ALL Chapters & Episodes of Where Loyalties Lie by seasonaltherapy - Page 5

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

95 Chapters

“When was the last time you dined with His Majesty?” asked Cecily. The three of them were eating in a small side room in Ursa’s wing of the palace. It had become their new norm since the Emperor continuously cancelled Ursa’s dinners with him. Something inside her felt twisted every time she heard the palace maids whisper about Lady Tatya Poplova’s visits. She was their enemy, so why was her husband having dinner with her every night? “My Lady, you’re grinding your teeth again,” Emery pointed out. Ursa relaxed her jaw and sat back, throwing the piece of bread she was chewing on on her plate. “Apologies,” she murmured. “Does it bother you that much?”

A Dirty Scheme I

Where Loyalties Lie/seasonaltherapy

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

A Dirty Scheme II

Where Loyalties Lie/seasonaltherapy

Ivan sat in the dining room waiting for his guest to arrive. He had just been given clearance by the physician to leave the Med Wing, and he already began putting his and Orlov’s plan in place. He made sure the dining room looked as exquisite as it did when his step-mother entertained foreign dignitaries. Although Ivan always loathed the woman, he was excited to see that effervescence return with Ursa at the helm. But that would have to wait. Ivan didn’t want to ruin Orlov’s show before it even began! A servant opened the grand doors, and in a loud voice announced, “Lady Tatya Poplova has arrived.” The lady herself entered moments later, wearing the latest fashions and a fan in clutch. “Your Majesty,” she greeted, curtsying low, as if her knees were about to hit the ground. Ivan reluctantly stood up to

A Dirty Scheme III

Where Loyalties Lie/seasonaltherapy

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

A Dirty Scheme IV

Where Loyalties Lie/seasonaltherapy

TW: r*pe“It’s been quite some time. Why has Lady Tatya not returned?” asked Orlov. Although it sounded like the question was up in the air, it was truly directed at Ursa. “Perhaps something is wrong. I’ll go check on her,” offered Ivan. If Lady Tatya didn’t return to everyone, his plan could not continue. “No need. As a lady, I should go,” said Ursa. Her quick interjection was not missed by the suspicious Orlov. “Why don’t we all go?” Ursa liked Lord Orlov quite a bit. He was a good man with a good head on his shoulders. But at that moment, she wanted to chop off that good head.

The Verdict

Where Loyalties Lie/seasonaltherapy

“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.”

Romanov Reminiscing

Where Loyalties Lie/seasonaltherapy

The office was dead silent, save for the sound of rustling papers as Ursa cleared them out of her way to make room for a new stack. The work was tedious; all she did was write a few amendments and stamp things. Ursa was glad she was able to make progress with her Five Year plan considering the hard time the court had given her in the past, but now it was smooth sailing. Hopefully she could begin to implement some of these policies by the beginning of the New Year. Ursa looked out the window, suddenly reminded of the time of year. The Vasil country tended to have a warmer climate compared to her own country, but it was getting noticeably chiller. ‘It’s almost that time of year…’ she thought as she put her stamp in the drawer. That was enough work for today, especially since dinner would be ready soon. It seemed as though the

You Don't Celebrate?

Where Loyalties Lie/seasonaltherapy

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

A Timely Call

Where Loyalties Lie/seasonaltherapy

Orlov had looked all over the palace for Ivan, yet he never expected to find him in the library. Ivan was never one for books, one would always find him in the training area for knights, or in his study lounging about. Orlov certainly didn’t expect to open the door and have a book thrown at his face. “It’s not here!” yelled Ivan. “There’s nothing here!” Orlov bent down and picked up the object that assaulted him. The title read ‘Holidays of the Continent’ by some author he didn’t recognize. “And what is it that you’re looking for?” Ivan’s head popped up from behind a bookshelf, surprised to see his friend. “Kassio! Maybe you can help me. You’ve travelled quite a bit, what do you know of the Feast of Ephr

A Feast To Remember

Where Loyalties Lie/seasonaltherapy

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

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