When he had grabbed for her, Natalya had to fight all instinct to pull away.  Her husband was king.  She respected him, but she didn’t love him, and to have him handle her in such a personal way in such a public place was….uncomfortable.  She didn’t get the chance to answer his question as Ancel quickly turned on Sir Pil’iar.  She stood there, silent yet confused as he ordered a search of the castle, speaking of foul play.  When he announced his findings in the woods, the young queen felt the strength drain from her legs, but miraculously she managed to stay standing.<em>A plot?  Against me?  But why?</em><br/><br/>What Ancel told her next didn’t exactly surprise her, but it only made her feel worse.  The thought that she was to be followed and tracked like some defenseless child crushed her.  Though even now she was barely allowed time to herself, at least she hadn’t been in any danger if she did manage to escape her ladies, but now…. It could easily be a matter of life or death.  From the start, Natalya had always had a feeling that her marriage to the king wasn’t a good idea, but she never thought it would come to this.<br/><br/>Natalya caught his glance at her ladies, and gently put her hand on his chest, her feeble attempt at being reassuring.  Though her sadness was clear in her silver eyes, her face was blank and her voice soft, and distant.  “Please, do not be upset with them, Sire, or any one else for that matter.  I ran off alone to play with my dogs in the courtyard.  I was not alone for very long though.  My father found me.”<br/>