Room

Isabelle had her bath and dressed herself in her plain grey dress. One good thing about the dress was that it fitted her rather well. Isabelle learnt to alter her clothes long ago to make them fit her just right. As slim as Isabelle was, her waist was accentuated perfectly by the dress. The fabric was rough linen, and there were a few black buttons sewn at the back. She was skilled at doing them up herself as she didn't have a maid of her own. Once she was dressed, she realised that she didn't have anything to do. She looked around the room, realising that Matilda cleared the remainder of her dinner away. There were lots of trinkets displayed in the room, but one thing that immediately drew her attention was a large bookshelf with tenths of books, each having a hardcover with embossed golden letters. Isabelle started reading the titles, terrified of touching the books in case she wasn't allowed. She wasn't sure what she was allowed or wasn't allowed to do.

She must remain not heard or seen. That was made clear to her by her stepmother. But… could she even touch anything? Could she go anywhere? Was she going to be confined in her room? She looked around wondering when she will be taken into her room. This was too grand for her, that was certain. She couldn't think of a reason why she was there. It seemed like a room for royalty… well, the Prince thought that she was Adeline. Maybe he still hasn't noticed that she wasn't an ethereal beauty. Maybe he still didn't have a chance to see her properly. Maybe. Or perhaps he was on the way to her kingdom, demanding a reward that was promised - a princess. A real princess. Not the forsaken princess that even her own kingdom didn't want.

"Your highness, I've brought a few items for you." Matilda came back. As she spoke, Isabelle jerked away from the bookshelf as if she was caught doing something forbidden. At least it was forbidden at home. She wasn't allowed to read. She wasn't allowed to learn either. She managed to sneak around eavesdropping on Adeline's private lessons. And then she would sneak away any bit of newspaper or pamphlet she would find around servants' quarters. Once she managed to get her hands on a proper book. It was a dictionary, of all things, but she was so desperate to learn that she read it from the first page to the last. "I'm sorry, your highness, I didn't intend to startle you," Matilda said quickly. She held a small basket in her hands with a few bottles and objects within it.

"I'm sorry," Isabelle uttered, moving away from the bookcase. Matilda wasn't sure what Isabelle was apologising for, and she decided to outright ignore it.

"I've brought a hairbrush with finer bristles as it might be better for your hair, as well as some body lotions that I forgot to bring earlier. And a pair of warm slippers and a nightgown." Matilda said as she started taking the items out of the basket.

"Perhaps I could keep them in a basket?" Isabelle asked as she was worried about how it was going to be if it were found out that she used a room that wasn't intended for her.

"I thought your dresser might be a better place, milady." Matilda looked confused.

"I just thought that if I was going to move a room it'll be easier to keep it all together."

"Is the room not to your liking, milady?" Matilda asked curiously.

"It's a stunning room but…" Isabelle hesitated. "Surely I'll be moved into my permanent room soon."

"This room was intended for you, your highness." Matilda's confusion didn't wear off, and he was increasingly struggling to understand her lady. "If it is not to your liking, I'll arrange for you to be moved right away."

"This room was intended for me?" Isabelle asked in disbelief.

"Of course. It's a room in royal quarters and his majesty's room is barely a few steps out of here."

"I am not sharing a room with his majesty," Isabelle said as a matter of fact. She expected that. She was told that a lot of the princes and kings had separate chambers. It allows them to have their own privacy but also it ensured that wives and mistresses didn't cross paths very often. It was said that it was better to avoid confrontation with the mistresses. She was told to look away and act as if she never even noticed.

"His majesty wanted to ensure that you were comfortable, milady," Matilda responded. But Isabelle wasn't sure what Matilda meant. Was it to spare her seeing the mistresses? Was it to get her out of his sight? Was it to stop her from seeing him?

Matilda placed a basket on the dresser, before asking "Your highness, is there anything you'd like to do tonight? I can show you some of the castle or I can take you to the drawing room or the library. Of course, you can rest tonight."

