Bezmun

Thin sheets of rain pitter-pattered on the carriage roof. The horse's hooves sloshed roughly against the mud-thickened road.

A two-day journey to Bezmun would likely become three if the rain didn't stop pouring. Dark, ominous clouds hid the sun. Even the pink-orange tint in the horizon was missing.

Ysabel mentally sighed as she stared out the window. The carriage moved at a slow pace, and though Reis was giddy with excitement, the latter had to play it safe.

"Everyone is always watching," Ysabel leaned against the smooth cushion and closed her eyes, listening to the hum of her mother's voice echoing in her mind. "Even if you think that no one is around, someone is always watching your every action, the words you speak, your body movements. Some people would pay to see you fall, Ysabel."

"Hyah!"

The sound of the coachman whipping the horses to move a little faster brought Ysabel out of her reverie.

The carriage lurched forward, throwing Reis toward Ysabel's side. The palace maid dressed nicely for the occasion.

Reis braided her hair, splitting it into two. Her bright eyes made her appear to be more than just a palace maid.

Ysabel lifted her hand to help her, but she hesitated, taking caution not to show mercy, or her plans would begin to crumble.

The palace maid straightened, jumping back to the seat opposite Ysabel, lowering her head to apologize for her honest mistake.

"Forgive me, your highness."

Ysabel hummed.

"It's alright," she whispered, her heart hammering inside her chest. She had yet to set the plan in stone, yet she already felt uneasy.

Her stomach quivered.

The second carriage carrying her stepbrother followed close behind. A third one came along at the very back. It contained their belongings.

Beside the coachman were two palace guards. They were to keep Ysabel and Gwendolyn safe and ensure their return to Eyeris without any mishap on the way.

Bandits were commonly heard of attacking travelers and stealing as many goods as possible. There were also talks about thieves stripping an individual down to the last piece of fine clothing, leaving one bare and sometimes lifeless.

Ysabel rarely came out of the palace. When she did it openly, it was only to attend the weekly mass held in the grand cathedral at the plaza.

In her past life, she had Reis covering for her when she wanted to breathe some air and buy herself a trinket from the night market.

She would put on a guise and have Reis help her escape. They would then sneak out when Reis covered her tracks and enjoy an evening, dancing and living like a common folk.

"Hyah!" the coachman put a little more speed now that the rain had somewhat stopped pelting. The horses galloped faster.

"Are you nervous?" Reis asked, surprising Ysabel. The young monarch blinked, suddenly recalling that she would see Prince Hinrik, the man who stole her first kiss.

Hiding her hands in the folds of her dress, Ysabel curled them into fists. But she faked a tight smile toward Reis.

"Nervous? Maybe…"

Ysabel let her sentence hang. She was indeed nervous. But not for the same reason that Reis was thinking about.

Her feelings for the prince were unchangeable. Yet, she had more important things to deal with other than her relationship with the handsome sovereign.

The rest of the ride was bathed in silence. The occasional scream of the coachman was the only sound heard as they approached the tall iron gates of Bezmun.

Several royal guards held a torch to keep the entrance lighted. They wore the proud colors of Bezmun.

A blanket of stars shone in the sky. Some of them had a brighter glow than others.

When the carriage door was slowly opened, Ysabel felt the brief cold gust of wind that blew past from the small opening.

A royal guard from Bezmun bowed politely at Ysabel and Reis.

"Welcome to Bezmun, your highness. Forgive us for the slight interruption. You may pass now,"

Ysabel exchanged greetings before the carriage door was once again shut close. After each carriage was checked, a few shouts were exchanged, and the tall gate was gradually pushed open.

The streets were alive as people gathered outside, making way for the three carriages entering their kingdom.

Reis looked out the window with much enthusiasm. She waved at every people who looked their way and grinned like a kid.

Ysabel merely watched as they passed different faces of people. Some waved back at Reis; the others raised a brow but most simply ignored it.

The majority didn't look happy at all.

This had Ysabel thinking.

'Is there something going on here?'

Ysabel's occasional nightly escapades were sometimes rewarded by an insight into what people thought of her and her family.

As her father was the current King, she heard no one complaining about heavy taxes or laborious tasks.

There were no rumors of injustice or abuse. Ysabel may be a little biased, but her father was a great King.

Even the palace servants sang praises about him. Other than his first love and a few concubines, there was no negative feedback against his leadership.

'But that's the fatal flaw,' Ysabel mused. 'He seemed too perfect.'

The realization made her uneasy.

In truth, Ysabel was not ready to learn what kind of secrets her parents had tried so hard to hide from her. She was afraid of the truth that she would uncover.

'Yet, I must,' Ysabel bit her lower lip. 'I must persist and solve the mystery. This is the only way to save Eyeris from Gwendolyn's rule.'

The carriage came to a stop. Ysabel pulled herself away from the thoughts that infiltrated her mind.

She looked out the window again.

"Wow!" Reis exclaimed, taking the words right out of Ysabel's mouth. "It's beautiful!"

The castle of Bezmun stood on high ground. Behind it was a churning sea, splashing huge waves to and fro from time to time.

In its surroundings were beautiful assortments of flowers of every kind.

Even in the dark, Ysabel could see how grand and elegant Bezmun was. For a moment, she felt thrilled to be there and perhaps have a chance to see the rumored beautiful roses.

But as soon as the carriage door burst open, she dropped every wistful thought of flowers and enjoying their stay in Bezmun.

Her pulse quickened, and her throat ran dry. Ysabel lost all sense of proper thinking at the mere sight of him.

Outside the carriage, with the royal guards standing on either side of him, was Prince Hinrik.