But the Princess was gone. She knew nothing of the Task her father had set, nothing of plans to marry her off — all she knew was that Isaac was there, virtually within arms reach, and had competed nearly the entire tournament in disguise.
Why would he do such a thing? Did he not want her to see him? Had he forgotten her entirely?
Fleeing back to her tower, she locked herself in. She did not appear at the grand, celebratory outdoor banquet held to mark the end of the tournament and fete the winners, where her father, overwhelmed by the number of men desiring to complete the Task, announced that any noble, knight, or lord might try. They drew lots to determine what order the applicants should proceed in.
Sir Isaac’s heart plummeted, stomach churning with disappointment as he saw no individual that could be his Summer, and he lowered his head, allowing the feelings to wash over him for a moment. And then he straightened up, and made sure to keep his face visible — he no longer cared about anyone else seeing him, as long as he made more of an impact on her than the others did.
For his Summer, he’d do anything.
Each man was allowed one hour with the Princess, distantly attended by guards in case he should offer harm to her — and to provide witnesses to his potential success. For her part, ultimately her father commanded her to receive the men, and so she did, stiffly proper in the manner that had been drilled into her.
From early in the morning until late into the evening, as candle burned down each hour, knight after knight, lord after lord, entered the Princess’ tower and attempted to bring her to smile. They brought flowers, jewels, dresses. They offered lands, titles, animals. They told stories, composed poetry, sang.
All of them failed.
Some tried touching her, holding her hand or even kissing her. Those she failed to respond to at all, as if marble. One or two tried more forceful tactics, and were ejected with equal force. Some few elicited responses, even actual conversation or interest — but she did not smile for them.
Isaac’s turn fell midway through the third day.