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Isabel inclined her head towards Isadora, and then to Caitrin as she learnt their names. It was rather rare for her to be meeting women, normally she was either far too busy having found some rich man, or the women had noticed her being far too busy and so refused to talk to her. Not that Isabel cared much, although now that she was in the company of two noble women this was an excellent time to observe their ways. There was no such thing as over prepared, something Isabel lived by, but there was definitely such a thing as wasted time, and that was something that annoyed her to no end. This conversation was, therefore, not just going to be an exchange of pleasantries and polite conversation, but a sort of revision, a chance to brush up on her socialising skills.

She nodded at Caitrin’s question, “Indeed, Lady Caitrin. I have only been here a day or so, but I visited once before a year ago.” And what a fun filled experience that was, Isabel thought dryly, remembering her last experiences of both the kingdom and that idiot prince. Then again, he was better than other princes she had the pleasure of meeting, but only marginally. Her mind was wandering again, an annoying habit she had yet to overcome. Luckily, Caitrin had turned to their third companion and didn’t seem to have noticed Isabel’s attention had waned a little. Nevertheless, she looked to Isadora, her face full of polite interest, despite not having any clue what question was about to be answered.

Well...they were only about five words into the conversation and already Isabel had decided she didn't like the princess - not that there had been a great chance that she would, Isabel didn't like most people. She was only here because Struan had convinced here there might be some man of note. Isabel wasn't holding her breath. But she wasn't an idiot either, so she remained smiling at the younger girl, her emotions unbetrayed by her expression. Of course she knew who the princess was, that was her whole reason for talking to her. Otherwise Isabel would be content (well, relatively content) to find some wall to lean against, some wine to drink and some wealthy noble to flirt with. Instead, she was engaged in conversation with this young woman and not particularly enjoying it...still, contacts were to be made.

Was she having fun? Well, not particularly but the evening had hardly started. Once the introductions and pleasantries were done with Isabel was sure to enjoy herself a lot more. There was a certain freedom that came from being so far away from home - she was at liberty to behave as she pleased, well, within reason of course. But as only Struan knew her (and he was hardly going to comment if she was behaving a little differently) she could invent herself however she pleased. At the moment, that involved flattering the princess. "Indeed, my lady. It is a wonderful celebration." Her eyes glanced around the room, falling briefly on a young man who appeared to be standing alone. "I wonder, could you tell me who that man is? He looks rather familiar." He didn't, Isabel had never seen the man before in her life, but she had a feeling Arabis would be more likely to tell her this way.

This was Isabel’s first visit to the kingdom of Archelandi, and so far she was not impressed. It was far too cold for her liking – well, it was winter so she supposed there was that excuse, but Cantia was so much warmer. Archelandi did have one thing going for it however, and that it was a place she had never been to before. So, although at the moment she wasn’t terribly impressed, she was starting here with a completely new slate. It was far away from her own kingdom so no one would know her – although there should be plenty of people who knew of her.

She looked around her and supposed there were a few well looking noblemen. There had to be someone of interest here. She was going to say something to her chaperone, Lord Struan, but when she turned to face him she found the space beside her empty. Well...that was charming. Honestly, Struan was worse than her when it came to feasts. He was always finding some noblewoman which is all very well and good, but he was supposed to be helping her to find someone rich to marry, not himself. Still, she could hardly blame him...well no, actually she could because now she was stood by herself.

Well, with no one else to talk to Isabel supposed she should introduce herself to the host, or rather the host’s daughter: Princess Arabis. Struan had pointed the girl out before magically disappearing, so at least Isabel knew who she was looking for. Ah there she was. Isabel always made it a point to find the host, that way she could be introduced to the most important people. “Your Highness,” Isabel dropped into a curtsey. “I am Lady Isabel de Massard. I should like to thank you personally for inviting me to your beautiful kingdom.”

Isabel bit her lip. He really was the most insufferable man, but if she said that he'd probably be happy about it. He was probably happy about the fact that she was so obviously annoyed by him so she'd have to do something about that. In her head, she counted to ten and managed to calm herself down slightly. She was well aware what her temper could be like and she definitely didn't want to cause a scene - that sort of thing would never do, and Gwaine would only think it was caused by him when he was only one factor, or the best example or something. Disrespectful peasants were becoming more and more common - people like Gwaine who thought it was appropriate to behave like this in front of someone like her. Isabel may not have been born into nobility, but she had every right to be where she was. She had every right to command the respect of those below her.

Her counting had been rather effective, so instead of sighing or rolling her eyes and saying something along the lines of "Oh do be quiet you smelly peasant" or worse, actually telling him the truth just to see his reaction, Isabel was able to simply smile and say "Surely you don't expect me to reveal all my secrets on her first meeting? There would be nothing interesting for the second." Not that she had any intention of meeting him a second time but that wasn't the point.

