Writecamp Day Two
Thanks to @agirlandherquill for hosting this event/writing challenge! I'm super excited to be participating!
Day Two Prompts are here, and enrollment is here
I chose "Every wise woman knows never to show up for a ball without a weapon. Only a fool comes for dancing."
Her Royal Highness, Princess Isolda of Levinney, swirled her wine glass, a sparkling image of the aloof, dignified lady she had worked very hard to be. Her younger sister, Ellianne, was around here somewhere, probably staring broodily into the distance as she always did when she was forced to attend these things.
She did not understand the privilege she had to be allowed to dislike royal balls as she did.
"Might I have a dance?" A young man approached her apprehensively, holding his hand out in an invitation. It was refreshing to see such respect and deference in a young man, as so many simply grabbed her hand and demanded a turn with the crown princess under the thin guise of false innocence.
In response to his polite offer, Isolda deigned him with a nod and took his hand as he led her onto the dance floor.
"It is a lovely evening tonight, is it not?" The young man asked nervously, obviously intimidated by her stony expression.
"Hm," she agreed noncommittally. In Ellianne's defense, Isolda supposed she rather dislikes the parties her family would hold as well. They were alright when she had a specific job to do, like entertaining a few young lords and princes to fortify their national relations, or socializing with other young ladies to ensure the provinces' cooperation and incline the governors to give her parents more support for a movement or bill.
Occasionally, her parents would throw these events simply for fun or to showcase wealth and prosperity, and give her no particular job other than "have fun."
"Excuse me, Your Highness," The young man started, biting his lip. "Have I done anything to offend you? You've barely spoken. Are you well?"
Isolda pursed her lips as she shook her head in response. Why did everyone think that? Was it so wrong or rude to just not feel like talking? She didn't believe in wasted breath on idle chatter, and didn't generally enjoy talking in social situations unless she was tasked with it to secure an alliance or support for her parents.
"Might I steal Her Highness from you?" A familiar voice asked from behind Isolda.
"Ah, sure," The young man answered, letting Isolda go to her new partner awkwardly.
"He seemed nicer than your usual dance partners," Ayleth commented, effortlessly mirroring Isolda's steps.
"Unusually so," Isolda agreed, the first full words she'd said all evening. "Are you armed?"
"Right to business, I see," Ayleth smirked. "Every wise woman knows never to show up for a ball without a weapon. Only fools come for dancing."
"Then we all must be fools," Isolda commented, raising an eyebrow.
Ayleth laughed. "Don't be absurd. That girl over there," She pointed to a golden-haired woman in a dusty rose gown. "She has a dagger strapped to her leg. And that young lady," she motioned to a girl wearing intricate braids and a cream-gold dress. "Has a sword under all those skirts."
"Even you, Izzy," Ayleth said, her eyes dancing with mirth. "Have several knives hidden in your dress, along with three Eythian Needles inside your sleeves."
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were impressed," She teased after Isolda stayed silent.
"But you do know better," A very impressed Isolda responded dryly. "Why are you here?"
"Ah, yes, why has the heretical Red Sorceress, master of the dark arts, and devourer of small children and rabbits graced the royal palace with her presence?" Ayleth said dramatically, avoiding the question.
"Ayleth." Isolda was Not Amused.
"Alright, fine. Someone is trying to kill you." Ayleth answered, rolling her eyes at the stop to her theatrics.
"An assassin. Who?" Isolda frowned. It'd been a while since the last try, a poorly planned attempt at poisoning.
"That's what I'm trying to determine," Ayleth said, eying the room. "Whoever they are, they're good. Good enough to escape even my scrutiny."
That wasn't good. As she's demonstrated earlier, Ayleth was possibly the best in all Levinney at determining people's intentions and who was a threat. It was why she'd been sentenced to death and hunted across kingdoms in the first place. If someone could outsmart even her, it wasn't looking good for Isolda.
That reminded her. "Are you safe here? Did anyone see you?" Isolda asked.
Ayleth scoffed. "What kind of amateur do you think I am? This headpiece does more than make me look unnecessarily fancy, you know."
Isolda examined the headpiece, a cluster of delicate flowers made of gold, with small red jewels placed throughout it, for any sign of an enchantment. All she noticed was how it set off Ayleth's amber eyes and red gown that hugged her body before flaring out at the knees, a cascade of blood-red fabric and gold filigree.
Ayleth smirked, seemingly smug that Isolda couldn't find any sign of her enchantment.
"How are we going to expose the plot then?" Isolda asked, turning her focus back to important matters.
"I have a plan," Ayleth assured her.
"I hate your plans." Isolda reminded her as she led their dance away from an older man who had spotted them and was most certainly going to ask one of them to dance with him.
"I know. But they always work," Ayleth singsonged, taking them closer to the East Wing entrance.
"Where are you taking me?" Isolda demanded.
"Somewhere private." Ayleth winked, grinning when Isolda felt her face flame.
"Imprudent," Isolda hissed at her, still following her into the dimly lit wing. Guests weren't supposed to come this way, but some did anyway because it offered privacy for... certain activities.
"What now?" She asked, freeing her hands from Ayleth's.
"Now I need to leave for the library on the second floor." She said.
Isolda's brow wrinkled as she took in what Ayleth was saying. "The library on the second floor" was their code for "I'm going to hide nearby," as there was no library on the second floor, but no guest would know that. Ayleth thought someone was listening.
"Okay. Get what you need. I'll wait here." Isolda nodded, trying to make it sound like they were preparing for... scandalous ventures.
Ayleth took her hand and pressed a reverent kiss to it, making Isolda's pulse skip a beat. It was all for the act, she reminded herself. Ayleth probably wants to make it seem like I'm alone, so the assassin will be more likely to try to kill me.
