The Royal Meteorologist promised the thaw in a week, and I could hardly contain my excitement: flowers and birds would soon reclaim my garden. Winter had killed every bloom there except the hardy evergreens and the tall frost trees. Still, the palace buzzed with color—designers had already sketched gowns that gleamed like sunrise, heels that whispered on marble, tiaras set with gold, diamonds and rubies, strings of pearls and ribbons of emerald. Our only task was to sit and choose.
Tomorrow was the Royal Selection. It was evening; the full moon hung low and white. The frost had retreated by half, and for the first time in weeks my maids had opened my windows to let the cold-outside air taste like freedom. I told Martha to fetch snacks and settled back into bed with a book about royal prep and fashion. An hour passed. Martha was usually quick—something felt wrong.
I sent my maid to find her.
Twelve minutes later the maid returned, head bowed. "My princess," she said, "Princess Isabella stopped Martha from carrying out her orders."
"Isabella?" I snapped. "She's getting on my nerves." I told the maid to lead me to her chambers.
Isabella's room was immaculate, every detail classical, every surface polished. Even Queen Nanna's chamber—if I'm honest—didn't match its quiet, deliberate beauty. I stepped inside.
"Issy, why did you stop my maid?" I demanded.
She only pursed her lips. Then her hand struck my cheek. The heat from the blow flared across my face.
"You slapped me," I said, voice small with shock.
"Yes," she said flatly. "And I will do it again and again until Louis is removed from his chambers. Now take this—this idiot you call a maid—and get out of my room."
My cheeks burned with more than the slap: humiliation, anger, the sting of being dismissed. My maids were rough around the edges—uneducated, sometimes clumsy—but they were loyal, kind, and gentle in a way Isabella would never understand. I pressed my hand to my cheek until Martha arrived with an ice cube wrapped in cloth.
I decided then I would tell Queen Nanna
Her chambers were occupied,she was deep in a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs,so I waited. When she finally stepped out, she found me pacing in the corridor.
"Iris, why aren't you asleep?" she asked, concern folding her brow.
"Issy is getting on my nerves," I said. "She slapped me."
The color drained from her face. "What?" she said, stunned.
"Iris," Queen Nanna said quietly, then gathered herself. "I'm sorry this happened. But you must learn to protect yourself."
As I walked back to my chambers the words of my grandma played in my head,I wasn't stupid and I understood wat she meant.
[ Iris's POV]
It was morning. The sun was bright. Martha told me that Quee naana was going on a trip to Lilliput. After a bath, I changed into a gown that was red in color. I unbundled my hair and slipped my feet into a hill. The gown was very transparent and light. It drew all my shape out. Quee naana wasn't there, so every royalty was at liberty to do what they wanted. I majestically walked out of the room and headed towards the general dining hall. Upon reaching there, everyone was seated. The guard opened the door and I walked in. The guards and maids stared at me. I felt proud of myself because I was able to get the attention of every individual in the hall.
Iris you look gorgeous Lemuel complimented.
Thanks, I said while taking a seat in front of Louis.
The gown showed my upper breasts which drew the attention of Louis towards me. Isabella was burning in jealousy. I didn't give a shit about her ,After a while, Isabella got up. Excuse me, she said before leaving. We didn't mind her. Louis just kept staring at my breast. After dining, I went to play with the maids and guards in the palace. He played from morning to late noon. I was extremely tired so I commanded them to go back to their work. I just saw Vera talking to the royal chef. Isabella was older than Vera with some months but she was irresponsible and would rather spend time lavishing herself with riches in the palace than to face her responsibilities as first princess of Ephesus.
Vera, I called. Yes,
bestie, she said whilst walking towards me.
I can see you are having a good time, she continued whilst walking towards me with a smile.
I decided to play with them, I said.
I sat on the grass to have a little rest. Vera gave a smile and walked around me whilst giving the chef a signal to go. I decided to play servants in the palace because the albastros Queen Naana is not around to rule over us I said jokingly, ,
isn't it, she said. I gave my hands to Vera and she raised me from the grass. Luck really follows you, Vera said with a smile. Just look at this, I've never won the first selection before but you just arrived and you have, Vera continued.
"Oh, really? Stop flattering me. Why don't you stay with me this evening, so tomorrow you can take me around town—to meet your friends, see the sights, and all those exciting little episodes?" I said with a playful wink.
"That's my pleasure," Vera replied, her voice light and childlike.
Earlier, I had been playing with the servants. I had already taken off my revealing gown and slipped into sporty attire, which left me sweaty and dusty. "We'll meet soon, Vera," I promised, before ascending the marble stairs that led to the portrait hallway. My feet hurried toward my chamber. With Queen Naana away, Vera had been overseeing palace duties, but she would join me later after my pre-supper snack.
Inside, I sank into a warm bath. Martha brought rare fragrances from the royal storeroom, filling the tub with scented steam. By the time I stepped out, my skin gleamed, soft and spotless. Marta had gone to prepare snacks, leaving me to dress in peace—or so I thought.
"Ah!" I gasped, clutching my robe to my chest. "What in the universe are you doing in my room, you fool?"
"Stop that, Iris," Louis said, smirking as he moved closer. "I saw how you were looking at me today in the dining hall."
Shock froze me. "That was nothing—just a trick to get back at Isabella for treating me like dirt. Don't come any closer, or I'll shout!"
"Shout?" His laugh was mocking. "Oh, you can shout if you want. But no one will hear you. Lemuel is locked away in his office. The royals are at the far end of the palace—equal to the distance between Regence and Lilliput." His eyes glinted with malice. "Besides, I've already cast a sound barrier over this chamber. No voice will escape these walls. Your maids, your guards, your knights, even your envoys… none of them will come. You're alone, Iris."