The castle gardens of Endryal were a dazzling sight, even in the biting chill of winter. Frost coated every branch and leaf, turning the sprawling hedges and towering trees into crystalline sculptures. The air was crisp, each breath visible in the cold, and the soft crunch of snow underfoot echoed faintly.

  Elise and Isabel darted between the icy bushes, their laughter breaking the stillness. Elise’s cheeks were flushed a rosy pink from the cold, her golden hair peeking out from beneath a fur-lined hood. Isabel followed closely, her silver hair gleaming in the pale sunlight, her violet eyes sparkling with rare excitement.

  “You can’t catch me!” Elise called over her shoulder, giggling as she dashed around a towering snow-covered hedge.

  Isabel smirked, her movements quick and precise as she closed the gap. “Oh, I think I can!” she shouted back.

  Elise squealed as Isabel lunged forward, her gloved hand brushing Elise’s cloak. “Got you!” Isabel declared triumphantly, her voice carrying a playful edge.

  Elise spun around, laughing as she tried to wriggle free. “No fair! You’re faster than me!”

  “Maybe you should be faster,” Isabel teased, her voice light but with a touch of her usual sharpness.

  The two collapsed onto a bench near a frozen fountain, their breaths puffing out in soft clouds as they caught their breath. Elise glanced at Isabel, her lips curling into a mischievous grin.

  “Do you want to see something amazing?” Elise asked, her eyes glinting with excitement.

  Isabel raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. “Amazing like the last time you showed me something, and we ended up locked in the pantry?”

  Elise pouted, crossing her arms. “That wasn’t my fault! How was I supposed to know the door locked from the outside?”

  Isabel rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Alright, what is it this time?”

  Elise jumped up, grabbing Isabel’s hand and pulling her toward the edge of the garden. They darted behind a tall hedge, stopping in front of a small, hidden gate. The gate was old, its iron bars dusted with snow and rust, and it creaked ominously as Elise pushed it open.

  “Come on!” Elise urged, slipping through.

  Isabel hesitated. “Where does this go?”

  Elise turned, her grin widening. “The stables! You’re going to love it.”

  The two girls slipped along the narrow path, their boots crunching softly in the snow. The stable loomed ahead, its wooden doors slightly ajar. The cozy scent of hay and horses greeted them—rich and earthy against the cold.

  Inside, horses shifted in their stalls, snorting softly, their breath rising in little clouds that danced in the still air. Elise’s excitement was practically humming now.

  Elise led Isabel to a sleek white mare, her fur almost blending with the snow outside. “This is Snowdrop,” Elise said, her voice reverent as she stroked the horse’s nose. “She’s the prettiest horse in the whole stable.”

  Isabel stepped closer, her movements cautious but curious. “She’s beautiful,” she admitted, reaching out tentatively. Snowdrop leaned forward, nuzzling Isabel’s palm, and the girl’s face lit up with a rare smile.

  “See? She likes you!” Elise said, beaming.

  A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes as she grabbed a nearby stool and climbed onto Snowdrop’s back. “Come on, Isabel! Let’s ride her!”

  Isabel’s eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly. “Are you crazy? We’ll get in trouble!”

  Elise waved her off, her confidence unwavering. “We won’t! I do this all the time. Father’s too busy to notice, and the stable master won’t say anything. Come on, it’ll be fun!”

  Isabel hesitated, her gaze darting between Elise and the stable doors. But Elise’s excitement was infectious, and after a moment, she sighed. “Fine. But if we get caught, I’m blaming you.”

  “Deal!” Elise said, scooting forward on Snowdrop’s back and holding out a hand.

  Isabel climbed up awkwardly, her legs swinging over the mare’s side as she settled in behind Elise. The two girls clung tightly to each other, their giggles echoing through the stable as Snowdrop trotted forward.

  The mare moved gracefully, her hooves clattering softly against the stable floor. Elise steered her toward the open paddock, the wide expanse of snow beckoning them.

  “This is amazing!” Isabel exclaimed, her laughter ringing out as Snowdrop picked up speed.

  Elise turned her head, her face alight with joy. “Told you!”

  Their laughter danced on the winter wind. For a moment, nothing existed but snow and joy—until the voice cut through it like a blade.

  “Princess Elise!”

  The bellow boomed across the paddock.

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  Elise froze, her grip on the reins tightening as she glanced back at the furious man.

  “Uh-oh,” she muttered.

  Isabel groaned, already burying her face in her hands. She didn’t even need to say it—I told you so was written all over her.

  The stable master marched toward them, his boots crunching through the snow. His expression was thunderous.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded, his tone a mix of anger and exasperation.

  Elise slid off the horse, cheeks flushed—not just with cold, but guilt. “We were just... taking Snowdrop for a little ride.”

  “Without permission? And in this weather?” the man snapped. “Do you have even the slightest idea how dangerous that is?”

  Isabel dismounted swiftly, her boots crunching into the snow as she avoided the stable master’s glare. Elise followed, brushing off her dress as she tried to explain. “We didn’t mean any harm. We just wanted to have some fun.”

  The stable master crossed his arms, his stern gaze shifting between the two girls. “Fun or not, this is unacceptable. I’m reporting this to the king.”

  Elise’s stomach dropped. Isabel shot her a pointed look—silent, but unmistakable: I told you so.

  As they trudged back toward the castle under the stable master’s watchful eye, Elise glanced at Isabel, a small, conspiratorial smile tugging at her lips.

  “Well,” Elise whispered, leaning closer. “It was worth it.”

  Isabel couldn’t help but laugh softly, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”

  Elise grinned, her spirits lifting—if only slightly—despite the inevitable storm waiting inside. “But you had fun, didn’t you?”

