The Royal palace was bustling with life. The servants running, resembling headless chickens, dresses being tried on, laughter, jokes, orders, and reprimands were being exchanged among the french household. Making the usually peaceful and quiet palace, filled with noise and voices.

Today was a ball in honor of Princess Isabelle's arrival. The ball had been delayed due to a series of events that had taken place.

Currently, the royals sat together, enjoying warm beverages along with some specially made pastries for their tea time. Suddenly a knock disrupted the happy chatter among the family.

"Come in." The king ordered.

The doors opened to let a servant, with his head, hung low, enter. He bowed to the Royals and started to speak.

"Pardon my disruption, but there is a letter from Norway, for Princess Isabelle." The servant spoke. Isabelle almost jumped out of her seat from excitement as she heard the announcement, but she refrained at the last moment.

"May I be excused?" Isabelle asked eagerly.

Prince Alexander found her enthusiasm rather....unsettling. The King nodded in confirmation to Isabelle's question, instantly she stood from her place and hurriedly walked out the doors. Just as the entrance closed shut, the chatter resumed.

***

Prince Alexander knocked on the closed chamber doors. He awaited a response but was answered with silence.

"Isabelle are you in here?" He spoke as he opened the door to find her chambers vacant of her presence.

After closing the doors behind him, he walked towards her desk that was rested in front of the window that let sunlight stream on top of the desk. He found two letters rested atop the desk, he picked one up and found the Royal Norwayn seal on the back. Instantly he knew it was from the prince, as it strongly smelled of musk.

"Oh! My Isabelle! I hear you are in the french court due to the war being waged in Scotland. I sympathize for your loss. Although I feel it as my duty, to warn you about the Royals of France, especially the prince. He is very cunning and might do something to harm you. I hope you heed my warning and maintain a safe distance from the prince, Alexander, was it?

Where are you, my dear? What is one supposed to do when your beauty haunts my mind? I have written a poem for you in my spare time, which seems to be a lot these days.

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Where are you my Isabelle?

Because I miss you.

I hope to see that pretty smile of your soon. Why couldn't you have come to Norway instead? I would have loved your company, and I know that you would have loved mine. You have roamed our palace walls once before, and you loved your time here, with me. Could you not talk to your father and convince him to send you to Norway instead. I heard the French are a bore? Is it true? If so, then that is no place for such a lovely princess like you!

I miss you truly, I hope you are well, and everything works out for you. I expect a reply, my love, my Isabelle.

Yours truly

Prince Phillipe"

By the time Alexander finished reading the letter, he was shaking with rage

'How dare someone like Phillipe talk to my fiancee like this?!' He seethed.

He then picked up the other letter, and it seemed to be from Isabelle.

"Dear Phillipe.

I appreciate your concern, I really do, but you and I both know that I can take care of myself if it comes down to it. After all, I am my father's daughter.

I thank you for your sympathies, but you know that war is a costly game, not only financially, but socially as well. It aches my heart when I think about all the deceased soldiers and the families they left behind. As for Alexander, don't worry, I'm trying my best to stay as far away from his as possible.

Also, I wanted to affirm if you had talked to your parents regarding the marriage? If not, then when will you? The more you delay the truth, the fewer chances you have of marriage to..."

The letter said, it seemed as if Isabelle left because the sentence was incomplete. By the time he finished reading, Alexander was seeing red, and trying hard not to go on a rampage.

"What are you doing here?" He heard Isabelle say from behind him. He snapped his head in her direction and found Isabelle standing a few feet away from him, her hands rested on her hips.

"What is the meaning of this?" Alexander questioned through gritted teeth. Isabelle's eyes widened when she saw the letters in his hand.

"What gives you the right to enter my chambers and then read my private letters?!" Isabelle asked in outrage.

"Answer my question Isabelle!" Alexander yelled, causing Isabelle to jump back at his tone.

"No, I will not answer your questions, until you return my letter to me," Isabelle stated stubbornly as she crossed her arms over her chest. Alexander let out a humorless chuckle as he started to approach her like a predator would approach his prey. Feeling uneasy, Isabelle backed away, until her back hit the wall, trapping her, just like Alexander wanted.