"What are the rules?"

"Rules?" Matilda repeated.

"What am I allowed to do?"

"Well, you can do as you wish, milady."

Isabelle looked at Matilda as if she just grew a second head and a third arm.

"What do you suggest I do?"

"Would you like tea with some warm scones? Perhaps in the drawing room, by the fireplace?"

"That sounds like a dream," Isabelle said astonished at the idea.

"If you're comfortable enough, let's go." Matilda was excited to have found something that her lady would like to do, and there was a glimmer in her lady's saddened eyes.

Isabelle followed Matilda through the long hallways, taking several turns. The hallways had high ceilings with stunning chandeliers, and many beautiful paintings and sculptures. Isabelle slowed down by the sculpture of a young woman in a veil, stunned by how marble was carved to resemble the lightness of the fabric.

Isabelle was beyond stunned but the beauty of the castle. She wasn't sure if her home was anywhere close to being this beautiful, but then, she never really had a chance to explore all of the nooks and corners.

Matilda opened the large wooden door into the large light room which had a fire crackling pleasantly. "Rupert has already lit up a fire." Matilda smiled. "We all thought you might find it rather pleasant in here, milady."

"Thank you so much, Matilda," Isabelle said as she stared at a painted ceiling, turning around in place.

"I'll bring some tea and scones, and maybe a book or two, perhaps?"

"That sounds truly splendid, Matilda," Isabelle answered not really seeing Matilda leave or come back.

As Matilda placed the tray with the food and tea, she remembered something else.

"The tailor would like to do a wedding dress fitting soon," Matilda said to Isabelle so casually as if it meant nothing. Isabelle, however, looked at Matilda with confusion and worry.

"A wedding dress?" She asked. Her mind already going towards the thoughts that Prince has decided to sell her off to someone else. He was already getting rid of her.

"Well, yes. Here in Ariadna, our weddings are very different to Galbore. We hold our wedding ceremony at dawn and the royal wedding is always on the first day of spring as it represents a new era. His majesty wants to honour our traditions."

"But…" Isabelle looked down with greater worry.

"His vows to you are binding, your highness. It is rather that he wants to do things right." Matilda smiled. "There's nothing to worry about. I'm sure he will speak of it to you once he returns. And there are still weeks left before it will happen. Plenty of time to prepare."

"Is that why no one from Ariadna was at our wedding?" Isabelle asked quietly.

Matilda looked at her uncomfortably before she formed an answer "Partially, I suppose. It was made clear by the king that only his majesty and his closest court were to attend. That's also why his majesty would like the celebrations in here, to allow all of his court and people to be a part of it."

"I didn't realise," Isabelle said sadly.

"Was your wedding in Galbore traditional?" Matilda asked curiously.

"I don't know." Isabelle was honest. She never was to a wedding before. She couldn't.

"Was it like you wanted it?"

"Hardly." Isabelle smiled but her smile was pained.

"I guess it's difficult to marry a man that you don't know."

"I suppose." She let out a sigh.

"What wedding would you dream of if you were to decide?"

"Hmmm…" Isabelle thought about the answer carefully. "I'd want it to be a happy day. I wish it was sunny and warm and bright. With kids running around and people dancing. With food so delicious that everyone ends up eating until their bellies feel like they're going to burst. And…" she hesitated. "The groom would look at his bride so lovingly that you could tell from afar that he'd do anything to protect her."

"That sounds rather lovely, milady. I do hope that the upcoming ceremony will be just like that."

Isabelle hasn't answered as she knew it won't ever be like that. Her groom didn't even look at her on their wedding day and he hasn't touched her, probably repulsed by her. No wonder he left as soon as she arrived. He didn't want to be anywhere near her.

Matilda soon left her with few books from the library so Isabelle curled up on a settee near the fireplace, barely touching the scones or tea as she was too engrossed in a book.

She fell asleep in that same spot not long after.