Isolde

Chapter 13 - News from Rilia

After they were wed they quietly walked back into the palace hand in hand, being careful not to wake anyone or demand attention. Frelian's room was closer than Isolde's so they headed there. They decided that they would stay together tonight and then Isolde would creep back to her room in the early hours of the morning before anyone was awake, that way no-one would ever know of their marriage or suspect anything else.

The morning came fast and with the first rays of light streaming through the open windows Isolde knew it was time for her to leave. She climbed out from under the covers and put her dress back on, kissing Frelian on the forehead as she prepared to leave "See you at breakfast."

Frelian was still asleep but smiled at hearing her voice and feeling her lips upon his skin, this made Isolde very happy and she left the room glowing with joy. Before long, she'd reached her room again. She changed back out of her dress and put it back into the trunk, then she leapt back into her bed and under the covers so if anyone came to wake her it would seem as if she had been asleep all along. She thought about removing her wedding ring too but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She had nowhere to hide it and she decided it was so small that no one would notice it unless they really studied her hands. Besides, if she wasn't allowed to be with Frelian publically, at least she could carry a part of him with her.

Breakfast time came round and Isolde dressed in a simple gown, she didn't want to wear something as dramatic as she had yesterday for it would attract too much attention and people might spot her ring. She met Frelian at breakfast when they were once more sat next to each other, she noticed he was wearing his ring too. Was it now too obvious that the both of them sat beside each other, wearing matching rings? Had the people sat near them yesterday even noticed if they did or didn't have rings on or if that had changed today? Isolde looked round, everyone was focused on the food, she decided no one would notice, no one except perhaps Alouette and Callan. But the newlyweds hadn't arrived for breakfast.

"Where are their majesties this morning?" Frelian asked one of the men near him at the table, the man smirked when he answered as if he'd told a dirty joke "They are taking breakfast in their chambers. The king doesn't like early mornings so they will eat much later once he is awake."

Isolde laughed

"What's funny m'lady?" the man looked offended

"Oh nothing, it's just interesting to hear that the king disliked mornings because the queen also dislikes them. Clearly they are a good match."

"Indeed" the man replied before returning to his plate of food.

Very few words were exchanged during the rest of the meal and very little attention was paid to Isolde and Frelian's new matching accessories, but they were glad when the meal was over and they would no longer be in direct view of everyone in the room.

"Shall we go back to your chamber?" Isolde asked hopefully after breakfast

"There's too many people about now, it would arouse too much suspicion" Frelian replied "We could go for a walk in the gardens but that's about the most I fear we can do without it becoming noticeable that we crossed a line."

Isolde agreed to the walk but her plans were soon interrupted by a servant who came to her, requesting she attend to Alouette immediately who had specifically asked for her and expressed that her needs were urgent. Isolde apologised to Frelian and followed the servant to the now queen's rooms.

She was expecting to see Alouette still in bed and awaiting her help to dress but she was already awake and even greeted her at the door "Lady Isolde, I have much to tell you" she smiled as she pulled Isolde into the room, ignoring the servant who had brought her. Isolde seemed surprised at her friendliness and how casual she was acting, she was used to Alouette always being obsessed with decorum and appearance and yet here she was half-dressed and opening her own door.