He placed his hand on the side of her head, as he leaned down to be at face level with her.

"What is the meaning of this letter?" Alexander asked quietly as he held up Phillipe's letter. Isabelle looked away, not answering his question.

"Don't aggravate me, Isabelle." He warned.

"Phillipe is my cousin. He was just looking out for me." She mumbled hoarsely.

"The flirting is him looking out for you?" Alexander asked in mock surprise.

"It's his personality." She mumbled as she looked away.

"What is the marriage that you wrote about?" Alexander questioned as he tried to keep his voice calm. Isabelle didn't answer as she avoided his gaze.

"Isabelle." He hissed through his teeth as a warning.

"He wants to marry the Princess of Sweden and he has to discuss with his parents. I was just wondering if he had confronted them yet." She mumbled. Alexander hummed as he seemed to believe her. He then pulled back and took a few steps back from Isabelle.

"Can I have my letter back now?" She asked as she tried to keep her voice from shaking.

Alexander smirked in response as he slightly shook his head.

"So naive, you expect that I'll let you keep these letters? In my presence? I will not tolerate such behavior in my palace." He said coldly as he crumpled the letters and threw them into the burning fireplace as Isabelle looked at him with shock evident on her face.

"What is wrong with you?! Who do you think you are?!" She yelled at him in outrage. Alexander was amused by her sudden outburst.

"What do you mean by 'in my presence?' You are nothing to me, so you have no right to justify your actions whatsoever! Phillipe is like my elder brother and flirting is his nature! It's not a crime to write letters to me every once in a while! I hate you! You domineering, aggressive, pathetic excuse of a prince!" She yelled at him with hot tears streaming down her face as she ran out the chambers.

Alexander stood there as the weight of his actions settled on his shoulders, and her words swirling around his head. However, he was too hot-headed to admit that he should not have burnt her letters. He thought it was time that Isabelle knew. Knew exactly who he was to her and that he had every right to control her, and make her submit to him. She was right, he was domineering, and he would not hide that, he preferred obedient girls, and he would turn Isabelle into one, if it was the last thing he did, she would submit to his will.

***

Alexander sat lounging in his chambers as he awaited the presence of his mother or sister. Whichever one got to Isabelle first- most likely his mother. He was well aware of the fact that he was about get himself an earful, and he already grimaced at the thought of his mother's reprimands. He loved his mother, but her wrath was a force to be reckoned with, even his father cowered in fear from his mother when she was angry, and she was no cute little puppy when aggravated.

Suddenly his doors swung open and hit the wall, hard, making the bang resonate throughout the chambers. The entryway revealed his mother standing, fuming-no-seething in front of him, a hand on her hip, while the other held Isabelle's wrist in her grasp, who was trying to get away from the fuming queen.

"Alexander, would you like to explain yourself?" Queen Clarisse asked calmly, well- as calmly as she could manage.

"I did nothing." Alexander shrugged as he stretched on his bed. That seemed to have captured Isabelle's attention, as her head snapped up from the floor, in order to glare at the stretching prince, who remained to be very nonchalant about the whole scenario.

"Nonsense Alexander! You went into her chambers, without her permission, or her presence to be exact! You read her very private letters from the prince of Norway! Then you demand an explanation on the letters and burn them! That doesn't exactly seem to be nothing, now does it Alexander?" The queen seethed.

The prince remained silent as he watched Nathan, silently slip into his chambers, and get Isabelle out of the queen's grasp, who was too busy fuming at her son to take notice. Nathan took hold of Isabelle's hand as they both silently left through the entryway and then ran down the halls, away from Alexander and his mother. He then stepped forward and slammed the door shut with a loud bang, as he regarded his mother.

"Isabelle is engaged to me, unaware of it, letting her run around with different men! First Nathan, then this Phillipe, and the next thing I know, she has been receiving marriage proposals from numerous kings and princes! Why should she be free to do whatever she wishes in my presence mother?!" He questioned quietly.

