Bells are ringing

Soft giggles could be heard from the stables close to the dungeon. The guards patrolled closely around the palace, leaving the stables less guarded.

Gwendolyn put his coat back, dusting off the hay that stuck on them. He ruffled his hair, removing any evidence of his nightly affair.

After buttoning his inner shirt, a slender hand rose to seek his assistance. The owner giggled as she watched Gwendolyn's eyes twinkle, his desire igniting three folds upon her seductive smile.

With a scoff, Gwendolyn helped the lady to her feet. She dusted off the hay that stuck to her bare skin, picking up the clothes which the young monarch before her had taken off carelessly only moments ago.

Against the dim light in the stables, her flustered cheeks were visible as she giggled while Gwendolyn helped her pluck out the stubborn hay tangled in her hair.

"There were rumors about your father's health recently. Is he alright?" Lady Sophia, a distant relative of the duke and duchess of Havenport, asked, halting Gwendolyn from removing the remaining tangles in her hair.

A King's health failing being rumored around the kingdom and beyond its walls was a bad omen. And though Gwendolyn wished to keep Lady Sophia's interest, talking about his father's health would mean the noble lady had something in mind.

But Gwendolyn wasn't in the mood to play her game.

"He fell ill due to a cold. It took him a while to recover, but you saw him earlier, lively as a horse."

The horses neighed in response to Gwendolyn using them as a reference, to which Lady Sophia chuckled in response.

"Your sister," Lady Sophia went on, treading the subject carefully. It was no secret that Gwendolyn and Sienna were not on good terms. But it was common among royal children.

However, Gwendolyn and Sienna had always been distant. Despite their father's effort to bring them together.

Narrowing his gaze at Lady Sophia, Gwendolyn waited for her to go on.

"What about Sienna?"

Lady Sophia touched Gwendolyn's cheek, closing the small gap separating them. She put her other hand on his chest, stroking his chest gently, rubbing her fingers against his shirt.

"Have you ever considered yourself a better heir to the crown than her?"

Gwendolyn caught her hand, halting her from touching him.

"I'd appreciate it if you stopped there."

Lady Sophia frowned and pulled her hand away. She fixed her dress and her hair, turning around to take her leave.

"Tch," Gwendolyn didn't even try to stop the lady. He watched her curse and stomped away; a few hays were still visible on her dress. But he couldn't care about that either.

"You won't be the woman I would choose as Queen if I become King," Gwendolyn muttered. "A lot of ladies will be knocking on my door. And if I make it happen, you'll be sorry you walked out on me."

Gwendolyn chuckled, keeping the thought to himself.

Sienna was the heir to the throne. Unless something ill befell on his step-sister, Gwendolyn was to take her place.

It was no surprise that a woman like Lady Sophia would take an interest in the topic. She has one-fourth of royal blood running in her veins.

But if she happens to marry the new King of Eyeris, her name shall be known in all the land.

Shaking his head in disbelief, Gwendolyn scoffed again.

Turning his attention to the horses, Gwendolyn smirked.

"I'll be King one day. I wonder how Sienna would react upon that happening."

Chuckling to himself, the Prince left the stables, dusting any remains of his little game before coming back to the party.

–

Touching her lips, Ysabel absent-mindedly took a bite from the apple pie she had been fiddling with upon coming back to her chamber.

Reis noticed Ysabel's far away look. She watched the young monarch take small bites of the pie, her mind elsewhere.

Snapping a finger to her face, Reis watched Ysabel blink several times.

Ysabel slowly came back to the present. She eyed Reis, frowning. It was then that she noted Reis was staring at her oddly.

"Oh, um. I just had a…."

Reis put a hand over her mouth, recalling the rumor she heard from the pantry.

Panicked, Ysabel's eyes grew wide, her hands wiping at her lips.

"What? What is it? Is my makeup alright?"

The palace maid frowned at Ysabel's query.

"What makeup?"

Ysabel paled, realizing she had washed away any trace of makeup from her face a little while ago. She cleared her throat.

"Don't mind me."

"Is it true then?"

Reis asked, her eyes never leaving Ysabel.

Ysabel frowned, not fully understanding what Reis was on about.

"What?"

It was Reis' turn to clear her throat.

"You and Prince Hinrik."

Ysabel gasped, her cheeks reddening in all shades of pink. Her thought had gone back to the kiss she and Hinrik had shared.

Even in her past life, they barely got that close.

It was her first.

Flustered and uncertain how much the servants knew, the thought of someone seeing them kiss made Ysabel rise to her feet. The silverware she was holding tumbled to the floor with a clang.

Reis joined her, surprised at the worry evident on Ysabel's face.

"What about me and Hinrik?"

Reis blinked, noting how Ysabel casually called the Prince by his name. Realizing this, Ysabel cleared her throat again.

"I mean, what are the people saying about me and Prince Hinrik?"

Reis pursed her lips.

"Not people. Only the palace servants. You and the Prince seemed intimate on the dance floor."

"Oh," Ysabel calmed a little; her moment of panic made her feel more embarrassed. She had overreacted.

"Oh?" Reis repeated, becoming a little nosy. "Um, I mean, are you two… together?"

Ysabel bit her lower lip, sitting back down. She poked the apple pie with her finger, bringing it to her mouth, and licked the tiny piece she was able to scoop.

"No," Ysabel clarified.

"Really?"

Ysabel looked at Reis, frowning.

"Why?"

Reis cleared her throat again, picking the silverware off the floor.

"Well, there are rumors about an upcoming wedding."

"What wedding?"

Reis pursed her lips, eyeing the noble young lady.

"A union between you and Prince Hinrik."