Helen and Peter had entered the palace with no trouble. Everyone though that Prince Halsten had arrived with his “servant boy.” Once inside, Nanny Flossie took the servant boy to the kitchen. Peter held an audience with the Queen who was trying desperately to sway the Prince’s feelings to her daughter.
In the kitchen. . .
“Helen, dear child, are you certain of this?” Nanny asked.
“Very. Is Sir Nigel ready? Prince Halsten should be here within the half hour.”
“Yes. All is in place!”
“Nanny, please take me to see father. I would like to see him before the battle.”
“I’m sure he wants to see you also. "
So Helen followed Nanny Flossie to the room where the King was kept. Helen mentally prepared herself. After learning of the Queen’s efforts to drug the King, she had no idea of her father's condition. When Nanny Flossie stopped and opened the door, the Princess rushed into her father’s arms. She was amazed at how healthy he looked.
“Father, I feared you were not well. I know about the Queen and her drugs,” Helen said as she looked at her father.
“Nanny is the reason. She has helped me recover,” The King said.
“The Queen trusted me to give your father the tea. She didn’t know I knew it was drugged. While she tried to get Prince Halsten and her daughter together, I nursed the King back to health. The Queen is not what she seems. She is an actress. Your father is not bad himself as an actor,” Nanny smiled.
“Helen, we are ready with the plan. What about Prince Halsten?” the King asked.
“He should be here soon father. We must be careful and leave nothing to chance. I must go now. Peter needs my help. It is time to begin,” Helen said as she prepared to leave her father. She gave her father a quick hug and ran out of the room.
“It will fare well your highness,” Nanny offered.
“Yes it will,” the King reaffirmed.
Meanwhile, back in the Great hall Peter was being polite as he listened to the Queen go on and on about her daughter.
“I mean really she was top in her class at crochet,” the Queen boasted.
“Do say,” Peter said absently.
“Crochet,” the Queen repeated.
“Filet?” Peter asked.
“No! Crochet!!” the Queen said getting a bit upset at the foolishness taking place. “Hmp! No wonder Deceivia is getting restless with this boy,” the Queen thought.
At that moment, the Prince’s "servant boy" came back into the room. Upon seeing Helen return, Peter became a very serious “Prince Halsten.” “Enough pleasantries concerning your daughter, good Queen, I wish to see the King,” Peter said.
At this quick transformation, even the Queen was taken aback.
“He—he’s not taking company today, “the Queen stammered.
“Is there some reason for this? What reason do you have for me not seeing my father?” the “servant boy” said as she stepped in font of Peter and revealed herself as Princess Helen.
“You! You were to be dead!” the Queen screamed. “Guards! Seize them!”
Helen pushed Peter aside and drew her sword, the attack had begun.