Ella jumped when the door slammed, panicked she ran to the door trying to open it. She realized what she did and slowly turned to look at the king.
"Wasn't the bath earlier enough my king?"
she said calmly as she settled her breathing a bit

"Maybe I just like baths," the king said reasonably, laying back in his water.
"Well? I'm waiting, my queen."

The guard shuffled uncomfortably.
"And, why would you want to see her?"

Ella tried to think of a reason not to bathe him without being suspicious but couldn't come up with a good reason. She slowly pushed herself off the door and walked towards him. She stood next to the tub and held her trembling hand out.
"Is there a sponge or something for me to use?"


Allora took a moment to think
"Who would know info about the king, and how would we be able to get them out unnoticed?"
she looked at Mathuriel
"We would need someone who can take their place, Just in case the king keeps tabs on his guards or servents"

The king handed her the sponge Daemon had dropped - then he opened his eyes and strode from the bath, ignoring her completely.
"Something has come to my attention. This will have to wait until after the wedding."
In a blink, his clothes were on him and he and Ella were in the throne room.
He raised an eyebrow at a cowering peasant, who was flanked by four guards.
"We found him in your library, my lord."
The king smiled.
"Trespassing, treason against your king, attempted theft, and - ooh, what the hell, conspiracy to commit murder."
The peasant gasped, and the king looked at Ella. "What do you think his punishment should be?"

The guard raised an eyebrow. "And, as a question, why on earth should I grant you such a request?"

Ella looked around the room wondering how they were suddenly in the throne room. She looked at the peasant then to the king.
"I think we should find out why he was in the library and how he manged to get past the guards"
she looked back at the peasant waiting for an answer

"We could always look for someone in my family...though, whomever you choose to speak with, they'll need quite a bit of coaxing." Valeria spoke. "I do have an older sister that looks a good deal like myself, so if anything, you can speak with her, and I could replace her until you're done." She looked at the others. "My family is fairly close to the King's court, so, I could find anything else out while I'm in her place."

"That's a good idea..."
The king drew a finger across his throat and the peasant didn't even manage to scream before his head was cut off.
"Mount it on a spike and send his family the corpse," the king said coldly as he watched the guards drag the body away.
"Word of advice to you, my queen - it is not worth talking to riff raff. You have a lot to learn if you wish to become queen."

Mathuriel looked around. "If anyone's got a better idea, let's hear it."

Ella looked away when the mans head was decapitated. She fought back a tear for the mans family knowing exactly how it felt to loose someone you love. She took a moment to compose herself and then looked over at the king
"I think I have a lot to learn if I am going to be queen"
she looked down at her hands
"Are you sure you want the wedding to be tonight if you feel I'm not ready to rule at your side"

Ella wanted to pull her hand ways from the king but decided against it. Her stomach turned as he poke about what her duties would be. The color drained from her skin making he look pale.
"I-I'm not feeling so well"
she looked up at the king
"I think I over did it today with the breaking in the castle and all"
she started to pull her hand away from his as she spoke
"Would it be possible for me to lay down for a little bit?"

Ella relaxed now that she was away from the king. 'what am I going to do?'
she glanced over at the window
"Not much longer now"
she sighed

The guard frowned.

A few moments later, a servant tentatively knocked on the door of Ella's room.
"A prisoner has requested to see you," he squeaked timidly.

Ella walked over to the door and opened it
"A prisoner?"
she looked confused
"Why would a prisoner want to see me?"
she sighed
"Well I guess it would be rude of me not to pay him a visit, take me to him please"

The servant led the way and before long Ella had entered the dungeon. It was dark, dank, wet, and cold, like all good dungeons.
He led her to the cages containing the prisoner and scarpered, leaving her alone with the prisoner and the guard, who dutifully kept watch.

Ella walked towards the cage but she was cautious enough not to get to close
"I was told you wanted to see me?"

Ella looked over at the guard
"Would you mind giving us some privacy?"
she smiled
"Just to go to far in case i need you"

The guard narrowed his eyes.
"I'll be right outside this door," he said, secretly relieved to catch a break.
"You have five minutes, and if I hear metal moving I'm coming straight back in."
He left the room, closing the door then leaning against it, enjoying the lack of awkward feelings.

Ella frowned
"Sadly I am and he intends to marry me tonight"
she looked up at him with a raised brow when he asked when she was going to do it
"Do what exactly"

Ella clenched her fists at her side
"NO!"
she took a moment to compose herself
"tonight during the wedding when im close enough to him. I almost had an opportunity earlier when he was in the bath but I wasn't able to get close enough
she sighed
"I had to betray my team in order to save their lives and make the king think I'm here to become his queen"
she looked back to make sure the guard wasnt coming then looked back at the man
"How did you know?"