Execution

Ever since yesterday, I can’t keep thinking about him. Nor the fact that he sang with so much emotion. My mind keeps reeling to the fact that I’m the reason he’s… alive, willing to fight for me, our relationship, and… everything that goes in between. I cried myself to sleep last night, with a million questions on my mind about him and that song. For the fourteen years we’ve known one another, it had never occurred to me that… I’m the reason that he lives. The song itself is so meaningful, considering it somehow fits into our relationship. I doubt we both know we’re in love with one another when we first met fourteen years ago… Now, knowing that we are in love, I’m not sure how the inevitable war will affect our relationship and wedding.

I’m walking down the hallway to the dining hall for breakfast, with a couple of questions still lingering on my mind from last night. The moment I entered the dining hall, and noticed Alex there, every question vanished. I smiled as I walked over and sat next to him as there was a seat open. He turned and grinned. Silence seems to have fallen upon everyone as if they are waiting for either one of us to start a conversation of some sort.

“Bonjour Isabelle. Comment vas tu ce matin? [Good morning, Isabelle. How are you this morning?]” He asked, curious as he gave me the smile that sent me shivers down my spine.

“Je vais mieux maintenant que tu es là, [I’m better now that you’re here,]” I replied, “Et toi? [And you?]”

“Tu as littéralement pris les mots de ma bouche, [You literally took the words out of my mouth,]” Alexander replied, laughing. I laughed alongside him, smiling. It was a few moments later when we stopped laughing, as we looked contently at one another. Father then cleared his throat. Alexander and I were shaken out of our stupor and looked at him, slightly confused.

“Shall we? The food is getting a tad bit cold,” Father stated blankly, trying to hide a smile, and we both nodded before the whole family started eating. I’d steal a glance at Alexander once in a while, and I caught him doing the same. I’d smile.

We’d all finish within the hour, with the occasional chatter. After the servants and butlers took away our empty plates, leaving only our drinks, Grandfather looked at Alex.

“So, Alexander, what are you going to do today?” He asked, with an air of curiosity.

“Well, since I have a couple more days here in France before going back to London. As there are no more engagements for me to carry out as it was already finished, considering Papa allowed me a couple more days here, I’m just going to hang out with Isabelle. Then I’ll go back to London and stay there until I come back here for Isabelle’s birthday,” Alex replied, smiling at me and I smile back. The smiles didn’t go unnoticed by the family.

“That’s great, considering I get to show you around Paris,” I notified him, feeling joyous as he looks at me, smirking, giving me butterflies in my stomach.

“Oh really?” Alex asked, with a hint of a tease, raising his eyebrow ever so slightly.

“Meet me in the Hall of Mirrors in an hour, and we’ll see about that,” I replied, smirking as I tease him back. I then turned to my Grandfather.

“May Alex and I be excused, Grandfather?” I asked him, who nodded in reply. I set my table handkerchief away and Alexander did as well. We then both stood up and walked out, arms brushing against one another before our hands intertwined with one another. We were so focused in our world as we seem to disregard any comments made by my family. I lead Alex to the Hall of Mirrors.

“Alors... Nous sommes dans la Galerie des Glaces. Je pensais que nous n’étions censés être ici que dans moins d’une heure. Je me demande pourquoi tu m’as amenée ici, Isabelle, [So... We are in the Hall of Mirrors. I thought we weren’t supposed to be here until in less than an hour. I wonder why you brought me here, Isabelle,]” Alex told me, smirking as I turned back to him, stopping near one of the corners of the room, slightly hidden from view. I quickly pull him close to me, wrapping my arms around him. Alex looked at me as I looked at him, both of us smiling.

“So what now?” Alex quietly asked, eyeing me.

“Just… hush,” I told him, “Let’s enjoy a moment together, shall we?”

Alex raised an eyebrow, clearly questioning me. Judging by the smile that he has, I can conclude that he is head over heels for me, and he always has been since we first met. Our temples gently rubbed against one another as we just stayed there in silence, looking at one another in contempt, wrapped in each others’ arms. I remove one of my arms as I gently pull his face closer to me with my index finger, closing the gap between us as I kiss him. Alex immediately kisses me before he pulls back, smirking, observing me. I look at him, smiling. He then untangled himself and straightened his outer jacket.

