Cassandra stirred in the soft sheets to the sound of a small bird twittering at her window sill. She was strangely wide awake for first thing in the morning, she looked across to the windows to see the curtains were still drawn tightly shut meaning that no one had disturbed her slumber. She rose wearily from the bed, feeling the icy vine like drafts from under the door crawling up her night shaft as she walked across the room. She peered out of the window, sneering at the bright light assaulting her eyes. Outside was a blank white canvas of heavy snow, dull and strangely bright considering heavy snow clouds blocked the sun from view. Cassandra gazed out at the blank landscape; she felt a sudden pain at her midriff. She grimaced, assuming the pain meant she was bleeding down bellow she walked back towards her wardrobe. She heard her soft shoes tapping on the wooden floor as she walked across the room, absent minded apart from concentrating on the sound. She gazed over to the unmade bed, the ruffled sheets and scattered pillows reminded her of Edward, her king and lover. She smiled at the thought of time alone, remembering the strong smell of his perfumes and the taste of his skin. The thought made her touch the nape of her neck, his favourite part of her anatomy and shiver. She continued to walk toward the wardrobe but then realised something. All previous smiles and thoughts shattered as she looked at the bed. The white sheets had no blood stains on them. Cassandra ran towards the bed, pulling and grabbing at whatever came to hand. Cassandra suddenly felt faint as she searched the bed for blood. She knew the bleeding was a sign of good health and potential child bearing. If she could not bear children her father would replace her with one of her sisters, she would no longer be a star at court or the family favourite. She was the oldest and still unwed. Without the king’s favour she’d be another forgotten whore, alone and in a nunnery. She scrapped at the bed, desperately looking for an ounce of blood. Nothing. She felt to the floor in despair, she could feel her confidence and influence fading as she curled up on the floor shuddering as she tried to hold back tears of frustration. She was becoming that timid little girl again, hiding her pretty face in the shadows. She heard a soft knock at her door, dragging her back to the present. She wearily dragged herself up as the servant came into the room to dress her. As the servant pulled and tugged at her, her mind reeled. She must tell her father or there would be hell to pay.

*~---~*

Cassandra’s mother and father sat at the large dining table, musing about current events. Her three sisters, all plain daises in contrast to Cassandra’s rose like presence, sat obediently in the shadow of their parents. Cassandra walked briskly towards them before bowing deeply. Instead of sitting at the table to join them she stood expectantly in front of them. She heard the shocked gasps escaping from her submissive siblings as she stood there in a plain but expensive dove grey dress with her hair piled tightly on top of her head. She felt her mother’s burning glare on her but waited for her father’s reaction. Men’s opinions matter more than their whore wife’s thought Cassandra distastefully. Her father sat back in his chair so he could look at Cassandra, she had their attention now. She looked passed them while she spoke, looking towards a sombre painting of one of her ancestors. ‘Father, Mother.’ She started evenly before sighing heavily. The next thing she could say could ruin her life but with a heavy heart she said it. ‘I did not find blood in my bed’.

There was a long silence in the room. Cassandra could hear her younger sisters shuffling in their seats exchanging looks at Cassandra’s failure.

‘Leave us children!’ he bellowed at her sisters, sounding like a screaming pig. The noise so sudden and terrifying it made Cassandra’s knees buckle; as she watched her sisters flee the room quickly, hoarding their dresses out of the door. Her father turned his piercing gaze towards her, while she watched her mother stand behind her father. It was her against them, alone in this horrible room. She felt all her confidence ebb away as they stared at her.

‘What did you say?’ her mother uttered quietly from behind the tense figure of her father. Cassandra tried to gather her thoughts and words before stuttering a response.

‘I f-f-found nnno blood in my bed...’ she said in a small voice. Her nervousness made her mother snort in disapproval; Lillyworth’s had always been cowards they just never showed it. Her father’s gaze remained steady on her as she tumbled through her confession. She would have blushed from embarrassment but she was too frightened to do even that right now. She stood as still a statue and as deadly pale as one.

