A Tale of Two Hearts

. Her upbringing was characterized by aspirations as high as the palace's towers. She was raised to exude grace, elegance, and etiquette worthy of h

oming first and putting her family and country's needs ahead of her own aspirations. Her days were precisely planned, with every moment considered in the quest for perfection

She yearned for independence so she could follow her own passions and aspirations and see the world outside the royal

tial families, which was to be made known to the public at the royal family's great gala, The Masquerade Ball. Despite Arnold's great reputation and noble lineage, Isabella couldn't help but be uneasy

ance to go to such a formal occasion and to finally taste independence from the palace's restrictions. However, she feared th

tations that held her back. She imagined herself racing over the fields, free from obligation and expectation, as she peered out the window at the expansive gar

Isabella's mind as she prepared for the evening. As Isabella put on her best dress and got ready to make her dramatic entry into the ballroom,

. As Isabella descended the grand staircase, she felt the weight of countless eyes upon her. Despite

ith such intensity that it stopped her in her tracks. Though he had a nice grin a

ut the evening. Her discussions with Arnold were formal and mannered. She was u

provided a much-needed break from the stuffy ballroom setting. She wandered around the well-kept pathways, her mi

e she could follow her own path, in the quiet of the garden. But she realized such ambitions were unachievable

work. She had learned to disguise her genuine sentiments beneath a facade of polite indifference, to smile through the endless formal meals, and to take the compliments of suitors wi

lluminated by the moon. She gave herself permission to enjoy the things that made her happy and calm there. She used strong color strokes to express her feelings as she painted vivid landscapes and portraits. She lost herself in the melodie

. Isabella was aware that decisions about her life had been made long before she was even born. The story of

ew she would never be able to escape the confines of the life that had been allotted to her, but she still had to find a w

perate to salvage what little they had, she went looking for Arnold. She searched every corn

lding hands and being engaged in a conversation with another woman. Curious and pe

hate triangle was postponed as Ivy rushed t

old?" Isabella asked as she finally reached th

ied, completely unaware of his engagement to her, wh

e Isabella, that's what I want to know" he said as h

she asked, her voice stead

ld responded, his smile warm but lacki

me sense of imprisonment that she did. She was surprised to see not even a spark of or maybe an ackno

. As the music came to a halt: "Thank you everyone for making tonight a

mily with Wellington's with the marriage of my beloved daughter, princess Isabella

es and heard the well-wishes of everyone around her, she had a mixture of comfort and dread. She was

aw the possibility of understanding and companionship in a relationship resilient to the demands of their separate respon

nvolved at the Mayfair ball, losing his mind and heart to someone else, before the princess

She would still have dreams and look for happy, free moments, but she would also accept the obligations that came with her job. She entered the future prepared to con