened here? Where are they?

Myself and Katherine had managed to make it to the door and just as we were leaving, I was struck in the back by a dagger which must have been thrown by Cassandra. I did give a groan, but despite this carried on through the grounds towards the port where my ship would be.

I noticed that Abigail was bent over and wincing.

. Abigail are good to walk.  You have a knife in your back.  That horrid woman Cassandra threw it as you were leaving.  Here lean on me.  I do not want to remove the knife it would be better to remove it when we get to your ship.  Do you think that you can hold on.  I see your ship, it is not far.  I want to say thank you for being prepared for this,  we would be lining up to be executed.  So again thank you for finding me, Mother.

I quickly lead Abigail to the ship that was waiting nearby and a feeling of fear touched me.

. Okay we are almost there.  Just hang on a little longer and then you will be on the ship.  I am sorry that you were in this situation.  I never thought that Elizabeth would go this far.  But I am glad that you were there because I do not know what I would have done otherwise .  Nadia would have had me killed. And there was nothing I could have done to stop it.  Even though I left a letter to Agnetha about going to see Elizabeth she would have never told anyone where I am until it was to late and for that I am afraid..

I looked at my daughter as she helped me towards my ship.

[color:9be7=800080]"I can make, just don't pull it out. We are safe for now, but I doubt that will be the last we see of Nadia. I knew I needed my own plan, should original plan not have worked and luckily for us it saved us from execution. Quickly get me on board and see Adrian.