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Chapter Text

It was a dark, starry night by the large, haunting castle that belonged to the King and Queen, the sound of laughter and gentle music coming from inside

Isadora stood outside in her gown which her mother had carefully sewn for her, her ginger curls carefully styled and woven into an intricate braided updo to look the best she could as this was the night she could finally play in front of others.

Her gown itself was a sight, a flowing Venetian dress with soft earthy tones to it, ruffles decorating her arms and below her hip line. Her makeup was done carefully, a soft pink lipstick she had stolen from her mother, her eyes decorated in eyeliner done by her mother.

She finally reached the Guard at the gates of the majestic castle. She smiled softly at the man before her but he only seemed to raise an eyebrow

“And you are?” He asked, his tone gruff

“Isadora Capri, the queen asked for a musician and I took the opportunity.” Isadora explained with a soft, excited smile

“You? A musician?” The Guard scoffed. “Please, we both know a woman can never be a musician!”

He then burst out laughing, clutching the scroll which held the invitations and the people allowed in against his chest

“Oh, you're serious?” He gasped out between breaths, wiping a stray tear from his eye, “You're much better off letting your father find a man for you, sweetheart”

Isadora felt her stomach churn at the Guard. How dare he call her sweetheart after making fun of her?

“Just check the list, I'm on there I promise.” Isadora tried her best not to let the man's humiliation ruin her mood

“Fine, fine! You sound just like my wife.” the Guard rolled his eyes as he checked the list, “Isadora Capri, you said?”

Isadora nodded, crossing her arms as she glared at the man

“y'know, how about we change that name to Isadora Dunsmoor?” The man grinned, stepping forward to get in Isadora's personal space

Isadora felt her skin prickle at the man's boldness, grinning at her like he just said the most romantic sonnet ever.

“No, am I on the list?” Isadora practically growled at him, her nails digging into her skin

The guard seemed caught off guard, he must've been used to woman not being able to say no or reject his advances

“Jeez, don't need to be so snappy…” he huffed as he checked the list once more. “You should be grateful I'm paying you any attention...”

He muttered under his breath. Isadora so badly wanted to tear this man's skin off, the rip him limb from limb and throw him in the river

“Yeah, you're on the list,” The guard finally said, stepping out of Isadora's way. “Just head up the stairs and the butler will take care for you”

“Thank you, good afternoon” Isadora sighed In relief as she walked inside the devastatingly gorgeous castle

Inside, it was lit by large crystal chandeliers, candles decorating them. Women were attached to their husbands like they were simply arm candy, something to make their husbands look good while they talked to their friends

Isadora never understood the appeal of men. Yes she dated many but mainly because her father forced her to, forced her with many men, threatening to take away her piano if she didn't do as he pleased. Isadora knew she wasn't an unattractive woman, she had known for years as men would constantly come up to her and flirt and try to get her attention but no matter how many suitors had fought for her attention, none had shown her what it meant to be loved and cared for

Isadora was snapped out her thoughts when an older gentleman with short salt and pepper hair approached her, looking her up and down

“You must be the entertainment?” a thick British accent surprised her but Isadora nodded, soon following behind him

“I must say, I was expecting a man” He stated as he lead Isadora to a small stage

“Everyone does, don't they?” Isadora sighed softly as she followed him up the small stairs to the stage where a breath taking piano sat

The piano was the most expensive looking thing she had ever laid her eyes on, the one she had in her small house was something her father found on the street and fixed up for her birthday last minute.

“Thank you, how long do I have to play?” She asked as she sat down, running her fingers over the velvety keys

“the queen asked for an hour at the most, I hope you're good because the queen doesn't accept anything else.” he stated as he took Isadora's coat and walked away

Isaodra let out a shaky breath she hadn't even realized she was holding in when she glanced at the crowd. No one seemed to be paying her any attention. The women were all taking care of their children and the man children they called their husbands and the men were too busy talking to the other men

Isadora turned her attention back to the piano, looking over the keys before she began a soft gentle melody she created a while back. This was her chance, her chance to be noticed. Her chance to possibly become the next Mozart.

