Isabel holds her book close across her body, and suckles thoughtfully on the candy Amira gave her. Her pendant dangles around her neck, and her vial of potion is safely in her pocket.

Not so bad, she thinks. 

Maxwell escorts her back to her room.

"I hope you're happy," he says. "You've made a fool of me in front of my political rivals, been ungrateful and willful and stubborn. You threatened to make a scene. All this after I tried to give you something good, bought you things using my money, and risked my reputation by letting myself be seen with you in public."

"I've been too gentle with you. I hope you enjoy that book of yours." 

He closes the door to her room in her face and stalks off without saying another word.

Isabel stands in front of the door for a long moment, and suckles her candy thoughtfully. 

So much for "I'll never punish you."

She goes and flops on the bed and grins to herself, holding up her beautiful new book overhead. Despite everything, she feels... light. Carefree. 

She stood up to Maxwell and got her own way. 

... That's worth celebrating.

Well, there's not much to do but read. 

Her hand brushes the vial in her pocket... But no, she shouldn't be unconscious, not while Maxwell is angry at her. Anything could happen.

So she settles in to read about rocks.

Her purchases don't arrive that day, nor do they arrive the next. Aria and Soph don't come to visit her. 

She's alone with nothing but her books, most of which she's already read.

But she's not alone, not anymore. There's a wordless strength in her, now, that doesn't bend under such petty tactics. 

She keeps her candy in its wrapper by the side of her bed and licks it once a day. She rations her new reading. She grinds down her chalk practicing her letters. She masturbates. None of it is as satisfying as what it could be, but she manages. It hurts, being shut out again like this - but she has exactly one person to blame for it, and it's clear now that she can't bend to such petty threats. 

A week later, Maxwell returns. 

"Have you learned your lesson yet?", he asks.

Lilian considers for a long moment. 

"I think so, yes." 

"I did send a servant to collect your books and your dress, in the end. I don't want to go back on my promises. But you have to recognize that there are consequences for being insolent."

"I understand, my lord."

I understand you don't see me as your equal. 

She doesn't say it.

He produces a book from behind his back - it's the volume on sewing that Isabel purchased a week ago. 

"I'm going to give this to you, and if you're good, I'll give you the rest over the next few weeks. If you're insolent again, I'll take away your books. Are we clear?"

"I understand, my lord." She tries her best to look appropriately chastised.

He wordlessly offers the book.

Isabel takes it with both hands and a bow.

"I hope we can restore the trust in each other that we've lost." 

Maxwell bows shallowly back to Isabel, and leaves.

The fault lies with you more than me there, my lord.

But he's already gone. Well enough.

She flops onto the bed and hugs her new book close.

The days go on. Every other day Maxwell comes by to drop off another book, and after two or three books, he starts asking questions about Isabel's education. She answers him brightly and eagerly; she still loves to talk about things she's learning. 

Eventually, nearly a month later, the new books run out.

The next day, Maxwell comes in with a huge platter of fruit and chocolate and sweets and coffee, and the dress Isabel ordered.

"... I wanted to apologize," he says. "I've had some time to think, and... It was stupid of me not to tell you that you could eat. I was a fool, and your reaction was deserved. It wasn't appropriate for you to tell me that in public or throw a snit fit over wanting to continue the shopping trip, but I think you've demonstrated that that was just... reasonable annoyance." 

He sighs. "I honestly thought that you couldn't. When I was finally corrected, I... failed to tell you. I thought it would make me look... bad. Stupid. But it just made things worse." 

"... Soph?"

Soph comes in, carrying a small folding table. She sets it up by the edge of the bed, and leaves.

Maxwell sets the plate of fruit down on the folding table. 

"... You've been good, and I've been a... fool. I've noticed you practicing your letters, every day your slate has something new on it... And I don't think it was right to have punished you in the first place. So... This is a little apology... And I'm going to leave the folding table here, and I've been... arranging the details for you to be moved to a proper, larger suite. It's been difficult, but... It's worth it for you. I'm going to let you continue your lessons with Aria and Soph starting tomorrow... I just wanted a little time with you today, so I could... explain." 

He looks away. 

"... Do you forgive me?"

... "It's a start," Isabel allows. "And I do believe that you're... trying. In your own way. It wasn't right for you to - imprison me in my own room - but at least you see that."

"I'll eat with you, if you'd like that."

"I would love that."

And so they eat together. It's another new experience for Isabel; she doesn't need it, but the new tastes are wonderful, and Maxwell is in an amicable mood, and... overall it's just nice. 

She missed this kind of... closeness, in her heart of hearts. 

It's just a shame it has to be attached to Maxwell.