The entire family sat at the table. The celebrations in full swing for the return of Ragnar, Ubbe and Hvitserk. And though it was obvious that some did not approve of the Saxon that now sat alongside the second son of the king; it had not stopped any of the Vikings from raising their cups and shouting "skål" when Ragnar had proposed a toast to the new man and wife. The princess glad that Ardith, had taught her the tongue of the pagans; hating to think how difficult things would be, if she could not understand a word that was being said around her. If she could not understand the slights and thoughts about her that some of those present in the room were having. (Y/n) taking great delight in seeing the faces of some fall, as she got to her own feet and saluted the king, her new husband, and the gods that had brought Ubbe to her home. Her words even seeming to make the queen, Ubbe's mother smile, slightly. It having been clear that once Ragnar had informed Aslaug that their oldest son was married, and to a Saxon princess, of all things, she had not been too pleased; Ubbe though telling (Y/n) not to concern herself with the thoughts of his mother or younger brothers. That he loved her, and no matter what anyone else might think, he was happy that they were wed. His hand gripping at hers, before he raised it too his lips and kissed it before he had escorted her further into town.

Suddenly, a movement at the corner of (Y/n)'s eye had caught her attention. The princess turning to find the same blonde female coming over to pour Ubbe a drink. Getting much closer than she would like to her husband. It quite apparent that she was doing all she could to get the prince to notice her. And even though Ubbe had gestured for her to leave him; even though he had said that the girl was nothing but a thrall, (Y/n) could tell that there was something in the servant's eyes that said there had been more between the pair than Ubbe was admitting to. So, as her husband would not tell her, (Y/n) turned her attention to the man that had been watching her all evening. Ivar bringing his cup up to his lips, as she leant across the table while Ubbe spoke loudly to Hvitserk and Sigurd.

"May I ask you a question, Ivar...........?"

"And why would you want to ask me a question........?" Ivar replied, as he placed his cup on the table.

"Because I have a feeling that you are the only one that would give me the truth, whether I want to hear it or not........." (Y/n) explained, her eyes locked onto those of the younger prince. A smile pulling at the corners of her lips, as Ivar finally nodded.

"Who is the woman that keeps on trying to get Ubbe's attention.......?" She asked, gesturing over to where the blonde was standing.

"That is Margrethe. All my brothers were fucking her, including Ubbe. I think she was hoping that he would marry her, until he returned home with you. Though given how she has acted all night, I believed that she still thinks their little arrangement will continue, despite you........." Ivar chuckled. His smile getting broader, as he saw the look in the Saxon woman's eyes.

"Is that so..........? Well, thank you, Ivar.........." (Y/n) said, before leaning back in her chair. Her eyes fixed on the blonde. The princess able to feel her anger getting the better of her. Her fingertips ghosting over the hilt of the dagger that she kept hidden in her skirt; slowly rising as she watched this Margrethe leave the hall. (Y/n) giving Ubbe a reassuring smile, saying that she needed some air, before following after the young woman. The princess so caught up in her thoughts, that she did not realise that someone had followed after her too.

                                                         >>-----------------------------------<<

Margrethe filled the jug from the barrel, ready to walk back into the hall, until someone grabbed her; the jug dropping from her hands, her eyes growing wide, as she felt the sting of cold metal dig into her skin.

"I was informed that you like fucking prince's, including my husband.......is that right........?" A threatening voice enquired. Margrethe doing her best to struggle against the other woman's grip, only to find that the Saxon princess was far stronger than she appeared. A yelp leaving the thrall's lips, as the tip of the dagger, moved further into her flesh.

"IS THAT RIGHT.........?" The voice now demanded to know. Margrethe slowly nodding.

"Well, Margrethe; that was then, and this is now. I do not care if you continue to fuck Hvitserk and Sigurd. In fact, I do not care if you pleasure every other man in this town. But.......if you ever think about coming near, talking to, or even looking at Ubbe again, I will not only cut out your eyes and your tongue, but I will slit your throat from ear to ear, and drag you into the woods for the creatures to feast on. I will make sure that the only place you see after death, is the realm of Hel. Do you under understand me.........?" (Y/n) growled, as he fingers dug into Margrethe's flesh.

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND........?!" The princess hissed loudly. A smile pulling at her lips, as she felt the thrall shake against her. Margrethe finally nodding in agreement. (Y/n) making sure to leave a mark with her dagger on her skin, before pushing the whore to the floor.

"Oh, and if you think that you are going to run into the hall and tell everyone about what I have just said and done. If you think that rushing to Ubbe and crying will get you somewhere. I seriously doubt that there is a man or woman that would believe you. I am a Saxon princess after all. And given what your people know of Saxon women, I believe that they will all simply laugh you out of the room. That they will see you as nothing more than a jealous whore who has lost her mind..........Now........" (Y/n) looming over the trembling blonde.

"Get out of my sight........" The princess continued, before lunging slightly at the thrall. Margrethe getting to her feet as quickly as she could, before running into the darkness of the town.

Suddenly, (Y/n) turned as she heard clapping and a laugh. Her heart beating a little quicker, as she saw Ivar sat on a large, empty barrel.

"You know, I could not have done better, myself. And you are right, no one would believe that you had just attacked and threatened her. You are a very interesting Saxon, sister..........." The dark prince told her. The smile never leaving his lips, as she made her way over to him.

"And do you have any intention of telling anyone.......brother?" (Y/n) queried, as she pushed her dagger, back into her skirts.

"Not at all. In fact, I find myself more jealous of my brother, than I already was. I doubt that Ubbe knows that he has managed to find himself a Saxon princess with the heart of a shieldmaiden. And I believe that you and I will come to be good friends, (Y/n). After all, we are not all that different..........." Ivar replied. His smile simply getting broader, as he spoke.

"Then shall we return to the celebrations........?" The princess asked. Ivar merely nodding, before dropping himself back to the floor, the pair slowly making their way up the stairs, and back into the hall.