“Je te verrai bientôt, mon chère, [I’ll see you soon, my dear,]” Alex told me before leaning in and giving me a short teasing kiss. Alex bowed and walked out of the Hall of Mirrors. I’d smirk as I watched his ever-growing distanced back as he headed back to his room. I soon head out as well, making my way back to my room. I didn’t see where I was going considering I knew my way around the Palace very well until I bumped into Colette. I jump back slightly, my brain returning to the present.

“So, a little bird told me you’re going out on a date with Alexander soon,” Colette told me, smirking. I stared at her, slightly flustered and ears slightly red.

“So, it would seem like my sister had told you,” I retorted.

“Yes,” Colette stated, as she winds her arm around mine, leading me to my room, which wasn’t far from where we were, “This means, you need to have be dressed up!”

I rolled my eyes, closing the door behind us after entering the room. I eyed Colette warily as she looked through my wardrobe for the appropriate clothing.

“Colette, stop fussing over me,” I stated as I walked over, and immediately picked a light blue blouse with a floral pattern, alongside a dark blue skirt out. Colette looked at me.

“I’ll leave, but you better tell me how it goes,” Colette told me, and I rolled my eyes before she left and I immediately went to go and change. I walked over to the wardrobe, opened it and looked over at the shoe section. I frowned slightly, considering my options. I then noticed my red Oxford high heels and quickly grabbed it. I then closed the wardrobe door before I sat at my desk to wear high heels. I stood, grabbed my purse, and soon left the room, after touching up the light makeup I did earlier this morning. I head to the Hall of Mirrors, where I find Alex waiting there for me, observing a section of the wall. I walked closer to him, finding him wearing a navy three-piece suit.

“Quelque chose d’intéressant, mon chère? [Anything interesting, my dear?]” I asked and Alex was shaken out of his stupor as he turned to me, smiling. I then notice his red folded handkerchief in his breast pocket and his red tie, and black Oxford shoes. Fashionable. But I do wonder where he gets all those different kinds of suits?

“Oui, il y a en fait des faits assez intéressants. Mais, même si j’aime vous ennuyer avec de nombreux faits sur la section du mur que je regardais, il nous reste moins de quinze minutes. Il semblerait que nous soyons tous les deux en avance, [Yes, there are actually quite interesting facts. But, as much as I love to bore you with many facts about the section of the wall I was looking at, we do have less than fifteen minutes to go. It would seem that we are both early,]” Alex replied, smiling before he looked up and down at me, “It would seem that we manage to colour coordinate with one another despite us not having talked about it.”

I smiled.

“It would seem that we did,” I stated quietly, smiling before Alex pulled me closer and kissed me. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him ever closer, deepening the kiss. There were a couple more moments before he gently pulled out of the kiss, resting his temple on mine as he looked at me, and I looked at him.

“You’re looking lovely as ever, mon chère,” Alex complimented me quietly before he leaned in and kissed a spot on my neck, “Charming as ever…”

I blushed slightly as he looked at me, smirking, noticing my blush. He then glanced at his watch.

“So five more minutes. Why don’t we go to the entrance? Or…” Alex started. I stared at him, a smile tugging my lips.

“Or…?” I asked, curious as ever.

“We can stay here for another five minutes before making our way to the entrance,” Alex whispered before leaning and giving me another kiss on my neck.

“As much as I would love to stay here for another five minutes, mon chère,” I started quietly, “But I would love to show you around Paris first.”

Alex nodded understandably before offering me his arm after we quickly untangled ourselves. I took it before we headed off to the entrance. As we walked, we arrived at the entrance at what seems like an eternity of enjoying each other’s company in silence a few minutes later.

The sunlight gleamed as I squinted my eyes slightly, trying to get a better sense of things after stepping out of the Palace, and leaving its threshold as Alex and I entered the outside world. I looked around, trying to find a car, but ended up finding a motorcycle. Alex walked over after gently removing his arm from mine as he immediately grabbed two helmets on the seat of the motorcycle, as I walked over. He immediately gave one to me and I wore it as did he. Alex used his foot to push the kickstand up in its place before he started the engine. The engine roared to life as Alex looked at me expectantly, smiling. I got onto the seat behind him, with one hand on my skirt and the other around his waist. It was a few more moments before Alex started driving the motorcycle. He was driving at a slow speed as we were still in the compound of the Palace.

