It was dawn already, Isobel had dark under eyes due to her lack of sleep. The so many thoughts running through her mind all at once made it hard for her to fall asleep.
Isobel covered herself with her blanket, staring at the ceiling all night long. She wasn't sure if she was to get mad at Mark or try to understand him or just simply let things slide.
Isobel mind keep replaying his words. Even though she knew it wasn't for her, she still felt how much he loved Tessa. How was she going to face Mark now, Isobel wondered as she turned to various directions on the bed yet none could give her relaxation.
It was morning, cocks where already beginning to crow. Any moment from now, Mark would be walking into the room, Isobel couldn't help but feel nervous about their next meeting, it would be so awkward.
A sudden knock on the door made her heart jumped. She held her chest trying to control her beating heart, she wasn't prepared for their meeting. She knows he would come in but she never expected it to be this early.
"Can I come in my queen".
"It's Andrea, thank God it's Andrea" Isobel thought as she took a deep breath of relief. "Yes come in".
Andrea's face was bright and beautiful. There was something different about her smile, Isobel could notice. "Is that make up I see" Isobel thought to herself as she tried looking at her closely.
Isobel knew Andrea as a simple girl that never wears make up but today she was dressing in a totally different attire that is so unlike her. She even wore a nice perfume this time, Isobel noticed all this but she decided not to make an issue of it.
"Good morning, my queen. Did you sleep well?" Andrea said with a beautiful smile.
"Yeah I did but it seems you slept better than I did, you are glowing this morning" Isobel said teasingly.
Andrea couldn't contain her happiness as she rushed to Isobel side. Today, she seem to have forgotten she was the queen, for the first time she was acting like they are equal.
" My queen something happened last night" Andrea was too shy to continue her words has she did nothing but blush. Isobel smiled at her naiveness when it comes to issues of the heart. was almost certain that a man was responsible for her happiness today but she didn't bother guessing who, as she waited patiently waiting for Andrea to tell her.
"Well....." Andrea couldn't complete her words when someone knocked on the door.
"May I come in my queen?". It was mark, Isobel heart skipped for a while but Andrea was way nervous than Isobel. Her heart leaped for joy but at the same time she wasn't sure how she would approach him now. Thoughts on whether or not she should ask him about his feelings for her ran through her mind.
"Yes come in" Isobel said with nervousness as she adjusted herself on the bed. Isobel suddenly remembered how messy she looked even Andrea was looking more like a queen compared to her, she had just got up from the bed when Andrea came in, she haven't had time to do her make up yet. All these, she just remembered but it was too late, Mark had already helped himself in.
Mark was looking different, was it just she who thought this or was he looking calmer, more relaxed and more handsome, Isobel thought but the only thing about him today that didn't change was his cold expression.
He came in as usual without a smile. The closer he gets, the faster Isobel heart beat. Isobel still remembered her anger for him which aggravated after the kiss last night. She couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Mark had kissed her so passionately, just when she was beginning to accept his kiss, he fell asleep on her. She knows she wasn't supposed to be angry at least he fell asleep before they did something wrong but she couldn't stop herself from feeling disappointed.
"My queen, you aren't dressed yet, would you want to be late for your own party. Remember this, a lot of important guest would be there so you can't afford to mess things up". Isobel was speechless as she stared at him with bewilderment.
After what happened last night, she expected him to be a little bit nicer to her but rather he is more rude than ever. Mark was a very complicated person, she wondered why she even get bothered by him. "Fine Andrea would help me get dressed" Isobel said as she turned to Andrea who was so busy staring at Mark with a smile, feeling some how shy. Isobel looked back at Mark confused as to what's going on.
Mark had his normal expression, staring straight ahead, he didn't even steal a glance at Andrea who has been giving him all her attention.
"Help me dress up Andrea" her loud voice brought her back to reality as she stammered before understanding the situation.
"Ok my queen".
The party was booming with people, wearing different Golden or silver clothes. It made Isobel wonder just how cheap it was to get gold because everyone seem to have it on them.
Everyone attention fell on her as she walked down the stairs. "Hail the queen" everyone bowed, Isobel couldn't help but feel proud of herself.
Andrea assisted her as she sat on the golden chair, Isobel stared all of them in the face. It was weird she totally forget how to address them. They all stared at her, as if she was doing something wrong.
After a while, Isobel cleared her throat, trying to act with pride as a queen. She remembered Mark teaching, when he told her about the party. " Everyone will seem like they like you and approve of you but you must remember to trust no one because they are all there just to sound you out, to know what kind of queen you are, so be careful with your every word, every step. Remember this, never show them your fears because they will use it against you.
"My honorable guest, am so glad you could make it to my party, now you have all shown me how much you respect and approve of me been the queen, thank you all once again, please join me celebrate this special day, cheers". After a while of silence, they all stood up to cheer to the queen.
" My queen, we can see how perfect you are to rule the kingdom" a man sitting opposite to her said from a distance. Isobel was confused as to who he was. " That's crown prince of katoossh kingdom " Andrea whispered to her ears.
" Thank you". Isobel said after signing deep.
" I know how difficult it is to rule a kingdom and it's especially worse for a woman, you all are meant for the kitchen and not the throne but you stood your ground, earn the people's trust and became the queen. Congratulations" he laughed loud but everyone remained silent as he had just insulted the queen.
Mark tighten his fist as he almost stood up to face him but was stopped by Isobel. She raised her hand slowly before shaking her head, ordering him not to take another step.
After noticing everyone mood, the prince laughed loud trying to get their attention but they all remained silent " am sorry about that my queen, am just the type that love to talk much especially when am excited".
Isobel look at him with an insincere smile. " I can see that, I really love the fact that you joke a lot, I mean, that's the reason why you lost half of your kingdom to knossos kingdom, am I correct?" Isobel was still smiling when she said all these but the mood within them had already change as they gave each other an evil smile. Isobel finally laughed after a while " well that's a joke too prince Achilles, come on, eat everybody celebrate" Isobel said as she cheered prince Achilles.