Chapter 54
Princess Isla
Isla was all alone walking towards the library she had just come back inside from being with her twin sister Hadley, she was thinking to what her sister had told her and wonder if she was right or not. Tobias had informed her to stay away from the trial, that she had no business in intruding, that it was family business and for her to stay away. She loves him, so she had to respect his wishes but what if he only said that because he was frustrated?
But still that was no excuse, he had hurt her and even if they talked it out she isn't sure of what she wants. Because her sister was right, he won't stay here forever, the day he leaves she will be crushed and what if with the distance he forgets about her? Maybe it's a pass time for both, after all she never left the castle that much and she rarely attended balls. The only time princes came up to her was when they throw the Christmas ball, other than that no one, sure maybe some village boys but she doesn't seem interested and most do it because they want the thrown not her.
She was deep in her though that didn't notice that she bumped into her father until she looked up. "Oh, Papa? I'm sorry I need to be paying attention to where I go, don't worry papa I remember princesses need to look to not bump into people." Said Isla, while her father only frowned in confused. "Isla, darling is ok. The real question is how you are feeling?" asked her father.
"Why do you ask papa?" said Isla as she tried to look happy, but she knew her father could see her perfectly.
"Isla, I know when your feeling sad I'm your father and I can probably guess why too. But don't worry I won't bring it up, all I'm going to tell you is that are you sure your making the correct choice by not listening to that boy?" asked her father. "Papa, how do you know about...?" said but then was interrupted by her father's smile and chuckle.
"Isla…. Everyone in the castle knows how you feel about that boy and what he feels for you except you both, I know something must have happened because he's usually with Derek or the guards now. I won't get into this mess but if you want some advice as your father, then listen to the boy, but if you want a mother's advice, I think we both know where you should go." Said her father.
"Genevieve" they both said, as she remembered her older sister was now a mother but to her and the rest of her small sisters she was always like a mother especially when Rowena was here. She cared for them as if they were her own daughters, hopefully she and Derek have a girl soon. "Ok thanks papa," said Isla.
"You wanted to know how I know…. The boy came to me, Derek, and Genevieve one afternoon. Two weeks before the trial and we talked, but I think that's something you two should talk about." Said her father and then left.
This was something she wanted to know and went to look for Tobias, she raced and found him coming out of the door from where Derek was at. "Tobias? We need to talk." Said Isla as Tobias turned around and looked a bit worried but simply said
"Yes we do, Isla I'm sorry the way I spoke to you I should have never done that. I was just frustrated with what happened with my brother, but I know that's no excuse, that's why I'm going to prove to you that I am sorry." Said Tobias. "Tobias, I heard you had a talk with my father and sister what was that about?" she asked as she just froze.
"Who told you?" he asked worried as she just got surprised. "so, it is true then?" she told him. "Yes, I promise I was going to tell you but…." He said but didn't have the courage to say the last word.
"Tobias, tell me what that was about." Demanded Isla getting worried. "Isla, I will tell you but… you need to listen and need to know that I am so sorry" Said Tobias.
Flashback
It happened two weeks before the trial it was in the library, someone had just called me.
"Tobias? Come in my dear boy, we've been expecting you" said Randolph. "Good afternoon your highnesses, what can I help you with?" said Tobias. "I think there are some things that need to be cleared up for." Said Genevieve. "Tobias, firstly I want you to know you aren't in trouble, I just want to know your intentions? I know your brother betrayed and hurt you. But since you turned 17 about a week ago you're the next ruler of Thraas and need to pick on a wife soon as well and I see your very close with my daughter Isla." Said Randolph.
"We just want to know if you have any plans on courting her?" asked Derek. "Because if you do we would like to know sooner than later." Added Genevieve. "Well, to tell you the truth yes. But at the same time, I don't know, I know I'm only to stay here for a bit then I must return to my kingdom, and I don't want to hurt her when I return." Said Tobias. "I see, but like I said you will need to find a bride soon." Said Randolph. "I don't know how things run in this kingdom, but I would like to make some arrangements." said Tobias.
