the industrious

⚜️ (isobel douglas ─ alicia agneson ─ 29 ─ lady douglas, the king’s mistress) ⚜️welcome ISOBEL DOUGLAS. you hail from SCOTLAND and have been risen to the position of a KING’S MISTRESS. you are a member of the house of STEWART and will go down in history as the INDUSTRIOUS. though you are SELF-INDULGENT & PRETENTIOUS, you are blessed with being AMBITIOUS and PASSIONATE. ⚜️[mia ─ she/her]

"How you are not yet betrothed is beyond my comprehension." Isobel flashed her signature grin as she began unpinning the princess' hair mere hours after constructing the hairstyle in the first place. A grand banquet had been held that evening with every host and guest in attendance, and though such an event might tire out the most energetic among them, it had only fueled Isobel further. "Could you not feel every eye in the room upon you, Isabel? Men and women alike have been dazzled by your beauty and, no doubt, your mind."

Isobel was proud of many things, but chiefly among them was her friendship with James' sister Isabel. The women had become friends as girls whilst the king's advisors still ruled Scotland, and the years only brought them closer. The princess was probably the smartest woman Isobel had ever met, and among the most talented as well. She had introduced Isobel to various forms of art and literature, taking the time to explain each concept with such passion that Isobel could not help but fall in love as well. Especially in her position, Isobel was grateful to have a female companion she could truly admire and trust without fear of retribution or deceit. "Is there any name I should whisper in your brother's ear? A duke? A prince?"

It could not be said that there had not been times when Isobel Douglas could find pity in her heart for the Lancastrian girl who had become the Scottish queen. Much like Isobel, Elizabeth's life had not taken its intended path; if all had gone according to plan, her father would still have been the King of England with her brother learning at his right hand, while she would have been married off to a foreign prince in a country she might actually enjoy. She had suffered more than she had ought; still, while some rose to their challenges, Elizabeth, in Isobel's opinion, had not. The king's mistress could not help but view his wife as a wilting flower with no backbone and a child-like attachment to her mother, which, while convenient for Isobel most of the time, was also quite annoying.

Isobel had never shown the queen scorn; she was civil and polite, keeping to her own affairs as much as possible so they rarely were required to cross paths. However, there were times where it was unavoidable, such as state affairs, and Isobel simply had to smile through it until she was back in the privacy of her own chambers. "More wine, Your Grace? It is quite hot." she offered as the Scottish ladies settled beneath the shade of a tree on the grounds of their French hosts' property. "Or might you prefer something else instead?"

Lady Douglas had seen nearly all there was to see in Scotland; both at her father and the king's sides, each castle had been explored, each wood has been hunted, each stream had been forded. Yet, with all of the strife facing her country throughout her life, Isobel had never been granted the opportunity to travel abroad. This summit was not only an important even for the future of her homeland, but also for a young woman taking her first steps into all that the world had to offer.

She had made sure to study as much as she could before their departure, and silently thanked here parents for providing her with the same education afforded to her brothers. There was word that monarchs from as far away as China would be in attendance, and Isobel made it her mission to learn as much about each of them ahead of time as possible. The French were of particular interest, as alliance with Charles could greatly influence the outcome of any attack James might launch on the English. She only hoped that Charles was more decisive in politics than he was in marriage.

The newest French queen could very well be the loveliest yet - this Isobel heard in whispers but could confirm now as she laid eyes upon Anna for the first time. "Your Grace, it is an honor to make your acquaintance," Isobel greeted the queen with a smile and a curtsy befitting the other woman's status. "I must thank you and the king for the invitation; the Scottish court is delighted to be here." Isobel's power paled in comparison to most of the attendees, but that did not mean she could not hold her wits about her. "I hope that Scotland and France may foster a great friendship that will last for generations to come."