~Reign~

8.

Day after day, at least half of the Valois family tries to persuade me in my decision. But I won't have it, in fact it's too much.

So, I've come up with a plan. Where someone from the French Court will attend my coronation, and if they don't agree, well then that's the end of the alliance, I suppose.

However, that is not the only problem I must worry about. A letter came, an unexpected one, and I don't know what to do about it.

"Mother, please," I begged sitting on the edge of her bed. "I have no one else to go to with this, help me."

"Darling, how will you become a good queen if you come running to your mother every time you are conflicted," she questioned placing a hand on my arm.

"But I don't know what to do. No matter what I could lose an alliance and our country cannot risk that."

"Katerina, you are my world, I wish I could help, but I cannot. You must face this head on, or you might lose yourself."

I merely nodded before exiting the room to search for Francis. Once I did, he immediately began pestering me about the damn coronation.

"I have a solution for that," I interrupted causing him to look at me surprised.

"Which is?"

"Someone from your court would attend in your place. My brother, Leith," I stated with a smile.

"He is a guard-"

"And your friend. And my brother. Francis, do not fight me on this, please-"

"Pardon, your highness, I have a letter," a servant cut in, handing it to me.

"Thank you," I said as he walked away. I take one look at the seal and my mood shifts. "We will talk later."

"No, Katerina, what is it?" Francis asked grabbing my arm.

"None of your business. Unfortunately, there is business I must attend to."

"You cannot continue avoiding this conversation," Francis demanded.

"Francis! You have to leave my country. I have important business to attend to."

"Like what?"

"Keeping Queen Elizabeth out of my country while you and Mary are still here," I whispered angrily.

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"Elizabeth has been writing letters to me about her attendance to my coronation. With Mary here, she's in more danger than ever."

"That's what happens when you have an alliance with-"

"I do not have an alliance with England. You know that, how dare you accuse me of that!" I yelled earning a couple looks. "Now back the hell off while I try to convince the woman to stay away."

He only sighed as I stormed out, towards my room to write back to the Queen of England. After a long letter, trying to stay calm and making sure my country wasn't attacked, I passed it on for the letter to be sent off.

Tomorrow is the last day the Valois family can stay here without me forcing them out. I swear they are trying to kill me, I might just have to run away or something.

My head is going crazy. I'm completely overwhelmed-I honestly don't think I can do this.

Just as I'm about to leave, a hand covers my mouth, a knife held against my throat.

"You listen to me, darling," a cold voice whispered. "You will allow my family to stay and watch your stupid coronation or I will slit your throats right now."

I bit the hand which was covering my mouth and sped across the room as my attacker stepped backed.

"Catherine? How could you do this to me? To your family?" I questioned rubbing my neck and catching my breath.

"I apologize if you killing a man has made you upset with my family, but you have no one to blame but yourself-"

"That has nothing to do with this!" I shouted as Catherine stepped closer to me.

"Lower your voice this instant," she hissed.

"You have no authority over me. You're in my country. Now leave before I call my guards and have you arrested."

"On what grounds?" She laughed stalking towards me.

"You know exactly what. So stop pretending you're innocent! If you actually believe that you are, then you are truly insane."

"I thought I told you to lower your voice," Catherine fussed speeding towards me, knife in hand.

I moved quickly, knocking a chair over as I fell to the ground, and she ran into the wall. The commotion was loud enough to signal the guards to come racing in.

They went after Catherine immediately, as Leith raced to my side.

"Are you alright?" He questioned. I nodded and tried to stand but felt an immense pain in my side, causing me to groan.

"Crap," I whispered eyeing the amount of blood that was pouring out of my body. Catherine somehow managed to get the knife stuck into my side.

"Get a doctor!" He shouted pulling out a cloth and pressing it on my wound. "If I pull it out, it will only get worse-especially without a doctor around."

My vision began to blur and I could barely hear anything my brother was saying. My eyes began to shut, but I felt hands on the sides of my face trying to keep my eyes open.