"Oh! Are you accusing her of sleeping around like you?! Alexander, listen well. She is 16 and innocent as a blooming rose! Nathan and her are good friends and she gets along with him. Phillipe is her cousin, and like an elder brother to her, and if you must know, she could have chosen anyone of those proposals and her father wouldn't have stopped her, but she didn't, because she is uninterested!"

"If you tried to control this domineering nature of yours and taken out the time to be kind to her and get to know her, she will surprise you! She is such a sweetheart, and so soft spoken. The exact opposite of you. The first thing you did when she arrived was glare at her! Not a very good first impression for a fiancee, now is it? She maintained her distance from you, but after your little show, she has announced her hatred towards you. How do you plan on convincing her to marry you now?"

"Have you taken your age difference into consideration? She is only 16, and turning 17 in a few months time. She is still growing and learning everything. And you? You are 20, a full grown adult, you are well aware about everything, and the thing that you should be doing, is guiding her! As a fiancee, it is your duty to guide her." The queen yelled as her son just blinked at her with an emotionless expression.

"It has hardly been a week since she arrived, and already she wants to return back to Scotland." She sighed.

"Then sent her home if she wants to go, or better yet, sent her to Norway where she will enjoy the company of her lovely Prince Phillipe, who is much too fond of Isabelle for his own good!" Alexander retaliated. Instantly the queen lifted her hand and slapped it across Alexander's face with such force that it caused him to turn his head and stagger back a little as he slowly brought his hand up to the stinging red cheek.

"You want me to sent her into the middle of an onslaught? Where she is the target? She was sent here, to France, to this palace, for her protection! Away from all the bloodshed and lost souls! The Englishmen want to get to King Henry, and if they have Isabelle, they have not only the king, but the whole of Scotland in their grasp! You think it was easy for Henry and Mary to sent her here? Do you think they wanted to send her here? No! They want their daughter with them but they want her safe as well. Because they love her! Love an emotion which you are much to naive to understand!" Queen Clarisse yelled.

She was beyond livid, she was at the point where she could tear someone's head off. She looked at Alexander, who stood at arms length from her with a hand on his stinging red cheek, his eyes holding a strange emotion as his lips were turned into a frown. She sighed and placed a hand on her forehead as she tried to calm herself.

She walked towards Alexander and lowered his hand from his face as she gently rubbed his cheek with her own.

"This is not how I raised my little boy. And this is definitely not the way a prince should act with a princess. I want you to apologize to Isabelle for your actions, and try to control the domineering nature of yours, if not for her sake, then for mine. If you let her go, then you will be the one at loss, not her. Please Alexander, I would like to see my little boy happy again." The queen spoke softly as she kissed his forehead and held him in an embrace. Alexander hugged back and rested his head on his mother's shoulder.

"I just can't stand watching Isabelle in another man's presence." Alexander sighed.

"I know, Alex. Your father was the same when we were engaged. He would become wary when I went to see my brother." She laughed.

"I believe the dominant nature runs in the family then?" She laughed while Alexander chuckled.

***

The ballroom was alive with laughter and people associating with one another as glasses of wines and some refreshments were passed around. Suddenly the ballroom fell silent as the king stood at the front with a smile.

"Welcome everyone. I appreciate all of you being here today to greet our guest of honor. Please welcome Princess Isabelle of Scotland." The King's booming voice resonated through the ballroom as the doors swung open to reveal Princess Isabelle in a black gown with intricate golden embroidery on the skirt, her hair draped over one shoulder as a golden headband rested atop her head.

With confident strides, she walked through the crowd, that parted for her, and curtsied to the King and queen.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Princess Isabelle." The king announced as Isabelle turned towards the crowd with a smile. Everyone bowed or courtsied to Isabelle as she smiled. Suddenly Natalia grabbed Isabelle's upper arm as she regarded the crowd.

"Gentlemen, if you must know, she is very much single, and in search of an eligible bachelor." Natalia announced with a smirk as Isabelle glared at her. Instantly huge grins broke out on majority of the men's faces and they looked at the king and queen for conformation. They both gave each other wary glances, and then looked back at the awaiting crowd. The king managed a weak nod, and just then they heard something fall and clatter to the floor.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and found Prince Alexander, turning around and walking towards the door. He violently swung them open causing the guards outside to jump as he strode out to the hallway and disappeared behind the wall. The queen glanced at the king and he nodded. Quickly the queen walked through the parted people and out the door as she followed Alexander.

