"Nor did we know if the tight, dark days of hanging upside down was the onset of death or a necessary part of an incredible transformation."

-Ava Horna (Daughters of Smoke and Fire)

**

The great war divided the four kingdoms and drove the people to starvation and greed. There was chaos in every corner of Iramethea.

All the monarchs assembled their armies and forced them to fight to the death.

Bloodshed and the ongoing dispute among the four kingdoms went on for thousands of years. There was famine in all the land.

Distribution of food rations were all sent to the armies who fought day and night. Most no longer see the light of dawn.

The widows cried, children were abandoned, and families were broken by this remarkable tragedy marked in history.

Amid the ongoing chaos outside the castle walls of Eyeris, Princess Sienna Ysabel Valerya was born.

–

At the first break of dawn, horse hooves could be heard galloping relentlessly along the path leading to the castle of Eyeris.

A lone rider in a black hooded cape raised the reins and kicked the horse gently, pushing the animal to run faster.

Trees blurred in his vision, and the smell of wet grass wafted in his nose. It had not stopped raining the night before, making it difficult for the rider to pursue arriving at the castle before dawn.

On his waist, the man secured the satchel that contained something he wouldn't wish anyone else to see.

The castle's tower became visible among the giant trees, signaling the rider that he was close.

"Hyah!"

The horse galloped faster, its four legs running at a speed faster than before.

Inside the castle walls, the servants were frantically running around, cleaning and arranging necessary decorations, oblivious to what was about to happen.

The banners bearing the sigil for the four kingdoms were rolled down the castle gates, ready to welcome the Kings and Queens that had been invited for the special day.

An assortment of special delicacies could be smelled from the pantry. The royal guards secured the perimeter within and outside the castle walls, awaiting the arrival of the monarchs from the other kingdoms.

Meanwhile, peals of silent laughter could be heard in the Queen's bed chamber.

Reis giggled beside Ysabel, her fingers swiftly smoothing out the tangles as she finished the braid.

Ysabel looked at her chambermaid's reflection in the mirror of her vanity. The lady had an exquisite charm.

Beautiful tiny beads from real pearls circled Reis' neatly braided silvery hair. She was concentrating on finishing Ysabel's. Her brows were knitted together.

Completing the arrangement by wrapping the end of the braid with a ribbon, Reis caught Ysabel's gaze in the mirror.

"Sir Hinrik's mouth would surely drool when he sees you," Reis whispered, giggling playfully. Ysabel spun to look her chambermaid in the eye, her mouth dropping open in a wide O.

"Reis!" she warned. "How could you casually say that? What if someone hears you?"

Reis only giggled further.

"I'm pretty sure everyone knows he has his eyes set on you."

Ysabel shook her head in disbelief. But what her chambermaid had said was true.

Sir Hinrik of Bezmun had confessed his feelings to Ysabel several years ago when they first met at a grand ball.

He was charming and persistent.

But Ysabel wanted to know the young prince better before saying yes to his proposal.

A small smile formed at the corner of Ysabel's lips.

She and Hinrik had been writing to each other ever since that day. They told stories of adventures and mischiefs they instigated and, most of the time, had escaped being punished.

They exchanged tales of their kingdoms and grew close over the years.

Tonight, Ysabel planned to give Hinrik her response to his proposal.

It would be the first time they would meet after that confession.

It made her both nervous and excited.

Hinrik had congratulated her on her coronation and expressed his apologies for not coming. He had to attend to an urgent matter that day.

With her heart in her throat, Ysabel turned to Reis.

"I'm blissfully happy, Reis," Ysabel admitted.

The way her heart was racing unstoppably and the restless nights she had dreaming about this day, Ysabel knew it was a risk.

She and Hinrik had never talked about his confession again. Hence, despite the assurance that Reis reminded her of constantly, Ysabel was afraid that Hinrik's feelings might have changed.

Reis put a hand on Ysabel's shoulder. She was no ordinary chambermaid but was also a friend to the Queen.

Her actions were mostly considered as inappropriate, but Ysabel didn't want Reis to be like everyone else who regarded her like some sacred statue—not to be casually touched and always revered.

"It will be his loss, my Queen, and his loss will be someone else's treasure. You will be surrounded by so many other royals tonight."

Sharing giggles with Reis, Ysabel took a deep breath and listened to her advice.

Tentatively picking up the hem of her dress, Ysabel turned around for Reis to see.

"So," Ysabel stated after finishing the swift spin. "Do I look lady-like enough?"

Reis raised two thumbs up.

At that moment, the wooden double doors of her bed chamber swung open.

The maroon dress was the first thing Ysabel noticed.

Reis dropped the casual act and stood aside for the Queen's mother to give Ysabel a proper inspection.

Ysabel's gown was a deeper shade of red. The upper bodice hugged her curve.

On her neck, a lace choker was attached to the veil which trailed behind her.

It accompanied the sleeves, that continued from her arm down to her hands. The silk texture was soft to her touch.

On her waist, a silver flowery belt traced a V. On its front was a piece of cloth that bore their family insignia, that of a dove spreading its wings.

"You look stunning, My Queen."

Ysabel smiled, her heart hammering at her mother's sudden appearance. What was even more questionable was her usual ladies-in-waiting not trailing after her.

"Likewise, mother," Ysabel whispered her reply.

The silence that followed the exchange scared Ysabel.

Closing the door behind her and ensuring it was locked, Ysabel's mother rushed to her side. She gripped Ysabel's hands firmly, looking into her daughter's eyes.

"I need you to listen to me, Ysabel," the tone of her voice accelerated her rapid heartbeat, tightening the knot of fear in her stomach. "No matter what happens, you need to stay vigilant."

Ysabel was so confused that she didn't know what to say.

Her mother shook her shoulders violently, her eyes bulging out of their sockets.

"Promise me!" the former Queen hissed.

Reis tried to pull Ysabel away.

"Stop it! What are you doing?"

But Ysabel's mother was holding on to her tightly.

Before Ysabel could try to ask what was going on, the door of her room was forcefully opened from the outside.

Ysabel's mother stopped harassing her, pulling out a knife from the fold of her dress.

Reis managed to stand between Ysabel and her mother, protecting her from what the former Queen had in mind.

But instead of threatening Ysabel, the two watched as Ysabel's mother turned to them, her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm sorry, my dear Ysabel," she sobbed. "I love you."

The door handle came off, having the door flying open for the second time.

Several royal guards rushed inside, but Ysabel's attention was focused on her mother and the blood gushing out of her throat as she fell to the floor.