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The People's Thoughts I
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The next morning, the Vasils were to return to their capital with their new prize in tow. Hundreds of troops were to be left behind in order to make the transition smoother. Ursa was stunned by how fast things were moving, she could barely pay attention whilst her handmaidens packed her things.
“Ursa! Do you want to take this with you or not?” Cecily had been trying to get Ursa’s attention for the past minute or so. Only when Ursa finally started to give signs she was paying attention did she sigh and sit down next to her friend. “What’s bothering you?”
It was hard to explain to anyone, even herself. One moment she was the Princess of the Romanovs, heir apparent to her father, and the next she was the soon to be Empress of the Westlands, wife of King Vasil. “If I were to list all of my problems, we’d probably be sitting here ‘til the New Year.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t try,” Cecily persisted. Emery emerged from the closet. Seeing that her two friends were having a moment together, Emery couldn’t help but dive onto the bed, propping her head up with her hands.
“What’s wrong, Ursa?”
She was marrying the sworn enemy of her people. The man that ordered the deaths of her brothers, invaded her land! “It’s nothing. Just my nerves. I will be heading to Vasil country soon, it’s a bit daunting.”
“Silly, you won’t be alone. How scary can it be?” One of her only sources of comfort was that her two handmaidens would be accompanying her.
***
Due to the distance, a carriage was set up for the princess and her two handmaidens, while Ivan and Orlov would ride alongside it on their horses, followed by the entire returning Vasil army. Usually a Romanov bride would be taken on a palanquin to the groom’s house accompanied by the father, where the groom would carry the bride into their new home. Then the true ceremony started. It was a shame that the wedding would be taking place in the Vasil lands. As a child, Ursa daydreamed about the ceremony and how hers would go.
It would take a few days to journey to the Vasil territory, so Ursa shed her usual elaborate gowns and hairstyles for some trousers, a long overcoat, sturdy boots and a long braid. Ivan had no complaints about this, he thought she looked stunning in anything she wore. Ivan even appreciated her sense to dress properly for a long trip. He remembered vividly the time his father had him court a young Vasil noblelady to the annual Hunt. The lady wore all the capital’s latest fashions in skirts and jewelries while in the middle of the woods.
While Ivan was double-checking if everyone was ready to go, Ursa went to go bid her father farewell. Ursa went to bow deeply to her father, a show of great respect, however he immediately grabbed her wrist and pulled her in for a back-breaking hug.
“Father?”
King Romanov brought himself close to her ear and whispered harshly, “You are to be his wife in every possible way, except for in your heart. That scum is a means to an end. Remember your people, your brothers, and do not disappoint me.” His words sent chills down her spine. She moved to escape his clutches, stepping back unsteadily. She felt a wall behind her, only to find her husband to be catching her.
“We’ll be off then, My Lord.” Ivan bowed, and started to turn before King Romanov stopped him.
“I do hope I can come visit my precious daughter soon,” King Romanov said. Ivan smiled, reaching for Ursa’s hand.
“When the time comes, I’m sure the princess will be willing to host you at our home.” Ursa glanced at the handsome man, who seemed so carefree and amiable. Perhaps he wasn’t as much of a fool as he looked, to not even sense the duplicitous nature of her father.
“Goodbye, father. I will write to you,” she promised. Ursa allowed Ivan to guide her to the carriage, gracefully helping her in before mounting his own ride.
***
The journey was going smoothly. Cecily and Emery attempted to amuse Ursa on the way with games and stories, but none of it seemed to stick. Ursa was more content to just stare out the window and watch the countryside pass by.
It was all a bit boring. It wasn’t as if Ursa was expecting anything grand to happen, however it was such a long trip and she was so bored-
Crash!
A sound could be heard from behind the carriage. Ursa immediately perked up, especially when the shouts followed after it. Another loud noise that sounded like it came from the carriage reached their ears, and immediately after the three women lurched to the side as the entire carriage fell over.
“What’s happening?” Emery asked, wide eyed and concerned.
“Let me go check. There must be some sort of skirmish.” But before Ursa could do anything at all, the carriage door was ripped off its hinges. A man dressed in dark colors and a mask to cover his face violently grabbed Ursa’s arm, pulling her out of the carriage.
“Let go!” she screamed, trying to rip his hand off of her arm.
“Do not struggle, My Lady! We are here to save you from these Vasil scum!” the man assured.
“Saving? This is suicide! Did you think it was smart to ambush the entire Vasil army?” she yelled.
“As the last surviving Romanov, we will not allow you to be tainted by Vasil-” -Unfortunately, the man’ impassioned speech was cut short by a slice to the back. The grip he had on Ursa’s arm immediately loosened, and she backed away swiftly. Ursa looked up to identify her knight in shining armor.
The King.
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