"Make the ballroom lively! Play some music!" The king announced and the people started to play dancing music.

Isabelle and Natalia walked towards Claire and Nathan who stood to the side waiting for the two princesses.

"I wonder what that was about." Claire spoke as the two princesses were standing in front of them.

"I do too, a shame really. He wasted perfectly good wine by dropping his goblet on the floor." Nathan sighed in disappointment which earned him a light slap on the arm by Natalia.

"In all seriousness, your brother just suddenly walked out the ballroom when father confirmed that Isabelle is single-which she is- mother runs after him, and all you can think about is the wine he dropped to the floor?" Natalia asked sternly.

"Yes." Nathan nodded as he took a sip out of the silver chalice in his hand. Natalia let out a frustrated huff as she watched her brother looked around at the guests as he avoided Talia's gaze.

"Isabelle, what do you think?" Claire asked the Princess, who has been looking at the people dancing.

"Come again." Isabelle asked as she wasn't paying attention.

"Why do you think Alex went out the ballroom?" Claire asked again as they started to walk on the outskirts of the hall.

"I'm not sure, but he might not have felt well, and Queen Clarisse would have gotten worried and went after him to ensure that he was alright." Isabelle answered as she picked up a chalice from one of the treys and took a sip.

"That's unusual, if he felt unwell, we would know. Only one other time he walked out, was when there was a meeting with a few nobles, regarding some construction, and no one was listening to what Alexander had to say, so he stood from his seat and left, just the way he did now." Claire said and Isabelle chuckled as she could imagine Alexander doing that in the middle of the conference.

"When mother asked him about it he stated that no one wanted to take his opinion into account, so why would his presence be required? Father was angry at him for a few days, but Alexander wasn't one to not show how displeased he was by their lack of manners. I believe he was 15?" Claire informed. Isabelle listened as they continued to walk and greet a few of the guests.

"Excuse me your highness?" A man with short curly brown hair and matching eyes bowed in front of the princesses, causing them to halt.

"I'm Alejandro, King of Spain. May I have this dance?" He introduced as he held out his hand to Isabelle. She felt hesitant for a moment, but then placed her palm into his as she handed the goblet to Claire. They strode towards the center of the ballroom, while others danced around them. They both faced opposite directions ad they touched each others palms in the air while slowly walking in a circle.

"Princess Isabelle, it is true what they say about your beauty." Alejandro began in a thick Spanish accent. Isabelle chuckled lightly.

"Thank you." She said as they turned to face each other. Alejandro pulled her towards himself as he placed his hand at her lower back while one hand of Isabelle's rested on his shoulder, and the other was joined with his as they slowly danced to the music.

"What brings you here my lord?" Isabelle asked in attempts to start a conversation.

"Well, your highness, I am here to discuss an alliance with the French, but I wouldn't want to bore you with the politics." He informed and Isabelle chuckled.

"By all means, do tell, I was the peace keeper for my father back in Scotland, so I am well aware of politics." She laughed and was joined in by the King.

"Your highness, may I ask why you are at the french court? Shouldn't you be in Scotland?" He inquired out of curiosity.

"Oh! I'm here for a few days, I just wanted to visit my friends here, Princess Natalia and Claire." She lied fluently. For some reason she didn't want him to know about the war that was being waged in her homeland

"I see. Well, I do hope that I get too see more of you and your ethereal beauty on my stay at the palace." The king said as he took hold of her hand and placed a soft kiss on the back.

"You'll be staying at the palace? For how long my lord?" She asked politely as Alejandro gestured towards the door. They both started to walk out the door and down the corridor side by side.

"Yes, your highness, I'll be staying at the palace. As for how long, I'm not certain. After all, alliances don't just conjure themselves out of thin air." He joked as they strolled through the gardens. Chatting and laughing while enjoying each other's company.

