You guys are the best. Srsly.

This isn't beta'd, pre-read, or had anyone look at it but me. Sorry for the mistakes. Lots of fluff that came from a dream I had and turned into this. Sort of-kind of based on Ancient Rome, but mostly made up. Completed in 8 chaplets.

Isabella sat anxiously in front of the vanity as a ladies maid attempted to style her long hair into an intricate up-do. "Leave it down, please," Isabella requested, thinking of how Edward seemed to enjoy when her had been loose the first time they met.

"Oh, but my Lady, all of the women in court wear their hair up."

"Then I will stand out among them. You may pull the sides back to show my face, but the rest should be free." Isabella firmly instructed. She wished to feel beautiful for her love when he came for her. She checked the position of the sun in the sky from her window, alarmed at how quickly time was moving. If Edward did not appear soon, she would be forced to stand before the prince as an offering. Isabella's stomach rolled and she feared she might be sick.

Her maid finished and left Isabella to pace her room. She ran her hands over the smooth, sapphire blue silk fabric draped over her form. It made her fair skin glow and Isabella thought she looked rather pretty. She would still pale in comparison to the other ladies presented, but she was not doing this for the prince. It was for her Edward.

A knock startled her from her reverie and Isabella spun toward the door. Was Edward finally here for her? Isabella's hands trembled as she granted entrance. "Come in."

The door swung open, but instead of a handsome, copper haired solider, Isabella's mother crossed the threshold. "It is time, dear one. Come, your future husband awaits," she announced with glee. Renee's wide, happy smile left Isabella's heart cold. Her fate was sealed and it would not be with Edward by her side.

Swallowing hard, Isabella nodded once, unable to speak for fear of breaking down in tears. "You do look lovely, Isabella," her mother complimented, "The prince is sure to be enamored with you." Then Renee turned and led the way out.

Isabella reached out a hand and grasped the back of a chair to hold herself upright. After a steadying breath, she willed herself to walk forward and into her lonely future.

Isabella stood at the end of the line of ladies waiting to be presented, fighting the urge to be sick. She did not process how beautiful the other women looked or how she was correct – she was the only one with her hair unbound, all others had intricate styles crowning their heads. Isabella simply breathed in and out and suppressed the desire to run. If she did, it would mean a death sentence for her.

Her hands clasped together tightly, palms sweaty. Perhaps death would be preferred to a loveless marriage to a man who placed the highest bid on her head? Who knew how he would treat her, not all men were kind to their wives. With that thought in her head, she took one step out of line. A soldier was at her side in an instant.

"Was there something you needed, Lady?"

She turned her head up to him, not truly seeing the face in front of her. "No, thank you," she whispered. "I am nervous, is all."

"Fret not, my Lady. The prince is a good man and you are quite the beauty. Trust all will be well," he said with a perfunctory nod.

Her gaze focused abruptly on the soldier. Was it a coincidence that he repeated Edward's words from last night? Did he know something she didn't? A plan Edward had for them?

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask if this soldier knew Edward, but he winked cheekily and stepped back to his place. Without realizing it, the presentation had begun and it was Isabella's turn to enter the great hall. Blinking a few times, she sucked in a breath and crossed the threshold.

The other ladies stood in a line, facing the emperor and empress and Isabella stepped into the gap on the end. Empress Esme met her eyes for a mere second, but the slight smile on the empress' lips relieved a meager bit of Isabella's nerves. Then the emperor stood and they returned full-force.

"This is a fine offering from which my son will chose his bride. Each province should be proud of the lady chosen to represent them. I am certain that all will make fine matches by the end of this auction. My son will join us soon and make his choice. Each lady will then be escorted to a tent where she will await her future husband to claim her. Bidding will commence once my son has stated his choice and all other ladies become available." Emperor Carlisle focused his attention on the women in front of him. "Ladies, each of you will now be blindfolded. You will not be allowed to use your wiles to tempt the prince, the choice will be his alone."

He returned on his throne again and soldiers from behind stepped up to each girl to place blindfolds over their eyes. Darkness enveloped Isabella's eyes and her breathing became rapid. She pressed her hands into the skirt of her dress.

Isabella heard the rustling of fabrics as her only indication the prince had entered the room. She guessed it was the court bowing in deference. For long minutes there was nothing but the occasional sounds of shifting bodies or a low murmur. Each second that passed pressed on Isabella until she thought she would go mad.

Suddenly, a presence moved close and she instinctively stiffened. The prince was near. Despite the darkness, Isabella closed her eyes and willed herself to appear serene and composed. She had no desire for the prince to see how terrified she truly was. Every eye on her was appraising all she did, and though she wanted to throw herself to the ground and weep at the unfairness of it all, she would not give these people the satisfaction of watching her break beneath the pressure.

Her hair moved as the heat of the prince's body brushed Isabella from behind. She stifled her gasp that he had come in such close proximity to her. Then the emperor's voice boomed out and Isabella startled.

"Have you chosen a bride, my son?" A long pause of silence followed. "Excellent. We shall have the ladies escorted to their tents. You shall have your new bride soon enough."

Isabella felt her arm grasped and was ushered away. Her mind raced with each step. Who had the prince chosen? He must have given some indication that his choice had at least been made based on the emperor's words. Isabella's heart pounded in her throat. Who would come to claim her? Who would be her unhappy match she was now fated to? Why had Edward not come for her before all of this began?

They came to a stop and a man's voice spoke. "You may now remove the blindfold, my Lady. You are to wait here until your betrothed comes for you, do not leave the confines of this tent."

Isabella reached up and removed the fabric from her eyes. "I understand," she said softly and gazed at her surroundings. The tent was made of lightweight linens that shifted with the breeze. A set of cushioned chairs were placed in one corner while the opposite held a porcelain bowl for washing and a partition for personal needs. But what took Isabella's breath away was the massive bed in the center of the tent, draped with rich, lush velvets and silks and topped with a pile of pillows.

Thoughts? (Besides I'm an evil witch for leaving you hanging here.) If you're good, I'll post the next chapter later today and you'll all find out if your guesses about who the prince is are correct. :o)