Invitation

Two sealed invitations came by the next day in the palace of Eyeris. Ysabel's name was inscribed on the back of the fancy envelope along with her stepbrother.

Reis took one of the invitations to Ysabel's room. She noticed the insignia of Bezmun stamped on the seal. She smiled as she neared the young monarch's room.

Ysabel had been kind to her ever since she came to Eyeris. The King gave her the assignment to attend to the princess when she was not needed in the pantry.

With the sun barely rising, half of the palace was still asleep. Except for the cook, the baker, and the palace guards, even the palace maids have yet to rise.

Reis stays with the female cook. Hence, she was up early before the birds could chirp. Most of the time, Reis would sort the mails that come. Some of them were from yesterday, and most were delivered early by the mailman.

Upon arriving at Ysabel's chamber, Reis contained her giggles and knocked on the wooden door.

"Rise and shine, Your Highness! I have a special delivery for you this fine morning!"

Reis listened and waited. She heard some shuffling before Ysabel's voice was heard.

"Come in."

Reis pushed the double door open and was beaming, ready to hand Ysabel the sealed invitation. But she stopped in her tracks, noticing Ysabel's stoic expression.

She has yet to change. Her white sleeping gown looked pale against her fair skin.

"Did something happen, Your Highness?"

Ysabel shook her head. She looked at Reis and noticed the invitation in her hand.

"You were saying?"

Reis was curious if Ysabel had something in mind. She was usually smiling in the morning and scowling by afternoon after enduring a day in the life of a young soon-to-be Queen.

But she let the worrisome thoughts fade away.

"Oh!" Reis beamed, handing Ysabel the invitation. "I believe this is for you, Your Highness. It came from the kingdom of Bezmun."

Ysabel stared at the invitation. She immediately recalled how she and Hinrik had parted. It was bittersweet.

The kiss was enough to get her by, but she also had a bitter realization knowing she needed to keep her distance from the charming prince.

Her foolishness to believe in love and happiness made her naive. Her personal fancies had blinded her, and she didn't see what was happening outside of her bubble.

Ysabel knew she had been selfish. Too selfish, and she vowed never to repeat that same mistake again.

Tentatively taking the invitation from Reis, Ysabel walked toward her vanity and found a letter opener along with some trinkets.

She unsealed the invitation and skimmed the content.

"What does it say?" Reis asked excitedly. Ysabel admired her enthusiasm and felt bad for the plan she had to keep her safe.

It was going to break her spirit for sure. But Ysabel knew it was the only way she could save Reis before it was too late.

"Bezmun is holding a feast to celebrate their King's health. My brother and I are invited."

Ysabel was not comfortable calling Gwendolyn as her brother. He never acknowledged her except in front of the King and Queen.

But she did try. They just never see eye to eye.

Reis clapped enthusiastically.

"Should I prepare your fanciest gown, Your Highness?"

Ysabel hummed.

"I suppose so. Declining an invitation would be rude. Unless there was a valid reason."

Ysabel left the invitation by the vanity. She ignored how her heart fluttered and the butterflies in her stomach.

The Kingdom of Bezmun was the third largest in Iramethea. They have the most beautiful roses one would ever find.

Prince Hinrik told her about the rich history of Bezmun and the romance between a gardener and a lady.

As a result, roses bloomed beautifully in a particular spot inside the palace.

Ysabel had wanted to visit it then. She wanted to be thrilled to visit it now. But this invitation might give her an opportunity to learn something.

Any trivial matter about her mother's betrayal would be a start. Ysabel was far from uncovering anything.

She had been brooding all night about it.

But no answer came. Perhaps the travel to the other kingdom will reveal something. It wouldn't be until two days that they were expected to be there.

Thus, Ysabel had some time to get her things ready.

Turning to Reis, Ysabel tried to smile. She had been thinking about how to put her plan in motion.

The sooner it gets done, the better she can move. Even though it was going to break her heart more than her friend's, Ysabel needed to do what she believed was right.

'You can hate me for everything later, Reis. But at least you'll be safe.'

"You should pack your things, too. You're coming with me."

Reis blinked; she couldn't believe what she had just heard.

"Me?" she repeated. Ysabel nodded.

"Do you expect me to be dressed by the palace maids there? Of course not. I'd rather have you than them touching my hair and making me look pretty."

Reis put a hand to her mouth. She was brimming with joy. She had always dreamed of seeing another kingdom and riding in a carriage.

She least expected it to come true so soon.

"Your Highness!"

Reis was close to tears. She stood there, sniffing and almost crying. Ysabel approached her and pulled her dear friend into a quick hug.

She savored it, knowing it might be the last.

"Thank you for always being there for me, Reis," Ysabel whispered and let her friend go before she could start regretting what she intended to do.

Reis was still too overwhelmed to speak. She ended up coming in for another round of hugs, which surprised Ysabel.

She squeezed Reis back anyway and patted her shoulders.

"You better start packing now. Bring pretty clothes with you."

Reis released Yabel, nodding vigorously. She stared at Ysabel for one last time before squealing and leaving Ysabel's chamber. The young monarch waited for the door to close before she clenched her hand into a fist and pounded at her chest.

"Be brave, Ysabel," she whispered. "Be vigilant. The fate of Eyeris lies on your hand."