"You mean like an arrange marriage?" asked Genevieve, looking at Derek with concern as Tobias slightly nodded. "We do not do arrange marriages in this kingdom anymore, when I stepped in as king I banned from doing that to any of my sister in laws. They will only marry the person for love not for any arrangements the kingdom needs, because me as their king is my responsibility not theirs." Said Derek as Genevieve simply smiled to what her husband had just said, and Randolph looked proud as he knew he picked the perfect pair to run the kingdom.
"It's not a complete arranged marriage, I would simply like the honor to court Isla the right way. And when I return she will stay here but she will be off the market and if everything goes well I would love to have her as my wife, but if things don't turn out like expected I will repay you with some money for your trouble and wasting the time she could have had to look for someone else." Said Tobias as the three of them stayed there thinking to what he had said.
"you're basically asking if you could rent her then?" said Genevieve.
"Not exactly." Said Derek as she just gave him a look.
"How could you guys not see this? It sounds like that." Exclaimed Genevieve.
"Genevieve, I know you care a lot for your sisters, but I think this sounds like a good idea, we both know that they have interest in each other. I don't see how this could go wrong they will be getting to know each other and if it doesn't work he needs to pay for what happened." Said Randolph.
"papa?! How can you allow this? Derek?" asked Genevieve as she turned towards Derek.
"Honey, I agree with your father that you care a lot for your sisters, but this is a family manner and as long as it isn't an arrange I made I can't do anything." Said Derek.
"Genevieve, its basically an arrangement or an agreement they will do if they want to, all that matters is that we know about it. I'm in, you have my permission to fully court my daughter but if you hurt her in any way like your brother did to Courtney, I will hunt you down." Said Randolph as he looked over at Derek and nodded.
"I'm sorry Tobias, its nothing I have against you its just…. Its my sister to me this sounds like an arrangement and it seems wrong this is something you have to talk to her, so it seems like you both would want this. But fine, even though I have a bad feeling about this." Said Genevieve as she smiled broadly.
"Thank you, your majesties and don't worry I have faith this will end up great, but may I ask a favor, please don't tell Isla any of this I want to tell this personally and when the day comes I want to be the one to tell her." Said Tobias as they all nodded before he bowed and excused himself and left the room to go with Isla.
End of flashback
"So, there you have it Isla that is what happened." Said Tobias, Isla couldn't believe what she heard, her father, sister and Derek knew and didn't tell her anything. But then again, her father was right when he told her that this was something that she and Tobias needed to talk about, she wasn't mad with them, but she was with Tobias. She was mostly astonished, she couldn't believe that the boy she loves would do that, Genevieve was right after all that didn't sound right.
"Isla say something please." Said Tobias worried.
"Tobias, how could you? I though you were better than this?" said Isla as tears were forming in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry at the time I wasn't thinking but now I see and.." he said but was interrupted.
"You were renting me! That's what it sounds like what if I did end up getting married with you would you have still payed them?!" said Isla as tears stroll down her cheeks, as he only looked down ashamed which only concluded to what Isla had though which was worse she least expected this from Tobias.
"You would have bought me then! You would have bought yourself a bride! Do you know what that means?!" she said frustrated.
"yes, I do know what that means and I'm so sorry, but why I don't see why you're getting mad? If you'd be my wife in the future its because you would want to no one is forcing, you." Said Tobias.
"yes, it would be my choice, but you still be paying my family if we do end up getting married and if we don't! I'm am not a prize or some furniture you can buy Tobias. If someone told me this about you I would have never believed it, Tobias, I can forgive you for what happened the day on of your brother's court day." Said Isla as she wiped a tear and tried to get courage to speak again.
"But I don't think I can forgive you for trying to buy or rent me, I just can't especially not today." Said Isla as she was prepared to leave but Tobias stopped her.
"I know what I did was wrong Isla, and I don't expect you to forgive me so easily, but I will try like hell for you to forgive me and I will fight for you Isla." Said Tobias as Isla looked at him with anger and disappointment.
"Get the hell away from me Tobias!" exclaimed Isla as she raced away and went to her room crying.
