The next morning Jane persuaded Isabelle to go back to the city. Isabelle obliged, not having the strength to argue against her. The council meeting exhausted her from any strength and she still felt lightheaded.
Jane was leaving for a couple of days that evening and she was meeting her sister with her niece and two nephews.
Jane thoughtlessly suggested that Isabelle were to meet her sister, realising soon that it was quite likely an inappropriate request. Isabelle agreed. It was something that seemed important to Jane and she was keen to oblige.
They've walked through the city to gather some fabrics from the shops and a few trinkets that the servants needed.
They met Jane's sister near castle grounds.
"Adeline, this is my sister, Jenny." Jane introduced her sister excitedly. "And this is…"
"Adeline." Isabelle cut off Jane in hope to prevent her from revealing that she was the princess.
"You're the princess!" The kids shouted. Isabelle felt a pit in her stomach.
"Oh yes, we saw you at the fair. You were crowned the princess of the winter fair!" Jenny smiled brightly.
"Indeed. I still have a crown safely tucked away in my drawer." Isabelle smiled. They've walked together and spoke of nothing much. Jenny was not as spirited as Jane but she was equally easy-going.
As she was away, Samuel was summoned into his majesty's chamber by the physician. Samuel expected the worst when he walked in, but instead he was met by his friend being awake and conscious.
Physician quickly updated Samuel before taking the leave.
"Good to see you coming back to the living." Samuel scoffed.
"Don't." Cassian shook his head and grimaced at the pain of his chest.
"You're an idiot." Samuel stated decisively.
"Just don't." Cassian said again, watching Samuel who slowly paced across his room. "I wish that you update me of everything that occurred."
"I wish you told me that there was some genuine reason why you've ended up like this." Samuel said sharply, looking back at Cassian. "Your wife demanded me to look into it. I haven't had a heart to tell her that you were an idiot. I was hoping that I was wrong."
"I was an idiot." Cassian admitted. Samuel shook his head in disapproval. "Don't you dare! It's not like I intentionally threw myself off the horse."
Samuel sighed. "I suppose."
"I was trying to get home as soon as…" Cassian winced as he tried to shift on the bed.
"You rushed on a horse, horse got startled, you fell off and got trampled. Yeah, I know." Samuel nodded. "Idiot."
"Where's Isabelle?"
"Her highness has gone out." Samuel answered honestly.
"Gone out? Where?"
"To the city." Cassian shifted uncomfortably. "She'll be fine, don't worry. She went with that young maid, Jane. She should be back before long." Cassian's worried face made him smile. "She ain't running off, don't worry."
"Wasn't it you who suggested to place guards outside of her chamber?" Cassian asked with a bite in his voice.
"Indeed. But if she were to try to run off, I'm certain that she would have done so already. Besides, I doubt that she would have done as much around the castle and in Ariadna if she were to abandon it all. Now, what is it that you wish to know?"
"I'm guessing that there's a council meeting coming up."
"Not until next month. Perhaps later."
"How did you manage to postpone it?"
"I did not."
Cassian watched Samuel momentarily. "What did you do?"
"Your beloved wife acted her part and she sat on the throne."
"Isabelle?" Cassian asked in disbelief. His brows knitted as he tried to imagine that scenario.
"Indeed. As your next of kin, she was responsible for taking up your duties."
"I'm guessing those vultures ripped her to shreds."
"No." Samuel shook his head. "Her highness was stern and decisive. She terrified them and put them in their place without saying much. None of them even attempted to argue against her rulings."
"You're pulling my leg!" Cassian was in disbelief.
"No."
"Isabelle?"
"Yes. Her highness dressed in her regal dress and bore the crown of the princess consort of Ariadna. She sat on the throne and intimidated them enough that they accepted her rulings without a single question."
"How bad were the issues?"
"Obvious one was your injury, but also we have to prepare for the season of famish."
"I'll deal with it."
"It's been dealt with."
"How?"
"Her highness made sure that no one discloses your injury to not show the cracks in our kingdom. She also took actions in preparation for food shortages. I'm not sure how pleased you will be with it as it does slightly affect our dinners. We had a lentil soup already three times this week."
"What actions did she take?"
"Her highness hired mathematicians to work out the rations. She used royal storages to support the ones struggling the most. And she ensured that we are as careful as everyone else with our food output. She was clear that there were no exceptions to the rule. Royalty, aristocracy or a commoner, we are to be treated alike."
"How did counsellor react to this?"
"The old Galleon wanted to argue but before he managed, her highness very sternly and clearly said that anyone who disagrees should feel ashamed for wanting their own stomachs full over the children of Ariadna, the very future of our kingdom." Samuel thought for a moment before he spoke again. "Her majesty became the people's princess. She chose to protect the people of Ariadna. And she is loved by many already. They took her in as their own."
"What do you mean?"
"The day of your return, her highness attended the fair within the city. She managed to make an impression on everyone there, making them laugh and taking care of the children. She danced with them and laughed and was even crowned a chosen princess of the people. They didn't even know that she was truly their princess."
"You mean the winter fair tradition?"
"Indeed." Samuel smiled. "I know it's a small thing but I think that she managed to captivate their hearts already, unknowingly. As much as I was against that marriage, I must admit that I was wrong. Her highness is truly worthy of her title of a princess consort of Ariadna."
