Fancy

'I can rule on my own,' the phrase echoed in Ysabel's thoughts.

"Really, Ysabel? Ugh."

She dropped her head on the wooden table in the library, pounding on it repeatedly. Until a hand interrupted her, preventing her from hurting herself further.

"Is there anything bothering you, Your Highness?"

Reis' voice echoed in the silence. It reverberated inside the library.

Ysabel wanted to tell Reis about everything she had been through. But doing so might prove to be dangerous.

Much as Ysabel wanted to have someone by her side; it was better for her to do this alone than endanger Reis or someone else.

She cannot risk trusting anyone. Not even her childhood friend.

"Just the rumors," Ysabel mumbled. It was no lie; her mind had been bothered by him and the kiss.

"Prince Hinrik left earlier. He was looking for you, but you were not accessible."

Ysabel bit her lower lip.

She was supposed to be studying, but her mind was too busy and disturbed to stay still.

Shutting the book she had opened containing the history of Eyeris, which she already knew by heart, Ysabel straightened her back and sat properly.

"Did he say anything?"

"He did tell me to deliver a message."

Ysabel calmed her thundering heart, focusing on keeping her expression stoic.

"What is his message?"

"He will be back. And he hopes you will give him a proper response then."

Ysabel's forehead creased. She tapped her fingers on the desk.

"What kind of response?"

Reis shrugged.

"I don't know, Your Highness. But weren't you and him close?"

Ysabel opened her mouth only to close it. She had no response to give. Her mind was clouded with questions and more questions.

At that instance, she decided to begin digging around about her mother and the betrayal they mentioned.

She could only think of a few cases where a monarch would be sentenced to exile, and her mother's death made it even more difficult to decide which of those crimes her mother allegedly committed.

"Reis," Ysabel suddenly had a thought. "Can I ask for a favor?"

Reis clapped her hands, smiling at the young monarch.

"Do you even need to ask?" She replied with excitement laced in her tiny voice.

Ysabel searched her friend's face, trying to find anything that would tell her about her suffering.

She intended to find out more about that. For now, she needed Reis to do something less suspicious.

"It's a bit ridiculous, but I really need this for my peace of mind."

Reis blinked, uncertain about the favor but still willing to do as her lady asked.

"What is it, Your Highness?"

Ysabel took a deep breath and mentally repeated the phrase in her head.

"I need you to keep an eye on Dorothy."

Reis' eyes widened.

"The head of the maids? May I at least know why?"

'As the head of the palace maids, she must know many things. I need to know what she knows. She could have been involved in the plot against my mother.'

The thought gave Ysabel the conviction she needed.

'If I were to plan anything against anyone inside the palace, Dorothy was a vital person to rely on.'

"I'd like to throw her a surprise for her years of service. And you know, I can't do that with everyone knowing. So this should be our secret."

Reis pursed her lips. The request sounded ridiculous, indeed.

"I see. That's very generous of you, Your Highness."

In the back of her mind, Reis thought of all the times the elder maid had scolded her. Her 'closeness' with the future queen was deemed inappropriate.

She had been reminded repeatedly about her duties and standing inside the castle.

"Can you do it, Reis?"

"Um, just to be clear, you want me to observe Madame Dorothy and gather information for the surprise?"

Ysabel nodded.

"And you can't be caught, Reis. Please?"

Reis nodded, sealing the deal while Ysabel smiled.

"I would appreciate it if you could report to me her everyday routine. It would help me decide on what kind of surprise it would be. The theme colors and all that."

"I got you covered. The walls have ears."

"I know," Ysabel murmured.

She knew that on the night she died, echoes of her screams and Reis weren't unheard of.

But she was led to believe that no one cared enough to bring justice or even give her a proper burial, just like her mother.

With that in mind, Ysabel thought about the council and the justicar.

She needed to sniff out who was really on her side and those who were waiting to see her downfall.

"Is there anything else bothering you, Your Highness?"

Ysabel stared at Reis. She clasped her hands and got to her feet, standing face to face with her friend.

"Can you be honest with me, Reis?"

The latter found Ysabel's behavior to be odd. She could sense that ever since yesterday, she had seemed a little different.

'Perhaps, she had a lot on her plate.' Reis thought, feeling sorry for Ysabel. She couldn't imagine the kind of burden she was carrying as the future queen of Eyeris.

Her responsibilities as a palace maid already seemed taxing for Reis. Ysabel would be leading Eyeris and the pressure to find someone to marry and bear an heir.

The idea sent shivers on Reis's skin, a memory coming to mind.

"What is it, Your Highness?"

Ysabel took a step, closing the small gap that separated her and Reis.

"This would sound ridiculous again. But I hope you bear with me. I've been a little troubled by a lot of things lately."

Gulping, Reis fiddled with her hands. She was afraid of what Ysabel wanted to know. There were things even she didn't know.

Reis was afraid that Ysabel would ask her something she didn't know—scared to fail her lady.

"You can ask me anything, Your Highness. But I'm only a palace maid; I know only a little."

Ysabel smiled, dismissing the fear that knotted in Reis' stomach.

Squinting, Ysabel narrowed her gaze at her friend.

"Do you have anyone you fancy in the palace, Reis?"