Izrina had walked ten steps inside when she understood the first stage of grief. Shocked. The princess couldn't seem to wrap her mind around what made her think she could flawlessly act like a boy when tomorrow comes.
Was it her voice? No, or her hair? That plan was bound to fail. Or her body? As far as manly nature is concerned, she was travelling lightly. Nothing about her features screamed man. And yet, here she was sneaking back inside their quarters with Spinola holding closely the sack to her chest.
It was really going down. Once the sun- no. Before even the sun kisses the horizon of Zephyrus to announce a new dawn. Izrina was going to transform into a man. And Cora and Spinola trusted her!
"We don't trust you to get it right." Spinola said breathlessly, her eyes darting around the palace.
Izrina twitched her lips. Maybe trusting her acting skills would be a stretch, but right now their lives depended on how well-
"And don't be afraid to abandon us when things get out of hand." Spinola added for good measure.
Izrina opened her mouth then closed it. If they didn't trust her and weren't sure she would do well, why then-
"But as Cora had said," Spinola continued, halting abruptly once they got to their quarters. She reached for the girl's shoulder.
"This might be better than having these lecherous men hunt you...it's unfortunate that you're enchanting. Almost as a fairy."
Izrina's face turned red. She pressed her lips. "There are other girls...other beautiful girls."
"Not as beautiful as you, darling." Spinola replied with a sharp hiss. "Other girls are like specs of dust for you, little pea."
The woman's eye moved from the girl's face to blank space. "Little wonder the king has his eyes on you...he might be a monster, but he's a monster with good eyes." And if things were right, maybe a marriage between the princess of Ziadne and the King of Zephyrus would have been-
Spinola realized her thoughts were digressing. She tried to wave it off by shaking her head.
"Your betrothed...he isn't a monster."
Izrina's eyes lit up. "Lord Karlmann...." she trailed. She had seen him just once, but her heart.... the young lord had done something to her heart that made her blush. The memory of him made her smile.
You must remain chaste until your next meeting with him. This plan can only make that possible." Spinola couldn't help but notice the perks that came with the idea she once vehemently opposed .
"Now let us go inside and sleep. Hopefully, other doves have retired to bed." Spinola murmured, pushing the door as gently as she could.
Though the door refused to obey the law of silence. Spinola also noticed that the room was half empty. She recalled that some maidens were still serving the guests.
"Look who at who has returned," a dove tried to whisper but failed woefully.
"Rina thought that being young would get her picked by the king." The women gossiped without care that their target could hear them clearly.
Izrina and Spinola ignored them, walking straight to their bed. Spinola helped the girl with her shoes, against Izrina's orders.
"I can do it myself." Izrina tried to stop the woman.
Spinola ignored her. "Shush and sleep now...tomorrow will be a long day."
Curling up on the bed, Izrina tucked herself with the jacket Cora gave her. She faced her right side so she could hear Spinola.
It has been an endless day for Izrina. She couldn't remember the last time she retired to bed without getting into trouble or passing out. It felt like it's been ages.
The world now seemed quiet, just like when she had danced at the fountain. Izrina was glad she hadn't taken her own life then. Though the condition wasn't great, neither was she resting on her queen-sized bed with incense and sweet-scented candles lit for her. But it felt good.
The warmth from Cora's jacket, the thin bedsheets that made the bed something close to soft. Spinola's worried gaze and motherly hands.
They all felt really good and made life worth living again for the princess.
"Don't worry about anything. I'll stay awake and make sure nothing happens to you."
Izrina curled herself up. "You should get some sleep, Spinola." The girl drawled.
Spinola shook her head. "This is your first night in this room, and I don't trust these women." To make her point, she glanced at the women who spoke in hushed tones staring in their direction.
"If you won't sleep...." Izrina muttered, "If you won't sleep, then..." her eyelids felt heavy and Spinola's face appeared blurry.
"If you won't sleep, then I'll stay awake with...."
Spinola heaved a sigh of relief. "Poor thing," the woman murmured to herself. Standing up from her bed, she walked towards Izrina's bed.
"How tired you must have been trying to act strong."
The woman covered Izrina's body with the jacket, pushing her hair away from her face.
"I know you are scared....but you hide it well. My darling.... fear is only what keeps us moving in times like this." Leaning closer, she pecked Izrina's cheeks.
"Goodnight, little pea." Spinola walked to her bed and sat down. Her eyes still on the sleeping princess.
Izrina slept deeply, her palms folded up to her face and her lips slightly parted. She snored softly. Each sound deepened her wander into the dream world.
.....
Izrina found herself standing before the King's throne. In this dream, he was thrice his normal size, making him look like a giant. And when he spoke, a heavy wind that made Izrina's hair fly sideways swooshed.
"You dare lie to the King of Zephyrus?" His voice thundered.
Izrina found her legs trembling until she was down on her knees. "Spare me, Your Majesty!" she screeched.
Something was wrong with her voice. Why did she sound like the man who had tried to attack her earlier? Izrina touched her neck.
"You have offended the Great Emperor, rejoice, for your head will be rolling soon."
Izrina raised her face. "Your Majesty! I know I lied to you, but I did it because you didn't choose me."
Izrina touched her neck again. Why did she sound like that man? And why did she say such nonsense?
"Guards, seize that woman! She tried to seduce the king after lying to him."
Izrina saw Cora and Spinola, now dressed as guards, coming in her direction to obey the king's orders.
"No! No!"
Izrina found Lady Feyrne crying beside her begging the king.
"Hounds of Nero! Behead them!"
Izrina widened her eyes when Spinola raised her sword, and Cora did the same.
"No-"
"Wake up, Princess...it's almost morning." Izrina jerked awake, her face covered in sweat. She opened her eyes to see Spinola staring back at her.
"It's time for you to change before others wake up." Spinola remarked, raising the clothes for Izrina to see.
Izrina pushed herself up to sit on the bed. She couldn't understand what her dream meant and....the day had come.
Today, she'd have to pretend to be a boy, hoping she wouldn't get caught by anyone.
And anyone means- King Neron.