“Why do women not have their last name mentioned? Isn’t it important to mention their family legacy?” Estell asked. 

“Oh, most female knights are commoners. No reason to bring it up.”

“And then they aren’t allowed to fight against the men either? That’s quite ridiculous, isn’t it? They can’t have their last name mentioned nor actually fight among their fellow knights?”

Isabella swirled her teacup. “No self-respecting noble family let their daughters actually become knights. It’s for the men and the common women. It’s a privilege for us to simply be delicate flowers taken care of by society.” 

Delicate flowers; Estell shivered at the words. Her mind wandered to Cinder, a woman where delicate would be nowhere near her. An honorable knight is also an honorable noblewoman. Nevertheless, people treat it like a social faux pa for a woman to take arms. Even after the war, women knights played a massive part in its success. How utterly cruel that is, Estell smeared in her mind. She would have kicked anyone who dared make such comments about Cinder in her wake. She doesn’t care if they are some ‘superior’ noble; they will feel her fury! 

“Don’t worry about your sister,” Isabell added. Estell turned to her. “After the war, many women knights were honored with noble titles. So, she’s not an odd one out.”

“My sister isn’t someone you could go around demanding her to be delicate.”

“About your sister…What is she like?”

“Well-”

Another air horn, startling them in their chair. A caller stepped onto the field. “Our first match! Young Duke Ryder Rivera and Sir Evan Tunstegn!” He said. 

“Ugh! Why does he have to be here?” Isabella puffed. 

“Who?” Estell asked as she scanned the field. Isabella pointed to a red in a field of green and bare colors. Her heart stood still as she stared at the effortless man with the red hair. She tensed at seeing his dark green eyes, like emeralds glistening in a river. She barely held herself silent as he grinned when he eagerly got into his position. His cheeks were covered in little freckles that scattered as if the sun personally gave him kisses. Estell gripped at the fabric of her dress as she kept her eyes on the dashing phoenix among the sea of stationary birds.

"He is the worst, that Ryder Rivera. A second son of oh so grand Rivera family and a bad lover, I dare spat," Isabella yucked out. 

"Ryder Rivera," Estell whispered, only caring for his name. 

Isabella continued on. "He thinks he's a god gift among others, even thinking he's the god of swords. Please, my brother would have cried in a matter of seconds."

"Well, we can see how he fairs."

And fair well that Rivera did indeed; in minutes, he finished his first match with barely any hits from his opponent. Then he proceeded, one match after another, with little doubt. His admiring fans grew louder and more prominent as he won. Many ladies were swooning from his bows and cheeking winks to the crowd. Regardless, Estell was no different as her eyes were only on him, in between balancing on keeping a conversation with Isabella, who is rather impressive in her own right. She gave Estell tips on sitting more gracefully and keeping her head cool under the watchful eyes of others. There are many signals a fan can communicate, which she uses in the handheld fan given by Isabella. With Isabella's help, Estell even managed to chat with a neighboring group of ladies without stumbling her words, though she noticed Isabella giving her a watchful eye. Once the ladies returned to their table, Isabella started giving her pointers on the minefield, which is noble speak. 

Isabella was like a teacher that Estell had never had for a subject she had never imagined she would ever have used. Estell used to think she was content to live among Beth, moving from place to place; she saw new things even though she couldn't truly enjoy them. Then Cinder came around, changing their lives forever with a promise to protect them and give them a stable place to find solace. Now, she sat with one of the most powerful women in Haeven, willing to listen and teach. And hopefully, a friend. She looked at Isabella as she whipped her mouth with a napkin after a dessert was served during the contest. 

"Why are you doing this for me? We only recently met, but you are willing to give numerous tips, give me fans, and even go as far as introducing me to other ladies. What would you be gaining by investing in me?" Estell asked, her eyes firmly on Isabella.

"Why treat me as if I have other motives than wanting a new friend. I quite like you already," Isabella smiled. 

"You like me?"

"Of course, I think you're interesting, and I would love to get to know you more."

"Thank you. You're the sweetest person I have met who isn't my sister!" Estell grabbed Isabella's hand. "It's so nice to finally get to make a friend."

"... I'm your first friend?"

Estell nodded with a smile. "I didn't get out much when I was younger and wasn't met with kindness like I am. So having someone like you be so nice to me is the greatest feeling ever. So thank you, Lady Isabella."

Isabella stared at Estell as she breathed out before going into a smile. "You're welcome. And just call me Isabella."

"Then I'm in your care, Isabella."

"I was wondering why my lady had a new girl by her side; now I see why," a voice said. Estell's face flushed with goosebumps running down her arms. Isabella's once beautiful smile turned into a scowl; they both turned their heads over where the only Ryder stood with his hand on his hip and a shining grin. 

"Lord Ryder," Isabella said.

"Lady Isabella, how are you doing?" 

"Better when you weren't interrupting our conversation."

"Sorry for that. I wanted to see your new friend," He said, eyeing a still-blushing Estell. Estell gripped her dress as she tried to move her face away from his gaze with her hat. Yet, her eyes shifted from looking away to the spaceman who stood proud of her. "And your name, my lady?"

"E-Estell," she squeaked. She covered her mouth. 

