Chapter 1
“Princess.”
The guards at one of the side entrances inclined their heads and lowered their gaze. Their spears struck the stone floor, and the sound of an old chain snapping echoed through the air. The gates creaked open, and the cold breath of the castle washed over my face.
The weight of the day and the stench of mead spilled over my hair and neck, stirred a deep craving in me for a hot bath, scented with fragrant oils.
Welme walked behind me in silence. Her shoes tapped softly against the stone floor as she followed my every step. Usually her laughter and chatter echoed through these halls, but tonight she seemed just as exhausted as I was, too tired for conversation.
Unfortunately for both of us, our chambers were on the far side of the castle, and many corridors and staircases still lay ahead of us.
As we passed through a hall that always smelled of age, lined with swords, tools, and statues my father and every king before him had brought back from their travels, a voice echoed down the corridor.
It was my eldest brother’s voice.
“Sister!” I stopped, a soft smile spreading across my face. No matter how tired I was, I always had time for my Sando.
Every mouse hiding in the cracks of these walls knew that Sanaedeo was by far my favorite sibling.
“Brother!” I spun around, lifting my arms. I hadn’t seen or heard him approach, but he was already a step away when he grabbed me and pulled me into a hug. He lifted me off the ground and spun us in a circle, laughing as I clung to him.
He had been out of the city for several weeks, on what he had called ‘a small journey through neighboring towns to learn how the common folk live.’ My brother had taught me love for the so-called low world.
“You stink, sister,” were the first words out of his foul, ever-teasing mouth.
“Hey!” I smacked his shoulder as he set me back down.
“Isolde, tsk tsk. Did you start drinking while I was gone? Did you miss me that much?” he asked while crossing his lean arms over his chest.
“I only started when I heard you were coming back,” I said, shrugging. His laughter shook the display cases lining the walls.
“My prince,” Welme finally spoke, dropping into a curtsey. He nodded at her, then turned his attention back to me, tilting his head.
“And what have you girls been up to today?” he asked, clasping his hands behind his back. “And truly, Isolde, why in the world do you smell like that?”
We turned and began walking, Welme trailing behind us. I threw my head back and groaned. “Some drunk crashed into me and spilled mead all over my neck…” Sando just chuckled and shook his head.
“And you were walking around the harbor all day, I assume. Nuso shell season will be starting soon.” He nodded, then grinned. “And soon enough, Isolde will be getting her Blood Knight.”
I groaned again.
“I hate it.” I shook my hands. “I hate that someone will follow me everywhere and hold my hand while I’m bloody pissing.” “Princess,” my annoying brother sang out, whom I loved slightly less in that moment. “That is not the language of a lady.”
“As if you weren’t the one who taught me to speak like this,” I laughed, completely forgetting my earlier irritation. “Do you remember when Mother first heard what you’d taught me?” I added. “How furious she was…”
“She said she’d kill me if I weren’t the heir,” he said, laughing as he shook his head. “Well, you did teach me good things too.” We turned into another corridor. “Escaping, how to survive in the city, how to behave and speak like a peasant, how to use a bow and arrow—”
“And you’re bloody better at it than I am,” he interrupted with a snicker.
“Come now, brother, no tears. I only split one arrow with another.”
“Three times.”
“Oops.”
He slipped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into another hug, and kissed the top of my head. “And don’t worry about the knights,” he said. “You know you can always show your favor to the one you like most.” My brows knit together as I looked at him, confused.
When he saw I didn’t understand, he continued.
“You know he’ll follow you everywhere, more closely than even your own handmaiden. It’s better to choose someone young, someone you can talk to and… things like that. If you show favor to someone during the presentation, his chances of winning increase. Others will fear him,
thinking you believe him to be the strongest.” He shrugged as he explained.
I thought about his words but said nothing.
“Isolde, don’t worry,” he added gently. “You won’t even notice him. You’ll keep doing everything you love.” He squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.
“But what if he reports everything to Father and forbids me from going into the city?” I asked.
“Then choose wisely and hope for the best,” he replied.
As if I had any real choice in whose muscles were strongest or whose legs were fastest.
“And if he talks too much, you still have your walls,” he continued.
It was true. The castle walls were riddled with secret passages, and one of them connected directly to my chambers. Almost no one knew about it. “…And if he catches you, even then, there’s always one more option…”
“Brother!” I slapped his arm. “Don’t say that.”
“Hey, you just struck the crown prince,” he said dramatically. “A year in solitary confinement, sister.”
“I’ll turn you into a rug.”
“Oh, then it’s the death sentence.” He wailed. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
Finally, after another flight of stairs, we reached my chamber door. I moved to enter, but he stopped me. “Wait. I have a gift for you.” He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small cloth pouch, laying it gently in my palm. With clumsy fingers, I opened it.
Inside was a small bracelet made of wooden beads.
“A girl in one of the villages I visited makes them,” he said. “I thought you might like it. They’re not diamonds, but perhaps Your Highness will show mercy,” he teased.
I rolled my eyes but smiled and slipped it onto my wrist while giving him a hug. “Thank you, brother.”
“Always, Little Princess.” I hugged him once more and slipped into my chambers.
As I waited for Welme to prepare me the ever-needed bath, somewhere far from the castle, above the Branching Meadow, the ancient golden bell rang for the arrival of the first knights.