A melodic tune filled the atmosphere inside the banquet hall. Cheery laughter and elegant dresses, men and women gallantly exchanging greetings and stories complemented the majestic vibe of the evening.
Servants mill about, refilling empty glasses and offering various trays of food to keep the party going.
The King and Queen of Eyeris were yet to join the crowd. Hinrik was getting impatient, wishing there was a way for him to escape attending the festivity.
Banners representing every kingdom of Iramethea were on display.
Scanning the sea of faces, Hinrik could name most of the Lords and Ladies who were within his age. Some of those ladies had been a candidate to be his Queen when the time came for his father to pass the crown to him.
It was no secret that the King of Bezmun was dying. His father's health had declined since his mother's passing.
An image of his dear mother came to Hinrik's mind. Although it was not common for royalty to marry because of love, his parents had shown him that love could develop if one desired to give it a try.
While most monarchs turn to concubines and bedding the one they love, sometimes as a sign of rebellion, Hinrik heard from his father how he chose to say goodbye to his first love and made an effort to know the woman he ended up marrying.
"Tch," Hinrik shook his head. "You sleazy old man."
He chuckled, remembering his words before he left to answer King Baltimore's request to attend a grand ball he hosted to celebrate the day the peace treaty among the Kingdoms was made.
"Follow your heart's desire, my dear boy," Hinrik knew there was always a but to his father's sentences. "I wish to know the Queen you chose to marry. Before I die, I better get an assurance you will produce an heir."
Hinrik sipped the drink he had been toying in his hand. He had chosen to stand away from where the other monarchs were gathered.
Two trumpets blared, halting the music playing inside the banquet hall.
"The King and Queen of Eyeris have arrived," the announcer's voice echoed in the peaceful silence. The opening of the double doors followed it.
The King and Queen entered.
Palace servants and ordinary folks at the party kneeled as the host, and his lady joined the party. Behind them, the two children followed.
Ysabel stood side by side with Gwendolyn. Both were garbed in the same royal colors of maroon, representing their kingdom.
Maintaining her posture and fighting off the urge to skip the entourage, Ysabel kept her expression stoic. She was ignoring the itch to get even with Gwendolyn.
His sneering gaze never left her mind when they crossed paths before entering the banquet hall.
As they passed, Ysabel could hear some girls giggling, whispering among themselves.
She caught a glimpse of the group looking at her stepbrother, causing her to gag inwardly.
But it was to be expected.
Gwendolyn may not hold a light to Ysabel's pure royal blood, but he was charming. His mother was a beauty, and the King was reasonably gifted in physical aesthetics.
However, Ysabel never met Gwendolyn's mother. The midwife claimed that she died during childbirth. But rumors said she was taken away under the Queen's orders lest she produced another son.
Ysabel didn't believe that rumor in her past life, but she didn't accept the tale about Gwendolyn's mother dying either. She knew there was a reason behind her disappearance.
But now, Ysabel was uncertain.
Could that be the cause of Gwendolyn plotting against her and her mother?
Was it all about revenge?
The trumpet blaring in the banquet hall brought Ysabel back to the present. Her father, the King, glanced at her and Gwendolyn, winking as if he was whispering some secret to them.
While Gwendolyn kept up with the pretense, smiling to return the favor, Ysabel stared at her father's back.
"I thank you all for gathering here today as we…."
His voice faded in the background, leaving Ysabel to reminisce about a past only she could remember.
The King was fond of spending his spare time enhancing his archery skills. He would share the experience with Ysabel, who had developed a love for it upon seeing his father's favorite bow displayed in his royal chamber.
Poking her nose around was one of the hobbies Ysabel could easily get away with as she would reason that her boredom wouldn't leave unless she found something interesting.
The King found it amusing and only reprimanded Ysabel if she crossed a line.
When he passed away, Ysabel had to mourn his death alone. Her mother shut her off, and Gwendolyn was one of the people she could never let her weakness known.
And in the end, she was right not to have let her guard down around him.
A round of applause and glass clinking as everyone in the banquet hall cheered pulled Ysabel out of her memory visitation again.
'I need to stop doing that,' Ysabel thought. 'Get a grip, Ysabel. You're not here to party. You are here to find the faults and prevent the catastrophe before it kills you again.'
Shifting her attention to face the crowd, Ysabel fought her urge to find Prince Hinrik.
Luckily, her eyes didn't see any trace of him. Else, her heart would have hammered rapidly in her chest, bringing the butterflies in her stomach to come alive.
While they were the center of attention, with the King continuing with his address, the last thing she needed was for her cheeks to burn bright red.
When the King finished his speech, another toast was raised, and the music was immediately played.
Turning to Ysabel, the King smiled. He whispered something in her mother's ears, which Queen Ercel nodded at.
With a wink, the King invited his Queen to dance.
"Follow our lead," the King hurriedly whispered before leaving his children as he led Queen Ercel in the middle.
People parted to make way.
The Royal couple opened the dance floor, inviting others to join. Sweet music filled the banquet hall as other couples danced alongside the King and Queen of Eyeris.
Gwendolyn scoffed.
"You're on your own," he snickered, approaching one of the ladies whom Ysabel noticed had been ogling him from earlier.
Rolling her eyes, Ysabel turned to leave. But a pat on her shoulder startled the young lady before she could even try.
Thinking that it was her stepbrother messing with her, Ysabel folded her arms over her chest, frowning before facing the individual.
However, she had to suck in a breath as Prince Hinrik's eyes bore into hers, freezing her surroundings and making her heart flutter.
"May I have this dance," the Prince extended a hand to Ysabel, disarming her with his charming smile. "Your Highness?"