RECAP- OLD POSTS
POST 12
King Charles was pleased when the King and Queen of Koinonia signed promptly but grew slightly anxious waiting for Katrina to sign. In the future she would have to learn that he would not be kept waiting. 
Nicholas noticed Katrina’s hesitation followed by her mother saying something too quiet for him to hear. Nicholas could only assume she was scolding her daughter for not being quick about it. After she was finished, King Charles collected the scroll and handed it to his servant to pack it away tightly in a case. 
Nicholas was busy watching the servant they had used as a table stand and dust themselves off. Out of the corner of his eye Nicholas caught Katrina saying her goodbyes to a knight. He thought he saw her hug the knight but when making a double take she was already walking over to the Ethendius side. Nicholas looked at Catherine who was grinning; perhaps she had seen more than he had.
After the switch was made and all was settled, everyone mounted their horses and made their way back home. Nicholas rode slightly behind Katrina as they headed towards the Ethendius castle. He could hear her talking to herself but couldn’t make out what it was she was saying. 
Nicholas rode up beside her and smiled. 
“Do you always talk to your horse?” He asked chuckling. “It is a good looking horse.” It was indeed strong and elegant. Nicholas’s own horse was a dark brown color. Its mane hand ribbons tied in it, courtesy of Elizabeth. 

The group arrived back at the castle, townspeople staring in awe. Katrina was led inside where the entire staff of the castle was gathered. Everyone wished to see Katrina in person and when she entered many of them whispered around the room. They stood politely out of the way or the King and other members of the royal family who had just entered and bowed they walked by. 
The King disappeared off into another room; he was followed closely by Frederick. 
“Princess Katrina of Koinonia,” Charlie announced, everyone in the room was looking her over cautiously. “During her stay here, she will be treated and addressed in the same manner as I am. Now, move along,” Charlie waved everyone away, and the servants and other staff scurried away in the blink of an eye. Soon the room was empty apart from Charlie, Nicholas, and Katrina. 
“The rest of our family isn’t here to welcome you but I’m sure you will see them around.” Nicholas explained the absence of the other Ethendius Royal members. But just as he finished explaining the sound of shoe tapping lightly down the stairs around the corner was heard. A round, place face peaked around the corner carefully, and long blonde hair dangled off of it. Moments later the young girl poked around the corner and made her way in front of Katrina. She looked her up and down and circled around her three times. 
“She’s not very tall.” Elizabeth murmured, and odd statement as Elizabeth’s own height was quite a bit shorter than Katrina. 
“I guess I spoke too soon,” Nicholas laughed taking his little sister by the arm and pulling her farther away from Katrina. He didn’t want Katrina to feel uncomfortable by Elizabeth’s judgement. 
“This is our sister, Elizabeth,” Nicholas explained giving Elizabeth a light pat on the head.
“That’s right, I’m Elizabeth but you can give me a nickname if you like. Nic calls me– ” Elizabeth was cut off by Nicholas’s hand covering her mouth. She squirmed away from him and stuck her tongue out at him. Nicholas mouthed the words ‘Be nice’ at her and smiled. 
“Hey, your name is Katrina right? Can I give you a nickname too? I could call you kitty. You kind of look like a kitty. You know my sister that you traded places with won’t let me call her cat even though her name is Catherine. But she’s really mean to me. Are you mean?” Elizabeth puffed up her cheeks and stared at Katrina contemplating the answer for herself.
“You know I don’t have any good sisters. You could be my sister if you are nice and don’t have anything wrong with your head.” Elizabeth smiled, but Nicholas walked over to her and held her by the shoulders.
“Katrina only just arrived, she is probably wondering where she will be staying. You will have time to talk with her later. Where is Sylvia?”
“Sylvia’s on the stairs hiding.” Elizabeth pointed to the stair case. A young brown haired girl made her was around the corner, looking embarrassed for being pointed out. Nicholas looked up at Katrina and then over at Sylvia.
“Please show Katrina to her room and get her anything she needs,” Nicholas asked the young servant girl. Sylvia nodded, bowing slightly and motioned for Katrina to follow. 
“Before you go,” Charlie spoke up finally after not having said a word since he excused the servants. He walked gracefully over to Katrina and lifted her hand to his mouth where he gave her a light kiss. It was less of a polite gesture and more of a kiss from a man to a woman as a token. “I hope we can come to know one another well, I think you’ll find we are quite accommodating.” He winked at her and let go of her hand. It was still Charlie’s intention to marry her, even if he now had to work for it.

~~~

Catherine had followed the King and Queen of Koinonia to their kingdom. She found it very gloomy and uncomfortable. Once inside she was very quickly escorted to her room. It was clear they didn’t want her wandering about. It was smart of them. Catherine took note of the man who had brought her to her room. She remembered him very clearly since she first saw him at the border escorting the Koinonia royals. She had also been the only one to fully see Katrina’s goodbye to him. Catherine wondered what his relationship with him could possibly be, but if they were as close as they seemed then he probably held some inside information about this kingdom. When he told her that the Queen requested she where a certain dress they had ready to dinner Catherine smiled.
“And if I refuse?” she joked, not directly asking, more just mimicking the idea.
Catherine twitched the moment she heard Victoria’s voice. It reminded her of Elizabeth. Catherine frowned and turned to see Victoria waltz in the room looking full of herself. The girl referred to herself as a princess and referred to Catherine as an enemy. This humored Catherine who made a cruel smile at the girl. Victoria proceeded to spout nonsense about being higher than Catherine and more powerful. Since Catherine was in Victoria’s castle this was true. However Catherine had no intention of listening to anything the girl had to say.
“Do you always act like you have the intelligence of a commoner or are really as uneducated as you sound?” Catherine provoked. She knew the girl wasn’t going to react well to this. 
Catherine turned to Gavin. “I never caught your name?” Catherine gave him a very friendly face expression and pulled at her dress to make it more tightly fitting. “Are you a knight of this kingdom? It’s a pleasure to meet you.”