Ryder laughed. "Don't worry, Lady Estell, I have that effect on people."

"S-sorry," she said through her hand.

"There's no need for an apology. I'm Ryder Rivera, son of Grand Duke Thorax Rivera."

"The Rivera family is considered the second wing of the imperial power and second in power from us," Isabella stated.

"I like to tease by saying we are way more influential, but really, we shared equal amounts and served the royal family together."

"You only conceded when I brought hard evidence of it."

“Yes, yes, I know. You were so happy to win that fight.”

“Cause I’m always right. I like to conform to it.”

Ryder chuckled as he rolled his eyes. “And what family are you from, Lady Estell?”

“M-my sister…she…”

“Her sister is the woman who married my brother,” Isabella said. 

“Oh, the woman I saw at the party! I didn’t know that mysterious lady had such a pretty sister.”

Estell caught a giggle in her throat, causing her to cough. Isabella instantly came to her side to pat her back as Ryder grabbed Estell a cup of water. Estell drinks it, and then she breathes out with a nervous smile. “Apologies, You’re also pretty! I mean, you’re like a doll. Not a doll-I mean-” Isabella covered her mouth, stopping her to fumble even more of her words. Ryder laughed before kneeling at Estell’s side. 

“A ‘doll’ is new for me,” Ryder said.

Estell gently pushed Isabella’s hand away. “I-I said doll because, like a doll, you appreciate the love and craftsmanship put into it. The willingness to care for it and gaze upon it for years.”

Ryder looked at her eyes before smiling wide. “Thank you.”

Estell stared back, leaning her head to the side. “You’re welcome, um, doll.” The air felt different as she gazed upon him, a dash of sweetness lingering. Her body ran hot as she wondered if she could stare at those eyes all day. She had only experienced these feelings with specific individuals in her life, wanting those eyes to undress her. Sexual desire wasn’t something that interested her all that much growing up; she never felt particularly attracted to many others, but this man…this man was making her whole body heat up like she was a fireplace. And she couldn’t help but feel like he might want her, too, with how he stared at her. 

Isabella coughed, snapping Estell out of her trace. “Don’t you think it would be best if you started to pack up, Ryder?”

Ryder sighed. “Yes, I suppose so.” 

Estell looked at the board: his name was attached to another, yet they were clearing out the show. “Why pack up so soon?” She asked. 

Ryder stands up, “Oh, this was only a part of a large tournament. We have four of them; this is the one for young squires like myself to compete with one another before two of us move to the final one.”

“It’s the one where former knights, knights, and young squires all compete for the last one standing,” Isabella said. 

“And I’m going to win this year,” Ryder said.

“Oh please-”

“Oh, you got to win! You were amazing, and I’ll be cheering you on!” Estell bursted out. 

“Oh, you’ll be there for me?” Ryder grinned. 

“I mean, yes. It would be a polite thing to do.” 

Ryder bowed. “Then I hope we can meet again.”

“How about meeting at my house? I’m inviting Estell for a tour of my personal estate,” Isabella said as she placed a hand on Estell’s shoulder.

“You are?” Estell and Ryder asked.

“Yes, I think it would be a nice change of pace, right lady Estell?”

Estell thought that if she wanted to see more of this man, she would need a comfortable place to engage with this new feeling. Isabella is a pretty sweet woman who knows a lot about Ryder. Besides, she wants to know if those shining eyes are looking at her like that because he wants her, too. “Yes, that sounds lovely,” she responded. 

“And I also formally invited you too, Ryder.”

“I don’t know. I have been at your ho-”

“Take it or leave it, Ryder.”

Ryder smirked. “Fine. I would gladly join you, ladies. Good day, my ladies, I have to scatter on. But,” he reached out to Estell, who instantly placed her hand on his. He brings it to his lip and plants a soft kiss, causing Estell to redden even further. “I will be counting the days until I see you, my lady.”

“M-me too,” Esetll said. Ryder gave her a wink before venturing back to the fields. Estell hid her face as she cursed her face for giving everything away. Elegant would be the last word that she could describe her terrible flirting. 

"A peacock flashing its feathers is more subtle than you," Isabella said. 

"Honestly, it's better to be obvious so I can feel a bit better that at least my intention was clear," Estell said, drooping her hands to her side. 

"Oh, you're as clear as the summer sky. But I'm curious about something."

"What is it?"

"Would you be so clear to your sisters about it? Seeing how protective they are for you."

"They'll hear me out," Estell smiled. But,despite her answer, the question still lingers in her head like a hazy fog. And it only got more hazed by Beth and Cinder's relieved smiles once Isabella took Estell back to their table as they worked to get out. Cinder lies through her teeth as she introduces Beth as a former nanny of Estell, which Estell played along with; she always plays along. It was for their safety that Beth never figured it out. However, her gut screamed at her for lying to her newly found friend. Would she have to lie to Ryder, too? Could she even explain her desire to him while keeping her secret? 

Would Cinder and Beth understand her desire to get rid of all this secret forever? 

When Cinder and Beth asked how time with Isabella went, she simply told them of the fun she had with her and discussed with them that she intended to visit Isabella; they gave her their happy blessings. It all comes together; it mainly comes with the fact that she withheld the part of meeting up with a certain boy.