The Quest for Isabelle

By PadmeDelacour

Disclaimer: I do not own Blood Ties. However, I do own: Aralyn, Isabella, Celeste, Charlotte and any other character you do not recognize. Also, the prologue and the end is the longest part of the story. Sorry! I got carried away. ;

Prologue: Part 1: The terrible "incident"

Henrysighed. "Isabelle, please! You have to go! When you inherit the crown, I do not want you to be mindless unlike some other child rulers I have known. "

Eleven year old Isabella looked up at her father King Henry VIIII. She frowned, "But father that is so far away! And, I will be away from you and Mama! Even if it is for a so called education. It is all the way in Italy! And you could not tell this "royal tutor" to come here, why?" she sighed.

And I was having such a grand time with Andrei and Novalee! It is rare that I get to spend this amount of time with my own siblings, and now he just had to tell me this! They both get extremely lonely without me!

Her father was trying to send her to a "school" type place in Rome, Italy. To her, all it really was an ex-royal telling her what she thought about ruling an empire. Isabelle had never been far from the castle, especially without one of her parents. Although occasionally she would accompany one of her parents to France, or Spain, she would still be safe with her beloved parents. Her parents were King Henry Fitzroy and Queen Juliette. Why all the sudden is she being forced away from the infamous "Tower" (aka: The Tower of London) Her father gave her a very stern look.

"Now, Isabelle I want you to know as much as possible when you inherit the throne. I only want what is best for you. And staying with Madam Callista is the best thing for you. You are going and that is finale." Henry finished, his arms where crossed over his chest.
"But it is not fair! You didn't even ask what I thought! You didn't ask me anything! I was having a wonderful time and then you want to take me away from everything ever known to some far away place? Give me a break, father! I'm only eleven! You are already treating me like I'm the Queen of England! (And not in a good way either)" She scowled. Isabelle could tell her father was getting angry.

"Isabelle! There is nothing you can do about it, complaining won't help." Henry wasn't able to finish. Isabelle got up and walked towards the door.

"Don't even think about it! You leave right now, and you will be in more trouble than you can imagine! Isabelle! DON'T!" He yelled.

Isabelle just kept walking and slammed the door in Henry's face. Henry took a deep breath. He sat on Juliette's and his bed. He put his head in his hands, massaging his temples. He loved Isabelle, he really did. His children where his world to him. Isabelle had never acted like that towards anyone!

Maybe I should wait? But what would Callista say? Henry thought. He was too tired to care at the moment. He would worry about it in the morning.

Isabelle walked through the corridor to her bedroom. She sat at her desk when her French servant Celeste came in. Celeste was the only other eleven year old girl who lived in the castle. She had black hair and bright green eyes, she was considered a beauty. The two girls were best friends. Unfortunately, the girls had to keep it hidden because it was considered "Taboo" to have such a relationship with a servant. Her mother Charlotte was actually her head servant, but Celeste was going to take over once her mother passed on. She noticed how unhappy Isabelle was.

"He told you didn't he, your highness?" Isabelle just shook her head 'yes'.
"Well at least, my mother and I are going with you!" Celeste said trying to comfort her.

"Let me get your nightdress and you can change.

Ten minutes later, with the help of Charlotte, she came out in an elegant silk night dress. She sat on her own bed with Celeste behind her.
Celeste took the two sapphire clips out of Isabelle's hair, she watched as the mocha curls fell out of place.

"Ah, that feels better." Isabelle said. Celeste picked up the brush,
"May I?" she asked.

"Yes, Celeste." Isabelle said. Celeste began to slowly brush her hair, making sure not to hurt her. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Celeste tried to get her to talk.

"I'm sorry you have to go. This reminds me of when your father rescued me from my father. I remember it just like yesterday." Celeste said dreamingly.
Isabelle perked up. "Really? What happened? No one has ever told me how you got here. I just assumed you were born here." Celeste smiled.

"Non, your highness. You see, it was when your father was visiting the royal couple in France. He was on the grounds when he heard shouting; my father was a drunk, abusive man. He did not deserve us! Well, your father thought it was wrong and tried to stop it. The moment he came in the door, father tried that act.
You know the "nice" act. He pretended that everything was fine and happy. Of course, we would be forced to play along. Thank the Lord above your father did not believe it as countless other people had. He took us to the Queen and King, and he told them what had happened. The Queen had said that she had need of us anymore and that your father could "have" us. We've had three masters, your father being the third and hopefully last. The first two treated us worse than dirt! Your father is such a kind mind. He actually treated us like we were people and not cattle or dirt!" Celeste explained. She sighed.

"And here we are now, with a great master and mistress." She finished.
"Hmmm," Celeste said, "The point is, your father has a reason for everything. I know he means well." Isabelle shrugged,

"I guess, but I have so many questions I know he won't answer. I almost feel like he's getting rid of me" Isabelle said sadly.

"Do you need a hug?" Celeste said quietly.

"Yes, Celeste" Isabelle said. Celeste pulled Isabelle close, holding her for a few moments. Isabelle put her head on her shoulder.

"I'm positive your father does not mean to do that." Celeste whispered in Isabelle's ear.

