The story takes a 5 year leap from now on.

Narrator's POV

Nova runs in the french castle's corridors with a smile on her face, with an absolute grace

"Catch me if you can!" she says and continues her run

"No waith mooommy, mah shoelaceeees!" A young boy who runs behind Nova says and points to his boot

Nova stops and sighs but she smiles at the little boy while bending down to tie his laces

"Alfie..." She says as she kisses the boy's cheek

"I am more of a maid to you than your mother" Nova smiles as the boy giggles

Alfie is the apple of Nova's eye, a 5 year old adorable little tot who resembles both his mother and his father. His hair brown like Nova's but his eyes as blue as that of Ivar.

"Now let's see who can run up those stairs?" Nova winks at Alfie

"GO!" Alfie says cutely as they both continue their madness, which has been their daily chore for now in the corridors of the castle

Alfie

"Stop both of you" Jezebel says as she points her finger at Nova

Alfie and Nova, stop at her command

"Alfie, leave mommy alone for a while. She needs to get back to work" Jezebel bends down and looks into Alfie's sweet little eyes which are as blue as a clear summer sky in France

"Noi" Alfie crosses his arms in anger, "Mooomy wil plai wid me" Little Alfie says

"What about you go with Hannah and tidy up a bit, I will see you at supper and then we will have those chocolate butter sticks, hmm?" Nova says as she bends down and smiles naughtily at Alfie

"Okie" Alfie says and the servants gather around to take him upstairs, not before Nova plants a kiss on his cheek

*The servants take Alfie to the chambers*

"Ahh.. he resembles Ivar so much" Nova says while sighing as she and Jezebel walk towards the court

"Of-course, Ivar is his father. He is bound to resemble him" Jezebel says as she pats Nova on her back for a little comfort

"Now let's resume court duties. Shall we?" Jezebel looks at Nova and Nova Nods

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nova's POV

"The harvest has been good your majesty" The old man says

"The starving towns ain't starving no more" He continues, "We are grateful to be ruled by you" He bows

"I am honoured to be your Queen" I smile

"No man, woman or child should starve under my rule. We will work with people and for people" I say as I rise

"France will be the greatest nation" I say with pride in my heart and ambition in my eyes

*Long Live Queen Nova* The throne room erupts

"I have news, my queen" Daniel the commander in chief of the French military says as he bows down

"Speak" I command

"The heathen army is back" Daniel says and talks start erupting in the room

"SILENCE!" I scream but my heart is not, rush of blood happens from my head to toes

"What about them?" I enquire

"Well according to our spies, movement has been seen across the channel" Daniel sighs, "I can assure you that they are coming back to take what is theirs"

"And what is theirs?" I say in anger as my eyes become bloodshot and the blood in my veins become warm

"Whatever they claim to be theirs, become theirs" Daniel bows down and says

"FRANCE DOES NOT BELONG TO THOSE HEATHENS" I erupt

"My Queen I don't want to offend you but it is their territory, we might have poisoned their army which were left behind by Ivar and his pagan brothers but they will come for revenge" Daniel says

"Them we shall fight" I speak

"I agree" Jezebel says, Ever since the day Ivar left. Jezebel has been my right hand and she will always be one.

"Without a king we cannot fight" Daniel replies

"Do you doubt me?" I become agitated as I walk towards him

"No my queen, I do not. But they are the vikings.." Daniel says

"AND I AM THE QUEEN OF FRANCE AND WE WILL NOT BOW DOWN" I howl as the room goes quiet

"We don't have the capacity to fight. They are out for blood" Daniel screams

"Who's blood?" I enquire, predicting the answers in my mind

"If my sources are to be trusted then the Heathen army seeks to kill King Alfred, son of Aethelwulf" Daniel says
"King Alfred?" I say, not knowing who is he

"Ivar is thirsty for his blood" Daniel says

"And I, of Ivar" I say loudly

"When are we expecting them to reach these lands" I ask

"Soon. I don't want to question your authority Queen Nova, but without a King , France is crippled" Daniel says

"I HAVE GIVEN MY ALL TO THIS NATION. FED THE PEOPLE, RESTORED THE CHURCHES. I SACRIFICED MY LIFE FOR THIS" I scream

"But you are after-all just a woman" Daniel says are murmurs begin to be heard

"What is that supposed to mean?" I say as I clench my fists in anger as my body shakes and shivers in wrath

"France is incapable of fighting the vikings, let alone fighting under a feeble Queen" Daniels spreads his arms and adresses the room as he turns his back towards me

"France demands a King with the Queen. And a rightful heir" He says as people look at him in absolute madness

I look at Jezebel whose eyes are popping out by this absurd humilitation

"I think what France needs, is a good riddance" I speak slowly as I raise my chin up

"What?" Daniels turns around to face me

I pull out the sword from the right side of my waist and slit his throat evenly. His headless body falls to the ground as his treacherous blood spills over my face and clothes

Shrieks and screams can be heard from the crowd

"Anyone else wants to doubt me? or my authority? Speak now!!" I scream

The crowd goes mum

I place my sword back as I walk out of the throne room with my head held high

"He deserved it" Jezebel says as she runs to match my pace

"We leave tomorrow" I command as I walk swiftly

"Leave to where?" Jezebel asks

"England" I reply, "To see King Alfred"

"Make all the necessary arrangements. You shall stay here in my absence" I say

"What about Alfie?" Jezebel asks

"He will come with me" I reply

I clap my hands and summon the servants

"Pack my belongings" I command the servants

The servants nod and hustling begins

"Momie" Alfie runs up and I catch him in my blood soaked arms and dress but he doesn't mind. He is used to my ways for a while now

"Are you sure?" Jezebel says

I say nothing, but I smile.

(16 k guys!! Thank you!!  ;) )