"The Lady Isolde of Waterstrong" the guard announced at her entering the ballroom. Isolde swallowed hard and walked down the stairs, she noted some looks from the other Courtiers wondering who she was, for they had not seen her before. Isolde had chosen a crimson dress with gold embroidery in the middle of the corset and the edges of the trim. The maid had managed to tame her curls and placed them in an elegant bun with some diamond hair slides.

As she made her way to the bottom of the grand staircase she recognised Prince Primus greeting guests, he looked towards her and smiled politely "Lady Isolde, isn't it?"

Isolde bowed her head as she nodded "Yes, Prince Primus. Thank you so much for your hospitality"

"It is more than a pleasure Lady Isolde, please let me know if you need anything" he offered and then turned to greet some other arrivals.

Isolde recognised no one else in the crowd so she immediately hid herself away in the nearest corner. Isolde was already wondering on when it would be appropriate to take her leave.

"Lady Isolde, you have stolen my hiding spot" Prince Septimus appeared next to her side which made her jump a little.

"Prince Septimus, I will happily find another hiding place" she bowed to him and went to move, he gently reached for her arm and said "That won't be necessary"

Isolde stayed next to his side, they stood awkwardly for a moment until she broke the silence "Prince Septimus, I hadn't known it was your birthday. I wish you many happy returns. And well, I'm sorry you worked in a field for the most of it"

"No need to apologise" he simply replied as he observed the room. He then looked at her and offered his hand, Isolde shook her head "Oh, I definitely cannot dance, my Lord"

"I'm not asking you to dance" he retorted.

"Oh" she mumbled, wishing the ground would swallow her as she turned from his gaze.

"I'm offering you an escape" he then smirked after letting her feel embarrassed for a good few moments and offered his hand again.

Isolde smiled back, she was nervous at whatever his plans would be but anything would be better than standing there in a room filled with people she did not know. She took his hand and he ushered her through a door she hadn't even noticed, hidden in the wall.

It led to a stone tunnel, dimly lit and dripping in damp.

"Where are we going?" She questioned, nervous at being alone with him yet again. Septimus didn't answer, he carried on making his way through the tunnels until they reached a different room, a room filled with weapons.

"Prince Septimus?" She raised her eyebrow, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.

"This is the reason I wanted you to come to Court" he finally offered some insight to how his mind worked to Isolde.

"To show me your collection?" This time she was not going to assume anything to save herself from further embarrassment. Septimus smirked at her and went and retrieved two swords from the wall and threw one over to her which she caught. Isolde admired the sword, it was beautifully crafted with such detail in every pattern.

"I want you to train with me" he offered.

"Me? Why? Isn't that a duty for your knights?" She asked.

"They won't fight truly against a Prince. I need someone who..." he paused, not sure whether to continue.

"Who won't hold back?" She offered.

"Exactly" he nodded.

"But won't it look odd, a Prince training with a Courtier? And a woman at that?" She was worried about what a stir it would cause and she hated the idea of attracting attention.

"Lady Isolde, I have everything planned. We will train in private. I always have done so, I don't want my brothers studying me. So?" He explained as he tapped her sword, indicating for them to begin.

"My Lord, I'm in a ballgown" she pointed out sarcastically.

"A new challenge for you then" he shrugged.

"Absolutely not" Isolde shot back as she turned from him to lift her skirt a little and produced a small dagger. Septimus looked amused and impressed that she had that under her gown. She moved the dagger behind her back and gave the lacing on her dress a tug and pulled up the dagger to snip the lace in half. Isolde pulled at the lace until it was loose enough to get the main bulk of the ballgown off her. Now she felt more comfortable, just in her underskirts still nicely covered but more importantly much better ease of movement.

"That's better" she nodded as this time she tapped his sword to begin.