One day, on the balcony of our not-so-perfect apartment, Christina and I sat wrapped in blankets with pizza spread between us, staring up at the sky when I suddenly spoke.
"What if one day something comes between us and breaks our friendship apart? Are we going to hate each other, or stick together no matter what?"
"I hate 'what ifs,'" she rolled her eyes. "Please don't say that again."
A small laugh slipped from my lips, but I turned to her with a sigh. "I'm serious."
Christina gulped down her Coke, set the bottle on the small table, and held my stare. "Even if the world sets us apart, I'll make sure to come find you."
But now, I don't believe promises are real anymore, or maybe I'm mistaking this girl for her too much.
"You filth!" she spat, striking my face with another slap.
Okay… how did we get here?
One minute, I was sleeping peacefully after eating my first decent meal in this world. The next, icy water was thrown over me — cold enough to freeze my bones — and I was dragged toward the concubines' courtyard. The biting chill seeped into my bare legs. She hadn't even allowed me to put on my shoes, and now I was curled up, hugging myself for warmth.
Two guards stood on either side of me while Lady Tyra faced me, her eyes narrowed and piercing.
"Your name?"
"Isabel," I answered, hoping she would finally recognize me. Honestly, I was exhausted from having to face my best friend like this. "Do you not recognize me?"
She tilted her head slightly. "Have we met before?"
"You are Christi, my best friend. We shared the same apartment." My voice rose, and the first tear slipped down my cheek. "Please stop being mean to me. I'm not your rival."
She blinked, and for a split second something flickered in her eyes — something that made hope stir inside me. But it vanished just as quickly, and she slapped me again.
"How dare you speak to me in such a manner?"
I staggered, trying to steady myself after the stinging blow. When I looked at her again, confusion filled my gaze. First, I had to accept that she truly was not Christy… then I had to wonder why she had dragged me out like this.
"What have I done?"
Her lips curved, and then she raised her hand. A maid rushed forward and placed the same box I had kept in her room in front of me. The maid opened the lock to reveal an empty box.
"You dare steal my jewelry?"
"My lady… I…"
Oh no. This was exactly the scheme I had feared, but I had been so carried away that I hadn't even checked the box. But then again, she had no proof that I had stolen anything.
"I did nothing. I merely placed the box in your room, as you asked."
I looked at her, meeting her hard stare. How dare she accuse me of something I did not do? My heart clenched at seeing Christi's face, at seeing her look at me this way. How could she not recognize me? Why would no one recognize me?
Hot tears streamed down my cheeks. "I did nothing," I said again, my voice cracking. I just… I just wanted to go home.
If my tears touched her, she gave no sign, or maybe they did not matter because now her mouth curved, and fear crawled down my spine.
"Bring her in."
A scared-looking Matilda was dragged forward by a guard. She held something tightly in her hands, something glinting in the dark.
"They wanted to search your room, but I didn't let them," she began, looking at me with questions in her eyes. "I said I would search it instead, and then I found this. But they claim it belongs to Lady Tyra."
She raised her hand, and I caught sight of the shining gold necklace. Of course I did not own it, but how had it ended up in my room?
Lady Tyra stared at me with satisfaction. "That is the gold necklace I told you to put in my room, but then you stole it."
"No!" I shook my head. "No. Believe me, I don't know how it got there. Please believe me."
I looked at Matilda. Her eyes were filled with sorrow, and she bit her lips hard.
"So are you saying I planted it in your room?" Lady Tyra beamed, clearly enjoying this. She walked toward Matilda and snatched the jewelry, running her hand through it. "The head maiden searched your room herself as part of her duty. Surely you don't think I asked the guards to plant it there?"
She walked toward me, then squatted to my height. "What punishment should I give you? Hmm?"
I shot her a hard glare. This time, she didn't look taken aback.
"The moment I saw you, I had no doubt you were going to be trouble." Her lips curved into a smirk. She stood and turned her back to me, raising a hand to command, "Erase her."
"No!" Matilda cried, dropping to her knees. "Please, Lady Tyra, spare her life. She needs to be corrected. Let me correct her, she is new."
Tyra paid her no mind and started walking away. But Matilda pushed with all her might until she touched the hem of her dress.
"Please!"
"Get lost." Tyra struck her face with the tip of her shoe, sending Matilda falling back.
I rushed to Matilda's side and helped her up. "'You okay?"
She shook her head, tears filling her eyes. "I know you're innocent. I'm sorry I didn't guard your room to make sure no one came in."
"Hey," I gave her a bitter smile. "It's okay."
"No, no, it is not okay. She's going to kill you."
As Matilda spoke, out of breath, one of the guards grabbed my hand and yanked me forward. Damn. This must be my second death sentence. Not only have I been named a spy, I am now accused of being a thief. Lord help me.
Tyra stood at the end of the courtyard, near the hallway, waiting as the guard brought me forward. Her eyes narrowed on mine before she turned to the guards and gave a nod.
One of the guards unsheathed his sword and pointed it at me. My eyes widened, and I jumped. "No, no… please don't… look, I swear I stole nothing!"
"Oh, now you can beg?" Tyra said, clearly delighted.
Wait… am I really sentenced to death? And why is this sword shining so brightly under the moonlight? The tip is sharp, no doubt. One whoosh, and my head is gone.
My heart began to pound as the guard raised the sword. I tried to step back, but the other guard grabbed both of my hands, leaving me completely exposed.
I closed my eyes. So this is how I die… in a world where no one knows me? Oh God, oh…
"Stop!"
My eyes flew open at that voice...that very familiar voice I didn't know I needed. It was the King, heading my way with two guards trailing behind him, his gaze darkened. The sword meant to kill me hung midway in the air, but all I could see was this handsome man coming to my rescue, like a knight in shining armor.