The king and his men were sitting down to a feast when in came the bastard princess. She'd been released from the tower by mistake and she should, by now, have been floating in the lake but here she was; interrupting his meal and claiming the crown. I want it now she said. He knew she did have a claim and with her looks, and the weakness of his men, he had to act fast. He got up and slapped her down. She rolled and was up again. Quick. Squeaking at his men shaking her black ringlets. I'm going to have to kill her he thought. He had a flagon in his hand and he hit her with it. She fell but stayed on her hands and knees breathing sharply. He noticed the swell of her breasts beneath her rich brocade gown. Not hard enough he thought as she began to get up and he saw uncertainty beginning to grow in the eyes of his men.