“Where are you planning to go, Isabelle?” He asked me as I rested my chin on his shoulder.

“Les étangs de Meudon. [The Meudon Pond.] It’s quiet there, and has very beautiful scenery,” I replied in both French and English as it would seem that the change in languages when speaking seemed familiar, “Then we can go into the Eiffel Tower and hang out there.”

Alex chuckled.

“Are you sure that I can borrow you for the whole day today?” Alex asked me as we started making our way to the Meudon Forest after leaving the Palace compound.

“I’m sure, Alex. I have everything sorted out,” I replied, and there was silence as the landscape quickly changed as Alex quickly increased the speed as we headed towards the Meudon Forest. After arriving at the Meudon Forest almost twenty minutes later, Alex headed towards the Meudon Ponds where we would arrive a couple of minutes later. Alex kicked out the kickstand after turning off the engines. I got off as both of us took off our helmets. I gave him the helmet, and he took it as he put it away alongside his. After Alex got the key and got off the motorcycle, he put away the key in his inside breast pocket before offering me his arm. I took it as we both headed off to the pond nearby.

Both of us are walking in silence, taking in all the scenery around us as trees have their green leaves, as flowers begin their blooming process, now that we’re in April. I led him to the pond, where there were a couple of other people there, alongside ducks and a number of benches, but besides that, there was nothing else, save for the occasional spring breeze that came through. Alex and I sat at a bench in the shade of a tall Oak tree, as I leaned against him, resting my head against his shoulder. I felt him wrap his arm around my waist and I smiled, feeling his chin resting against the top of my head.

“So tell me, Isabelle, why go to the Eiffel tower later?” Alex asked and I smirked as I looked at him, and he looked at me.

“Well, that’s a secret, Alex. Don’t assume I’ll tell you,” I replied, and soon, we’d both become silent, enjoying each other’s company. Alex would be watching everyone, observing the scenery before looking at me, observing me, catching me observing him. I smiled.

“What?” Alex asked, slightly confused - which makes him look even cuter - when he noticed that I smiled.

“I wonder what made me attracted to you. I’ve been trying to figure it out… but I’m lost,” I replied and Alex laughed. It was the type of laugh that I’ll never get tired of listening to.

“You know, I never knew what made me feel attracted to you. At first, I thought it was something about your beauty. But your beauty is just one of the many factors I’m attracted to you…” Alex stated as he trailed off, before looking into the distance as if something was on his mind.

“What’s wrong?” I asked out of curiosity, but I was slightly worried.

“There’s nothing wrong, I’m just taking the scenery in for the sake of recreating it later through art,” Alex replied, “I’m thinking of doing watercolour… Or should I do oil paint instead?”

I then looked around, and nodded, imagining it through the lens of an artist.

“I think watercolour should be best. I believe there’s more freedom for you to express all the colours from the scenery, capturing this moment perfectly,” I stated, and Alex looked at me. I look at him back.

“What?” I continued, slightly curious. Alex then leaned in, closing the gap between us as he kissed me. I felt his soft lips against mine as I kissed him back.

That’s when I heard a camera click behind us.

Alex and I immediately leaned back, breaking our kiss as we both stood up, looking at the photographer. The photographer quickly scuttled away, as I looked at Alex, without the slightest worry etched on my face.

“I’m sure that picture will be in the newspapers tomorrow…” I stated, thinking: it’s time the whole world knows, “It’ll probably ensure a scandal of some sorts as I broke off my short courtship with Philippe not long ago, but I’ll prepare a statement tonight in order to release it tomorrow.”

Alex nodded.

“I applaud at your quick thinking, mon chère,” Alex smiled and I smiled, “I’ll issue a statement too and have Buckingham Palace issue it on my behalf.”

“Think you have enough scenery in that head of yours to make artwork?” I asked, slightly teasing him. Alex looked at me, brow rising ever so slightly as he seemed curious before he laughed. He soon stopped, and he nodded.

“You know, it’s more than enough,” He replied, a genuine smile tugging his lips before leaning in to kiss me again. I kiss him back and a few short moments later, I pull back.

“I’m guessing it’s almost noon…?” I stated, with a slight questioning tone lingering in the air. Alex looked at his watch and nodded.

