Chapter 11: Bruises That Lie
Kenna rushes into the ballroom, crashing by all the Lords and Ladies in her path. She finds Catherine and quickly stands beside her. "Catherine, please I must speak with you," she says. The gentlemen leave Catherine and Kenna alone. "Ah, Kenna. The highlight of my day." She sees how troubled Kenna is. And a small part of her, her motherly part, is frightened for her. "Kenna, what is it?" she asks. Kenna pulls herself closer to Catherine's ear. "it's Henry. He has done something to a girl. His sexual adventures have gotten worse." Kenna says. Catherine and her quickly rush off. While Mary and Bash were on their honeymoon, they had a visit from the Archduke and his sister. They came to ensure Bash and Mary's rule was secure, if not they would have dropped their alliance. Henry and the Archduke's sister had an intimate moment in his chambers, and she fell out his window. To keep the peace, Henry and Catherine covered up this secret and told the Archduke a different story. They said she had taken a lover, a priest. The Archduke agreed to keep the alliance if they kept the "truth" of his sister's death a secret.
The girls rush into the King's chambers. the girl lying dead in his bed. "He forced us... I drank a lot of wine to get me through it. I tried to get out of it but he got angry." Kenna says, jumping at the thought of the events that happened this morning. Catherine moves the girl's head to the side, showing purple finger marks on her neck. "Did you do this? Or Henry?" she asks.
"Henry. I never drank that much wine. And he did ask me to but I refused." Kenna says.
"You never saw this girl here, do you understand? You saw her an hour ago leaving the castle. She was talking about how she got paid big, but wouldn't say how." Catherine says. Kenna is near tears. "Kenna, you are soon to be his wife. You cannot have any scandal on you," she says coldly.
"We won't tell anyone?" Kenna asks. Catherine shakes her head and covers the body up.
That Afternoon. Mary's POV
Kenna and I are now in the throne room, setting up white roses and setting the buffet table for her engagement party. She is so smart I am not sure how she managed to pull it off. She will forever have Henry wrapped around her finger, and we can use it to our advantage. As we set up a table I start to notice Kenna wincing whenever she moves her arms. I ask her what is wrong but she says nothing. Finally, I place my hand on her shoulder but she winces.
"Alright, Kenna. As your Queen and your friend, I must insist. What is going on?" I ask.
"Nothing. I promise." She murmurs. For someone getting all she wanted, she sure is miserable. But I can tell she is trying desperately to hide it. "Did Henry hurt you?" I ask, fearing. He has been quite cruel recently. He has a guard tortured for having a single hair out of line.
"No. I just slipped and fell." She says. My eyes scan down to her hands; to her wrists. Both wrists and blue and purple. "Kenna!" I exclaim, taking her wrist and examining. "This is more than a simple fall! What did he do to you?" I ask.
"He has just gotten a little more... adventurous. This week with no intimacy has taken a toll on him." She says. I can't believe what I am hearing. "Firstly, why do you insist on waiting? I know you that's not like you. But if you have changed your mind and wish to wait I understand that. But why are you going through with this marriage if he is treating you like this?" I ask.
"Mary. Trust me. You have trust in us and I need you to have trust in me right now. I promise you, all will be well. I swear it." Kenna says.
King Henry walks into the room before I can ask her what she means. She instantly puts her head down. "Kenna! My future wife and queen." He says. He grabs ahold of her forcefully. My heart instantly drops. "Your majesty, I think you're holding onto Kenna a little too tightly." I protest.
"Mary. Kenna is to be my wife. What we do does not require your input. Now, where were we?" He says, turning to Kenna. I have to think quickly. Kenna smiles at Henry, trying not to seem suspicious and I can tell. "I can see a lust in your eyes that cannot easily be extinguished," he adds. I am in shock from what I am hearing, and openly too. Catherine walks into the throne room. "Henry!" she calls.
"Kenna, come. I need help with your wedding cake decorations." I quickly say. I loop my arm in hers quickly and pull her away while Henry is distracted. We walk past Catherine and she quickly stops us. "Go. I have this," she says. Both Kenna and I quickly leave. "Kenna you must not go through with this! What is going on-"
"Mary, please," she says. "I am not stupid. I know what I am doing. Now please just leave me alone!" she yells, running off down the hall.
