Here it was, the big night or well it was supposed to be her big night. Her twenty-fourth birthday and her parents were hosting quite a large and lavish party for it. Her mother had been planning it for months inviting all the biggest names in Piltover and Zuan.
Then how come she didn’t feel excited or happy.
Isabel sighed as she was basically forced to spend the whole day be drug from one place to another all over Piltover. It annoyed her to no end that her mother only ever saw her as a pretty face, a thing to be used to gain the family more status. She knew her mother loved her and only wanted what was best for her but that’s where their ideas collided. Where Isabel wished to go out, see the world, and show it her inventions; her mother would rather she put those thoughts behind her and get married.
She shook her head to try and get the thoughts out of her head which caused the maid doing her makeup to frown and tut as it had caused her to mess up slightly. Sighing she resigned to sitting still again while the maid went about fixing the rest of her makeup and making sure her hair was still fine. Her maid ushered her to get up and moved her over to the dress dummy that held the dress her mother had specially crafted for her.
Carefully the maid helped her into it and gave her a smile, “Why Miss Gearheart you look beautiful.”
“I’ll have to take your word on it Mary-Anne, I haven’t seen myself.” Isabel replied with a small chuckle but it soon faded away as she heard the clock chiming.
“Now that’s your cue Miss. Everyone should be here now and I’m sure you’ll be the belle of the ball.”
“I suppose you’re right, the sooner I get it over with then perhaps it will pass faster.” Isabel allowed the maid to usher her out of the room before leaving her at the end of the hallway where the grand stair case began. She glanced back and Mary-Anne gave her a thumbs up and a shushing motion. Sighing, Isabel turned back around before taking the last few steps until she was out in the light.
It was as if everything had come to a stop as she stood there at the top of the the stairs. The way the light shined upon the blue dress was quite stunning, add in the elegant lacing of the back of the dress, the ruffles that flowed down, and the the dark gloves that came up to her elbows…her outfit stunned most of the audience. Isabel reached up and tucked a small piece of her curled hair behind her ear before giving one of the bright smiles she was known for.
“Introducing our honored Lady to which this party is for, Miss Isabel Gearheart.” The sound of the Harold scared her as she’d completely forgotten that he’d be announcing her to the party. The music started up and she took that as her que to begin descending the stairs. By the time she’d made it to the bottom thankfully everyone had either went back to conversing, eating, or dancing, to which she was thankful the attention was off her.
“Well don’t you just look lovely.” A voice came from behind her which caused her to chuckle and turn to face her father.
“Pappa you’re only saying that. I feel quite ridiculous. I would have rather we’d have a small party with just us.”
“Yes I know dear, but you know your mother….and well things like this are expected of us.” He sighed as he offered her a hand to which she took and he led her towards some tables filled with drinks and food.
“It’s idiotic and time wasting. I wasn’t allowed anywhere near the lab today and I was right on the edge of a breakthrough I know it.” Isabel complained as she picked up a fluke of champagne and took a small sip.
“I know how you feel my little gear, but let us not focus on that this night. I do believe I see several handsome young men whom are waiting for us to finish conversing. I dare say they might seek to ask for a dance.” Her father teased her as he tilted his head towards a small group of men who did indeed look like they wished to speak to her.
“This is going to be a long night. How inappropriate would it be for me to just down this drink all at once?”
“Highly.” He replied chuckling and simple moved so that no one would see as Isabel did exactly that.
“Lets get it over with, I’ll speak with you later then Pappa.” Isabel leaned up and quickly gave him a kiss on the cheek and relieved it didn’t leave a stain on him. With a small wave he walked away probably to go and find her mother. Taking a deep breath, she watched as one of the men made his way to her only for her vision to be cut off my another male. She was a bit surprised and taken off guard by his sudden appearance. He was dress almost to a tee in a lovely long sleeved blue shirt with a dark navy blue vest over it. It was almost as if he dressed to match her which was strange considering no one could have possibly known what her dress looked like.
“Good evening Miss Gearheart. I figured it only appropriate to come and give the birthday girl best wishes on her special day.” His speaking knocked her out of her thoughts and she looked up at him.
“Why thank you….” She paused not knowing his name to properly thank him.
“Ah. Thank you Mister Carter.” Isabel replied with a smile before she turned slightly to pick up another fluke.
“I was curious Miss, if I might interest you in a simple dance sometime this night.” William asked as he also picked up a drink.
She wanted to reply with no but she caught a glance of her siblings out on the floor. Her brother happily dancing with his wife and even her sister had accepted a dance from one of the men. With a sigh, she returned her gaze back to him, “I might be persuaded to dance later though I do believe at the moment I’d like to eat a little something. Come find me later and ask again.”
Isabel gave a small curtsey before making her way around William and heading towards where she’d seen several tables. Thankful to be away from the gaggle of men whom had gathered near her, she sat down at one of the empty tables. A waiter came by and asked if she wanted anything, she replied with what she wanted before he disappeared to acquire it.  What she was surprised about was it seemed William had followed her.
“Mind if I sit with you?”
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.” She replied and that was it, the two them begun to converse. He surprised her in that he knew a little of which she talked about. She supposed he wasn’t so bad to converse with if he was alright with her speaking freely about her inventions and ideas. When she’d finished eating, and him too as he’d gotten something.
“Would now be an appropriate time to request a dance?” William asked standing and holding a hand out to her.
“I did say I would later, did I not.” Isabel replied taking the hand and allowing him to help her up then the pair of them walked out onto the dance floor. The music started up, thankfully a song and dance she was familiar with so she wouldn’t have to worry about tripping over own feet. Isabel was surprised to say the least that she was having a bit of fun, she couldn’t help it during the dance partners where switched and there she was with her brother.
“Oh and who’s this lovely lady? Don’t think I’ve ever seen you not covered in grease.” He teased her.
“Oh shut it you dork.”
“That’s rich coming from you. Just uh…. just remember to do what’s expected” Before she had a chance to question his confusing statement she was handed back off to William.
The music slowly came to a stop as they finished the dance with a final spin. She was confused as everyone seemed to have given the pair distance but then she noticed that he was kneeling in front of her.
William took one of her hands in his own as he looked up at her and smiled, “Miss Isabel Gearheart, you’re a smart bright beautiful individual who compares to no one else.” No this couldn’t be happening “Would you do me the greatest honor of being my wife?” He finished asking with holding up a small box containing a ring.
There it was, now it all made sense. Why his outfit matched; why he was basically with her the whole party; her brother’s strange comment. The whole thing infuriated her. He’d probably just been faking interest in her inventions, her ideas. Probably had a plan that if she said yes to never allow her even go into a lab much less pick up a tool. “My answer is no. Surely you couldn’t have expected me to say yes, you don’t even know me that well. My apologies Mister Carter but we’ve only met tonight. Perhaps your best approach would have been to wait until you knew me better to have asked. Now if you’ll excuse me, I believe I am done for the night.” Isabel quietly slipped her hand from his and quickly began her exit from the ballroom. She purposely ignored all the stares she got, especially the disappointed ones from her family.
It took everything she had to not slam her bedroom door when she finally made it back to her room but the tears however couldn’t be stopped as they ruined her makeup. There was a soft knocking on her door and the voice of Mary-Anne drifted through. Isabel told her to leave as she had begun to pull parts of her outfit off herself before she finally just collapsed on her bed. What she wouldn’t give to just be free of all the high societal rules and regulations, to just be herself.
