CHAPTER 1

Isabella frantically rubbed her palms over her cold legs that were drawn up to her chest in an attempt to rid herself of the cold.

The hard concrete floor was not helping matters neither was the fact that she was scantily clad in a silk dress which was not fit for a prison, especially when you had no idea how long your stay would be.

She clenched her fists in a bid to stop the tears from flowing but like always her tear ducts seemed to have a mind of their own and soon after she was sobbing uncontrollably.

In a blink of an eye, her world had turned upside down and she had done nothing other than stand on the sidelines and watch as an onlooker as her world crumbled before her.

It was just like yesterday when the palace was alive buzzing with a flurry of activities in preparation for the grand ball that was planned for her.

She wasn’t elated about the ball, no one would be thrilled by the idea of getting engaged to someone you didn’t know but if she had to choose again she would choose her past life over this without batting an eyelid...she stared off into space and soon she was lost in the thoughts of her past...

“Father...”

“Isabella it is important that a lady is married off". He stared at her, his hands clamped behind his back, in the all-familiar stance that was peculiar to him.

“And as the princess, you should rest assured you will be married off to someone renowned...”.

Isabella groaned loudly...

King Frances managed a short laugh, “Isabella that is not very princess-like especially now that you’ll be representing the whole kingdom. You need to be of good behaviour".

Isabella stared at her Father, there was no talking her way out of this one, her father had never asked something of her. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try to do something for him, she thought. How bad could it get? “I will not disappoint you father".

He straightened up further if that was even possible, “Of course, you won’t”. He walked towards the exit with long strides, “I trust I’ll see you in the ball later”.

“Of course Father”, she replied solemnly.

When he was out of earshot Isabella groaned loudly, it was always about duties or the other. She had never made decisions for herself and right now she had no say in the matter, she would have to do as her father had asked. Their relationship wasn’t one where she could argue with her father.

She spent the rest of the day in her chambers, it was only when it was time for the ball, much later in the evening did her mother come to her. There was a brief knock at the door and then a voice called out to her from outside the door, “Isabella”.

She got up to unlock the doors, “mother?”, her eyes turned to her hands, when she noticed the dress she was holding, a reminder that she had an important function to attend.

She rolled her eyes, “Of course my bachelorette party or engagement ball?, I have no idea what it is".

“Isabella dear...”.

“How could I forget my own engagement?”, Isabella retorted sarcastically, “Oh right it’s because I was only informed yesterday. If I didn’t know better I’d say it’s almost like you want to get rid of me...”.

Her mother quickly laid the dress on the bed and turned to her, “Your father’s decision is probably for the best”, she encouraged.

“Mother this is a gamble, I have no idea the calibre of men that would be out there and I’m supposed to pick a suitor...”.

“On the bright side, you get to pick the man you want”.

Isabella’s shoulders dropped in defeat, “How do I even know I’ll make the right decision, for all I know these men would only be putting on an act”.

Her mother sighed in exasperation and sat on the bed, she gestured with her hand for Isabella to sit beside her. Isabella dragged her feet to her and quickly embraced her.

She placed a kiss on her head, “I trust that you’ll make the right decision and if it makes you feel any better you can refuse to choose your suitor today”. She placed a palm on her face, “However I know you’re strong, strong to stand by whatever decision you make”.

“Mother...”

“It will all fall in place my dear, you should get ready quickly now”, she called out and almost immediately two maids rushed in. Her mother stood up, “They’ll help you get dressed”.

“I love you mother”, Isabella blurted out.

She smiled brightly, “And I Iove you”.

When the maids were done fussing around her, she looked at herself in the mirror, despite her current mood she smiled, she did look beautiful.

They had somehow managed to arrange her long black curls on top of her head, her jewellery was a striking blue matching the colour of her eyes. The black evening silk dress complemented her hair, of course, it was her favourite colour.

She was quickly escorted to the throne room where the ball was held, she was joined by her parents soon after. The courtier bowed and quickly opened the doors and in a rehearsed manner cleared his throat to gain the attention of everyone, “King Frances the IV, escorted by his wife Queen Violet and their daughter Princess Isabella”.

There was a light round of applause and just then her brother walked in from behind. The courtier briefly acknowledged him with a short nod of his head and announced again, “Of course, Prince Louis has decided to grace us with his presence". Isabella could have sworn she heard a hint of sarcasm in his tone. The applause continued, she leaned into her brother and whispered in his ear, “Way to go elder brother".

He snorted in response. They proceeded towards the ballroom when the courtier's voice rang out again, “...all of the kingdom of East Angles”.

Her parents like good hosts they were began to waltz around the hall greeting guests that were present. Isabella held her brother’s arm." Please, don’t leave me here all alone". Louis gave a mock bow, “I have princely duties to attend to". She rolled her eyes, “Of course duties...”

Her father's voice rang out interrupting her musings, “The ball is in honour of my daughtePrincessess Isabella”. She curtly nodded as a hundred pairs of eyes fixated on her. He continued, “She is to pick a suitor today and whatever her decision may be, it will be respected. Her decision would further strengthen the bonds between the two kingdoms and we will be open for whatever treaties there would be to sign in the future".

All the while her father spoke, Isabella plastered a fake smile on her face as she watched most people's expressions light up at the mention of treaties which could be economically beneficial to their kingdoms, gold diggers she snorted quietly.

“...cheers everyone”, Isabella was jolted back to reality as her father rounded up the speech, “Enjoy the party".

“Long live the King", there was the resounding noise of clinking glasses.

Not long after many men were already by her side offering her a dance, prince and noblemen alike. This was indeed going to be a long night...

Five dances later, many fake smiles, lame conversations, reasonable conversations, after incessantly turning down the offers of a dance, Isabella decided she had had enough. She was going to sit at an unoccupied corner of the hall and nothing was going to deter her, she snatched a glass of wine and as she brought it to her lips, a deep baritone voice behind her interrupted her...