Guest list

Isabelle finished her meal and walked with Cassian towards his study. She walked in after him looking around curiously. It was a while since she was here awaiting the punishment after running towards the fire. Her eyes went straight towards the bookshelf which Cassian noted as he searched his desk.

"Are there any books that are of your interest?"

"Oh, sorry." Isabelle mumbled shyly. "I was just looking at the bindings."

"A lot of these are my personal favourites."

"I read some of Horace's poems with Annette." Isabelle pointed at a book. "I did enjoy his poems. And his stories of the travels."

"Yes." Cassian nodded as he walked up to her with a bit of paper in his hand. He stood beside her as she judged his book collection.

Isabelle's mouth dropped open.

"Books by Bonifacy?" She asked in shock. "He's a Galborian writer!"

"Yes, I know. I do love his writing. It's very… touching. He speaks of challenging topics in his books."

"I know." Isabelle chuckled. "I used to sneak around to read his books when I still lived with my grandad. Since living with my father, I didn't have much access to books. Sometimes I found some newspaper in the servants quarters."

"Is that why you enjoy the library so much?"

"There's so much knowledge contained in one space! So many brilliant minds! So many views and perspectives and intellectual challenges!" Isabelle explained. "You can see the world through the eyes of so many astonishing people."

"I am glad that you enjoy it." Cassian chuckled as he picked a particular book. "This book speaks of astronomy and galaxies." He picked this one purposely, recalling his memory of their conversation when they were teens. "It speaks of many possibilities of what else might be hidden in our sky. And this one, this one speaks of ancient sea creatures." He opened the books with stunning illustrations and showed them to Isabelle. Isabelle was speechless as her own memories resurfaced. She missed Atlas so much even when she tried to forget him. "Feel free to help yourself to any of those books. Any books in the castle are you for your leisure."

"Thank you." Isabelle blushed in deep red.

"And please do tell me if you need anything at all."

"Thank you, Cassian."

Cassian smiled and moved a loose strand of hair off Isabelle's face. 

"Here's the list of the guests we tend to use. I think it is fairly up-to-date. Feel free to not invite people you do not wish there. And invite anyone else you want."

"Oh, I don't think there's anyone I personally would not invite." Isabelle smiled. She tried to not react to Cassian touching her hair. "I am so glad that I do not have to plan a coronation as well as the ball." She admitted as she looked at the list.

"It would have been unfair to ask you to plan a coronation ceremony in two weeks." Cassian laughed wholeheartedly, squirming slightly after as his chest still stung whenever he moved abruptly. "It was unfair to ask you to plan a ball in two weeks. However, you are so incredibly organised and meticulous that I have no doubt in how splendid it is going to be."

"I have drawn an inspiration from fairytales for entertainment. Would you like me to show you?" Isabelle asked with her eyes wide open and twinkling. She could barely think straight with Cassian so close. His scent was entrancing, reminding her of late summer mornings in the forest. Earthy, familiar, refreshing. His eyes shone in a new way. His worries and sorrows momentarily overshadowed by almost childish joy when he spoke to Isabelle about his books. "Or would you like a surprise?"

"Unless you wish to disclose it, I wish for a surprise." Cassian asked carefully. "Go wild."

"Do not worry, I have adhered to the budget with utmost care. I found ways to make a spectacle without overspending."

"I am not concerned as I trust you fully."

"Thank you." Isabelle uttered. Cassian stroke her cheek once more. His hands were large, warm, comforting. A soon-to-be king with calluses on his palms. "I shall retreat for the night." Isabelle decided. "Have a good night, your highness." Isabelle bid him a goodbye before going to her chamber. She struggled to sleep and started writing out the fist ball invitations, addressing kings and queens in the first instance. Her hand trembled when she wrote invitations to Edgar and Beatrice Laureze but she was fairly certain that they won't attend the ball.

Uncertain of her own feelings and worried about how things were going to evolve, Isabelle reached into her chest of drawers with her grey dresses and dug out her biggest treasure - a letter from Atlas. The only letter she had left since her step-mother found out of her writing to him and burnt the rest. The letter with promise of returning to see her after he were to return form a foreign academy. A promise that never came true. Isabelle read the signature 'forever yours, Atlas Y.' And felt her insides twist into a painful knot. Isabelle wondered if her feelings for Cassian  where rather a reflection of her longing for Atlas. She found glimpses of Atlas in Cassian, in his eyes, his smile, his touch. But there was something else in Cassian that made him different. He was stern, decisive, and a ruler which Atlas never was. Their conversations were not those childish conversations that she had shared with Atlas. But there was something perplexingly pleasant about Cassian. His stoicism in many situations where teenage Atlas would have erupted. His contemplative quietness. He was more cognitive of his short-fallings. 

Isabelle smiled as she tucked the letter back away. She was not going to tell Cassian of Atlas ever. Atlas was gone and Cassian needn't know of how much she loved his brother. She was his wife now. Always faithful wife. Isabelle sighed as she laid down ready to have her rest.