palace fountain

After dancing with the king she came to the lake to cool herself down. She undid her hair soaking her feet in the fountain taking in the beautiful sunset.

Richard came into garden after leaving the Hall. A servant delivered him a message from Princess Isabella and he decided to meet her alone, without servants. He saw her sitting on the edge of fountain and stopped in front of her. He smiled

My lady...I received your message, and here I am. Why you left party so suddenly?

He asked, after noticing she was bathing her feet and raised his eyes at her beautiful face

She turned and smiled at him removing the hair of her neck. "I left early as sonething you said hit a wrong nerve with me and has left me utterly confused." She removed her feet from the fountain and stood up. "If you do not care for royals then why did you dance with me? I don't think you understand the power you have over women would you like me ti explain the hold you can have?."

Richard listened her carefully before smiling. He shook slowly his head

Your Highness...the only reason I said that I don't care about royality, is that I would have danced with you even if you were a servant. I don't consider women for their rank...but for their beauty and sensitiveness. And you have both, my lady...

He tried to explain, watching her hais moving softly because of wind

She laughed a little and approached him. "Would you rather have me that way as your servant as i would. If only such things can be that way. Will you watch the sunset with me?" She turned and sat by the fountain tapping a space next to her.

Richard nodded with a smile and sat on the edge on fountain with her. He kept on watching sunset and sighed

I'm sorry if you felt offended, Your Highness. It was not my intention. And as you know, you're very welcome in my Palace and you can stay in Bavaria as long as you wish...

He added turning his head towards her

She thought for awhile. "Well i have nothing else to rush back for! Tell me how you will keep me entertained while i am here." She looked at him with eager eyes.

Richard laughed softly

Well..what can I say, my lady? I thought the party was a good entertainement for you, but you prefer quieteness, I see. So I wonder...if you still want having a ride with me, tomorrow...

He added frowning and looking at romantic sunset

"I enjoy dancing especially with a man who has alot of control when dancing everytime you pulled me closer to you i gave in to your touch! I could not wait to be alone with you so i left tomorrow is too long" She tilted her head to the sun and placed her hand in his

Richard laughed again and shook his head

It's really weird. I always thought about myself like a bad dancer. But it seems that you see in me qualities I don't have, my lady...

He said looking at sunlight on her face

I laughed playfully. "You are not a bad dancer i have danced with worse. Dancing in some womans eyes is to measure up who they are to marry but that is a womans secret so no telling you're gentle of the court. I never really thought of a german sunset this beautiful" She glanced over at richard.

Richard smiled after listening her and breathed fresh air

Yes...I think you're right, my lady. But I also think that german habits are very different from portuguese ones. I know that very well because, as you know, my wife is spanish. May I ask you how long will you stay in Bavaria?

He asked curiously and hopefully at the same time

She smiled. "I have no plans to leave just yet but i also don't want to out stay my welcome nothing much is happening back at home and i have no one to miss me. Their is a great deal of Bavaria that i intend to see that is of course if your court can spare you for a small ammount of time here and their." She told him. She wanted him to show her his Bavaria kingdom.

Richard nodded once she finished talking and smiled

But of course, my lady. You can consider my Palace as your own home and you'll be my special guest. I intend to show you not only the Black Forest, but all my Kingdom. And...tell me, Your Highness: do you wish to find a bavarian husband too?

He asked and looked at her with interest to see her reaction

"Please address me as Isabella your highness." She smiled at his words glad to have his company whilst she was here. "If it was my home i would have rose bushes running up the palace walls so when you open up the windows you can take it the scent of them." Isabella looked at him and stared right into his eyes. "It depends who would want to marry me i want to marry for love not out of power and profit"

Richard smiled, admired by her sincere words. He stared at her beauty for a second and then turned towards sunset again

Marrying for love is not royal's destiny, Isabella. You're not a commoner, and now or later someone will arrange a marriage for you. But I have to say that I've been lucky. I love deeply my wife Eleanor, even if it was an arranged marriage. I wish you to be lucky too...

He said and turned his eyes towards her again

Isabella turned her head away from him.

"I shall not be forced into a loveless marriage do you wish for me to marry a monster of a man who is nothing but a savage beast? No i will pick my own suitors court them first then decide whether or not i will marry them. You are at an advantage because you are a man their for i have to abide by what you say. Tell me do you not see the other sex as equals or are all men to you far more superior than us women"

Richard frowned, surprised by her question. He smiled shooking his head

Hmm...interesting question. I think that women shouldn't try to be compared with men. I'm not saying that they are...inferior. But they have their place in society and they should respect men's authority on them. But considering your opinions...you future husband will have to do a great work with you, Isabella...

He added with an ironic smile and looked at her face

"So if i was your wife are you saying that i should know my place and walk a step behind you at all times!"

Isabella dipped her finger in the water.

"You see a man like yourself shall we say will always be known for his great and glorious kingdom not that the english court is such a great kingdom right now but at the very core of it you will find us! Us women scheming, arranging the marriages for our families to help out their family name but every once in awhile the king will always go and seek out his wife for advice you may not see it but it does happen."

She looked at him wondering why he was so interested in her marriage prospects he wasn't going to marry her.

Richard noticed that his words offended her in some way and made an effort to smile kindly

My lady...I'm sorry if my thoughts about women hurted you. I didn't mean to offend you and your sex. I just said there are roles in life...and women should respect their, without fighting with men. But...this seems a sensitive matter for you. Don't tell me you're angry, Isabella...

He said succeding to catch her eyes

"You have not offended me i was simply voicing my opinions." She said smoothly removing her legs from the fountain and turning to face him straight on smiling. "I think that sometimes my sex should be respected as much as men after all we carry your heirs to your kingdoms! All i ask is that i can marry a man that respects me enough to let me voice my opinions and doesn't seek pleasure else where. Having said that you would hate me as you're wife i speak my mind freely." She spoke civily with no anger in her words she was just merely voicing her opinions.

Richard smiled curiously, surprised by her answer. He shook slowly his head a bit confused

I never said that I would hate you if you were my wife, my lady. I have no intention to affirm that women doesn't deserve respect, and I respect your opinions. As you said, you women carry our children. And a woman who shares her opinions is a very rare thing...

He said with admiration and looked back at her

Isabella smiled kindly got up and dried her feet.

"No i was just explaining."

She sat next to him with a concerned look.

I know that kings don't do favours but when my suitor is found could you maybe talk to him to see if he is a kind man especially if he is from your kingdom. I only speak freely with you"

Being attracted to him was out of the question. But he was very attractive it was just his beard

Richard felt surprised by her request but he nodded and smiled

Well...this is a very unusual request, my lady. Especially for a foreign Princess. But if my opinion is so important for you...then yes, I accept gladly to investigate carefully about your furure husband. Do you think...he could be unkind to you?

He asked, noticing her glance and wondering why she was so doubtful about men