Ch.3 The Curse

 He would break the spell somehow, he loved Rebecca.

THE CURSE

A few months later, the Tsarina fell pregnant with her first child. As always, the Tsar was delighted, but did wonder if it really was his. This new wife was such a flirt, even with the servants! The sons of the Tsar were away on official business. The Palace seemed quiet without the chatter of his only daughter. Heartbroken by her absence, the old Tsar lit a candle for Rebecca in the Palace Cathedral. It was here that he suddenly remembered his mother, though why he did not know.

Going out to her cottage that afternoon, he found Catherine had completely recovered from her madness, and he was a most welcome sight for her. The Tsar ordered rooms for his mother inside the Palace, and the old woman settled into her old home, very happy to be with her son again. However, during all of this time, the old woman never spoke of the spell put on Rebecca, the new Tsarina being terrified at the thought of her husband ever finding out. But each time she saw Catherine, Rachael was reminded of the curse. It showed so clearly in the old woman’s eyes.

Thinking Rebecca to be dead, Rachael busied herself with the new baby. She was five months pregnant and very excited. Too excited because Rachael ignored every piece of advice given to her, even by the Tsar. This was going to be Rachael’s little girl and she was going to spoil her. A new suite of rooms were decorated as a nursery for the little Princess, with roses freshly picked from the Palace gardens every week, standing in the best vase, in the middle of the rooms.

This was the curse!

A white rose was used in the spell, and every white rose the new Tsarina picked would curse her. Only Catherine noticed at first, but then the Tsar. It seemed that every time Rachael picked up a white rose, a thorn would prick her. It was as if they were biting her. Rachael. Of course, ignored their worries. But the Tsar could never forget how his first wife died, through infections in the blood.

But this was not the real danger!

Being as stubborn as ever, Rachael demanded to go riding even though she was by now six months pregnant. Her husband was not very happy about this, but found that he could not stop his young, headstrong wife. Being too old to ride Catherine sat in the white carriage, gently trotting behind Rachael. This might help calm her son’s fears. But Catherine knew the out-come of this stubbornness.

It was the curse working!

Going deep into the forest, the two ladies came to the old cottage. It was just as Catherine had left it. Going inside, with no black dogs guarding anymore on the orders of the Tsar, they both came across the white rose which had been used in the spell. “Do not touch it!” warned the old woman. But seeing that the white rose had turned to china, just like Rebecca had, Rachael picked it up to smash it. However, the white rose seemed to have a mind of its own and the thorns pricked her, leaving her hands red with blood. Rachael screamed. Dropping the white rose onto the sofa, she ran out and mounted her horse. Not waiting for Catherine, Rachael, the wicked stepmother, galloped off.

Catherine smiled as she carefully picked up the rose and put it back onto its cushion. She strangely felt the love Rebecca had for her and knew the spell would be broken soon.

Trotting gently towards the Palace, Catherine noticed a lot of people making a lot of noise and commotion. Going inside to the drawing-room, Catherine was told what had happened. The horse Rachael was riding had been startled by a small, barking dog and had thrown the pregnant woman clear onto the stone steps. The doctor was with her son and his wife now. Catherine, waiting patiently, sipped a cup of herbal tea, still remembering her witchcraft.

The child was dead!

The Tsar was deeply grieved and his wife in shock. Catherine was truly sorry for the child, but knew that nothing could stop the curse now. It would finish when the spell was broken, Rebecca brought home and the death of Rachael.

The old Tsarina kept very quiet.

The Palace was very quiet over the next few months. The old Tsar busied himself in official business and his young, foolish wife rarely left her rooms. And Catherine was at peace. She knew that her granddaughter had forgiven her, that it was the old woman’s madness which had done such a terrible thing. All day long, Catherine would think of Rebecca, wondering what had happened to her only granddaughter.

Was she wise to trust Peter?

(Look out for ch.4 "True Love")