Cassandra Polk walked hurriedly through castle halls. The queen had given her the day off of her duties. And she wanted to be were she was comfortable. So she was going to the forest outside the castle.
Since she came to England from Poland she found that being in this wooded area was a sort peaceful thing for her. It reminded her of her old haunts at home. And that was where she first met him. Thomas Talis. The man she had allowed herself to fall in love with.
It was hectic couple of years for Cassandra. What with the king tiring of Queen Catherine. Then banishing said queen from him. Then having council call his marriage to her null and void and bringing in a new queen. Queen Anne.
The change of queens wasn't handled well for everyone either. Cassandra was smart enough to take it in stride and go with what the king said. But she saw a number of her friends taken to the tower or given their walking papers. Which in essence was pretty much the same thing.
But out in the woods all of that went away. And nothing of that world mattered much. All that mattered was whatever thought popped into her head at the moment. Cassandra stopped short and plopped down in the cool wet grass.
Little known to her she wasn't alone. Thomas Talis had studied her movements and followed the brown haired, blue eyed, heart shaped faced girl. He knew what she would do almost as well as she did.
Why would Thomas Talis be following Cassandra you ask? Because he had started to fall for her. And she didn't even know it. Talis hid behind a tree as Cassandra began to talk to herself.
"He probably doesn't even know I exist," she said to herself. "And why should he? I don't even speak proper English at most times. Why would a smart musician like him go for a unintelligent girl like me?"
"Don't say that," said Thomas without even thinking about it. He walked out from behind his hiding place. "I think your very intelligent in your own way m'lady."
Cassandra looked up blushing. "I'm sorry," she said getting up. "I didn't know you were there, Mister Talis. I will go."
"Don't go. Do I know this knave you speak of? The one that won't give you the time of day?"
"I don't doubt that you do know him."
"Pray say that again please."
"I'm sorry. I meant to say that you do know him. You must forgive me Mister Talis. English is not my first language."
"I don't mind. And please don't call me Mr. Talis. Mr. Talis is my father. And miserable wretch he was. You may call me Thomas."
"All right Thomas. But I insist you stop calling me m'lady and call me Cassandra."
"All right then. Now tell me the name of this miserable wretch who won't give you the time of day. I'll make him pay for it."
Cassandra blushed. Should she tell him? What would he say? What would he think of her? But if she didn't tell him then someone else would come and take him for themselves. It was now or never.
"All right Thomas. The miserable wretch is you."
"I beg your pardon. Why am I the miserable wretch? May I ask?"
"Because I have given you ever sign that I am interested short of doing what the queen did to get the king. What more am I to do?"
"You could have just told me how you felt. Because I feel the same for you."
"You do?"
"I do. I would very much like to court you Cassandra if you will allow it."
"I would very much like that Thomas."
They spent the rest of the day out in the woods talking and getting to know each other. And when it was time for Cassandra to go back to the castle they made plans to meet again the next day.
That day Cassandra was not just the servant of the queen. She was Nature's servant. And nature always got her way.