The look in his eyes frightened her and Natalya opened her mouth to continue her protest, but the sight of her father coming down the hallway stopped her.  "As His Majesty wishes." she stated clearly, bobbing a curtsy.  Marquis was far enough away that he couldn't tell that she could see him, as she was being blocked by Ancel's shoulder, so she turned from her husband and began to walk away, followed closely by her ladies.  It was barely a few moments before Marquis called out to his king, but Natalya ignored it knowing that Ancel would not, and would stop to speak with his friend and advisor.  The perfect distraction.<br/><br/>"Your Majesty."  Marquis said as he stepped up to Ancel and bowed quickly, his face was masked with concern.  "I just found Sir Pil'iar in the corridor and he has informed me of some rather distressing news involving my daughter.  Is it true?  Is there a plot against her?"<br/><br/>Natalya lead her ladies towards the king's chambers, her pace quick.  She hesitated at the large double doors, hating the idea of being back there again, but at least he wasn't with her just yet.  Once inside the room, she had her ladies lock the door.  Lady Marie who was closest to the door hesitated.  Natalya turned on her. "My husband is not here to protect me yet, so why should I not lock the door?  If he has a problem with it, I have no doubt I will hear of it when he get's here."  her voice was harsh.  She was clearly irritated with the situation at hand, and Marie quickly complied as to escape another tongue lashing.<br/><br/>Natalya began to pace, muttering to herself in a language none of her ladies could understand.  It was her mother's language, and though her father had forbidden her from speaking it after her mother died five years ago, Natalya still did when alone or extremely aggravated.  Her mother, the late Duchess Asant, had been from a kingdom far to the east.  Neither of her parents had ever told her the name of the kingdom or how she had found herself in Terracor, but both claimed that Asant had been a princess, and had promised Natalya at an early age that she too would bear the title of royalty.  Sadly, her father managed to keep true to that promise....<br/><br/>After a bit of pacing, Natalya finally ordered for her ladies to remove crown and outer layers of clothing, sending two of them off to her quarters to quickly retrieve a simpler gown to change into.  Natalya was afraid that Ancel would arrive while she was undressing, but as the minutes went by and her ladies returned with a short sleeved, dark blue dress, that if it wasn't made of velvet could have easily been mistaken for peasants garb, she actually began to wonder what was holding him up.<em>What in the world could he and my father be talking about?</em>Her mind went through the possibilities as her ladies dressed her.  Once they finished she dismissed them.  Again they hesitated.<br/>"If your husband comes and you are alone-"  Duchess Collete began to warn, but Natalya cut her off.<br/>"He might be upset, but I want to be alone when he comes.  Go.  I shall lock the door after you.  No one but my husband will be allowed in the room."  she assured them, though not so pleasantly.  After a few more moments of contemplation they did as requested.  Natalya did as she said, locking the door behind them, but then when she was fairly certain they wouldn't be able to hear the latch, she unlocked it.  She made her way out to the balcony, the cool night air snapping against her bare arms, but she couldn't feel it and she didn't care.  Let her husband find her here, alone and in an unlocked room.  Let her fully earn the punishment she was about to receive, or even better, let her pursuer come and take her away from all of this....<br/><br/><br/>