Once Isolde made her way back to Waterstrong she set straight out to work. Now her land was officially hers she could arrange the land being worked on because of the income she would be receiving from it. She would also hear any complaints from her tenants who she would treat as an equal and would listen intently, making sure each one of them felt heard and would help wherever possible. Isolde worked doubly hard and would also visit her tenants bringing the most hungry baskets of food. She wanted to do her best.

One afternoon, the sun was unbearably hot but the fields needed tending too. She didn't want the farm workers to be out in the sun for longer than necessary so she was out in the fields helping them.

It was while Isolde was out in the bright yellow fields she saw darkness coming. Galloping like it was the end of the world chasing him, she saw Prince Septimus going in the direction of the Manor house. Isolde walked towards the dirt road to try and catch him before he went pass. As he approached she stepped out and waved her hand for him to stop.

"Whoa!" He pulled the horses reins to bring him to a sudden stop and carried on before she could get a word in "There best be a good reason for stopping me, girl"

"Actually there is, Prince Septimus. This happens to be my land" she smiled as took off her head scarf.

Septimus raised his eyebrows, not sure whether to be impressed or not that she was covered in dirt and sweating from the sun's heat.

"Lady Isolde, you continue to surprise me" he jumped off his horse and continued "But you forget some of the details from this arrangement. It has been well over a month and I haven't seen you at court"

"Please accept my apologies, I have been very busy setting up everything into place here as things were left whilst I waited for my deeds" she answered but she knew any excuse would not be acceptable to him.

"Apology not accepted, we had a deal. Now you will come back to the Palace with me" he ordered.

"Excuse me?" Isolde questioned

"You will be escorted to the Palace with me, now" he said somewhat slowly to make his point.

"I can't just drop all my work, look how much left there is to do! I'm not leaving everyone in this heat to finish up" she argued back.

This time, the Prince surprised Isolde. He took off his waistcoat, with this weather he was actually without his trench coat for once and placed it over his horse.

"What are you doing?" She questioned

"I'm helping you finish up. Send a note to your maid to pack your belongings for Court" he replied as he marched his way over to the field. The farm workers looked nervous as he approached, not sure whether to make eye contact with him. Isolde determined not to have her tenants feel intimidated followed him and smiled to one of the workers "Peter, would you be so kind to fetch a shovel for the Prince"

Peter nervously nodded and ran over to the wagon for a shovel. He came back and shakily handed it over to the Prince who gave the boy a nod of thanks. Septimus like he said he would, helped to finish the work. He kept to himself, working tirelessly with the sweat dripping down him. Peter plucked up the courage to offer the Prince some water for which he was grateful.

Isolde watched as she also worked and wondered if there was a side of the Prince no one knew of, the Prince in front of her certainly didn't seem like the villain of folklore that was often told.

With the work finished, Isolde approached the Prince "Thank you for helping today, would you like to come and freshen up at the Manor before we return to Court?"

"Before we return to Court?" He raised his eyebrow with a smirk that gave Isolde a strange knot in her stomach. She decided it best to ignore him and walked towards the horses "Come, it's not far"

Isolde felt odd with the Prince in her home, she wasn't sure if it felt like an invasion into her privacy. She had shown him into one of the guest rooms where he could wash and change. All of the servants in the household were on edge with the unexpected visitor in the house.

"Annabell, did you get my note?" She asked her trusted maid.

"Yes my Lady, it's all sorted. I just wished I had more time to prepare some nicer gowns" she answered

"I wouldn't worry too much Annabell, I'm not planning on leaving my room" she reassured and then sighed "I wish you could come with me"

Prince Septimus came down the stairs where Isolde and Annabell had been talking. He looked towards them and asked "Are you ready?"

"Yes" she answered simply, starting to get nervous at the prospect of her first time in Court with a mountain of people she didn't know. She wasn't good in these situations, she liked to keep to herself.

They went outside the Manor where she could only see Septimus's horse. She looked confused and went to ask for her horse when Septimus informed "I told them your horse would not be required, you would ride too slow. Your luggage has been sent ahead"

"Prince Septimus!" She flared

He ignored her annoyance and told her "Come, we are already running late" as he took hold of her and ushered her towards his horse with his hand. She wondered what he had felt as she took his hand, did he feel the same way she had. She shook her head quickly, she couldn't be having thoughts like that.

Septimus pulled himself up onto his horse and then offered his hand to Isolde to help her up. She hesitated and said "Maybe I should sit behind you?"

"Out of the question" he answered and then he lowered his head towards her "You know they say I ride like the devil? Wouldn't want you to fall off..."

Isolde had no response for his comment and silently took his hand as he pulled her up in front of him. Her pulse getting quicker as he pushed himself closer to her and his arms went round her to control the reins. She felt oddly safe and felt like this short journey to the Palace of Stormhold would be the longest journey of her life.

"Onward" he tapped his horse and they were on their way.