Alexander stepped out onto the balcony to get some fresh air. He had gotten into another argument with his mother as she had tried to convince him to return to the ballroom. Alexander didn't want to return because he would definitely kill any man that lay a fingers on his Isabelle. These days Isabelle was their main dispute. Alexander wanted her to know the truth, while his mother was against it.

Isabelle, the exact same princess whom Alexander recognized strolling through the courtyard, with another man. His blood started to boil. He had to put an end to this before something drastic happened, which could be anything between Alexander throwing a tantrum to Alexander slicing through someone's throat, starting from the King of Spain, the exact same man making his way through the gardens beside his fiancee.

His hands tightly clenched the railing as he tried his best not to take out his crossbow and shoot an arrow through Alejandro's head. Suddenly an idea formed in his head. The idea causing a sinister smile to spread across his face, making him look more daunting then he already was. Giving one last hateful glance towards the King of Spain, he turned on his heel and stalked back inside.

***

King Francis sat behind his desk as he went through the conditions of the alliance with Spain. Suddenly his doors swung open, causing him to jump slightly. When he saw his son, Alexander, enter, he continued to read through the conditions.

"I want her to know." Alexander spoke firmly, causing the king to place the document on his desk, as he leaned back in his chair and regarded his son.

"Want who to know what?" The king questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"I want Isabelle to know about our engagement." Alexander stated.

"And why do you want her to know?"

"So that she stops acting childish and knows that I am her fiancee."

"Is that the only reason my boy?" The king asked with a knowing smile. Alexander remained silent as he watched his father get up from behind the desk and walk in front of him.

"Are you sure that it is not due to the fact that she is acquainting herself with other men in your presence? It infuriates you doesn't it?" The king inquired. Alexander managed a nod to his father's question.

"That's what I feared." He sighed at his son.

"Alexander, tell me, should I follow through with the wishes of my son, who happens to be Isabelle's fiance whom she doesn't even know exists. Or do I abide by the wishes of the father of Isabelle, whom she has known her entire life? Tell me Alexander, which is more logically accurate?" Francis asked his son.

"Abide by the wishes of the father." Alexander mumbled as he tightly clenched his hands into fists.

"Exactly. So I can't reveal the truth to her without her father's wishes. He is a good friend of mine, and we both agreed that she won't be told about the arrangement until her 17th birthday in a few months, by her father himself." Francis nodded.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to discuss an alliance with King Alejandro." His father aforesaid as he started to walk out the study.

"Alexander, I hope you understand that these are Henry's terms, and not mine." Francis said over his shoulder just as he walked out the door.

***

Isabelle hummed softly as she walked down the hall towards her chambers. She enjoyed Alejandro's presence, he was a rather humorous king. She felt relaxed with him, not intimidated as she felt with Alexander. She was walking passed the pillars, when suddenly a hand grabbed her arm, and another clamped her mouth, preventing her from screaming. Suddenly her back hit something rough and hard, causing her to wince slightly. She opened her eyes to find Alexander in front of her, pinning her to the back of the pillar, away from prying eyes.

"Where were you?" He asked as he trapped her between the column and himself.

"In the gardens." Isabelle shrugged as her heart beat rapidly against her chest.

"With whom?" He questioned as he leaned closer to her.

"With Alejandro." She choked out.

"You know, I don't like you roaming around with other men." He hissed as he took a strand of her curly hair in his hand.

"A-and why is that?" She stuttered.

"You shouldn't be acquainting yourself with random men, they might be dangerous."

"Like you? And why would you care about whom I acquaint myself with. That is none of your concern." Isabelle retaliated, while Alexander remained silent. Suddenly realization hit her, and a smirk formed on her face.

"You're jealous of them aren't you?" She questioned and he looked at her with a blank expressions.

"Oh my! Prince Alexander, jealous of men because they have my undivided attention, and you don't." She laughed.

"My, my, my. Did you know that Alejandro proposed to me? I just might accept." Isabelle informed as she was about to walk away. Suddenly Alexander grabbed her and roughly pushed her against the pillar as he pressed his body to hers.

"No! You will not accept!" He gritted out as he held her wrists above her head.

"Alexander stop." She managed weakly.

