I cautiously uncovered the dish. The silver lid clin

asted potatoes greeted me, and my stom

t it to my lips. The warmth of the food spread throug

on me, her face pale. Isabel watched in

lavors exploding on my tongue. The lamb

ed. Two. Five

ing and holding my

rd into a warm, reassuring smile. "See?" she said, her vo

n eased, repl

he flavors, letting the warmth

must be famished too," I s

servants quarters. After you're done with your food, she'd ha

n't make her be treated differently than she was treated back at my father's palace, but still I was glad that I get to s

m smile, and she stepped forward,

ke I said, bringing Mary here wouldn't change her status, but it

tand the bond between us. "Take your ti

, replaced by the warmth of friendshi

~~~~

hing was a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves. After finishing our meal, Isabel had escorted Mary

t swelled with emotion. I knew I had to escap

movements were deliberate, calculated to avoid any noise. This

quietly turned it, wincing as the door's hinges creaked softly, th

er up my spine. The darkness seemed to swallow me whole, and I felt tiny against the palace's imposing

y chest. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the wal

only by the occasional distant howl of a wolf, its

steps gleaming like moonlit waterfalls, ea

apestries depicting forgotten battles, suits of armor standing s

and queens watched me with cold, dead eyes, their face

ng in protest, and the night air enveloped me like a shro

to the sky, the moon shining brightly above, ca

udded with stars twinkling like diamon

haunting cry echoing through the stilln

f twisting paths, shadowy hedges, and moon

and I steeled myself for the journey ah

he cool night air, a figure eme

low, velvety voice asked behi