Season 1 Finale - Part 1

Elsbeth cannot believe what she is hearing! There is no way in all of Christendom that she is going to lose her key-courier! It's highly unconventional but The Queen has to step in:
"Velsa Bennett is NOT for sale!"
The King looks shocked so Elsbeth explains:
"Velsa is the only person here who Princess Matilda likes; she is a vital part of our daughter's upbringing."

King Marcadius turns back to Martin, he understands how sensitive Elsbeth is about their daughter's needs and cannot be bothered with another argument.

"You heard my wife!" he declares, "Ask me again in fifteen years!"

It's the next day before Martin finds the courage to tell his beloved the bad news. . .

"I'm sure we will find a way, perhaps you might
fall out of favour with The Little Princess?"

But Velsa knows the truth: Elsbeth's motives have
nothing to do with that spoiled brat Matilda.

Velsa can't think of any option to untie herself from Queen Elsbeth.

The next day however, this happens:

"I'll be with you in a moment Sethy, I just need a strong word with a dis-obedient..." Elsbeth then turns on her loyal servant.





"HOW DARE YOU TRY AND LEAVE MY SERVICE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION? DO YOU THINK I AM STUPID? I know what's REALLY going on!" she seethes.



"Look at you, as if Lord Boatman could be serious about vermin like you! I saw him slobbering over you in the stables, a man with wrongful lust and a serf I cannot trust! Velsa, you are a disgrace to the nobility, and to this castle!"



Elsbeth can't resist exiting without one last nasty comment, just to keep the girl in her place:

"Ugh, Sir Boatman must have no sense of smell! I need to bathe from just speaking with her." She thinks aloud.






This blatant lie from Elsbeth tips Velsa's tolerance 'over the edge'.

"Perhaps it's time to tell my Martin all about you, you.... you.... evil queen!!"

Velsa needs to ask Martin for some better curse words.

                                                                          

"What do you mean you have a plan?" Martin asks at their next secret liaison. 

Velsa's ambition is pumping through her veins now she's realised there is a way out for her.

"Martin, you can read can't you?"

Martin nods, puzzled. After reassurances that Martin really does love her, and won't turn her in for Treason, no matter what! Velsa hands him the latest letter which Elsbeth ordered to be delivered by Velsa to Lord Simpson.

"You do realise we could both be hung, drawn and quartered for even opening this, right?"
"If I'm right, it won't be us who that  happens to. Please, tell me, what does it say?" replies Velsa.

Martin can't believe the words on the parchment he is reading; they're like little pieces of deceit notching their way into his brain. He repeats them back to Velsa who obviously had no idea. An artist's impression of his visual imagination right now might look something like this:

(Nobody said the artist would be any good)

"But. . .but, I would have to petition Marcadius, and who knows what he could do with the news...? Velsa, are you sure you want to go through with this? Her ladies in waiting will all suffer too, and.. and...!"

Velsa shuts him up mid-sentence:

 "Dash them all! I don't care!"
Elsbeth's ladies-in-waiting are always mean to Velsa because of the affections previously bestowed upon her by the queen. Here they were last week, making fun of the new dress Velsa had made with some of the money from Martin. Hearing that they could suffer too, dissuades Velsa from taking Martin's advice, and fuels her passion to become their equal.

"Just do it exactly like I say and we can pull this off my love!" Velsa reassures her stunned fiance.
Her mind is clear and fixed on the prize; before this week is out, Velsa Bennett is sure that she will be a free woman.

A kiss for luck!

 And he's on his way...

                                                                

Hope you're enjoying my story - stay tuned for part 2 of the finale, coming soon!