A royal feast was convened in honor of the guests in Arcadia. The high table was set and mouthwatering delicacies laid.

Alexander looked at the figure in the mirror and smiled back at him. Tonight, he was dressed in a regal attire that had golden sleeves. He ran his fingers through his hair and spotted his sheathed sword by the side. He let his fingers touch the rough hilt but tonight was no place for swords. It wouldn’t even match with the clothes he wore.

A cup of wine would do for now. He gulped the contents before walking out of the room. He walked through the noisy hallways of the Arcadian palace, maids running Helter skelter to make the feast a success. One nearly spoilt his attire but he was quick to catch the tray before it hit him and an arm around her waist before she’d hit the floor.

The maid stared at him longer with dreamy eyes, even forgetting he was a king. But tonight, he was too good looking to miss dreamy stares.

Alexander yanked her back to her feet and offered her the tray. "I believe this is yours," he said placing the tray in her hand and walked off. The maid stared at his silhouette until he was out of sight. Only then did she break from her reverie and rushed towards the kitchen.

Alexander knocked on Isadora’s door and stepped in without waiting for an answer. He saw her seated by the mirror putting on some light make up.

"Courtesy seems to have fled out of you, Your Majesty," she mocked looking at him through the mirror.

"Am I not allowed to walk into my wife’s room whenever I want?"

To that, she said nothing. She took the comb but Alexander was quick to snatch it from her.

"Allow me," he said, a smile lighting his face when she nodded. He took a handful of her silky hair into his hands. It was so soft to the touch, he thought. He ran the comb through her hair gathering another round of her hair. He could see the way she blushed through the mirror.

"All done," he said setting the comb beside the dresser. He studied her in the mirror and her smile justified his work.

"Thank you," she said and stood before Alexander hugged her from behind.

"After Roselyn’s wedding is over, I’ll take you to Valoria. I’m certain my mother and Lord Richard miss me dearly."

"And your sister," she reminded him turning to face him. The surprise on his face couldn’t go unnoticed.

"I seem to have forgotten her these last few days. Poor thing!" He pouted. He’d left her alone all those days, with not even a letter or word to her. For once, he longed for Valoria.

"I miss her too," Isadora admitted, clasping his arms in hers. "She was the sweetest thing I’ve ever come across in my life."

Alexander drew in a long sigh at the thought of his sister. He could only imagine how long his ears would elongate now!

"Let’s not keep the others waiting," he said and held her by her hand. "Shall we?" He led her out of the room and they both walked down to join this evenings’ festivities.

The hall was nearly full when the couple walked in. Lords of Arcadia and high ranking soldiers from Valoria and Crescia took the better part of the Hall. On the high table sat Roselyn on the head and Lord Newton by her side. Queen Felista sat by her left, and the rest were the council members. Isadora’s and Alexander’s seats were reserved on the high table as well.

Isadora didn’t fail to notice the sour mood on the table when they sat. She gave a meek smile at Roselyn and Felista who was quick to forge the warmest of smiles.

"I hope you’ll enjoy Arcadia’s delicacies, Your Majesties," she said. For some odd reason, Isadora found her expression extra friendly. She even served her a steak and poured wine to some Lords beneath her.

Her eyes rested on Alexander who was enjoying a cup of wine while speaking to a Valorian knight beside him. She scanned around the table for Roselyn who was having a hearty conversation with Lord Newton. They looked happy. Isadora smiled painfully at their hearty moments but her instincts said otherwise. She was supposed to be mourning!

"You’ve not eaten, child," Felista said when their eyes met. She feigned a smile, her eyes momentarily resting on the delicacies laid before her. There were all sorts of food a royalty would ever dream of after coming from one long journey.

"Apologies Your Majesty, I can’t seem to find my appetite," she said. And to a maid passing near her,"Take these away please. Let me have a glass of juice instead."

Felista gave her one of her coy smiles. "Arcadia has the best of cooks in the... Empire. It’s surprising a Crescian royalty doesn’t have appetite for our food."

"The food is great. I just had a meal before I came here," she lied.

"Life’s always good with some wine in the belly," Felista said raising her glass. Isadora smiled and held hers too for a toast. Felista took a sip, her eyes piercing through the transparent glass as Isadora placed hers on her lips. The volume of the music heightened in the background, an oblivious melody for a party in play. Time seemed to have freezed, still as water in a glass, before a sudden appearance showed beside Isadora.

"May I have this dance, Your Majesty?" Brandon’s familiar voice rang in her ears. She hastily placed the glass on the table and found Brandon kneeling beside her. Her eyes darted to Alexander who was too busy talking, now a reveller among strangers who had other motives for him in mind.

She nodded and he took her hand in his leading her to the floor. She didn’t notice the disappointment on Felista’s face.

"You should leave, now!" Brandon whispered in her ear as they began swaying to the music.

She looked up to meet his languid eyes. "Why?"

The music came to a sudden halt, the sound of metal unsheathing filling the room!

"Run Isadora!" Brandon said letting go of her hand. "Now!" He shouted.