As she played, she glanced at the crowd occasionally only to see that no one was paying her a single thought. The most she got was a glance, maybe an eyeroll from a man and a scoff from another. The only words she got were: “A woman can't be a musician, what is that one thinking?”

Isadora knew if she were a man, it would be different. She knew that if she didn't have breasts and had a dick, there would be an audience around the stage, cheering and clapping. If only she weren't born a woman.

If only.

After about 15 minutes of the occasional whisper, a complaint or a scoff, Isadora took another quick glance, hoping there was a crowd that magically surrounded her, cheering her on. Of course that was all just a dream.

What she did see was a breathtaking woman whose full attention was on her.

This stunning woman in a dark blue dress which complemented her skin tone beautifully and that hugged her in all the right places while still being flowing, soft ruffles decorating the ends of her long, loose sleeves and a necklace that shone softly underneath the light of the candles. The woman's short curly hair seemed that it was attempted to be styled and tamed but it just came back, ever so slightly frizzy that made Isadora's heart pound against her chest. Soft brown eyes locked on her own and Isadora finally understood what Shakespeare was writing about, the sonnets and stories he made. Isadora felt as if she could write a poem about this woman's eyes alone.

Then, Isadora accidentally hit the wrong note on the piano which caused her to immediately blush in embarrassment and turn her attention back to the piano.

What was happening with her?

She had never felt like this before, why was it happening now?

Why the hell was her heart beating so fast?

Isadora took a few deep breaths, she could sort this out after she played for now all she had to do was focus.

Which was a very difficult thing to do with such a gorgeous woman staring at her.

Chapter Text

After the hour had ended, Isadora felt as if her fingers would begin bleeding.

She let out a soft sigh as she stepped away from the piano with a quick look to the crowd. As she expected, no one was paying her any attention except for that breathtaking woman who gave her a soft applause

Isadora's eyes widened slightly as she felt blood rush to her face, a deep blush dusting her cheeks.

She stepped off the stage and immediately walked past the crowd of people to get to the champagne tower where the butler from before grabbed her a glass and handed it too her

“You weren't horrible,” He spoke softly with a small shrug. “Not as good as a man but you were decent”

“Thanks I guess?” Isadora's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she took the champagne flute from the flute, immediately taking a sip. She desperately needed something to drink.

She prayed that someone, anyone would walk up to her and tell her that she had some sort of talent but of course, no one came nor did they acknowledge that she even played

“Excuse me?” A soft, gentle British accent soothed her ears making Isadora turn around to see the gorgeous woman from before

“O-oh hello” Isadora smiled nervously. Up close this woman was even more stunning, she wanted to get on her knees and beg the woman to let her paint her

“I just wanted to let you know you play beautifully, you deserve more attention,” The woman smiled gently, there was no pity or that forced politeness that Isadora was used to, just the sweet accent that surrounded her that she thought she could get addicted to like cannabis, “You definitely play better than that man over there”

The woman nodded towards a man by the piano who seemed like he was just playing random keys. People were watching him like every sound he made from the piano was a masterpiece

The two women chuckled as the man played like he was the best musician ever and people paid him attention as if he was

“I don't think I've Introduced myself,” Isadora smiled softly, extending her hand for a handshake. “I'm Isadora Capri”

“Rachael Fairburn, my father owns the village Apothecary” Rachael smiled softly as she shook Isadora's hand. Rachael's hand was extremely soft and somewhat cold which was a nice contrast to Isadora's own warm one

“Your father is Dr. Charles Fairburn?” Isadora asked with a small head tilt and a soft smile. Her father and Dr. Fairburn were good friends which was a bit surprising as her father was hell spawn and Dr. Fairburn was a charming man who would always come home with flowers for his wife and new studies for Rachael to read

