Garden Explorations and Playful Banter

"Lead the way my Lord," She giggled as they continued through the maze. "Do you love art then?"

"Yes, culture is a big part of Arcoi, it has always been important to express oneself," he smiled down at her, his eyes sparkling with delight. "Perhaps I should take you to the theater during your stay here. They have art on display there as well."

"So is sculptures and painting your favorite form of art then?" Isabella asked curiously.

"No my dear, plays are my favorite, I thoroughly enjoy live performances in the theater, 'The Tragedy of Hamlet' would be my favorite play." He smiled, turning the corner to reveal a wondrous water feature. He released Isabella's hand so that she could wander around the water fountain.

Isabella admired the lavish water fountain, lights surrounded the fountain, although not in use as it was daytime. She walked around it slowly as she admired each coupled statue, each carved in unique poses, she felt as though they were all dancing around the water lovingly. Some of the statues looked as though they wished to kiss their counterpart but would never be granted their wish, whilst others were stuck in an eternal embrace with their lover.

"It's breathtakingly beautiful, your father chose a wonderful place to propose!" Isabella sighed softly. "Did your parents have an arranged marriage as well? I know father was said to be betrothed before my mother, but something happened and it didn't happen, after that he met my mother and they married for love more than politics, I hoped I would marry out of love but I accepted long ago that my father would chose my suitor due to politics."

"My mother never spoke much about her life before I was born, only that my father was the crown King of Arcoi before he had proposed to her and she accepted." He answered her casually and smirked as he added. "I'm already happy with the princess the queen has picked out for me."

"Don't hold your breath, it's up to my father," She blushed, dipping her fingers in the water to cool off. "So where to next my lord?"

"Bored already?" Alexander laughed as he lightly flicked water toward her, the droplets running down her fingers back into the fountain. "Are you ready for tonight?"

"I'm not bored, I just can't be in the sun too long or I will be redder than a tomato by this evening." Isabella replied shyly. "Thank you for inviting me to partake in the preparations, though I didn't do much of the arrangements."

"I think you did plenty Princess, your idea of letting artisans show folk some skills was very interesting, exactly what Arcoi culture is all about!" excitement filling his voice, as he moved closer to her to grasp her hand gently. " In fact, I had some of our own Artisans prepare to do the same, I believe this will be quite the event. We should plan another event together soon, I would love to see what we come up with together."

"I'd like that my Lord." She smiled up at him, butterflies exploding in her stomach as his excitement lit his face.

"Please call me Alexander," He said, touching her chin, before clearing his throat and offering his arm, "We should get you out of the sun then."

They wandered past the water fountain, he guided her along the stone path until they found the royal stables. An attendant brought out two horses, at first glance Isabella recognized them as both black Arabian horses, but on close inspection one had a rabicano pattern. Alexander stroked both horses on their foreheads as the attendant began to saddle the first horse, Isabella moved closer stroking the pure black Arabian horse.

"That's my horse, Juliet, she is as beautiful as she is fast." he boasted proudly.

"She is beautiful, my Lord, forgive me but I'm not wearing suitable attire to ride a horse at the moment." Isabella frowned looking down at her dress and heels.

"I realized a typical saddle would be a problem, but a side saddle should work, plus Juliet is an obedient horse, she will follow after me without a fuss." He continued to stroke the horse lovingly. "Besides, it's been awhile since I last got to ride Maximus."

Without further concern Alexander helped Isabella into the saddle, although it was a bit uncomfortable Isabella looked graceful as though it had been planned all along. She gently took the reins, feeling the steed tremble with excitement under her. Isabella had ridden a few horses in her life already, but it was not something she did very often. Alexander mounted Maximus steering him in front of Isabella, he smiled at Isabella, giving her a little nod to signal that they were leaving the stables. She gently pushed her hips down onto the horse to indicate it was time to go, the horse flicked her ears and started forward trotting after Alexander and Maximus. They trotted onward on the stone path that led around the palace, Isabella was grateful that it was shaded for the most part. Once they made it to the palace entrance Alexander helped Isabella dismount Juliet, attendants took the horses back to the stables. They wandered through the Palace looking at Enormous pieces of Fine art, and lush tapestries, Isabella could feel she had grown weary.

"Princess, you look a bit tired, I apologize for keeping you so busy today." Alexander rubbed the back of his head. "I can escort you to your chambers, so you can rest a bit before the grand opening this evening, we will probably spend most of the time together there as well."

"I had a lot of fun, a bit of rest would be nice before the opening tonight, I believe we will be there until late again?" she teased him.

"Only if you don't ask me to leave," he teased back, "Although I don't think there will be any dancing this evening."

"What a pity, that's what I was looking forward to." she said with a giggle.