It is wrong...to love you? ~ E. Bridgerton

~ Siete ~

"Maria?" The maid hummed in response, being far too focused on getting Isabela's wild hair to comply with the hairstyle, "How would you suggest I apologize to Miss Eloise?" The name felt weird coming out of Isabela's mouth, especially if the mentioned girl was not around.

Isabela's hand was occupied by her new dog, who sat loyally by her side, his head lying softly on her lap.

"I am not sure, your Grace," the maid leaned back, noticing Isabela's worried glance, "perhaps you should speak with her sometime soon? And apologize to her," Isabela looked at her.

"Should I speak to her now?" Her rushed voice made Maria smile.

While serving the royal family, Maria had noticed how small the family's circle was. The young sibling's only friends were those from other royal families or those children who belonged to stable men or maids. Either way, they never truly got to experience many friendships, all they had was each other. She understood the rush and guilt the young royal felt; Eloise was the first friend she had made, without the help of her family, of course, she wanted to fix it as soon as possible.

"I am afraid you can not apologize right this moment," the woman sent the girl a gentle look, "perhaps tomorrow? If the Queen does not need your assistance then I reckon you shall apologize then,"

"I hope time does not make it worse," her quiet voice and absent eye contact made Maria's heartache. It seemed as if the Princess could not last more than a week with happiness.

"I do not believe it will," she placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, "although if it does, I am sure that Miss Eloise will be unable to resist your charm, Miss Isabela," the girl sent her a grateful smile.

"I hope you are right, Maria," her smile came back to her lips, her posture straightened as she allowed the woman to ready her for the ball.

~

"How many crazy mothers do you believe will try to chain me down?" Isabela let out a laugh at the young man's question. The two were sat in a separate royal carriage, the Queen deciding it would be better to let the two get acquainted, and also so she could come up with a plan to help Isabela gain more knowledge.

"At least five and ten of them," the man's eyes widened, urging Isabela to laugh once again, "do not fret, your Highness, I shall wave them off if you need me to," the Prince sent her a kind smile, silently taking in her appearance as she stared out the small window.

The girl wore a royal blue dress with specs and small details of gold scattered around, her golden necklace with matching earrings was captivating. The white gloves that climbed up her arms left the Prince wondering what her hands felt like, yet he knew it was improper to think those thoughts.

She wore Austria's royal colors with pride. Her make-up made her facial features stand out exquisitely. Her strong brown eyes shone against the slight light from the street. Licking her lips every now and then. She made the Prince go into a trance, too focused on taking in her beauty while the girl thought of ways in which she could apologize to Eloise.

There was an option of asking her on a promenade, but she had denied coming to the ball, surely she would deny a promenade too.

She could perhaps send her a letter? No, Eloise has made it clear she wished for Isabela to apologize in person.

Should she just go to Bridgerton house and ask to speak with her? Knowing Eloise, she would just send her away.

....She was a royal though, she could use her title as authority. No. That was unnecessary.