‘Are you certain? For how long? ’ Her father asked gently. The very image of her father being so sweet chilled her almost into silence, but she did not dare defy him.

‘Two months’ she whispered after a moment’s thought. She had put her lack of blood down to the trip from Banksmeh to Conidoor, but after two months of no blood she feared the worst.

‘Gods be praised!’ her mother gasped clutching her father. ‘Fetch the physician! At once!’ Her mother yelled loudly, ushering Cassandra away with one sweep of her elegantly bony hand.

*~---~*

Cassandra sat outside her father’s office, humiliated and drained by the events of the day. Was she too lose her place at court? Was she too bear children or to die? The thoughts attacked her mind while she sat and waited, Waiting while the physician spoke with her parents. She felt at her lowest in her entire life as her importance hung on a string dangling dangerously over a fire. Outside a storm was brewing, as the winds whistled through the crack appearing under the window. A messenger boy appeared from her father’s office, running to deliver a message to someone. What did the letter say? Was it good new or bad?

Suddenly the physician appeared in the hallway slowly ending a conversation with the Lillyworths before walking slowly past Cassandra, teasing her with his presence. She swallowed hard, as she sat confused about her next move.

‘Cassandra?’ her mother called from inside the office ‘Come here’. Obediently Cassandra walked into the room, her head hung in disgrace. Her walked towards her and took her hands, shocking Cassandra so much that her eyes filled with tear. It must be bad news Cassandra reasoned with herself. ‘Cassandra, we have good news for you, Wonderful news for the family actually. Cassandra you are pregnant with the king’s bastard! You’ve made us so proud. Should anything happen to Edward’s children your son will be king!’ Her mother said gleefully at the news. ‘Well smile child, this is the greatest news you could hear!’ Her mother cooed while looking hopefully towards her father. Cassandra lifted the lips and hoped it resembled a smile. In all honesty she was too drain to feel anything over the news so she played along with her mother’s happiness quietly and with grace, hoping that soon she would be alone to gather her thoughts.

*~---~*

Estella sat comfortably as she sipped her wine. Merry laughter clustered the stuffy room as the court feasted greedy at the king’s expense. The king sat on a golden throne on a platform, at his sides his brothers. The queen had retired to her chambers long before the feast had begun. Lucy sat besides her sharing a joke with Robert as he carelessly strummed his guitar. The day had been merry and joyous but yesterday’s events plagued Estella’s mind. Louise had frightened her yesterday not to mention the kiss she shared with Richard. She blamed in shame of that kiss, shame or perhaps something else? She didn’t dare to think. Why she had went from hating him to becoming one of his closest companions. The thought had made her laugh along with the thought that he might love her. How could anyone love her? She was no beauty like Cassandra Lillyworth or a damsel in distress. The idea seemed alien and frightening to her yet it was there, nagging her constantly.

‘The king’s brother looks at you Estella’ Lucy whispered behind a gloved hand. Estella’s dark eyes flickered onto the gloved hand before towards Richard. He gave her a sideways glance over his sliver goblet before talking to the king. Lucy cleared her throat, and looked down at her plate. ‘I don’t like him Estella, there’s something bad about him’ Lucy said suddenly gravely serious. Estella gave her a look of concern before noticing Benny walking towards them; she tapped Lucy’s shoulder to alert her. Lucy flustered as he approached, rapidly grooming herself. He stood before them waiting for permission to speak.

‘What is it Benny?’ Lucy asked genteelly, while sitting perfectly in her chair. He gave her a charming smile and retrieved a letter from his pocket, handing it to Estella.

