First Evening in a New Home

When Isabelle woke up she struggled to work out where she was. The comfort of a soft bed engulfed her. She looked around what was a bright room with luxurious decor. She realised very quickly that the nightdress that she wore was not hers. It was a long nightdress, reaching her very ankles, yet it was lightweight and flowing.

"Good afternoon, your highness." A maid trotted in and smiled as she realised that a pair of blue-green eyes stared at her. "I've brought you your dinner."

"Dinner?" Isabelle sounded surprised.

"Yes, indeed. I've brought some roasted meats and vegetables that the chef has prepared. And a punch. And some water." The maid spoke so kindly to her that it was startling.

"Thank you." Isabelle uttered quietly. The maid placed the tray on the side and picked what seemed to be a larger tray that unfolded into a small table that she placed over Isabelle's lap. She then placed the plates on it with a rather amazing set of dishes that Isabelle has never eaten before. She barely ever ate hot cooked meals so it was already a treat.

"May I help with anything else, your highness?" The maid asked.

"I-…" Isabelle stuttered.

"His highness is currently busy and might be away until tomorrow at the earliest. In the meantime, I am your main servant, my lady. Please, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me. The bell is right by your bed."

"Where am I?" Isabelle asked, blushing in embarrassment.

"You're in your new kingdom, your highness. You're in the kingdom of Ariadna."

"Ariadna?" Isabelle moved the table away and stood up, hurrying to the window. But she couldn't see much in the darkness of a night beside a few distant flickering lights. "What time is it?"

"It's 6 pm, your highness."

"I thought the journey was longer than this." Mused Isabelle. "I hope I wasn't asleep for too long?"

"Absolutely not." Maid smiled at her. "You arrived only around noon."

Isabelle's eyes shot back at a young woman.

"Around noon?" She repeated. "I've slept through the arrival, and I've slept since last night?"

"You must've been exhausted, your highness."

"Oh no, no, no, no." Isabelle shook her head in worry. "I'm so sorry." The tears welled up in her eyes and she quickly sat down hiding her face in her hands. "His majesty must be fuming with me."

"Your highness, it is quite alright. He made it clear that no one is to wake you up."

"Did he?" Isabelle peeked from in between her fingers.

"Of course, your highness." Maid smiled. "Now, please do eat something. I'm sure it'll make you feel better." Isabelle thought about it but it didn't make her feel better. He probably let her sleep in so that he will have an excuse to punish her later. She looked down at her meal, and although it smelled delicious, she had very little appetite. "What would you like to do tonight, your highness? Would you like a bath? Would you like a change of clothes or would you rather stay in your nightdress and rest some more?"

"I don't know." Isabelle answered honestly. "I believe that it isn't my nightdress. Where's my luggage?"

Maid looked at Isabelle in confusion. "Milady, the nightdress is yours. You have clothes prepared for you in here, and the tailor will make a visit in the next few days to see if you need anything else or whether the clothes need altering. As per your luggage, I'm afraid that it didn't arrive. We only found small luggage with, what seemed like, a servant's clothes."

"Those were mine." Isabelle admitted quietly.

"I'm sorry, milady. I'll bring them back as soon as possible. However, we had dresses already prepared for you if you'd like to have a look. They are in a variety of sizes so we should be able to find something that'll fit you."

"I don't want to trouble anyone. I think my dresses will suffice." Isabelle replied remembering how she was repeatedly told to be frugal as she shouldn't be overspending her husband's money. She was his burden and he should make it as easy for him to deal with her as possible. Ideally, she should not be seen nor heard, unless when he needed to 'relieve himself'. Isabelle shuddered at the thought.

Maid looked at Isabelle curiously but only said "as you wish, your highness" before disappearing out of the room. She was gone for barely a few minutes when she returned with the luggage but even then Isabelle was pacing around the room anxiously. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in a mirror with a golden frame, quickly realising that she really didn't fit in a room like this. She was pale, and thin, with bruises on her arms that stuck out awkwardly from a beautiful nightdress. She looked rather sick. Although her hair was long it was thin. Her cheeks were sunken. She has lost a lot of weight in the past few weeks. Her stepmother insisted that she must fit in the tightest corset for the wedding. It was truly ridiculous as even Adeline has never been able to fit in anything like that. Isabelle did wonder whether it wasn't yet another way to punish her.

The maid reappeared with Isabelle's luggage.

"Thank you so much! I'm so sorry to trouble you!" Isabelle thanked her profusely, quickly checking the state of the items in the bag.

"It's no trouble, your highness." Maid smiled warmly. "Shall I draw you a bath?"

Isabelle looked at a girl with surprise.

"If I'm allowed one, I'll do it myself."

Maid furrowed her brows. "Of course, you're allowed!" She chuckled. She walked across the room and opened the door to a large bathroom. Isabelle's eyes widened.

"That's the bathroom?" She asked, mesmerised by the marble tiles and a large pearly white bathtub that she could probably swim in if she tried.

"Indeed."

"Maybe I can just ask for a basin? I don't think I can carry enough water tonight." Isabelle mumbled.

"Oh, ma'am." Maid smiled as she walked past Isabelle and turned the taps to let the water run. The streaks of steam started to rise. "Would you like some rose oils, lavender, or maybe vanilla?"

"I-… I don't know." Isabelle answered honestly.

"Hmm… I think lavender with chamomile and Aryan oil might be quite a nice mix, milady. It's soothing and relaxing."

"That sounds rather splendid, but I really don't want to cause trouble."

"Your highness, it's no trouble at all." The maid said as she already started adding oils to the bath from a little cabinet on the side. The room was soon filled with a subtle aroma. The maid walked behind Isabelle and started to undo her hairdo. Isabelle jerked away. "I'm sorry, milady. I'll try to be gentler." She apologised quickly.

"I rather do it myself." Isabelle said, looking down in embarrassment. She didn't want anyone to touch her rough hair. She was too ashamed that her hair wasn't as soft and beautiful as that of Adeline's. It was not a hair of a princess. Not like she had a face of a princess. Or eyes. Or figure.

"Are you sure, milady?"

"Yes…" Isabelle looked at a girl who smiled at her warmly. "What's your name?" She realised that she had not yet asked.

"Matilda, your highness."

"Thank you, Matilda. Thank you so much for your help."

"It's my pleasure, milady. Would you like help with your nightdress?"

"No. I'll be quite alright, Matilda. Thank you."

"Of course, milady." Matilda nodded, leaving the bathroom and Isabelle alone.

Isabelle looked at a warm bathtub that was almost full. She quickly turned the water off. She yearned towards it ever so much, but yet, she hesitated. Matilda have said that it was okay for her to have a bath, and even encouraged her to use the oils, but she didn't trust her. She didn't really trust anyone. Not anymore.