“Well, it’s quarter to eleven, so should we be making our way to the Eiffel Tower?” He replied as he looked at me. I nodded as I gently grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the motorcycle. Alex followed, letting me lead him as he smiled. It was approximately ten minutes later, where we would be making our way to the Eiffel Tower, the scenery changed from the city to the city’s area that’s neighbouring the River Seine with the Eiffel Tower overlooking in the distance. The scenery changed as I watched people interact with one another, and other things, such as the place that they are at. It was another approximate ten minutes that we arrived at the parking lot near the Eiffel Tower. I got off and got the helmet off as Alex put the kickstand down as he got his helmet off. I hand him my helmet and Alex puts both helmets away after he turned off the motorcycle and got off. Alex then grabbed the key before offering me his arm. I smiled as I took it and we set off to the Eiffel Tower.

After arriving at the base, we immediately went into an empty elevator - yet, somehow Alex didn’t question why it was empty - with a chauffeur standing in there to lead the way. Inwardly, I smirked, knowing that what I’ve planned today is a surprise for Alex. The elevator stopped at the appropriate floor, and the chauffeur bowed at both of us before stopping the elevator’s doors to let us out before the elevator doors closed behind us after we both entered the third floor, the Summit after transitioning to another elevator on the second floor where it grants us access to the Summit.

There was a table located in the middle of the inner observation deck, with two seats and a single rose in a small vase in the middle. There were also two large plates, with golden edges placed in front of the seats with two sets of utensils located next to each plate. Alex observed it before looking at me, smiling.

“So this is a date, then?” He asked as if it clicked for him just a few moments ago.

“It is,” I replied, smiling, “I knew you were going to stay a couple more days, thanks to Hugo, so I set this out for you. Being photographed earlier today was a tad bit unprecedented and uncalled for.”

Alex then pulled me closer before kissing me. I kissed him back before I pulled back, gently breaking the kiss as I looked at him.

“What…?” He asks, with his brow moving up as he gives me a quizzical look, questioning me.

“Nothing… Except for the fact that it’s you,” I replied, “Everything about you just makes me…”

Alex looks amused as I try to find the right word.

“Yearn for me? Or rather...enchanted?” Alex suggested, with a teasing smirk on his lips. The audacity of him to suggest that I yearn for him. I inwardly scoffed before I gently grabbed his collar and pulled him closer before I gave him a teasing peck on his lips.

“Enchanted, that’s the word I was looking for,” I replied before pulling away from his grasp as I made my way to the outer observation deck. Alex followed me as I leaned against the railway, looking out to the city from above. I then felt Alex’s arms around my waist as his chin rested on my shoulder. I smiled as I rest my hands on his, as we both look out to the world before us, in each other’s arms and for a fleeting moment, it seems that we are at peace, without Royal engagements to worry about nor the inevitable war that is around the corner.

“Two of us together in this peace,” Alex observed, “You know what I’m thinking?”

“We are at peace, and in love,” I replied as I turned to him, smiling, “We don’t have to worry about a single thing, except for our future together.”

Alex smiled, as he just looked at me and I wrapped my arms around him, smiling.

“Exactly what I’m thinking, and I could actually picture it right here, with you in my arms,” Alex smiled as I raised my eyebrow slightly at him, questioning him.

“Oh…?” I asked as I moved slightly closer to him, closing the gap between our faces.

“Mhm,” Alex replied, as he moved his face ever closer slightly. We were like that for a couple of minutes, not wanting to move, hence breaking us being so peaceful and all. I was tempted to lean in and kiss him but that was quickly discarded by the fact that a waiter had called out to us and stated that lunch is ready to be served. I look at Alex once more, smiling before gently grabbing him and leading him over to the inner observation deck. Over the next hour or two, we both talk to one another as we eat, with the occasional glance at one another, catching the other’s glance and smiling before looking away. After eating, we both stayed on the observation deck for another hour or so before we left, and headed back to the Palace of Versailles, where we spent another hour or so exploring the grounds of the Palace before deciding to head back in.

Later that night, after dinner where the family didn’t corner me and Alex concerning today’s activities, but Colette did after I entered my room.

“Spill it,” Colette demanded, wanting to know the details.

