The Great Queen

Chapter Three

Katerina walked into the woods a few hours after the king's arrival, her quiver on her back and her bow in hand. She breathed out an angry breath as she shot repeatedly at the same tree. Hitting the spot perfectly. "I've never seen a woman so good at archery," a voice said from behind her. Startled, she pulled the dagger from her corset and pressed it to the neck of the person behind her. And immediately regretted it as she did.

"This is most unexpected." She quickly pulled the knife away from the king's neck and bowed.

"Your majesty. Please forgive me. I wasn't aware it was you, you scared me." 'great' she thought. She had only been here for a couple weeks and was already going to be sentenced to death. This right here is why she wanted to avoid the king. Thank you very much bethany.

Henry pulled the woman out of the bow and immediately sucked in a breath as she was pressed up against him, he could feel her dagger on the inside of his wrist but she didn't move it. He had never been so turned on before. "I was worried you were in distress so I followed you, now I see you do not need my assistance."

"I find it best to not be caught unprepared, lest a man take something I am unwilling to give." she told him confidently. She moved her dagger up his arm and smiled, stepping back and turning around to put it back. "Though I am thankful you wish to assist me, my lord."

"You are unlike anyone i've ever met," Henry breathed.

Henry took a step toward her, and she took a step back. "You cannot be scared of me my lady, you could kill me if you should wish." he took another step toward her and this time she did not back away.

"I am scared to be alone with any man milord. You might not realise but being alone with you could cost me my reputation."

This seemed to wake Henry out of his daze, "right, i am very sorry my lady. I do not wish to put you in any unfortunate situations. I shall take my leave." Kat bowed and sighed a relief as he left.

Bethany sighed as she brushed the mud and leaves out of her ladies hair. "You should be trying to get to know the king, my lady."

Katerina rolled her eyes, "i do not wish to know the king. To put one in his world is so dangerous. For one, half of the country is divided right now. People are either vying for Anne to become queen or for Catherine to stay queen. Power is in flux right now and i do not wish to become a passing fancy to the king and put myself into danger. The boleyns and anyone that are backing them have much to lose and will do anything to keep their power."

"But my lady, the prophecy," Bethany protested.

"I don't believe I could hold the king's attention enough for it to ever come into fruition."

Bethany pulled her hair into a beautiful braided bun and smiled, "according to the maids you've already caught his attention. "

"Okay so he beds me, then he leaves me and I am ruined. If he likes me enough he will set up a mildly profital marriage but all people will see is a washed up mistress of the king. I want to be a rich man, I want so much for the world. But I am a woman, and therefore the best I can hope for is that my husband is kind enough to let me be me. I am attracted to him, more than I have ever been before. But I can't throw myself at him and ruin my own life for a moment of pleasure," she told bethany. Who for a moment agreed, and her face crumbled.

"I am sorry my lady," she whispered.

"Do not apologise for speaking, you are my friend."

When Katerina took her place at the banquet table that night it was the first time she had felt self conscious in a while and wasn't sure why. People were staring at her, but she kept her head high and placed food onto her plate. The king glanced at her, watching as she piled her plate higher than any woman he'd ever seen do in the company of others. He wasn't stupid he knew women ate less in front him to seem demure and thin but he really did not care for it. Watching her devour her food without a care for any of the men around her only made her more appealing. "Henrik, my friend. What's the likelihood your sister would be joining court any time soon?"

Henrik looked up surprised, a look of opportunity passed his face and Henry pretended he didn't see it. "She has no plans of going to court, your majesty. I believe my father has gone to court in hopes of procuring a betrothal for her."

Henrys face flashed with rage, one that Henrik watched with glee, "Have your sister come to court with you within the week,, the rest of us will ride out in the morning."

"Of course your majesty," Henrik said with a smile sitting back in his chair gleefully.