All Chapters of Where Loyalties Lie: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

It was the first time that he had visited her on his own volition since he was poisoned. He looked as healthy as he did before, with a bit of an extra energy to him that he didn’t seem to have before.“What can I do for you, Your Majesty?” “I want to throw a banquet.” Ursa didn’t look up from the papers she was perusing. If she did, she would see his face and his expression. She was curious to see what kind of expression he had on while making that kind of request to her. A banquet? To celebrate what? His mistress, the noble lady Tatya of House Poplova? “What for? Money’s tight. The people won’t stand for wanton spending,” she reasoned. “It’s the annual celebration of my… com

TW: r*peIvan felt excitement course through his veins, a familiar high he hadn’t been able to feel since coming home from the battlefield. This feeling- the feeling you get when you take a life. The banquet was the perfect place to thoroughly humiliate and ruin the witch that had hurt his wife too many times. What better way than to out her for her crimes against the Crown? But why did it seem his entire plan was derailed by that one maid? How could one of the palace maids be so foolish as to spill crap all over the Poplov witch? But then Ursa called over one of her handmaidens, the shorter one and ordered, “Go bring Lady Tatya a new dress.” Then the shorter handmaiden, Emery, Ivan thought, nodded enthusiastically and went to go perform her duty. The taller one, Cecily, leaned over as

“Kassio, can we talk?” whispered Ivan. “What is it?”“You’re not seriously thinking of brokering a deal with them, are you?” Ivan had pulled Orlov to the side, leaving the two Poplovs in his study alone. “I think you should be open to it,” replied Orlov. “Lord Poplov still wields significant influence in court. There will definitely be some backlash if we harm his family status now, especially with his claims. This may go to trial, or we’ll have to back down.”“That witch tried to kill me and my wife! How can we back down?” Ivan argued. “And you’re not exactly very popular, Ivan.” 

In the front of the palace was a tall tower with a beautiful stained glass window that oversaw the city of Ichares. Even if Ursa could not leave the palace premises, she could always look over at the bustling markets, the children playing, and the hardworking people come and go. Ursa visited the tower to look down to the people to think, and remind her of all the people she can help. This particular day she wished to observe some changes in the usual happy nonchalance in the people’s manners. Perhaps… preparation for a certain Feast? Ursa sighed, climbing down from the edge of the window. She had escaped from her handmaidens one too many times, they would surely find out about the tower sooner or later. She began to descend the stairs, the sound of her steps ricocheting against the walls. She quickly exited and pretended as if she was walking down the hall. Cecily and Emery were walking

The day of the Feast was very boring. Cecily and Emery came to wake Ursa up, showering her with paperwork that needed to be done and reminding her of the points Ursa wanted to bring up in court that day. Ursa would have given anything to hug her soft, warm pillow and sleep for the rest of the day. “My Lady, please!”“This should be a day off! I shouldn’t have to work on Feast day!” Ursa complained. “My Lady, you’re acting like a child. Have some respect!” Cecily admonished. All Emery did was giggle and hop into the sheets with her mistress. “Ursa’s right! It’s Feast day! And it’s not as if we’re not-”“You shut up! By t