She was quite surprised when he offered her his arm. Surely that sort of thing wasn't done by men like him? And certainly not to people like her. Surely he'd be making some sort of point? Obviously not. Well, she had no choice but to except, anything else would have been rather uncivil. She did, however, give him a definite look at his question. "And how many times do you think I have been in a tavern?"

It was rather frustrating, not being able to answer Gwaine properly. She could hardly tell him just how much she had done, well, not unless she wanted to tell the world of her more...unsavoury past. No one would ever know about that, she made sure of that. Isabel was always careful, so careful not to let any of that become public knowledge. But this now, this was a matter of pride, and it angered her to think that she could tell him everything. She could tell him how far she had risen, and through her own merit, because of her own hard work, but she daren't. She'd lose it all, she'd lose her life. No, this not a place for her pride. She bit her lip, glaring at him. If only he knew just what she had acheieved. He would not be so quick to insult her.

But, as Isabel had learnt, anger was never a help but always a hinderance, and anyway, he wasn't important enough to be worth her anger. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself and think of an appropriate answer. Just because she couldn't tell him the truth didn't mean she was going to lie completely. The man was insulting her now and she wasn't going to let him get away with that. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." She replied, well, it wasn't a lie. Or maybe he would believe her. Maybe he would be impressed, or maybe he would alert the authorities. Either way, he would be shocked. It was a pity, that could have been rather fun.

His next words were quite surprising. Isabel was quite sure he had had enough of her, apparantly not. How interesting...maybe he liked to think himself a gentleman and this was just him showing that, by being polite and what he thought of as charming. It didn't matter what he thought to Isabel. The main thing was that he wasn't leaving so he wasn't ruining her fun. "That's better." She replied, looking him up and down again. He might be doing her a favour, saving her from an otherwise uneventful and boring day, but she was hardly going to show her gratitude to a peasant. "So...will you walk with me?"

Isabel had not been paying all that much attention to the conversation around her. Surely no one would be expecting her to do anything remarkable, so she allowed her mind to wander. There were a great many nobles in attendance tonight, most of which only present to see the visiting royals. Sycophants, the lot of them, Isabel thought as she saw several young women looking rather annoyed that Amelia was currently the object of two princes' attention, and not them. Or rather she was the object of their attention. She stared at the eldest one, trying rather hard not to let her expression betray her shock and annoyance. A servant? A...servant? The impudence of the man! How could anyone think she - the Lady Isabel de Massard was a servant?

Unfortunately, present company disallowed her to react the way she wished. The man should count himself lucky. It had often been said Isabel had a wicked temper and she had no intention of restraining herself for a prince. She smiled sweetly, or as sweetly as he deserved. “Oh think nothing of it, your highness. I myself must confess I quite mistook you for a gentleman.” His brother was certainly finding the proceedings amusing, well, at least someone was. Amelia just looked like a chastising was called for. Isabel wasn’t surprised, Amelia often had that look about her; it was a look that was often ignored.

Already she did not care for this Prince Rex; still, she wasn’t the one who was going to be forced to put up with him. That fell to Amelia, poor thing. Then again, Isabel could put up with a lot more than his “wit” if it meant acquiring a kingdom. She was about to reply to Rex’s next words when she felt Amelia elbowing her ribs.

”Not at all,” Amelia smiled, trying to stifle her nerves. She cast a look over at Isabel, who was glaring at Rex. Already this meeting was going so smoothly... “I am sure your company can only be quite charming.”

Isabel just rolled her eyes and wondered how long it would be before she could make her escape. Surely she wouldn’t be needed for long? Rex and Amelia would be expected to have a conversation alone, and that would give Isabel an opportunity to leave the man’s presence. It couldn’t happen too soon.

Isabel had just finished fixing her own hair when Amelia called her over to help with hers. It was a good thing Isabel actually liked her, otherwise she'd be tempted to refuse. Amelia was one of the few people Isabel did like, despite the fact that she was so damn happy all the time and she completely took her position for granted. Isabel had had to work hard to be where she was now, unlike Amelia she wasn't born into wealth and privellage. Not that that mattered at the moment. For the time being, she was as advanced socially as she could, all she needed now was a husband of appropriate standing. That was why she had taken such pains to befriend Amelia, she, being Cantia's princess, mixed in the best of circles. Isabel had expected to find a husband, but she hadn't expected to find a friend.

