Isolde

Chapter 10 - Preparations

Isolde's face fell. They didn't look happy. Perhaps they disapproved of the marriage or perhaps the meeting wasn't about her marriage at all. The king and queen looked sternly determined and Frelian just looked very calm. Some of his siblings were there too, his eldest sister and brother, it must be an important matter if they had been called to the meeting as well.

The king rose from his throne "I'm sorry to summon you here so early but we have received troubling news from Inovine."

Alouette and Isolde looked at each other in bewilderment

"Callan of Inovine is threatening war against us." the queen added, still sat down.

"But why, I'm engaged to him am I not?" Alouette explained

"Indeed, but that is part of the reason why he threatens us." the king once again spoke with a vague tone

Alouette looked around, she still didn't understand "Why would Callan be wanting to threaten you? Your son saved me from Pretusia, surely he should be thanking you instead?"

The queen looked across at her son "Callan believes that upon hearing of your engagement, my son kidnapped you because he intended to marry you himself."

"That's ridiculous" Isolde blurted out, then remembering her place stepped back

"That is ridiculous" Alouette retorted "We must tell him that he'd wrong."

"We've tried, but he can't be satisfied with the written word."

Alouette looked the queen in the eye as if it would help her understand what she'd just said but Frelian spoke, explaining Callan's request "He has said he will wage war on Rilia unless I personally deliver you to him, to prove to him that my intentions were honourable and that I had no plans to marry you secretly."

Alouette was gobsmacked. She liked Callan but he'd gone too far. Surely he couldn't see a rescue attempt as a kidnapping, Prince Frelian had made a name for himself as an honourable man, he was a well respected gentleman. And surely due to no mention of marriage or engagement travelling around, Callan could be assured that she wasn't married or engaged to Frelian and never would be. "So what do we do?" Alouette asked

"What can we do?" boomed the king

"You will sail tonight for Inovine." declared the queen "You shall marry Callan and it shall all be rectified"

Alouette began to panic "Marry Callan, tonight!"

The queen nodded.

Alouette knew she'd marry him eventually, but not this soon. She was too young in her mind and they'd only just become engaged. She had dreamed of her perfect wedding and a lavish ceremony with hundreds of guests and now she was instead being shipped off to him with no preparation for a rushed wedding based on mistrust, anger and jealousy. But like the king said, there was nothing else they could do. So Alouette graciously agreed to the plan.

"Thankyou princess, you shall sail tonight" the queen closed the meeting.

"Wait" Alouette shouted as everyone began to leave "I have a request."

The royals sat back down to listen.

"I know I shall travel with your son as requested by Callan, but may I take Lady Isolde as well, as my friend if not my lady."

Her request was granted.

Isolde didn't know if she wanted to go to Inovine with Alouette. On one hand she would be with Frelian but on the other she'd be stuck with the princess and in yet another strange land she didn't know. But like Alouette she didn't have a choice.