Isolde was shown to the room where she would be staying for the night. It was truly magnificent, the view from the window of the gardens, the gold trim around every edge, the rich silk sheets on the bed. Isolde tried to enjoy the moment in the room but she was feeling dazed about the moment in the courtyard with the Prince.
They reached courtyard in the Palace as Isolde had predicted felt like an eternity. Septimus removed himself from the horse and offered his hand to Isolde to help her down. As she took his hand, the horse made a sudden jolt and she fell into the Prince's arms. They stood deathly still, close to each other she looked up to see him looking down at her, their faces so close to each other. Isolde was breathing so fast she thought she might run out of oxygen.
"You can let go now, Lady Isolde" Septimus broke the atmosphere. Isode looked at her hands and she saw she was gripping both hands onto his waistcoat which left her even more mortified.
"Yes my Prince, I mean my Lord, yes thank you" she stumbled her words, wanting the ground to swallow her even more, did she actually just say my Prince? Isolde wished she could turn and go home right this second and forget about this place.
Prince Septimus just smirked and nodded and wandered into the Palace, leaving her in the courtyard feeling like a fool.
The maid that had shown Isolde to her room came through the door with a quick knock and approached "Lady Isolde, the ball will commence shortly. Do you need any help getting ready?"
"The ball?" Isolde questioned, no one mentioned there would be a ball.
"Yes, it's Prince Septimus's birthday though I doubt he will be in attendance long, he doesn't like balls" the maid was quite informative. Isolde felt terrible, she hadn't known it was his birthday and he had spent the most of it working in a field and then it hit her as she panicked "I can't attend, I haven't got any ball gowns"
"My Lady, we were told to prepare some for your arrival" the maid pointed to the wardrobe with several options inside. Isolde rolled her eyes at the Prince's confidence of getting her to attend Court. She wandered over to the dresses, looking at the options as she bit her lip and told the maid "I think I will need some help, please"