"Your stance on this has changed drastically."
"I suppose. If she is to sit on the throne, I recommend some tutoring or mentoring." Samuel suggested. "She is perfectly capable of doing so but she needs to build her confidence."
"It shouldn't be too challenging to arrange." Cassian nodded in agreement. "I am not sure if I remember correctly, but was she here?"
"Yes, many times. She was here almost all the time until your state was stabilised and then she came here at least twice a day."
Cassian smiled weakly. He grunted as he started getting up.
"What are you doing?"
"I am going outside." Cassian's tone of voice was one that you couldn't dispute.
"Surely you should take it easy."
"I haven't seen my wife yet. I am going to see her now."
"I guess that breaking your ribs whilst rushing back to see your wife isn't a sufficient lesson." Samuel scoffed. Cassian didn't listen to him as he dressed up quickly.
Samuel followed him out of the chamber and into the cold air. Cassian had a slight wobble in his step but he hid his pain well.
Cassian walked down the courtyard and as he neared the gates he heard the lightest laugh in his life. He stepped outside trying to find the owner of it.
The very woman that occupied his mind for weeks now with him being worried about a misery he was causing her, laughed wholeheartedly as she ran away from young three children. The other young woman run behind them.
She didn't notice him and run right at Cassian. Although he was much larger than her and normally he wouldn't nudge, this time he grunted and bend with his hand on his chest. Isabelle bounced off his chest falling back onto her bottom.
Her laugh stopped abruptly and her smile vanished.
Behind her Jane and Jenny caught up with the kids and as they've realised it was the very prince, they all bowed.
Isabelle moved to her knees and apologised profusely, looking down in fear.
Cassian looked at her wondering how anything that Samuel told him could be true. Her hands trembled and she was too afraid to look at him, still.
"Please, I beg your forgiveness, your highness. It was a very clear oversight on my behalf to not have realised your presence here. I am sorry for all the pain and trouble I am causing you." Isabelle uttered.
Isabelle flinched as he squatted beside her.
"I am most sincerely sorry for my clumsiness and inattentiveness. I am so sorry."
Cassian noticed a small branch in her hair. He moved his hand towards her to remove it but
Isabelle flinched as he raised his hand. Cassian's heart broke once again at a sight of her fear. She bowed her head, closing her eyes in anticipation, expecting him to harm her.
Cassian hesitated but he carried on with his movement, picking the stick out from her hair. He held it in his hand, looking at it curiously.
Isabelle turned beetroot red as she realised what he held.
"I don't want any more apologies." Cassian said in a defeated tone. He offered her his hand but Isabelle withdrew in herself further as if she expected him to hit her again. "No more apologies." He straightened up. "No more apologies, Adeline." He repeated. "I do sincerely hope that I will see you at dinner time."
"As you wish, your highness." Isabelle answered, still avoiding his gaze.
"You know the Prince." Jenny noted as she walked over with Jane.
"Of course, she does." Jane said quickly as she pulled Isabelle up. "She's his wife."
"His wife?!" Jenny exclaimed. "Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, your highness. Please forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive, Jenny. I hardly deserve the title of a princess." Isabelle said with a hint of sadness in her voice. She looked behind where Cassian disappeared.
"I shall walk you back, Adeline." Jane said. Her voice was more serious than ever before.
"No need, Jane. I am close enough to the castle. Please, enjoy your leave. I will see you soon enough." Isabelle forced a smile as she bid them goodbye.
She walked to the castle alone, feeling the dread again. She just now realised how calm she has become with Cassian away and then unwell. Now, she was once again worried about a wrath she will face for her carelessness. Three wrongdoings were long gone and now she was relying on Cassian's mercy, and she wasn't sure how much of it he had left.
At least he was well. At least he was conscious and even got up. That was a relief for sure.
The evening has started setting as she started climbing up the stairs.
"I'm not sure what to make out of this." Samuel sounded for the top of the stairs.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Barely yesterday you've made rulings that councillors couldn't argue against, and today you're back to cowering under his majesty."
"I-…" Isabelle stuttered.
"You know that he is less scary than most of the councillors, right?"
"Maybe to you." Isabelle mumbled, looking down in embarrassment.
"You've studied the Ariadna's law for weeks." Samuel started. "Perhaps soon you'll realise how different our kingdom is to the Galbore?" He finished with a sigh. Isabelle climbed to his level at last. "His majesty is already awaiting you in the dining room, your highness."
"Sir Asselin, may I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything, your highness."
"Were you ever going to tell me the cause of his majesty's accident?"
"I realise that I haven't fulfilled your request, your highness. My sincere apologies. I have confirmed it with his majesty, it was just an accident. There was no attack or anything of concern. His highness fell off a startled horse and landed under the hooves of not only his horse but also the knights' horses."
"I thought he'd be a better horseback rider." Isabelle mumbled which made Samuel smile.
"He is excellent but rash. But seeing that you already showed me your sword skills, am I to expect that your horse-riding skills are of equal measure?"
"Neither of these are my talents." Isabelle replied with confidence.
"What are your talents then?"
Isabelle however smiled mysteriously and turned towards the dining room.