She crossed the room to where Amelia was sat in front of the mirror, not looking quite as enthusiastic as she should be. If Isabel where in her position she would be looking a lot happier. Amelia was being given security, and further cementing her social position. From what she had heard, the prince was quite handsome as well, so really, Amelia had nothing to complain about. "What's wrong now?" Isabel asked as she started fiddling with Amelia's curls.

"Nothing, nothing at all." Amelia smiled at Isabel through the mirror. It wasn't a convincing smile, but it wasn't unconvincing either.

Isabel just raised her eyebrows, waiting a proper answer. "Is that why you look so...uninterested?"

Amelia shrugged, "I'm reserving my judgement."

"Ah," Isabel ran a hand through Amelia's hair, trying to make the curls look softer. "So you think you could like him then?"

"I want to, isn't that the point of tonight?"

Finishing with Amelia's hair, Isabel went to sit on the bed. She was looking at the back of Amelia's head, but she could see her face in the mirror. "You aren't...worried, are you?" Amelia was never worried, Isabel didn't let her.

"I don't think I am."

Amelia clearly wasn't prepared to give anything away, so Isabel decided to drop the subject. She didn't particularly want to discuss Red d'Aufai anymore than Amelia did. Isabel had already decided she didn't like him, purely on the principle that he'd been born into wealth and she hadn't. Well, she didn't suppose it would matter if she liked him or not seeing as she wasn't planning on interacting with him.

A few moments later, a servant entered the room to inform them that the guests had arrived. Giving Amelia what she hoped was a reassuring smile, Isabel followed her out of the room and into the castle's main hall. She was not looking forward to this.


Tagged: Rex d'Aufai
Timeline: Series 3

If he wanted to believe that he sounded impressive then Isabel wasn't going to be one to stop him. The only objection she had was him trying to enforce such beliefs onto her. It seemed his confidence a facade, why else would be so...so...obsessed with her being amazed by him? If he truly was as confidence as his mannerisms suggested he would have no trouble with her remaining unimpressed, he would simply brush it aside. No, Gwaine must have some sort of low confidence issues. Wasn't that just wonderful? Well, she wasn't going to be stuck here nursing his ego, of that she was certain. He could find some other woman for that sort of thing. They could make a much better job of it and it would just be better for everyone.

"Surely the very fact that you are having to tell me just how impressive you negates your point?" Questions were not something she should be using - he'd only answer them and then the conversation would progress, but she had a point to get across and at the moment that was more important than being away from him. Isabel was nothing without her pride. She wasn't about to let some commoner thing he had got the best of her. That would not do at all.

Oh, it was a "woman's job" was it? She was doing well to resist the desire to slap him. What made his comment worse was the fact that he seemed to think this would be flattering. Ah yes, all women could - how had he put it? Oh yes - "find beauty". That was their role in life, obviously, to be thought of as beautiful and to see it in the world. Anything else would be far too taxing for their small, dainty little heads. How good it was then, that a man was acknowledging this universal female skill. How he understood the "fairer" sex! How overcome she was with a desire to throw herself at him. "I thought a woman's job was to sit in the corner and produce heirs, but how happy I am to see you have found another use for my sex. What on earth would a woman do without a man to tell her what the world expects of her." Perhaps she was being unfair, but Isabel had spent her life being told her place whether that was because of her birth or her sex. She did not appreciate such comments from a man, especially one who thought such comments would entice her.

Surely he didn't seriously believe he exceeded her standards? He was confident, she would give him that, but he was also wrong. She was humouring him nothing more, and was only doing that because she was so bored. If there was anything remotely interesting to do she wouldn't dream of speaking to someone quite so below her station. It made her questions whether lines like that actually worked. She would be rather surprised if they did, then again, he did have that confidence that could only come with positive reactions from women.

Well, despite what he might think, Isabel was not an ordinary noble woman. She hadn't made it this far in life without having her wits about her. Gwaine wasn't going to tempt her no matter what lines he came out with. He might as well just give up...but he was rather amusing. It couldn't hurt to let him carry on for a little bit longer. She could do without the winking though. Arrogance was never an attractive trait. "Oh you do? I'm afraid it takes more than a few rehearsed lines to impress me." She arched an eyebrow. "Or did you really think I would be that easy?"

Annoyingly, part of her wanted him to think she was easy and that he'd soon have her exactly where he wanted. She wanted to surprise him and be seen as a challenge. The men she usually conversed with her so plain and boring, so full of manners whereas Gwaine needed taking down a peg or two, probably more actually. "Well that is a shame," she said, looking him up and down and tapping her chin with her index finger. She started circling him, inspecting his appearance. "You really could do with a shave...and a hair cut...and honestly, when was the last time you had a new shirt?" Coming full circle, she was once again facing him, her expression still rather unimpressed. Unfortunately he was right and his current appearance would just have to do.