Taking a deep breath, Isolda allowed herself a nervous tic and clutched the skirt of her azure dress she had paired with dangling silver jewelry and a cerulean hair ribbon to weave into her many braids that tied up half of her dark curly hair.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" The young man who'd danced with her appeared in the doorway.
Isolda nodded tersely. He needed to leave so as not to scare off the assassin, but she couldn't think of a polite way to shoo him.
"Ah, good. I thought you might've been hiding from someone." He looked relieved, but his words were odd.
"Why would I be hiding from anyone?" Isolda asked, confused by how he'd phrased that.
"Ah—I just know how the other men here can be." The young man scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
It was then Isolda realized she'd never gotten his name. Well, it would be polite to ask, but she didn't really care.
"Where is your friend from earlier?" He asked, seemingly intent on starting a conversation with her. Great.
"She is away," Isolda responded tightly. Why wouldn't he leave? She had made it clear as politely as possible that he wasn't welcome.
"Ah," Was all the young man responded with. He shifted his feet awkwardly before shuffling off. Finally.
After about ten minutes of waiting, Isolda began to get nervous. Her parents would certainly notice she was missing and come to find her, which would put them at risk of being assassinated as collateral damage as well.
She jolted as a thud and a muffled scream came from above her. Quickly making her way into the bedroom, she opened the secret door that led to the hidden room above her. She supposed Ayleth planned to jump down from above when the assassin showed, as there was a trapdoor that allowed one to fall down into the corridor where she had been waiting.
She burst into the room, only to find the awkward young man from earlier holding Ayleth against him, her neck pressed against a sharp dagger.
Isolda let out a gasp. How had he found this room? And why was he—oh.
"You're the assassin Ayleth warned me about." She stated, managing to keep her composure.
"First name basis with the Red Sorceress? That's damning." The young man was timid and nervous no more, having shed that identity to make room for his calm confidence.
"I am ashamed I was sloppy to let her hear about my plans, but no one's perfect, and it worked out okay, I suppose." He mused as if he were talking about an art project that could be better.
"I ask that you let her go, and I will hear your demands." Isolda requested. Her spine was straight, her hands folded in front of her, her face showing no emotion; it was just like a negotiation, she told herself.
The young man laughed. "Oh. No. I deeply apologize, but I will not be letting this one go. She tried to put me to sleep with her wicked inventions before I subdued her, so she will be staying right here."
Isolda felt rage surge inside her as the young man referred to Ayleth as if she were a pet or a naughty child.
Taking a calming breath, Isolda continued. "What do you want?" In a negotiation, it was best to start with one question at a time so the other person couldn't dodge a question by answering another and moving on.
"I want the royal family gone." The young man growled. "Your soldiers razed my city to the ground."
Isolda couldn't help letting out a startled gasp. "What?" She asked, certain he was either insane or she was hearing things.
"They came into my town and demanded an unreasonable amount of tax money. We refused, obviously, and then they took retribution and burned everything. There are only about a dozen of us left." His voice cracked, and for a moment, he looked like a grieving son and sibling instead of a murderous assassin.
"I assure you, we had nothing to do with that. They're must be a corrupted faction in the military, but rest assured, I will do my best to remedy this horrible act of treason." Isolda felt her stone mask crack, splinter, and fall to the ground as she absorbed the implication of his words.
The young man only growled and pressed his blade harder against Ayleth's neck, drawing out a bead of blood.
"I swear!" Isolda felt herself become desperate to convince the young man that she hadn't been responsible for the deaths of so many civilians. "In fact, I think I even know who it might've been! There are a number of nobles I suspect may be corrupt, who might be the ones behind this. Please, we can work this out! I'll introduce you as a new courtier, and we can investigate this, okay?"
The young man seemed to consider this. "Fine. But if I find out that you and your family were behind this, consider yourselves the last of the Levin bloodline." He let go of Ayleth, and I caught her as she stumbled away.
"What's your name?" Isolda asked as he perched on the window.
"Dacian." He responded shortly, jumping out the window. Isolda watched as his arms extended into dark wings, soaring unnoticed into the night.
Wyvern.
"Are you alright?" Isolda asked Ayleth, who was standing on her own now.
"Yeah, thanks for coming to my rescue. I feel kinda bad, cause I was supposed to be the one coming to the rescue." Ayletch said, fidgeting.
Isolda frowned. "No need for thanks. You did me a great service."
Ayleth groaned. "Again with the formalities? Come oooon. I've known you forever."
Isolda scowled at her. Ayleth thankfully looked unharmed besides the shallow cut on her throat. Her sun-tanned skin was smooth and unblemished, and her dark waves had come unbound in the scuffle. Isolda unconsciously moved closer to tuck a piece of hair behind Ayleth's ear.
Ayleth looked up at her, her eyes wide as Isolda moved closer.
"Um," Isolda whispered. They were a hair's width apart, and Isolda could feel Ayleth's quickened breaths. "May I...?"
Ayleth moved forward, capturing Isolda's mouth in a kiss. It was quick and innocent, but left them both flushed and breathless.
"I..." Isolda trailed off, not quite knowing how to properly express her feelings for Ayleth.
"I really care for you," Ayleth said, following her train of thought. "I admire and adore you. I would be honored if you would be willing to court me?"
"Yes," Isolda breathed. "Yes. We will find whoever is killing the civilians and clear your name. Together."
"Together," Ayleth agreed.
Wowwww, that took a lot longer than I thought it would. It also ended up being much, much longer than I thought it would, oopsies. Hope you enjoyed this tibit!