Celeste rocked Isabelle for a few moments, when they were interrupted by a knock on the door. The girls pulled away from each other. Celeste moved towards the door.

"No, Celeste I want to check it out." She stopped. Celeste moved away. Isabelle crept towards the door now. Maybe it was her father wanting to apologize? Her father was the one to usually break the few times they fought. When Isabelle opened the door, no one was there. She looked back at Celeste and exchanged strange looks. She crept toward the hallway and stopped at the top of the spiral stone stairs. Celeste was at her doorway watching her.

I could have sworn I heard someone at my door! Isabelle thought.

She looked up and noticed a strange light. She looked behind her and felt herself being pushed.
Down, Isabelle went, hitting her head on each step. She finally hit the stone floor. She couldn't breathe. She gasped for breath and blacked out….

Celeste screamed. "Your Highness! Isabelle! ISABELLE!" She kept screaming.
"HELP! HELP! THE PRINCESS! SHE'S IN DANGER!!" Celeste gasped. Her mother Charlotte came running. She hugged her daughter, she tried to get her to talk, but Celeste kept screaming and sobbing.

Henry was sitting with Juliette telling her about the fight. He was so happy to have such a supportive wife. She sat rubbing his back telling him everything was alright.

Juliette had light brown curls, with blue eyes. Novalee, their other daughter who was 3 years old was asleep in her crib. Andrei, their adopted son, had gone to bed early.
He could finally relax with his wife…Then he heard the pitiful screams. He and his wife came running towards the sound. Henry saw Celeste and Charlotte…but no Isabelle.
Something was wrong, terribly wrong.

He walked up to Charlotte, "What has happened here, Charlotte?"
" I do not know your highness, the child will not talk!" Charlotte said anxiously.

He moved over to Celeste, he said to her in a strong yet loving voice.

"Celeste, what happened? Where is my daughter?" His hands were lying gently on her shoulders. Celeste tried to wipe her tears away.
"Your Highness, Isabelle and I were talking and we heard a knock on the door. She opened the door and no one was there! She went out to investigate and I watched from the door. She looked around and stopped at the stairs…and…and…" Celeste started to cry again.

Henry's heart started to speed up. "Then what!" he said a little rougher than he meant to.

She inhaled, "She looked up at something, and then she was pushed down the stairs!"
"PUSHED! WHAT DO YOU MEAN PUSHED?" Juliette screamed.

"It actually looked like she flew down the stairs…maybe like she was thrown!" Celeste finished.

Henry's heart stopped in terror.
"There is no way she could have survived that fall. The stairs have over 39 steps that are made out of stone and it's in a spiral form." Charlotte said quietly.

"What!" Henry said loudly. Before anything else could be said, he ran down the stairs to see…..his daughter sprawled out on the cold stone floor. Her eyes were closed; it looked like she was in a peaceful sleep.

"No, No, NO, NO! It's not possible! Juliette!" Henry yelled. Juliette feared the worse.
The tears were falling softly off her cheeks.
"Don't tell me Henry… Is she.." She couldn't finish it. Henry knew what she going to say.
Henry could almost feel his heart breaking. The tears were pouring out of his eyes.
"This is all my fault Juliette!" Henry whispered. He picked up his dead daughter and cradled her against his chest. She was so cold. He kissed her forehead. He then buried his face into her hair and started to sob.

Juliette started to sob too. Six year old Andrei opened the door and noticed his parents sobbing. He walked up and hugged his mother. Juliette hugged him close; Poor Andrei didn't know why everyone was crying.

"Mama? Why is everyone crying? Why is Daddy crying? Daddy never cries. Where is Sissy?" He said, his big brown eyes looking up at his mother.

"Honey, Your sister is gone. Izzy is asleep...forever." She tried her best to explain. Andrei layed his head on his mother's shoulder. Juliette started stroke her son's auburn hair.

Thank the Lord that Novalee is still in her crib. Juliette thought to herself.

Henry was in shock.

How did this happen? I feel horrible. How dare I fight with her? I've learned my lesson now, but for a terrible price. I can't believe it! I just saw her fifteen minutes ago and she was alive! My God, why couldn't you have shown me another way! Why couldn't I have at least made up with her! The least I can say is she is up with you now. Oh, what a beautiful angel she must be, my Lord! Henry thought to himself.

Henry could not say anything. He silently walked back to his bedroom and closed the door.

Three hours later, his own servant, Faustine, came in. Faustine was tall with blonde hair and grey eyes.

"Your Highness, we have to make the funeral arrangements. Some of us expected you to at least do that."
Henry wasn't talking to anyone, except when he was forced to. He still could not believe that she was dead! And now, he had to plan a funeral that should have happened 40 years from now! He couldn't do it, his heart couldn't take it.

He just shook his head and said,

"Please, Faustine, Leave me." He said quietly. Faustine was about to leave when she turned and said,

"Sir, you haven't touched your food," she said.

"I don't want it." He said. She was about to leave when he said,

"Wait! Where is my daughter's body?"

"It's being held at the front hall, sir." She answered. Henry just nodded his head.
Faustine left and closed the door.

An: Woo Hoo! Here is part one! Well, what do you think? Is it good? Part two is coming up!