The winter mist had veiled the precious golden orb in the sky, and the early morning light lay soft and foggy over the palace grounds. I woke feeling strangely energetic. I slipped into a blue gown; my golden hair was smoothed and swept down my back. I slid my feet into blue slippers, adjusted the puffed sleeves of the dress, and stepped out of my chamber toward the garden.
After a slow stroll, I saw a girl approaching with two friends behind her. "Iris — isn't it too early for a walk?" she asked.
"Isn't it too early for a walk?" I echoed, sounding deliberately childish.
"A question for a question, eh?" Vera said, laughing.
We walked a little farther. A chill ran down my spine, so I told Vera we should turn back. While we retraced our steps toward the palace, our conversation turned quiet and honest.
"Vera, to be honest, besides Limuol and you, I don't really have any other family I'm close to," I said, my voice dropping.
"Really?" she said, surprised. "Then we're going to stick together. Why don't we become besties?"
"Yes—let's be besties," I replied, smiling.
We entered through a porch off the hallway that led to the throne room. Our laughter rang out, bright and loud enough to echo through the palace.
"My princess, everything is ready for your day off," the maid announced.
"Okay, you may go," Vera said.
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"Louis, I can't believe my ears. This is prohibited in this palace, and you know it!" Queen Nanna roared, her voice ringing with disappointment.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"I don't know—but let's go see for ourselves," she said.
Louis was already trying to defend himself. "Sorry, Grandma, I was drunk. Understand me? It's a guy's thing to get drunk. Sometimes even the responsible Lemuel gets drunk."
"Don't justify yourself, Louis!" Queen Nanna,thundered. "Of all the wine stored in this palace, you chose to sneak into the city to drink. Because of your indiscipline, you are grounded until further notice. You will remain in your chamber, and meals shall be served to you. You are forbidden to stroll around the palace or its gardens. And hear me well—you will not wear royal attire. You shall dress as a peasant until I am satisfied."
I couldn't contain myself. "Ha, ha, ha!" I laughed. "Oh, glorious heavens, thank you for making this day so memorable!"
"You witch! What did you do?" Louis spat, his face burning with anger.
"Me?" I said, still laughing. "I did nothing. I didn't send you to the city, nor did I pour the alcohol down your throat."
Louis's fury only grew as I rejoiced in triumph. At last, he stormed out of the throne room in rage.
"Victorious Iris," I whispered to myself, smiling proudly
"Iris, what did you do?" Isabella asked as she walked toward me.
"Me? I did nothing. Grandma and Naana left the throne room—I just saw them drunk," I said, settling onto my throne.
"Then, Issy [ Isabella ]pressed.
"Yes, then," I replied quickly.
"Louis and Limuel—" I continued, but Arteries cut in.
"So you chose to help Limuel and leave Louis?"
"Yes, I did."
"How discriminative of you," Arteries said sharply.
"I was tired—and it's my right to choose who I want to save!" I exclaimed, trying to justify myself.
Later, I wandered into Naana's garden on the east wing of the palace. It was a sacred place, reserved only for royals close to the monarch. The trees stood in perfect bloom, untouched by winter's chill. The forest shield that encircled the garden protected it from harsh weather, leaving it in eternal spring. Birds filled the air with song, and the wind whispered gently as I sat beneath the summer hut. For once, there was no sound of family quarrels—only peace.
"Iris."
I turned at the sound of my name. "Limuel," I answered, walking toward him.
"Iris, thank you for helping me last night. Though… it was awkward. You're the first girl to see my nakedness—and we're related," he said, his voice low with shame.
I pretended not to hear that part.
Instead, Limuel drew out a small case. "Iris, this is for you."
He opened it, and my breath caught. Inside lay a lucidius necklace: a luminous pearl at its center, surrounded by diamonds carved into delicate cones.
"I can't take this," I said, trying to push the case back into his hands.
"No—you must," he insisted. "They'll begin royal preparations next year, and I know you'll need it."
"Fine… you win," I said, breaking into a smile.
Lemuel lifted the necklace from its case and clasped it around my neck. At once, the moonlight caught on its surface, and the jewel glowed with a soft, otherworldly brilliance.