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Silence.
There couldn't have been a more nerve-wracking silence.
Ever. It must have been at least half a minute, as the maiden held silence with an upset,stunned expression.

"No."
The cold word echoed in the golden room,so cold it was almost metallic.
The smiles of the crowd members faded, as did the king's smile.
She began to have tears well in her eyes.
And the king began to well tears in his as well.

Nathell shook her head. Her makeup began to run. As did she. She ran past the market,back to the only home she had,at Katherine's tower.

Katherine turned with an upset face. She whispered to herself, "I knew she would say 'no'."
As the members of the kingdom poured out of the castle gates,the cold,heartless ballroom became empty as a desert.
Soon,the king and Katherine were alone.
The king was sitting on his throne,sobbing into his leather gloves. Katherine strode up the staircase to the throne,and bent down on one knee, her head bowed.
"My lord...may I suggest a plan?"
King Matteo wiped his tears with his palm,and looked solemnly at his servant,sighing.
"What is it,my friend?"
"Shall I have her live in your stead? So you may...'get to know her better,man'?" she asked,quoting a well-known author.
"Good plan. Or perhaps I could visit her." he weakly smiled...
"Let us discuss this in the morn,milord, and call me for whatever your wish is." she stood and held her head low out of respect.
"Dismissed."
With that, the knightess returned to her stay.

As Katherine walked through her doorway,she spotted her husband.
"Where is Nathell?" she asked with concern.
"In her room,bawling." Barderoy claimed.
"I see."
Katherine knocked on the door and opened it,seeing her friend sobbing on her wool bed.
"Nathell...Nathell..."Katherine sat on the bed and gently petted her friend's cheek.
"What's the matter? Why did you reject Matteo? You do fancy him,don't you?"

Nathell wiped her eyes,and said in a stuffed-up voice, "Yes,I do...It's only...I just met him today. I wanted to say yes,but...It's far too soon to even consider marriage. I don't want to be looked at like a doll and thrown away five years later!"
She stood and hugged her best friend,crying on her shoulder.
"Hush,my dear. We can talk more in the morn. Just get some rest. You had a long day." Katherine kissed away Nathell's tears and tucked her in for the night.

Katherine strode out of the room as she blew out Nathell's lantern. As Nathell slept, Katherine and Barderoy talked, like they did every night as they prepared for bed.
"I just don't know why I have a bad feeling about them. I mean...what if they get married and...!" Barderoy hushed his wife with his lips.
"It will be alright. Trust me. Alright?" he stroked her cheek,and Katherine cuddled up to it.
"Alright..." she mumbled,slipping under the linen bedsheets.
"Everything will be wonderful tomorrow..." he kissed her cheek with a smile,and whispered in her ear, "Especially with you in it."
Katherine purred as they cuddled together and slumbered...