Katherine did want to be with Simon. She wanted to be his wife and someday give him children. The problem was, she was afraid of her mother. Like Alexander, what she wanted didn't make her strong enough to stand up to Victoria. Those who stood up to her, were always knocked back down. At the sight of her mother's anger, Katherine quickly backed down. She looked back to see Simon holding out his hand to her. 'I am sorry,' she mouthed to him and turned away. Fighting back the tears that wanted to fall down her cheeks. She'd never see Simon again, she knew that. Victoria would make him run away, like she had forced Allena to do. She was doomed to the same life as her older brother. To marry whoever Victoria wanted. She would not get a choice. She had been so stupid to think she would.<br/><br/>Victoria smirked seeing that Katherine obeyed her and walked away. Seeing the hope die in Simon's eyes made her pleased. He was an ant that needed to be crushed. He was worse then Allena. While Allena might have been attempting to entrap her son with a child. Simon could ruin Katherine for any other man. No one, especially a royal family, would want Katherine to marry into their family if Simon made her his whore.<br/><br/>Victoria's eyes turned from ice cold to fiery anger as she listened to Simon. How dare he even speak to her like that? She raised her hand and slapped him across the face.<br/><br/>"You arrogant little bastard...Your love means nothing! I refuse to stand by and allow you make my daughter your whore. You will never have my blessing or my husband's to marry her. My grandchildren will not share your filthy blood. It is because I love her, that I am doing what is best for her."<br/><br/>Victoria truly believed in her mind that she knew what was best for her children. Yes, she did want to pick mates that would possibly up her own status in life and give her more power, but she also wanted to make sure her children had that power as well. If she did not love them, then Alexander could have had his little maid. She lowered her voice to make sure Katherine could not hear her.<br/><br/>"You claim I am cruel, but yet I am giving you one last chance to leave. Do it, now. Forget about Katherine and find some girl who looks like her to warm your bed. If I ever see you again, I will crush you like the little ant that you are."