2 Chapter 1: Escape Plan

"Your highness, let me introduce the goddesses of Oceana Kingdom, Señorita Kadita and Señora Odette." The messenger said and bowed down before leaving.

Miya glanced at Estes who is seating on his throne next to her, asking for permission if she can join the two goddesses.

He rolled his eyes before nodding his head at her. Miya smiled then left her throne and ran towards the two and hugged them tightly.

Kadita gasped while patting Miya's back. "M-Miya, c-can't breathe..."

Miya broke the embrace and laughed while scratching the back of her head. "I'm sorry. I just missed you guys. We didn't hang out for like almost a week. By the way, did the messenger just called you 'señora', Odette?"

She awkwardly smiled. "Yes, I found my mate. You didn't know? I sent you a letter 3 days ago. Including the invitation to the wedding."

Miya sighed and tried to calm herself. She already knows the reason why the letter didn't reach to her. She glanced at Estes' throne which is empty. He ran away, again.

Whenever Miya tried to talk to Estes about his 'overprotectiveness' to her, he always ran away or ignore her.

"I'm sorry, Odette. How was the wedding?"

She shrugged. "It was fine, but it will be better if you were there. You really need to talk this out with Estes. We can't always visit and throw a party here at your palace. I kind of feel bad for your handmaids because of our mess."

Kadita snickered. "If he still doesn't want to talk then get your arrow and threaten him."

"Kadita!" Miya and Odette shouted in unison.

"What?" Kadita innocently asked as if she didn't say anything wrong.

Miya shook her head. "Anyway, who is the lucky guy, Odette?" Her forehead creased.

Odette's cheeks blushed and eventually smiled. Remembering how she met her own mate.

"Well, I met him in the woods—"

"And you kissed, you immediately fell in love with each other, then you married the next day which is kind of fast and they lived happily ever after. The end." Kadita bitterly said.

Odette nudged Kadita. "Hey! We did not kiss that day, besides he was greatly injured. I tried to help him but when I looked straight into his eyes, I—"

"And then you ran away, remembering what your daddy told you that you do not help and talk to strangers." Kadita said while playing with her staff.

Odette sighed. "Will you please let me finish my sentence?"

Kadita raised both of her hands as if she's surrendering and took the stairs, going to Miya's room.

Odette and Miya decided to follow Kadita while Odette tells the whole story to Miya. Kadita keeps on rolling her eyes, she hates the idea of having a mate and being someone's other half.

"His name is Lancelot. I found him in the woods near our castle. I was just taking a stroll then I saw him sitting next to a tree, bleeding badly. At first, I didn't know that he was my mate because I was panicking. Then when I saw his eyes, I knew it was him, my mate."

"Wow, that's amazing!" Miya exclaimed.

Odette grinned at her. "How about you? Any news about your long lost mate?"

Miya showed her sad smile and slowly shook her head. "He hasn't arrived yet. Maybe he's also busy with his kingdom or—"

Kadita cut off Miya's words and faced them. "Or he doesn't exist and you don't have a mate."

"Come on, Kadita. Don't be mean. Trust me, when you also find your mate, you will eat everything you said." Odette stated.

Kadita snickered. "Or it can be the other way around, I won't. If I see my mate, then I see him. That's it, nothing else will happen between us."

Odette and Miya chuckled and shook their heads.

A great idea popped in Odette's mind and grinned at them. "That reminds me, the Ice Kingdom is planning on throwing a big party at the Sacred Statues."

Miya frowned. "What? At the Sacred Statues? Who allowed such a thing? Isn't that the border to the Dark Empire?"

"Yeah. That's their point. They think that this might stop the war between their and our empire and become allies again. Come on, Miya. Try persuading Estes. This might be your ticket to meet your mate!" Odette exclaimed and clapped her hands, showing how happy she is.

"If he still doesn't approve, let me talk to him. And if he still disagrees—"

"You will threaten him to flood the whole Moonlight Kingdom by using your power. Very clever, Kadita." Miya said sarcastically.

Kadita's eyes brighten and snapped her fingers. "Actually, I haven't thought about that but now that you mentioned it, I might actually consider it. Thank you, Miya."

Kadita opened the door to Miya's bedroom and let herself fall to the soft mattress. Odette did the same thing.

Miya face-palmed while shaking her head. She can't imagine her life without her two friends that are keeping her company.

"Or just leave a letter on your table for Estes to find out then escape to your window to go to the party in the Sacred Statues with us." Odette said while playing with the pillow.

Kadita and Miya looked at each other then glanced to Odette. They both jumped to her and hugged her tightly.

"H-Hey! You guys are too heavy!" Odette gasped and pushed Miya and Kadita. "What's with the hug??"

"You're a genius!" Kadita exclaimed and clapped her hands.

Odette frowned. "Well that's very unusual of you, but thanks I guess? Now start writing that letter, Miya. We're going to that party. Don't worry about our safety. Aurora made sure that there will be a lot of guards guarding and checking for any possible weapon that can hurt us. Oh! I almost forgot the party is a masquerade ball. Don't worry about your masks, I already made some for the three of us." Odette said and took out something from her bag and laid it on my bed.

"You made 10 masks?" Miya gaped.

Odette shrugged. "So we can choose, and besides I was bored that day so I made a lot of masks. The other 10 masks are left in my castle. Should I call my messenger to go get it?"

Miya shook her head. "This is fine. I'll take the blue one."

"The green one is mine." Kadita said and already took the mask.

Odette clapped her hands. "Then it's settled. We'll be waiting in the garden which is just below your balcony at 5 o'clock pm. The party starts at 6 but it will take an hour for us to reach the border. Miya, remember the plan okay?"

"Yeah, don't screw up. Don't act weird around Estes as if you're hiding something from him. Understand?" Kadita crossed her arms while waiting for an answer.

"Yes, ma'am." I said and saluted.