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@elenatheduchess-blog
Psalms 51:1-2 KJV “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”
Ekaterina could not mask her BEMUSED chortle, nor had she intended too “ Oh I believe we are the lesser in everything, my dear.” She paused then, leaning a little closer to the raven haired woman, a grin tugging at her lips. “ Or at least they want us to believe. Ah - forgive my INTRUSION I did not mean to pry; I lost my own husband a year ago now and i know the grief it can cause.”
Elena could not deny or hide just how much she thoroughly enjoyed the conversation. “But of course,” she replied with a soft, almost inaudible burst of laughter. “It’s quite alright. You couldn’t have known. It’s a constant and intense pain in my life, but I believe it was the will of God and should not be questioned.”
Diligent hands working a rosary over the broad expanse of his chest, the Bishop’s eyes steadily elevated to the approaching figure; the sound of footsteps at the door resonating through the marbled cathedral. ‘If you have come to make out a will you are late,’ He ground out. He rose from his knees, and surveyed the incomer. ‘Far too late.’
“Do you believe it is indeed too late, Your Grace?” Elena inquired, fixing her skirts; the corridors had been crowded with people, and navigating them without the occasional stumble had proven quite difficult. “Have you yet been outside?”
Screaming and shouting was carried through the palace halls, as Natalya rushed thro them. The noise and commotion had been overwhelming and terrified courtiers were running in all directions.
At full peace she sprinted to every room, hall, passageway, glancing only briefly at the people congregating there as she passed. She had to find her family, to protect them to make sure they were safe. The question, What if? went through her mind repeatedly. What if Senja and Val were in town? What if Erick and Sergej were outside? She felt the blood drain from her chest, leaving her cold and cringing within. She didn’t want to think it. No, no, they were here safe, unharmed, well. She just needed to find them.
Natalya made a quick dash the last of the way to one of the doors that led outside, she needed to have a quick look there, so she could ease her fears. But it was not to be. She was stopped short of her destination, “Excuse me, you are blocking my way,”she said with icy politeness, staring at the person before her.
To go outside and explore - while terribly tempting - seemed like a rather daft idea. She had been lingering near one of the doors, hoping she could catch a fleeting word or two, but had yet to find out anything of any real substance. Of course, people had started to flock to the door, all of them curious and desperate to know just what was going on outside.
She was starting to consider standing on her toes to see over the sea of heads despite knowing her short frame would not allow such a privilege. Her thoughts were only disrupted when she heard a woman’s voice, clearly determined to get out for whatever reason. She recognised the face despite never having spoken to the Countess, and nodded her head.
“I fear they don’t wish us to leave just yet.”
“Of course, how kind of them,” Marina noted, a sarcastic smile on her lips. She reached out to take Elena’s hand, squeezing it. “Is your cousin close? Perhaps here at Kaborg? I could help you find them.” She glanced around, sighing. “If anything were to happen to my family, I’d have heard by now, I’m sure. Except for Andrey, but the way the guards kept me from seeing him, I doubt I’ll learn any real news soon. This may be the first time I’ve ever appreciated being royal.”
Elena smiled knowingly and allowed her gaze to wander for a moment as if expecting some sort of a clue to appear out of thin air, her expression soon softening. “Indeed. He’s the Prince of Golovin. I would greatly appreciate it if you could inform me of any sightings of him,” she spoke with genuine gratefulness. The Grand Princess was proving to be a truly kindhearted girl. “Of course. You and your family will be protected, there’s no doubt of it.”
Ekaterina paused for a moment, her gaze falling upon the woman with a more intense purpose.“ It is seldom that I meet another whom agrees with ones LOGIC, many believe me cold and my children UNFORTUNATE to have a mother like I. Do you have children of your own?”
“I’m not entirely certain I can blame them. It’s not often us women are allowed to indulge in logic. After all, are we not the less sensible sex?” she asked with an amused grin and shook her head. “I’m afraid not. God didn’t see it fit to bless me with motherhood before my late husband passed away.”
Sighing softly, Marina shook her head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t act so foolish as to think men would allow any woman to know what is happening.” She glanced at her, eyeing the hand on the necklace. “Have you heard from any of your family?”
Elena nodded and offered the younger woman a smile she hoped to be at least slightly comforting. “Yes, I’m afraid that wouldn’t happen. The menfolk doesn’t wish us to worry. It’s rather noble,” she spoke with just a hint of thinly masked bitterness. She did want to know and was getting quite impatient. “I’m afraid not. Of course, my immediate family lives a safe distance away, but I’m quite eager to hear some news regarding my cousin. Well, second cousin,” she corrected herself. “And yourself, Your Imperial Highness?”
“SWhat exactly is going on here? You say murders, the other says thieves… Which is it?”
“I’m afraid you are not the only one who has been kept in the dark regarding the current situation. It’s some sort of a rebellion.”
Senja walked through the castle, her heart pounding. She had to find her siblings, had to make sure they were okay. With all her muttering, Senja collided into someone and frowned deeply, looking up at them.
Elena had tried her best to pry for some much-needed information without actually coming across nosy; a fairly difficult deed when you could hardly remain composed. Lost in her thoughts and with more unanswered questions than just moments before, she failed to notice the younger woman. “Ah, I’m terribly sorry. It appears I got distracted by the news making their rounds around the castle.”
“ It is…’tis why I try and instil REALISM into my daughters childhood, though many have branded me CRUEL for it. Though I think it crueller still to fill their impressionable minds with WHIMSICAL ideas.”
“That’s very admirable. I wish more women would follow your line of thinking as it would save so many young girls from unnecessary heartache. After all, a lady of marital age should be at least somewhat aware of the realities of married life.”
Marina had found herself completely trapped, even if only inside the castle walls. Normally, sneaking off wouldn’t be so impossible, but no one was letting her near her usual routes. There seemed to be extra guards near the servant quarters, even outside the kitchen. Inside, there were hushed tones in corners and nooks, and she felt like she was going positively mad.
Leaning against the ledge of a nearby window in a random hallway, Marina looked out the window at the land she knew fairly well. “Something’s wrong, but no one will tell me what it is.”
As far as Elena was concerned, violent outbreaks were nothing new and certainly not unheard of. However, she had not expected the situation to go sour at such a rapid pace. Now, stood in front of a window and pressing her right hand against the cross hanging from her slender neck, she studied the scene unfolding in front of the Grand Princess and herself.
“I wish I could enlighten you, Your Imperial Highness, but I fear I am just as unaware. It is most upsetting,” she agreed with a quiet sigh.
The bishop is rather fine in looks, is he not? What are the chances you'll commit a few sins with him?
“Slim to none. To ask such things is ridiculous. He’s a fine-looking man, yes, but that’s not enough of a reason to go against the word of God.”
What shall you do it war breaks out?
“I haven’t yet decided. I have to weigh my options and make sure I do not end up making any powerful enemies. After all, I am but a widow without any real power or even lands to call my own. I believe the best policy is to remain civil with all parties involved and ignore my personal convictions for the time being.”
What advice would you give all these young ladies and their propensity for trouble?
“I wish they would understand just how easy it is to ruin one’s reputation and how difficult it often is to fix it. When we’re young, we often think we’re invincible and capable of doing whatever we please, but acting on the whims of youth can greatly diminish a lady’s future prospects. Silly flirtations and fickle infatuations are hardly worth the heartache.”
Do you plan on remarrying?
“I don’t believe it’s in the cards for me. You see, I am nearing my thirties and it’s believed I’m incapable of giving birth to any children. It’s most unlikely any honourable man would willingly marry such a woman.”
ask whatever you wish
