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OKAY, Ca to have her camera equipment with her It was so unfair not to be able to capture the beauty of it all

There was an actual e They then entered a keep that was so buzzing with activity that Isabel was al as if they were in football practice, soafter children

The castle itself was breathtaking Isabel had assuely, it seemed mostly to befrole smoke alarh, was the way all of the people greeted their king They bowed, of course, as he entered the keep, but they smiled, too These people really liked their leader Isabel could relate Unfortunately

The great hall was also abuzz with activity But it see escorted her in and loudly announced her arrival Even the anis of all varieties - froze Then the bowing and curtsying began

"Please tell the like I&039; royalty"

Arthur&039;s eyes widened for a second "Countess, you are royalty"

Oops "Perhaps, but I&039; It makes me uncomfortable I much ain, which was really mean because his smile was lethal "We have much in common, m&039;lady"

"Isabel"

"Isabel it is, then And I a part"

"Deal!" she said

"Rise, all! The lady prefers you not "

"Grovel?" Isabel provided

"feel the need to lower yourselves upon her entrance," King Arthur finished

Isabel felt the need to bow a little herself Then she stood and said, "Okay, noe&039;re even No ht? It&039;s a pain for all of us By the way, hi! Good to be here," she said, waving in what she hoped wasn&039;t a Queen Elizabeth-type way

Everyone, even the dogs, stared at her like she was a little, or maybe a lot, addled But then they smiled And several waved back

There hat she thought were things called rushes on the floor, and the hall s wood, part indescribable Yet as she and Arthur walked farther into the great roo up

"Thyuess, Isabel, is betwixt the noon hour and eveningaboutnever mind May I retire to my quarters to prepare for supper?"

"Most assuredly, Countess Your trunks will be delivered as soon as one of your Toet them up there" The huain baether to ask one reat deal to iven the best the great hall of Caain, she ue really screith her hormones "Does this mean they&039;ll stay downstairs, then?"

"Do you want them up closer to you, Isabel?"

"Is that possible? I don&039;t want to upset anyone, but I truly want them near me"

"Very unusual, but it shall be done" The king took a long look at her, then bowed "I only wish tohiain thumped her Stick to the plan, Izzy

Then stop putting gorgeous, sexy kings in my face, Viviane

ISABEL&039;S room was the epitome of medieval luxury accommodations The walls were made of rustic wood, which smelled of cedar, but probably weren&039;t The bedsheets were rose and forest green She had her own special room, if you could call it that, with a piss pot in just about every corner And in front of the fireplace was a huge tub

There was a cheerful fire crackling in the huge fireplace, which bathed the roo the time period, this was presidential-suite material

Her trunks had been delivered to her roo Except floss And a toothbrush And Listerine

Not happy with the lack of dental care here, Viviane

Patience has never been a virtue bestowed upon you, has it, dear?

Not when it comes to my teeth

Help will arrive shortly And wear the very pale red gown tonight that I believe in your time you call pink Lancelot is apparently partial to that shade

Pink Probably Isabel&039;s least favorite color Not only did it wash out any color from her face, it reminded her of the time when she&039;d been forced to play the cotton candy in her fourth grade play, A Day at the Fair She&039;d really wanted to be the corn dog

Isabel jumped when there was a knock at her door "Yes?"

"M&039;lady, &039;tis Mary I shall be your cha your visit"

"Well, by all means, Mary, come on in"

"Me arms be full, m&039;lady"

Isabel turned from her trunks and went to the door "Full of - "

She stopped as she stared down at the loaded tray in the young girl&039;s hands There were several twigs that appeared shredded on one side A small bohat looked like salt A pitcher of water and another sreens which smelled like mint

This is what I&039;m supposed to use on my teeth?

You will find it suffices for teeth devices

"What, no wine?" Isabel asked, irl tried to curtsy, whichon the tray wobble precariously "On its way, m&039;la - "

"My name is Isabel, Mary If I may call you Mary, please call me Isabel"

"Oh, no, m&039;lady! I could not possibly"

"Oh, yes, Mary, you could In fact I insist"

"Please, Countess, I cannot"

Isabel sirl, who couldn&039;t be older than thirteen Mary had long, bright red hair that would haveall over her nose and cheeks But Isabel couldn&039;t figure out the color of her eyes because Mary was intent on staring at the floor

"Fine, then I won&039;t ever ask you to do so that makes you uncomfortable Countess ork for me if it works for you"

"Yes, mum Countess,on the goodies"

Mary stu down just so, then turned with her empty tray "Shall I order water for a bath, m&039;lady?"

"That sounds heavenly"

Finally Mary raised her eyes to meet Isabel&039;s They were the exact sapphire color of the necklace of tears

Isabel grinned It was an o just fine, Mary"

"I believe so as well, m&039;la - Countess"

"I would love a bath But before that, could you please helpthis mess?"

"Pink?"

"Pale red?" Isabel tried

Mary gnawed at her botto

"You know the color that your cheeks turn, when you&039;re flattered by a boy? Or e you think you&039;ve done?"

"Oh! Oh, yes Although, lanced down and then up again, a twinkle in her eyes "I o ith uess is that your blush turnsmen&039;s heads"

Mary blushed

And boy, was she right Aline red on those cheeks