JADE
I woke up the next morning and saw a maid in my room arranging my clothes. When she turned and saw that I was awake, she stood and bowed her head.
"Good morning, Princess Jade," she greeted. I blushed but quickly blended in.
"Please stand. Who are you, and what's your name?" I asked.
She raised her head—and to my surprise, she turned out to be the girl I had punched earlier. "I'm a maiden in the palace. My name is Isabelle. The King ordered me to be your personal maid after your people left." Actually… they didn't leave. They disappeared.
"Oh… thank you very much. Send my greetings to the King." "Your Highness, your water is ready for your bath," she said.
"Okay," I replied.
After my bath, I told Isabelle to show me around the palace. We got to the pond, where there were tiny, multicolored fish. I bent over to look at them. "They're so beautiful," I giggled.
"Your Majesty?" Isabelle called out. I looked up at her. "What?" Her eyes shifted anxiously, trying to signal something.
"Uh… the fish… I thought you… you're about to fall!" she said, stressing the words about to fall like something was wrong.
"Are you okay?" I asked, standing up. She was clearly trying to warn me with her eyes. Then I turned—and there he was. Prince Cassey, reaching for my mask.
"What do you think you're doing?" I asked, raising my left eyebrow. "What? Was I doing anything?" he replied casually. "He was about to remove your mask," Isabelle said softly, facing down. Cassey feigned innocence. "How would I do such a thing… Wait—" he leaned in, looking closely at Isabelle. "—You're the girl who fought me in my room!" he said, pointing at her. "What? No, Your Majesty. I didn't do such a thing," she replied.
"You dare lie, huh? I will—"
"Enough, please. Your voice is so annoying, my ears are about to fall off," I interrupted, holding my head. "What? Look here, Princess Thingummy—"
"I wasn't talking to you," he snapped.
"It's Jade, don't call me names. And you are talking to my maid," I replied, getting angry.
"Or else what, Masky princess?" he taunted. "I'll report you to your father." He smirked. "Fine, go ahead. What's the worst that could happen?"
"You're such a spoiled little brat. Looks like your mother forgot to give you proper training," I snapped.
He raised his hand, and I instinctively stepped back—not realizing I was at the edge of the pond. I slipped and fell in.
He didn't even bother helping. He just stood there… smiling.
Then someone came running and helped me out. "Are you alright?" the stranger asked. Cassey's friend stood beside him."Laziel?" Cassey said, surprised. "When did you arrive?"
"Just now. And why would you push a young lady into the pond?" Laziel asked. "That's Cassey. Always playing rough," Nicholas added. "She doesn't have manners in the way she talks," Cassey said defensively. I just stood there, glaring at him.
"Are you alright, Princess…?" Laziel asked, pausing since he didn't know my name. I ignored him and stormed off.
Back in my room, Isabelle helped me change my clothes. "How could he be so rough?" I asked, sitting on the bed. "He doesn't like anyone talking about his mother," Isabelle said. "He's really a spoiled child. Can we go outside the palace? Maybe see other things?" I changed the topic. "Sorry, my princess, but that's not allowed," she replied. "How about sneaking out?" I whispered. "What if we get caught? It'll be dangerous," she said worriedly. "Don't worry about that. No one will catch us—not once we're disguised," I said with a grin.
CASSEY
Laziel was my father's nephew—his mother was my dad's elder sister. He was tall, lean, with neatly cut raven-black hair and deep, dark eyes. He was two years older than me, and we looked slightly alike."Why did you upset her? Look at what happened," he said.
"She started it first," I replied.
"But she's a lady, Cassey. You should at least take it easy on her. Among the princesses, you want to—"
I cut him off, "Don't even go there. They both came here for nothing. They'll eventually go back to their kingdoms."
"It's been a while, Laziel. How about we take you around town?" I said, slinging my arm over his shoulder. "Okay, fun time. I came for the ladies in this kingdom anyway—happy to take one back home," he joked. We both laughed. "I guess…" Nicholas started to speak, but I knew he wanted to stay behind.
"You're coming too, Nicholas," I said quickly. "Let's go."
"Here we go again," Nicholas said with a sigh.
JADE
Belle and I successfully snuck out of the palace. It was surprisingly easy, and I wasn't wearing my mask—just a black hood. We stayed out until nightfall. The entire town was rejoicing, and people were holding beautiful lanterns in all kinds of colors and designs. Curious, I asked,
"What's going on in the kingdom?"
"It's the Lantern Festival," Belle answered as we walked along, admiring the scene.
"It happens at the end of every third month."
"Hmm. Why doesn't the King participate?" I asked.
"Actually, Your Highness, I have no idea," she replied. "He's always concerned with politics, palace rules, and strict orders—like never going out during the full moon."
"Oh really? So, have you ever participated in the festival?" I asked.
"Yes, with my parents…" She paused.
"Then go meet them." She looked down. "They're not here. I was sold into service at the palace. I don't even know if they're alive or dead."
"Oh… I'm so sorry about that."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. You've really spoken kindly to me today. You're a nice person, Princess Jade," she said with a smile. No one had ever said that to me before. "Thanks. How about you get a lantern so we can light one together?"
"Okay, Your Majesty," she replied and went off to get it. As I stood there waiting, I spotted Cassey standing alone. I walked closer and stood behind him. He was staring at a mother and her little son lighting a lantern together. "Feels great, doesn't it?" he said suddenly.
I blinked. Was he talking to me? "What?" I asked.
"Take a look at those two. They are so happy. Not like that dull palace. Sometimes I wish I were a commoner," he said, watching them.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah. If I were a commoner, maybe my mother would still be alive. Happy… just like them."
"You loved your mother so much," I said softly. "Yeah… wait." He paused. "Why does your voice sound like a girl?" He turned around—and his eyes widened. "Forest girl!" he exclaimed.