Where the gate lies

As the ladies left their seats, the prince remained, taking their plates to place it on top of one another. The utensils were placed neatly above the pile, and was about to clear the rest of the empty tablewares until the maids took over. "Oh, no no no, Your Majesty, please, let us do it instead." The butler who instructed the maids politely said, slowly placing the wares on the rolling serving tray. "It's alright, I'm already quite used to it." the prince continued to help them anyway. Once the table was cleaned, a timid maid offered him a cloth for him to wipe his hands. The prince is so kind, I now see why the leader saved him from the palace. He's an angel! The maid thought.

Carlos turned to look for Priscilla and Ruby, who was waiting by the pillar. Priscilla rolled her eyes. "Hurry up." she said. The prince obediently followed and walked over. "We'll be behind you, those pricks won't let us out unless you say so." Carlos heeded Priscilla's request and nodded. Approaching the guards that stood beside the front door, Carlos greeted them with a warm smile. In return, the guards bowed and spoke gently, "Good morning, Your Majesty." Upon raising their heads, they each held the door knobs. "Where will you be going today, Your Majesty?" one asked. "Please do return safely, Your Majesty." the other added.

"Wait, you guys!" Dragonfly catches up to them, placing her hands on Priscilla's and Ruby's shoulder. "You gotta be back before midnight, alright? Just in case Fauna comes back. She might kill me if she knew I let you guys off the hook."

"We will, now get off me." Priscilla said, rubbing off Dragonfly's hand. 

"It won't take long." Ruby followed.

Dragonfly glances at Carlos, winking her left eye. "Alrighty then, good luck! Don't get bitten by wolves and snakes!" She waves at him.

Carlos wasn't quite sure about what she meant by her gestures, yet he assured her. "We'll be sure to be back as soon as we find it."

"See you guys later!" Dragonfly waves at them one last time, watching them walk away from the safehouse and out of the large gates.

The three quietly trekked the road. Ruby had her hands behind her back, constantly watching every direction as they pass by the trees and the houses. Priscilla kept looking at her pocket mirror to check every angle of her face, constantly fixing her lipstick and her smile. The prince, on the other hand, walked between them without a word to say. He awkwardly faced the road forward, not even bothering to look at his companions who were busy in their own worlds. Right before they knew it, they're already far from the safehouse and arrived at the town square. They passed by the shops, as well as the alleyway where Carlos found Priscilla. 

Like yesterday, the streets were still as busy, though this time, unwanted attention were clinging unto them. Carlos could feel dozens of eyes watching him and his companions whilst they pass by the crowd. When he looked over to Ruby, she ignored the surroundings, opposite to what Priscilla was doing, flaunting her face and long flowy dress. She blew a few kisses to men who gazed upon her, almost luring them into following the three as they walked. Annoyed by this, Ruby has had enough and berated the fiend. "Priscilla, behave yourself." Compliant while rolling her eyes, Priscilla stopped. "Ugh, fine."

A few more steps later and they finally exited the city. 

"Wait, why are we leaving Iyesgarth?" Carlos became worried. "I thought the gate was in the city?"

"Relax, it's still on Iyesgarth, just not in the human establishments." Priscilla replied.

"Oh, okay." Carlos decided he should just trust them fully.

They trekked the road once more. Compared to the path earlier, everything around them were green pastures, long blades of grass, and animals scattered here and there. Every now and then, they'd even encounter rabbits hopping along them. They'd sometimes pass by farmers with their carts filled with hay bales. Birds flew above them freely, while some perched on trees to sing for the passerby prince. Ruby still wasn't bothered, yet Priscilla obviously was fed up with the heat and what she sees around her. "Carlos, give me your coat. The heat's starting to burn." Priscilla complains while fanning herself with her hand. Carlos took his coat off and hurriedly gave it to Priscilla. As she covers her head and wrapped herself in it, she could smell a flowery fragrance. "What perfume did you use?" she turns to Carlos. He replies, "Perfume? Oh. Uh... I don't know. Ami gifted that to me."

"Ugh." Priscilla changes her tone and looked away. "It smells horrible." She obviously lied.

"We're here." Ruby stopped them from their tracks. Before them was a barely hidden lake with blue water. The tall trees stood guard on each direction and the flowers crawled on the edges of the lake. Now that the lake's been visited by them, the critters that drank its waters before they came ran away. The three went closer, observing its stillness. Carlos was quite mesmerized by the sight, but he still couldn't find the gate that they were looking for. He proceeded to ask his companions: "So, where is it?"

"Carlos, it's literally right in front of you." Priscilla responds.

Carlos looks around once more. Then he realizes, a strange formation of water lilies lies on top of the water. A line of pads extended towards the center of the lake. Around it, the flowers were facing the center of the lake. "Your Majesty, try stepping on the lily pad." Ruby instructs him. Carefully, he took a step, pressing his foot on the pad yet only ends up drowning it. "The insignia, Your Majesty. It's stopping you from entering." Ruby points out the insignia hanging on his waist. Hesitantly, he had no choice but to hand it over. Once the insignia was given up to Ruby, the prince tries once more. 

Upon stepping, the pad seemed to have supported his foot. Enthralled, he stood on it excitedly. Carlos looks over to Ruby with a wide smile on his face. Seeing him overjoyed, Ruby couldn't help but smile as well. "Now, head over to the center of the lake. Just follow the lily pads and don't fall on the water." She instructs him once more. Following Ruby's instructions, one by one, Carlos carefully stepped on the pads until he reached the last one. Once he stood on it, he felt a slight tremor coming from under the pads. The waters became disturbed and the pads started to shake, making the prince lose his balance. Just as he was about to fall, Ruby caught his arm. "Be careful." she said as she supported the prince to make sure he doesn't fall on the water. Ruby was following silently behind him along with Priscilla. Luckily, Ruby was just in time, or else, Carlos would've been dragged down the lake. While the tremor continued, a large red crystal door emerged from the waters, rising before them unhurriedly. 

The gate to the Red Courtyard finally appeared.