Women of high stature clustered the opulent spacing of the Great Hall wining and dancing happily. Although I've only ever tasted the red wines from the palace's wine cellar once, I can still distinctly remember the balsamic-tinged substance as I onlook the women from afar. The ebullient crowd bustled with high spirits, swaying to the lively melody emitting from the thin strings of a violin. The source of such gaiety was being played by a vivacious woman with long brown hair and honey eyes. She had a small mole to the left of her cherry-stained lips and a pair of ruby red earrings clasped onto her small ears. I gasped as I was taken back to reality when I was hoisted into the air and back onto my heels. Lips that tasted of wine and alcohol enveloped my own while a cold calloused hand caressed my cheek, softly. I look up to see my husband's broad chest; looking up I see his dark brown eyes. "Darling you nearly startled me to death!" I place my hand on his chest, pecking him on the side of his reddened cheek. "You know me, I can't help but kiss you the moment I see you." he grabs ahold of my wrist planting a kiss on the backside of my hand. Pulling away from his kiss I laugh in agreement. I look towards Alastair and pat him on his armored chest, "Don't get too drunk old man" he chuckles. "Of course, my lady." Will, then intertwines his arm with my own and says drunkenly "Shall we, m'lady?" Beginning to hear the royal emcee announce our titles I look towards my husband. "Of course, my love"
"Presenting Lady Elizabeth, Grand Duchess of England, and her newly betrothed, Sir William, Grand Duke of England!"
Anticipating applause I await atop the grand staircase smiling gently when a loud shriek emits from the audience. A glass of red wine shatters onto the marble floors, the once-bustling crowd erupts in mayhem and the sweet tune of music abruptly ends as I hear thin strings of a violin snap. The appetizer tables are now overturned with pork and beef stew on the floor as I hear metal clashing against steel echoing off the marble floors and crystal chandeliers. I feel immense pain and a sudden feeling of numbness as my left leg drags me down to the ground, unlatching my arm from my husband's so as not to drag him down, I realize that I've been shot. In a panic, I look towards my husband but he's nowhere to be seen. He's running away. The same man who vowed upon his life to stay beside me has abandoned me; just like that. They say God only gives you what he knows your capable of handling, but I suppose I never did believe in God anyway. A strong pair of arms attack my frail form picking my limp legs off the ground. Feeling my throat tighten as I scream. "No! Let go! Get off of me!" I yell kicking and flailing my arms in the air. "Stop this inst-" Suddenly the mangoes limp dropping my body to the floor. Feeling my hand drenched in water I look beside myself. This is not water. A pale-haired French man lay beside me dead. I shriek crawling away from the frigid dead body when another pair of burly arms lift me up. I kick and flail once more before realizing, it's Alastair! "Alastair!" Tears run down my face as I hug him tightly. "What's happened?!" "My lady there is no time, listen to me carefully, you must run as far as you can without stopping. Escape mainland Britain and head east, find a woman named Diana Cavendish and find shelter there she will train you with everything I cannot." He says in a rushed tone. "Escape mainland Britain?" I recite, "But whatever for?" Hearing footsteps approaching he unhands me and looks at me endearingly wiping my tears away. With a kiss upon my forehead, he says to me, "Goodbye, my dear. Now run!"