"Are you listening to me? You will not accept his proposal!" He yelled as he tightened his grip on her wrist.

"Please, stop. Alexander you're hurting me." She whimpered as fear gripped her entire body.

He stared into her eyes, as he tried to get his warning across to her. Suddenly a tear slipped down her eyes and slid down her rosy pink cheek. Instantly his gaze softened, and as he realized why she was crying he instantly pulled away from her causing his back to hit the window behind him as Isabelle stood leaning against the pillar, her head hung low while she rubbed her wrists.

Tears streamed down her face as she wanted to go to her chambers and rest, but she was afraid that he would grab her again, so she remained unmoving. She heard his footsteps approach her and she cowered back. He grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. Suddenly she found herself in his embrace, as he held her close to himself with one hand rested behind her head and the other was wrapped around her waist.

Isabelle's was surprised by the embrace, and didn't pull away in fear that he might get angry again. He pulled her closer to him, if that was possible, and buried his face in her hair, blowing a breath on her neck causing her to suppress a shiver.

"You can't accept his proposal Isabelle. You can't." He spoke softly into her hair.

"If there was a proposal to accept." She mumbled softly. Alexander brought his face up to look at her, but he didn't release her from the embrace. He cupped her chin and tilted her head up so that she was looking at him.

"What do you mean?" He asked gently as he wiped away the tears with his thumb.

"I just said that to see how you would react, which was a pretty bad idea." She said, but mumbled the last part as she avoided his gaze. Alexander shook his head and again buried his face in her hair as he wrapped both his arms around her waist, pulling her closer, causing Isabelle to rest her hands on his biceps.

Isabelle felt disputed about the embrace. It felt so right and comforting, yet it felt wrong to be like this. Atleast no one could see them, since they were standing behind the pillars where no one could catch them like this.

"I'm sorry." He spoke after a while. Isabelle remained silent as she waited for him to continue.

"I apologize for my behavior earlier. Not just now, but in the morning as well. I'm sorry for burning your letters and treating you like I did."

"You're right, I am domineering. Very domineering and apologize for my actions. I am very short tempered and mostly end up doing things that I regret. I have never had someone defy me, and when you did, I snapped. It was entirely my fault and I hope that you can forgive me." Alexander explained as his lips brushed the exposed skin of her shoulder, causing her to resist the urge to tighten her grip on his upper arm.

"I don't expect you to forgive me right away, but I promise that I'll make it up to you." Alexander said as one of his hands went up and held the back of her neck. She wasn't sure what he was doing to her nape, but it felt extremely marvelous. She bit her lip as she resisted the urge to groan, but her grip tightened on his upper arm, as he continued to apply pressure on certain areas of her neck.

Her breathing started to labor, when suddenly she felt something soft and warm touch the side of her neck. She jumped slightly and took a sharp intake of breath while she instinctively tilted her head to the side, granting him more access. Alexander took a step forwards causing Isabelle to take a step back, making her lean against the pillar.

Alexander brushed the hair away from her neck, as he trailed soft kisses down her throat. Isabelle closed her eyes at the new sensation that washed over her. Slowly her hands travelled up to rest on his broad shoulders, as he kissed along her jaw. Suddenly his hands brushed all of her hair over one shoulder as he turned her head while he pressed his lips to the back of her neck. She let out a short gasp, an absolutely foreign sensation washed over her as he sucked at the back of her neck causing her to groan.

Suddenly Alexander pulled away from her neck as his breathing was also coming out in short pants like Isabelle's. She didn't understand what he just did, but she was certain that it made her body react in ways she had never felt before.

"I'll make it up to you, I promise." Alexander spoke against her forehead as he placed a kiss on her temple. Abruptly he pulled away from Isabelle and walked out from behind the pillar and strolled down the hallway, leaving Isabelle to stand dazed.

***

Well chapter 3 is up! Yay! By the way, that's Prince Alexander on the top (or to the side) I think he is hot.

Also I want to inform my updating schedule to you guys, I will update on weekends as I have school and it is torture. So I'm really sorry for the wait, but if I get a day off, then I'll update.

Thank you for reading The Royal Engagement!

-ShaherBanoNoor