The king strode across the church's entryway in a flurry of motion. One that did not go unnoticed by Cassie as her father and brother spoke of potential suitors. He looked upset, angry. Green eyes flicked to her father's face, studying his features. Surely something had happened between the pair to leave the king so distraught. And Cassie began to wonder what was said. What deal may have been struck to keep her here. The teen excused herself quietly. Her father hardly acknowledged her move to leave, while Gerald looked to her with a furrowed brow. Her only response was a nod in the direction the king had gone.<br/><br/>Genevieve gave a start at Motto's intrusion. Quickly regaining her composure, Genevieve fixed her skirts so that, despite her foot on Mildred's knee, she was decent. His appearance was…not something Genevieve could ignore. There was a wild look to his eye, his clothing was disheveled. Genevieve was proud when Mildred stood and spoke her mind. And Genevieve would protect Mildred with a fierceness unknown should the handmaiden reap any consequences from her emboldened actions.<br/><br/>But Genevieve knew the meaning behind the seemingly odd gust of wind. Knew that Motto was flexing his power over her and the woman under her protection. Genevieve would not be frightened by him. Not anymore. She was resigned to a marriage without love for political gain, now. But she would not live a life in fear. And Genevieve hoped Motto had at least respected her enough for that -if loving her was too much, anyway-.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">” There is to be no rehearsal. You shall return to the castle immediately.”</span><br/><br/>Anger swelled in Genevieve’s breast as Motto left in a flurry of movement. He had the<span style="font-style: italic">audacity</span>to not only rendezvous with his chit on the day of their wedding rehearsal, but then to cancel it! AND ORDER HER BACK TO THE CASTLE?! Fine. If he wanted a simpering, weak, woman at his side, so be it. She would let him have the woman-child. “Mildred. Would you kindly bandage my foot up, please?”<br/><br/><br/>Back at the castle, Genevieve limped about her room. She was alone, having ordered her maids to leave. She needed time alone. To think. Luggage lay open upon her bed. Genevieve wondered to herself. Should she pack them? Or make a stand? Angry with herself, and Motto, the young woman picked up one of the bags and threw it across the room. It landed with a skid. How could he? How could he lure her in, take her purity,<span style="font-style: italic">lie</span>to her?? And what of Hector? Did he know of Motto's affair? Elenore certainly didn't seem too. She had said as much when they had first met, if in not so many words: simply stating that Motto had never had any suitors.<br/><br/>There was a gentle knocking on Genevieve's door before it opened with a creak. Cassie's face slipped through, followed by the rest of her. Eyes close in color to Genevieve’s noticed the bags on the bed, and the one across the room. “You…aren't leaving. Are you?” The teen asked her older sister, who merely sat upon her bed. “Genevieve!” Cassie knelt at Genevieve’s feet, looking to the young woman. “You can't! The Genevieve I knew would never give up. Ever! You've spent how many years avoiding marriage, despite father. And now that you've finally found someone to care for, you're getting cold feet?”<br/><br/>Cassie certainly didn’t know what all was going on around her, but her words did stir something within Genevieve. She was right. Genevieve couldn't give up now. She wasn't going to wait in her rooms for Motto to send her away. And she would certainly let Motto have a piece of her mind.