A few months later...

Isolde sighed as she reached the magnificent gates of Stormhold Palace, she was hoping to never have return but here she was. Prince Septimus had not kept to his end of the deal, she knew that these things took time but approaching four months seemed too much.

"Lady Isolde of Waterstrong for an audience with the Princes" she told the guards.

As she entered the Palace there were a lot of other courtiers today, a queue already formed for an audience with the Prince whose charge it was this turn. Clearly it was not Septimus's turn if not the place would be deserted like the last time she was here. Isolde instantly felt disappointed, she had worked herself up to see Septimus and what to say. How on Earth would she ever explain the situation to one of the other Prince's?

Isolde waited in line and made her way into the audience room, she could see that Prince Primus was holding the audiences today which was why it was taking its time. Primus was the oldest and kindest of the Prince's, he spent his time with each courtier making sure he would listen fully to each request and do his best to help.

Isolde finally reached the Prince where he gave her a kind smile "Thank you so much for being so patient, Lady...?"

"Lady Isolde of Waterstrong" she answered as she bowed down.

"It's nice to meet you Lady Isolde, I don't believe I've had the pleasure before. What can I assist you with today?" He asked warmly. Isolde wondered to herself how the eldest and youngest brothers could be so different.

"Prince Primus, I was actually hoping to speak with Prince Septimus" she answered biting her lip.

"Septimus? Really?" He looked more than surprised

"Yes...he was here last time. He knows the nature of my request" she replied

"Lady Isolde" boomed a voice from the side of the room, she turned and saw Prince Septimus enter through a side door and walk towards her as he continued "I've been waiting for you to turn up"

Isolde felt her breath quicken and stomach tighten with nerves, why was he making her feel like this?

"Brother, I'm aware of Lady Isolde's petition. I will look after this one" he told Primus.

"Lady Isolde, do you need anything else from me?" Prince Primus asked her, almost asking indirectly whether she felt safe with his youngest brother.

"No, thank you Prince Primus for your help" she smiled.

"This way" Prince Septimus stalked off back to the side door as she followed.

They reached the private room, she was expecting there to be a guard in there but it was the pair of them. The room was dully lit which perfectly matched the Prince's dark nature as he swept his hair back and looked at Isolde who stood close to the door.

"Lady Isolde, you seem nervous this morning?" He teased

"I wasn't expecting to be unaccompanied to a dark room, Sir" she answered

"With your hidden talents I wouldn't be so worried" he replied

"You forget my Lord, I am without weapon today" she reminded him

Septimus walked up to her, so close they could feel each others breath and he gazed down at her. Isolde wasn't sure if he was trying to intimate her or not but she needed to bring the strength she had from their previous meetings and stop this strange hold she was feeling today. She ignored his closeness and said "Prince Septimus, we had a deal..."

"We did indeed but there has been a slight change of plan, which was why I have been waiting for you to show up. I'm surprised you took this long" he explained

"What change?" She barked back, she could feel her cheeks getting red with anger. She knew something like this was going to happen.

"If you want your lands then you need to be like all of the other Courtiers and actually turn up to Court" he shrugged. Isolde felt a little relief but couldn't help but sense there would be more to this plot. She couldn't help but argue back "But I don't want to come to Court, it's something I have avoided all my life"

"That's also acceptable. The sheriff will be at Waterstrong in two morrows time, hopefully that gives you enough time to pack" he answered with such ease.

"My Lord, this isn't right. We had a deal! That mark on your neck should remind you otherwise" she flared as she could see their last meeting had left its mark.

"Feel free to read over the deeds Lady Isolde, you will see it highlights the importance of keeping in favour of the King by attending Court where possible" he removed the deeds from his jacket pocket and threw them onto the oak table in front of them.

Isolde looked at the deeds so close within her reach, the Prince beckoned her to take a look at them and unfortunately he was right.

"Fine" she mumbled "How often?"

"I think once a week should be reasonable" he answered

"Once a week?!" She almost shrieked.

"Waterstrong is one of the closest manors to the Palace, I'm sure you will manage" he shrugged.

They stared at each other for a few seconds which felt like a lifetime. Isolde wondering to herself what she would possibly do at Court every week. She thought of the Courtiers that were in attendance pretty much all of the time and how they would look down on her and be gossiping, the very thing they did best.

"Why do you want me here every week?" She came right out and questioned the Prince.

"You'll see. Now that's settled, here are your deeds" he said as he handed over the deeds to her, she finally had what she wanted but she felt too confused by their conversation that she found it hard to feel happy about it. Why did he want her to come to Court every week?

"Don't look too pleased about it Lady Isolde" muttered the Prince. Isolde shook herself out of her trance and looked at Septimus's cold green eyes.

"Apologies my Lord, it's a big moment for myself and I was overwhelmed" she lied.

Septimus rolled his eyes and went towards the door "I'll see you in Court" he reminded her and left her there in the dark cold room.