"The next day, guests were arriving for the feast. Catherine and Bash were helping to greet them with Francis and Mary. They could see Count Allard arrive off in the distance. Catherine looked around but did not see Kenna.
"Where is Kenna? Count Allard has arrived and she's nowhere to be found." Catherine she asked into Bash's ear.
"I'm sure she'll be here." He answered.
"She'd better be. There's no way I'm going to greet him." She said.
"You may not have a choice. He's coming this way." He said as the Count started walking towards them.
"Ahh, your majesty, such a pleasure to get your...last...minute...invitation." he said pointedly.
"Last minute? I'm not sure what you mean. I sent it out days ago." She lied. "Uh. Those messengers can be so unreliable."
"I see. Well, it seems congratulations are in order." He said. She looked at him confused for a short moment, as the smell was starting to get to her.
"Oh...yes...thank you." She choked out.
"And this must be your young groom." He said holding out his hand. Bash looked at it awkwardly and hesitantly shook it, pulling it back and wiping it on his pants.
"Your majesty, my apologies for being late. I was held up." Kenna said, interrupting the awkward moment.
"Ahh, Kenna." Catherine said looking at her as if she could kill her with her thoughts. "Count, this is Lady Kenna. She will be your escort for the evening." He looked at Kenna as though she were a piece of meat. She looked back at him trying to keep her composure. She glanced at Catherine pleading with her eyes. Catherine merely smiled evilly at her. "I shall leave you two to get acquainted." She said grabbing Bash's arm and pulling him away.
"I think I have to cut off my hand." Bash whispered in her ear.
"I think that might be wise." She whispered back, as they scurried off.
"After some time had passed, Kenna couldn't take it anymore. She simply couldn't stand one more moment of this torture. She saw Catherine leave the feast alone. To hell with her pride. It was time for begging. She excused herself and decided to go after her.
"When she got to Catherine's room, she found her sitting on the floor, pale as a ghost. She rushed to her.
"Catherine are you alright?" She said trying to help her up.
"I'm fine. I don't need your help." She said pulling away from her.
"You're burning up. Should I call for a physician?" She asked.
"No!" She snapped. "No physicians. Just leave me be. And don't you breath a word of this to anyone."
"But Catherine you're obviously ill. Shouldn't I at least go find Bash?" She asked.
"I said I'm fine." She said through gritted teeth. "Now leave me before I decide to make those lists of yours even worse." Kenna backed up slowly and left the room. She went back to the party and saw Bash talking to some nobles. She pull him aside.
"Bash. It's Catherine. I think something is wrong." She whispered. Bash looked at her a bit worried and they left the party together.
"What happened?" He asked as they walked down the hall.
"I found her on the floor in her room. I tried to help her, but she wouldn't let me. She was pale as a ghost." She said.
"Did she have a fever?" He asked. Kenna looked confused. 'Why would he ask that?'
"Yes. I think so. But she would barely let me touch her." She said as they approached the chamber doors. She grabbed Bash's arm just before he entered. "Look. She didn't want me to tell you. Please don't let her know I did. She'll kill me."
"Don't worry. I won't say anything." He said and went inside.
"Catherine." He went over to her and picked her up off the floor, placing her on the bed. "I thought you were going to tell me when you didn't feel well."
"It happened so quickly. I didn't..." she trailed off.
"It's alright. Here, let me help you with these." He said taking off her jewelry and crown so she'd be more comfortable.
"No. I have to go back to the party." She said.
"No. You have to rest. I'll make an excuse for you." He said softly. He poured some water and handed to her. She drank some and handed it back. He kissed her forehead.
"I'll be back soon. I'll just let Mary know where we've gone." He said getting up.
"You don't have to. I'm okay." She said.
"I'll be back." He repeated as he left the room.
When he came out of the room, Kenna was still standing in the hall.
"Is she alright?" She asked.
"She'll be fine. She just needs some rest." He said.
"You asked if she had a fever. You knew she was sick. How long has this been happening? Should I tell Mary and Francis?" She asked as she followed him down the hall.
"That is none of your business." Bash said. "Mary and Francis already know, and don't ask anymore questions. You'll just
"Done enough of that? What are you talking about. I've done everything she asked...unless...is that why you married her? Because she was pregnant? Has she been sick the whole time?" Kenna asked. Bash stopped walking and whipped around to face her.
"That is not why I married her. It might be why we rushed it, but I love her...I almost lost her because of you. The stress of your little betrayal almost killed her!" He said getting angrier by the second.
"Bash I'm sorry, I...I...didn't..." she started.
"You didn't know? If you had, would it have stopped you?" Bash asked. Kenna thought on it. "Don't try to pretend like it would have." He started walking away.
"That's not fair. You don't know...Bash wait." She ran after him. "I'm not heartless, I feel awful. I wanted to break you two up, I didn't want to kill her. Is there anything I can do?"
"You're already doing it. Oddly enough, torturing you has been making her feel better." He said.
"Of course it has." She said rolling her eyes.
"But if you tell anyone you know about this, and I mean anyone, including Catherine. Her lists will be the least of your problems." He warned. She nodded. He walked off in huff back to the party to make an excuse for Catherine's disappearance.
When he was done, he went back to the room. He crawled into bed next to her.
"Do you feel any better?" He asked as he stroked her hair. She nodded and snuggled into his shoulder. "No more parties for you." He said kissing her head. They laid in silence for a few moments.
"Rosalind." She said.
"If you're trying to use your not feeling well to get me to agree to a name. It's not going to work." He told her. She smiled.
"I love you." She said.
"I love you too." He replied.
