The Duchess's Christmas ball was a complete bore. Narrow minded snobby upper class nobles were not who Kathrina really wanted to spend time with. Her father had insisted that she attend in hopes of finding a proper husband for her, maybe. Her mind drifted only to her coven. That was where she longed to be, standing in a circle of power with her coven in the forest. Tonight was the celebration of the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. Her father’s stern words echoed in her ears “...you will not take part in those practices ever again...you will learn...” Instead she sat in a far corner wearing an uncomfortably tight fancy dress, softly crying to herself watching others have the freedom to celebrate their own holiday. She wanted to celebrate too, but just not here. Wiping her stray tears with the sleeve of her dress she noticed two young men eyeing her.
They looked to be in their early 20s; both fashioned long hair tied in a ponytail. Kathrina smiled to herself. She was going to enjoy the night even if she could not partake in the Winter Solstice celebration. Besides, it might be worth while to give her father more headaches and create new rumors for herself. She arose from the little love seat she had occupied and strode light as air to the young men. She passed those snobby nobles as they cheered ‘Happy Christmas, have a great New Year’ to each other. They were such liars. Many of the women stared crossly at her probably wishing a thousand horrible things upon her. Kathrina made sure to smile and nod to the men that dared meet her glance in front of their wives.
She stopped directly in front of the two men, interrupting whatever conversation they had been having. “Hello ma'lady. I take it you noticed are staring at you. I apologize it was rude of us.” The man that spoke had light brown hair with lovely green eyes. The silent man was the most attractive, having shiny onyx tresses with icy blue eyes.
“Your apology is accepted, however, I came over wondering if you gentlemen would help me locate the Duchess's bedroom.” Kathrina said feeling as if her heart would explode in her chest from pure excitement.
They looked at each other and the one with the lovely green eyes spoke again, “But, ma'lady why would you want to find the Duchess's bedroom?”
“Help me find it and I will tell you.” She smiled at them. In her head she was chanting to the Goddess for strength and grace. “My name is Kathrina and I’m completely bored with this Christmas ball that my father forced me to attend.”
“I am Nicolas and this is my cousin Michael. He is visiting from Italy and does not yet speak English very well.” Nicolas, the green eyed one spoke as he took Kathrina’s extended hand and gently kissed it. She looked Michael up and down, thinking he would be beautiful naked. “Fine then, I am a bit curious of why a noble young lady would need in the Duchess's bedroom. I presume that her Lady’s bedroom would he upstairs.”
“I would image probably the fanciest, richest room.” Kathrina added, wrinkling her nose up. She found the Duchess's vanity and outrageous behavior disgusting. They proceeded to the large extravagant stairwell. All the guests were too busy now with dinner being served that no one paid any attention to the three of them. The guests would soon be stuffing themselves with duck and Christmas cakes. She noticed that Nicolas and Michael were glaring at her again. They looked her up and down, seeming to like her hips particularly. She smiled. “It is rather uncomfortable, this dress. I would rather be Skyclad. You men don’t have to wear these heavy annoying dresses with tons of lace and strings with petticoats.”
“Maybe not ma'lady, and for good reason. I don’t know any man alive who could make lace and strings look so beautiful.” Nicolas commented, testing her. Kathrina smiled to herself, reveling in the feel of excitement. They made their way down a corridor, which held at least ten different rooms. Priceless paintings hung every so feet down the hallway and occasionally a pedestal holding a vase of Christmas flowers dotted the hallway. They had checked every room but one along the hallway, none seemed to be fit for the Duchess. The last room at the very end of the hall was locked.
“This must be it, but it is locked.” Kathrina whimpered in defeat.
“Yes, but hold on.” Nicolas turned to Michael and they spoke in their native Italian tongue.