‘From my master my Lady’ He said before giving Lucy a cheeky wink, making her blush with joy. He must finally be seeing that he loves her as she loves him. Benny lingered before them, speaking pleasantly to Lucy, who in turn showed great enthusiasm for everything he spoke about. Estella pushed the letter up her sleeve glancing quickly in Louise; he was talking to a servant. She felt uneasy and would rather enjoy the rest of the night. She looked towards the king. A messenger was whispering into his good ear, the king suddenly seemed serious before he suddenly getting up and leaving the room, disrupting the feast and stopping the celebrations. The music stopped as everyone flustered as to what just happened. Louise got up behind him and sprint to catch up with the king. Estella turned to Lucy puzzled by what just happened.

‘Edward! Edward!’ Louise yelled catching Edward getting onto his horse. ‘Where are you going?’ Louise spluttered looking at Edward. Edward held his head in his hands in an attempted to clear his thoughts.

‘Cassandra. She’s pregnant, I must see her’ Edwards said through the cold thick winter air. Louise gave him a surprised look; he had never bothered with any of his bastards before. Louise wasted no time talking about bastards though.

‘And what about what we spoke of yesterday? My marriage?’ Louise asked annoyed that Edward hadn’t given it more thought. Edward gave him a questioning look before he rode off making Louise throw a broom at him. Louise crossed his arms huffily, where was that idiot Benny when he needed him? Louise thought angrily.

‘You have my consent Louise. Wait until my return before you are wed. I shall be back tomorrow and then I will have you wed’ Edward yelled over his shoulder, fearing Louise’s tantrums he thought he had to indulge him. Louise smiled in satisfaction and returned into the hall, now to find Estella.

*~---~*

Estella walked out of the hall on her own. Lucy insisted to have Benny escort her to her room, and for once things seemed to go in Lucy’s favour. Estella wanted to just get to her room away from the hall and more importantly Louise. As she walked around a corner she walked straight into him, winding both of them. She looked up and winced, why did it have to be Louise?

‘Estella! I’ve been looking for you!’ Louise said flashing her charming smile offering her an arm. She moved away from him but he proceeded to link her arm and rag her outside to the royal gardens. Estella sighed inwardly awaiting the lecture he would give her while looking to make sure no one saw them. What would people say if they saw the plain Estella Yorkthird besides the handsome Louise Werriman? She cringed. Louise rambled on about the events in his life. How many boars and deer he had killed at the last hunt, how manly he was the endless amounts of accomplishments were driving her slowly insane. They soon reached the swan pond where Louise finally stopped talking. Estella sighed in relief but then caught Louise’ eye and noticed that glazed look of lust in his eyes. She removed her arm from his and walked towards the water.

‘Estella there is a reason I wanted to speak with you’ He finally confessed moving towards her not noticing her edging away slowly. ‘Estella I want you for my wife’ he said suddenly and plainly, feeling no need to dress his intention up in fancy words. Estella turned to face him with a grave pale face before walking away in silence. Louise grabbed her wrists and pulled her back towards him, tugging her roughly and she fought against him. He was enraged no woman had ever been so disrespectful towards him. ‘Why are you turning away? Why are you shunning my proposal?’ he yelled at her as she pulled and wriggled in an attempted to get free.

‘Because I don’t love you!’ she screeched like a wounded fox in a bear trap, even kicking at him to free her now. Louise dug his nails into her wrists, trying to subdue her frantic fighting; he had to admit her resistance was proving quite a turn on. But the words stung.

‘And who do you love? Richard?!?’ Louise screamed accusingly at her as she managed to free one hand. She started to slap and claw at his hand to realise its grip while writhing in order to be free.

‘Yes!’ she cried at the top of her voice praying someone would help her. Louise stopped pulling her and stood looking at her, she in turn stopped fighting as much. Perhaps he would let her be free? Louise was then seized by his rage and grabbed her hair, twisting it torturously as she begging him to stop.

‘You fucking little bitch!’ he exclaimed slapped her hard across the face as she fought her freedom. She swiftly kicked him between the legs, gaining her freedom as he feel. ‘You will be my wife. I swear it.’ Louise said as he curled up into a pitiful bull. Estella meanwhile escaped running towards the castle and safety.