  Isabel glanced at her, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah. I guess I did.”

  Together, they made their way back into the castle—their mischief ended, but their bond sealed even tighter.

  The grand throne room of Endryal Castle was a monument to power and discipline. Towering columns of frost-bound stone reached high into the vaulted ceiling, and icy tapestries draped the walls, depicting scenes of Endryal’s victories and dominion. At the far end of the chamber sat King Enthrall, his presence as cold and commanding as the kingdom itself. His silver crown caught the flickering light of the chandeliers, casting a pale glow over his sharp, unyielding features.

  Elise and Isabel were ushered in by a pair of guards, their footsteps echoing against the polished floor. The doors closed behind them with a low groan, sealing them inside the cavernous room. Elise clutched Isabel’s hand tightly, her small fingers trembling as they moved closer to the dais.

  King Enthrall’s piercing gaze was fixed on them, his expression unreadable but heavy with disapproval. His fingers drummed slowly against the armrest of his throne, each tap echoing ominously in the tense silence.

  “Elise,” his deep voice resonated, cutting through the air like a blade. “Step forward.”

  Elise hesitated, glancing nervously at Isabel before letting go of her hand and taking a tentative step forward. Her sapphire-blue dress swished softly as she approached, her golden hair glinting faintly in the dim light.

  “I... I’m sorry, Father,” Elise stammered, her voice small and trembling. “We were just playing. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”

  “Playing,” Enthrall repeated, his tone dripping with disdain. He leaned forward, his icy gaze bearing down on her. “You risked your safety, disregarded the rules, and undermined the authority of the stable master. Do you think that behavior is befitting of a princess?”

  Elise shook her head quickly, tears welling in her eyes. “No, Father,” she whispered.

  King Enthrall’s gaze shifted to Isabel, who stood silently behind Elise. Her violet eyes were steady, though a flicker of apprehension passed through them.

  “And you,” Enthrall said, his voice cutting like a whip. “A Sylvalis. A rare treasure in this kingdom. Yet you have the audacity to take part in such foolishness?”

  Isabel lifted her chin slightly, her voice calm but firm. “I followed Elise, Your Majesty. If there is blame, it should fall on me.”

  Elise’s head snapped up, her tear-streaked face turning to Isabel in shock. “No! It wasn’t her fault! I told her to come with me!”

  Enthrall raised a hand, silencing them both. His expression darkened, and his voice dropped to a chilling calm. “Enough.”

  The room fell deathly quiet. Elise’s breath hitched, her hand twitching toward Isabel’s before falling away. A cold dread settled over them. Then, with glacial poise, Enthrall rose from his throne, his tall frame casting a long, imposing shadow that stretched across the marble floor and swallowed the space around the girls. He descended the steps with deliberate slowness, each step echoing with purpose.

  “Elise,” he said, his tone softening just slightly. “You are my daughter. Your actions reflect upon this throne, upon this kingdom. You will not disobey me again. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Father,” Elise said, her voice trembling but sincere.

  Satisfied, Enthrall turned his attention to Isabel. “But you,” he said, his voice sharpening like the edge of a blade. “You are not a princess. You are not above reproach. And you will learn your place.”

  Elise flinched at the words, her foot sliding back involuntarily as the chill in her father’s voice cut deeper than the cold stone beneath her shoes.

  Elise’s breath caught in her throat, panic flashing in her eyes. “Father, please—”

  “Silence,” Enthrall snapped, his gaze pinning her in place.

  Two guards stepped forward, their presence looming as they flanked Isabel. Enthrall gestured to one of the guards, who produced a thin, silver chain.

  “Bind her hands,” Enthrall ordered.

  Isabel didn’t flinch, her violet eyes locked on the king as the guard moved to secure the chain around her wrists. Elise gasped, tears spilling down her cheeks as she stepped forward.

  “Father, no! Please don’t hurt her! It’s my fault—punish me instead!” Elise cried, her voice breaking.

  Enthrall’s eyes flicked to her, his expression cold and unyielding. Elise flinched, instinctively stepping back under the weight of his gaze. “You have already been punished, Elise. This is about teaching discipline to those who serve you.”

  The guard tightened the chain. Isabel winced but didn’t cry out.

  Enthrall stepped closer, his shadow stretching long across the stone floor.

  “You will spend the next week in the lower chambers,” he said, his voice flat and final. “No luxuries. No comforts. Perhaps then you will understand the consequences of disobedience.”

  Elise sobbed, her small hands twisting in the fabric of her dress. “Father, please—she’s my friend!”

  Enthrall turned to her. His gaze, for a moment, wavered—softened, just barely.

  “And she will remain so,” he said evenly. “But friendship does not excuse defiance. You must learn this now, Elise. For your own good.”

  The guards moved to lead Isabel away. Her silver hair caught the torchlight, glowing like ice. She paused, casting a final look over her shoulder—not fearful, but steady. Her expression was calm, almost serene, and in her violet eyes was something quiet and defiant. A silent message: don’t worry.

  Elise’s heart cracked.

  She watched, frozen, as her only friend vanished through the towering doors. The silence afterward was unbearable.

  She turned to her father, her breath shaking, tears streaking down her cheeks.

  At first, she couldn’t speak. Her lips parted, then closed again. But the pain burned too sharp.

  “I hate you,” she whispered, the words jagged and trembling.

  Enthrall’s jaw tightened. He said nothing.

  Elise turned and fled, her footsteps echoing in the vast hall, chased by her own sobs.

  The doors slammed shut behind her, leaving King Enthrall alone in the throne room.

  He stood still, staring at the place where his daughter had stood. His expression did not change—but his eyes lingered on the doors longer than they should have.

  Chains tighten. Tears fall. And a princess learns that loyalty can be a crime.

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