"Isabella!"
A giggle escaped my lips as I rushed through the castle's bright and illuminated hallways. I dodged maids and servants alike, who all turned to look down at me wearing a grin.
"Lady Elodie, be careful! We must prepare things perfectly for the young Missus' birthday feast!" one of the maids called out.
My feet squeezed to the polished wooden floors as I came to an abrupt halt in my boots, turning to the handmaiden, who carried several plates.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mary Jane! Have you seen Isabella around?"
"She's upstairs in her bedroom, Lady Elodie."
"Thank you, Mary Jane!"
I turned back around and ran in the opposite direction, staring at the green grass from the window.
'The land around the palace is always beautiful.' I thought to myself. 'I should play hide and seek with Isabella later!'
With the new idea in mind, I ran faster up the steps, traversing through a long and endless corridor with loud footsteps before hearing her voice.
"But mother, if I have magic, why must I keep it a secret?"
I paused, and my running slowed into a brisk walking pace, and then I stopped entirely. Looking around the corridor, it was empty. Aside from myself, Isabella, and the queen, no one else could hear the current conversation.
"Magic is powerful, Isabella." The queen's voice was authoritative and powerful. From where I stood, I knew their conversation was serious. But my curiosity earned the better of me. I stayed planted in my spot, peaking out of the hallway wall to see through the open bedroom door, the queen talking to Isabella.
Isabella had tears in her eyes; I was shocked. 'Isabella has never cried. At least, not in front of me. What is her mother saying?'
I leaned forward.
"But mother!" Isabella's voice was shrill. "If a noble girl like Elodie can do magic, why must I hide my own?"
"Isabella! Excuse yourself. Elodie's family comes from a lineage of spellcasters; it's only natural she has the gifted abilities of an emerald witch. But you?" Even just hearing the Queen's ridiculing tone made me shiver. "Our expectations as the royal family will become threefold should you admit to having any type of magical prowess. Your father will become overwhelmed, and you, Isabella. You will have to live up to each and every single one of magical societies expectations. If you fail, the weight of our kingdom will fall into the hands of the poor-blooded. Tell me, Isabella. Does that life sound like the kind you wish to live?"
There was small sniffling.
My nerves were making my heart pound. 'Surely, Isabella wouldn't...'
"No, mother. I understand now."
My breathing quickened, and I retracted from the wall immediately, running back downstairs. As I ran, I hit a boy. He was a head taller than me.
"Oh, I'm sorry." He stopped once seeing my face, worried. "Are you okay?" The boy asked concerningly.
"I...I don't think so," I sniffled, shaking my head. "I believe that my friend no longer likes me very much." As the words left my quivering mouth, I cried harder. "I haven't done anything wrong! Why must she dislike me so?"
"I'm sorry to hear. Please don't cry."
I had sunken to the floor, ignoring the boys words entirely. "This birthday party will be no fun at all! I want to go home!!"
As I cried louder, the boy came forward and kneeled, shushing me.
"H-Hey. Calm down, here here, you like candy?" I opened one of my eyes, peeking at him. Sure enough, he held a small, wrapped sweet. I nodded slowly. "Stop crying first, for just a moment, okay?"
I sniffled. "Okay," I whispered. My tears were slowly coming to a pause.
"You are upset because of your friend, yeah? Well, I don't really have many, so if it is alright with you, I shall be your friend!"
I stared at him. My face slowly turned sour as I resumed crying. "How could you replace my friend?" She is a girl! You are a boy!"
"I-I-" the boy seemed flustered. "I understand. I did not mean to upset you more. I apologize."
Wiping my eyes, I stared at my feet. "What's your name?"
"Adam." He said quietly. "What is yours?"
"I'm Ire Adedora."
"From the spellcaster family?"
I cringed at the thought of it, remembering the Queen's words from seconds ago. "What's so good about that? I'm just a poor-blooded noble."
"That isn't true!" The boy quickly turned to me. "My father said that your family has truly helped so many people! And if that's the case I- I truly admire you!"
"Me?" My cheeks grew warm. "But I'm-I'm not anyone special. Special like... a princess."
Adam shook his head quickly at my words. "The royal family is amazing! But that doesn't mean there aren't noble families that aren't."
"Oh." I wiped my eyes. "I suppose... that makes sense."
Adam flashed a smile; his hand was quite big compared to my own extended towards me. "Candy?"
I nodded, picking it up from his hand. He seemed happier that I had not bursted into tears again.
Unwrapping it, I popped the hard candy into my mouth. It was trawberry-flavored. "This candy is delicious!"
He smiled. "My father brings them when he returns from traveling outside the kingdom's borders."
I stared at Adam; my eyes glittered. "You're father can travel out of the border? I have never been!"
"Maybe the next time he goes, I will ask to join him. Then, I can bring you many more candies!"
'More candies?'
"I have a better idea! Let's get married!"
Adam blinked. His pale face turned red as a tomato. "M-Married?!?" He croaked, mortified.
I only nodded, ignoring his reaction. "I will teach you cool magic tricks in exchange for candy! And when you do the tricks to others, then you will have more friends!"
Adam seemed to be short-circuiting. He stuttered.
"Um. B-But marriage is quite—do you know what that word means?"
"Of course I do!" I crossed my arms. "Marriage means you have to be my friend until you die! What? Are you scared?"
"L-Lady Elodie." He seemed to relax a little, his red face turning pink. "So you don't know what it means, then. In the future, try not to say that to people you've just met. Okay?"
My nose wrinkled in distaste. "I shall get to know you right now then, Adam! First! What is your family name?"
He pursed his lips together. "Adamandi."
"Eh?" I stood up, smiling brightly. "Your father is Sir Adamandi!" The great general of the Solaria kingdom?"
The seemingly shy boy in front of me rubbed his neck, nodding. He stood up. "That is right. My father is-"
"Then you must, Adam!"
His face flashed over with confusion. "Bring you back candies?"
I shook my head, giggling.
"Marry me, of course!" I smiled while speaking. A small trail of blood leaked from the nose of the boy staring at me. My eyes widened in shock. "A-Adam?!"