The Great Queen

Chapter Two

Katerina strapped her second dagger to the inside of her thigh, the other hidden in her corset. She did this every morning. Much to the dismay of Bethany who thought it was unladylike to have such weapons on her person at all times. She had dealt with sleazy men in her own men and could imagine the men of this time period were the same.

Katerina had been in the time period for 2 months, and spent that time studying her father. She had grown to love him dearly, though she supposed that was already there. It was wonderful to have a father. One that seemed to care for her. It was awkward at first, Katerina just kept staring at him expecting him to disintegrate and her aunt would be standing there instead asking her for money and screaming at her to tidy.

She had yet to meet her brother but this did not bother her. From her 'memories' of him she did not like him. He protested her learning, he did not believe women needed to be able to read and write. "Her time would be better spent learning to embroider or dance," she recalled her 10 year old brother telling their father, who just laughed and said women were just as smart as men are they just don't get the chance to learn as men do. Kat was glad he was already at court by the time she was learning sword fighting and archery. She was also rather adept at medicine and poisons. This could come in handy if she ever found herself married. She had given up trying to find a way home. What was the point? Covid was still rampant but most people just ignored it, and women's rights were being ripped out from underneath them. Here she might be able to do something, afterall she was the daughter of a duke and planned to marry well and use that to her advantage.

Kat walked the grounds with Bethany as she read quietly to the both of them. It wasn't a groundbreaking story but it was a story non the less and it passed the time as her father had been summoned to court that morning and left promptly. Katerina's head swung to the front of the house as the sounds of rowdy men reached her ears. Laughing and cheering interrupting Kats peaceful day. She walked to the front door, glad they had not been far away, when she saw her brother and her king. She quickly dipped into a low curtsey.

She honestly hadn't expected the king to be so devinstantingly beautiful but he was. He was tall and strong with stubble marrying his jaw. He had beautiful dark eyes and dark red hair. He was like a wet dream. She cast her eyes away, she knew the prophecy said they would fall in love but the only thing she'd ever feel for him was lust. And that she planned to forget as soon as earthly possible.

Henry looked at the blond in front of him and recognised her as Lord Lahey's only daughter. She was insanely beautiful and headstrong from what he had heard. Her eyes shone with mischief. He liked that, "Your majesty," she greeted sweetly. Her voice was like music to his ears and he wondered if he had ever been this attracted to a woman upon his first meeting with them.

She rose slowly and gracefully and Henry felt like he'd never seen an act more errotic. "Brother," she greeted almost hesitantly, her voice as smooth as poison. Henry almost laughed at the interaction but schooled himself quickly

"Dearest Rina," Henrik smiled sarcastically. "How lovely it is to see you."

"Yes, it's quite lovely to see you brother. Who cannot get my name right," she hissed to her brother. Feelings of pure hatred flooded through her as she completely forgot the king was standing next to her brother. They were the only two to dismount and so they were safe from prying ears. "And why pray tell are you here brother? I do hope not for long."

Henry could not stop the snort that erupted from him and drew the siblings' attention to him. Katerina flushed a beautiful shade of red that seemed so sinful on her skin. "No dear sister," Henrik said, clearing his throat, "We were hunting at one of the Boleyn manors but managed to travel too far, i had hoped father would be here to greet us. You've been most unbecoming."

"Father left for court this morn. I imagine he did not inform you, like usual. I will have the maids set up your rooms." with that she curtsied once more to the king and left.

The king laughed as she did, she was beautiful, intelligent and headstrong. He wanted her more than anyone else. At that moment it was like all other women were forgotten and he could only think of her.

Katerina rushed to her own rooms after she had asked the house staff to set up the rooms. Katerina was a stranger to attraction. In her own time she was too focused on her studies and ensure her aunt didn't overdose that she didn't have time for boys. But by god she wished she had so that she didn't have such a strong reaction to the king. She prayed her brother did not notice and that the king did not care for her. She knew she was pretty and worried her brother would use that to better his station. Things were already getting complicated and a folly with the king was the last thing she needed.