“that is him” Rachael said with a soft smile which only made Isadora's heart thump a bit faster

“Hey so I go back on the stage a bit if you want to grab something to eat?” Isadora asked nervously as she followed next to Rachael who was already grabbing some small things to eat on the large, cloth covered table

“Here, try these, they're amazing!” Rachael handed Isadora an oyster, looking at Isadora with those soft brown eyes

“I- ok?” Isadora chuckled nervously and slowly ate it, her eyes widening at the taste. The texture was disgusting but it wasn't half bad, a luxury she could award herself once in a blue moon. “Woah… These aren't that bad…”

Rachael giggled at Isadora's reaction before she grabbed one for herself but just before she could eat it, and older drunken man walked up behind her and grabbed her

“Hey! Don't eat that, don't want you getting fat ey?” The man smirked, grabbing the oyster from Rachael and ate it for himself while he wrapped his arm around her waist

Isadora raised an eyebrow as she glanced between the man and Rachael. The man was taller than Rachael but who wasn't? His hair was long and dark black, ever so slightly wavy, his skin was pale but not in the way that contrasted beautifully with Rachael's like Isadoras did, it was in the sickly ghost kind of way. His eyes were a dark brown, nearing black and his eyeliner was ever so slightly smudged and his facial features were sharp in a way that reminded Isadora of Jack the Ripper. His suit was a black tailored suit with a white rose pinned on his lapel and a tight white button up underneath. Isadora also noticed the wedding ring on Rachael and the man's ring finger

“You're married?” Isadora asked Rachael with a small head tilt

“Yes she is,” the man interrupted, grabbing Isadora's hand and shaking it. His hand was calloused and uncomfortable, making Isadora shiver in disgust. “I'm Alistair, this lucky woman's husband”

Rachael shifted uncomfortably in Alastair's arms but he only tightened his grip around her waist

“Y-yes, I am married,” Rachael smiled politely but I didn't hide the discomfort on her face

Oh.

Isadora felt a wave of jealousy crash over her for some reason. It was a horrible feeling that made Isadora fidget with the rings on her fingers

“Come on, this thing is getting boring and I have the perfect idea for when we get home” Alistair grinned at Rachael, his hand going down to squeeze her ass

Rachael squirmed and tried to get out the uncomfortable grip but she couldn't move away from the perverted man

“Well, Isadora's going to play a in bit and I'd like to listen if that's alright?” Rachael asked her husband nervously but he just scoffed, rolling his eyes

“Fine, one song and no more” Alistair scoffed and slapped Rachael's ass painfully before he walked away

“Sorry, he's probably just a bit drunk” Rachael quickly apologized to Isadora who seemed concerned

“Does he always do that?” Isadora asked as she watched Rachael take a small step closer, almost drawn to her like a magnet

“most of the time but it's fine, he lets me walk around on my own so he's not the worst…” Rachael shrugged slightly as she watched her husband gorge himself in the food on the table while he said she couldn't eat too much

“Are you going to play?” Rachael asked suddenly, trying to change the subject

“Oh I- y-yeah sure…” Isadora stuttered as she slowly moved back on stage, sitting by the piano

She panicked as she didn't know what to play, her eyes drifting over the keys before she looked over at Rachael who was watching her.

Unfortunately Alistair had swooped back in, showing her all the attention like he cared about her. His face was buried in her neck and he kissed the soft skin. Like he cares.

Even with all the attention, Rachael's eyes were still on still on Isadora, her eyes soft as she looked at the musician

Isadora took in the sight of Alistair kissing and showing Rachael attention. It made her want to cry and throw up at the same time and she placed her fingers on the keys, beginning a slow, haunting melody which echoed through the castle.

If only she were in Alistair's place, showing Rachael all the love and care she could

Oh god…

Was this love?

But it couldn't be! A woman could not love another woman! A man cannot love another man!

maybe it could be possible one day?