“No,” I stated, as I took out a pen and a piece of paper, and immediately drafted a statement, in English, French and Danish all carrying out the same message. Meanwhile, Colette just stood there, watching me.

“I guess I’ll take my leave then…” Colette stated before leaving the room and closing the door gently behind her. I continue to write the statement and not long later, I look over it:

To the people of France, Denmark, and no doubt the world:

As you might have seen the photo that the Prince of Wales and I had shared a kiss. Yes, it might have been so soon since I broke off the courtship with Philippe, the Duke of Normandy. Yet, however, my heart has yearned for Alexander, the Prince of Wales, years before I have the courtship with the Duke of Normandy. To save the need for questions, let me clarify this - yet it is not official - the Prince of Wales and I are courting.

Sincerely,

Isabelle, the Princess of France and Denmark

I then set the pen aside, and left the paper there, as it would serve as a reminder for myself tomorrow morning. I then thought ‘Perhaps I should let the Palace of Versailles handle the statement for me? But no matter… this will serve as a backup.’

As the night went on, I decided to get some sleep, and it was another fifteen minutes before I got to the bed, and immediately fell asleep.

The next morning, I head off to the dining hall after I woke up at the usual time, with my folded statement in hand. I’m in no doubt that my family has heard the news of the kiss from the newspapers, and I’ll - of course - be bombarded by questions.

After I sat down next to Alex, I gave him a smile as everyone hushed immediately, looking at us two. When I noticed the silence, I looked at all of them with a questioning look.

“What?” I asked, curious yet I have a knowing feeling that it was about the kiss I shared with Alex. Grandfather set down the newspaper in front of him, as the front page shows the headlines. I quickly glance over it, inwardly sighing.

EST-CE HEUREUX POUR TOUJOURS OU UNE AUTRE AFFAIRE?

(IS THIS HAPPY FOREVER OR ANOTHER AFFAIR?)

I then gave Grandpapa the folded statement.

“My statement that I have prepared,” I told him as he stared at me.

“I have also prepared a statement, and have asked Buckingham Palace to release it for me. Of course, there’ll be a couple of statements released by my father, the government, and probably the staff of Buckingham Palace on my behalf after receiving my statement,” Alex stated and Grandpapa then looked at him before turning back to me.

“You both have thought it out already?” He asked and we both nodded.

“Of course, the Palace of Versailles can send forth a statement of its own entirety, based on my statement,” I stated and Grandfather nodded before glancing at Father and Mother as I glanced at Alex, and he glanced back, not sure what that was about. But…. At that moment, I realised that Alex and I would quite make the couple.

Everyone would then start breakfast and throughout it, there were small conversations between my family members as I conversed with Alex. It seems that Alex and I are courting as of yesterday… but it doesn’t seem like yesterday that we started courting, but fourteen years ago, when we first met on 8th May 1925. It seems surreal that fourteen years have passed considering it seems like yesterday we just met and started courting one another. Throughout the years, our devotion, and respect to one another, as well as our mutual understanding for one another, has only ever grown...

As breakfast ends, everyone begins to leave but Grandfather wanted Alex and me to stay. So we both stayed put, turning our attention to Grandfather. It was another couple of moments of silence before Grandfather started.

“So, now that the news of you both courting are known to the world, I believe it’s time since there has been something on my mind once everything gets in place with your future wedding,” Grandfather stated and immediately Alex and I glanced at one another.

“I must become a citizen of the United Kingdom, and be released from my royal titles and become a member of the French and Danish Royal families, is that correct?” I asked and Grandfather looked at me, “I might have done some research with Alex’s help not long ago.”

“Yes, that is correct,” Grandfather replied.

“After all… my sister is still being educated, as Alex and I will no doubt help her along the way,” I continued and Grandfather nodded, probably thinking the same thing. Then we moved on to discussing the titles, which was actually quite simple and obvious, before we moved on to discussing the Orders that I will be receiving as Alex would have a word with his father about it. It was then when the meeting stopped, where we hadn’t been talking for very long about the Orders when Grandfather’s Private Secretary came in and five minutes later, Alex and I were left alone. We ended up roaming around and exploring the Palace of Versailles, before making our way to Marie-Antoinette’s Estate to explore there as well, as it has been a while since I’ve last visited it.