Trying to Welch out of the Gala.

"What if we say I'm bedridden with the chickenpox will I be excused then?" Cassandra Said behind the privacy screen as she was getting undresses.

"No that wouldn't work, the countess' uncle Florence caught a bad case of gout that overtook his right leg and still waltzed all night," Ichabod said sitting across from screen on the Queen's bed.

Cassandra was preparing for a bath before bed while discussing how to get out of hosting this year's Gala with her steward Ichabod in her bed-chamber(like she'd still sleep with the king at his age). Helping the Queen undress is a red-haired handmaid Cassandra didn't recognize, the girl was told to wear an enchanted necklace that prevents the wearer from hearing their conversation. Must be a new hire by Ichabod.

As the maid was undoing Cassandra's corset, she asked "What if there were a **** in the royal family? The nobility would have to make other arrangments while we grieved for the loss of one. Maybe one of the royal children?

Even behind the privacy screen, she could feel Ichabod giving her a condescending glare as he paused to respond "Really ma'am don't you think that going a bit too far for such a minor inconvenience?"

"heh minor, Ichabod you remember what happened last... oh right I hadn't met you yet. Well, some 25 years ago I suffered the most agonizing **** found on this world hosting the Grace Gala." As Cassandra went on ranting and undressing, Ichabod heard footsteps in the hallway. " I was **** to make conversation with women so dense they make Queen Belinda look like an elven matron." Cassandra sat down as the maid helped her lift the dress over her head, leaving the queen in her underwear. the maid was about to leave until Cassandra gestured her to stay, may as well give someone a show. continued to both talk and stripped.

"Or dealing with crusty old farts that kept 'bumping' into me. Of which I could not reprehend them since that would cause an "international incident." The noise in the hall grew ever louder with along with someone shouting. as the queen was pulling off her stockings "My ass felt like a pincushion the next day, it was honestly worse than having sex with Elard at least he used some foreplay," Cassandra said as unhooked her bra allowing her bust to breathe in the air. While Ichabod heard glass crushing in the hall. " It wouldn't be so bad if I could just drown my problems in wine but this stupid gala's a dry event, so...Ichabod, are you even listening to me?" Cassandra Asked as her priceless spider silk panties hit her bare ankles. The maid was awestruck before the Queen's nude form, Cassandra looked better than most women half her age. Cassandra always did get some satisfaction from the look letting the handmaidens see her body. No idea why though.

Just when Cassandra was about the tub the bedroom swang open by...