Isabelle screamed with eyes closed attacking thin air with the pepper spray. She slowly reopened one eye to see Luke holding his stomach, and another guy chuckling along with a girl about her age. Her cheeks flushed and she awkwardly placed the pepper spray back in her pocket. Luke, after recovering from his laughing fit, made the introduction. Upon further observation, Isabelle realized that Luke and the other guy had similar features. Luke introduced him as Alejandro, and he gave a quick smile before introducing the girl as Julia. Julia had her blonde hair down and sported a black and white sweat suit with sneakers. She gave a shy smile which Isabelle returned. All it took was one quick glance over for them to recognize each other.
" Jumanné?", Isabelle internally questioned with wide eyes. "Isa!", Jumanné asked herself while giving Isabelle an analytical glance. They looked at each other in recognition for a split second before recovering and looking away. After the introduction was made, Luke and Alejandro excused themselves and walked to a nearby tree where they sat and began to have what seemed like a serious conversation. Both princesses took the opportunity to clear up the confusion. "I mentioned it to you, I didn't know you would actually do it", Isabelle whispered. "Of course, I would, you know I feel the same way about being a princess", Jumanné whispered back. "When did you even? I have so many questions. Aren't you supposed to be in France?", Isabelle questioned genuinely confused. "You forgot again, didn't you? The ball", Jumanné whispered back.
" Right, but I was calling you this morning. We need to talk and where exactly are your parents now?", Isabelle whispered taking a quick glance at Luke to ensure that they were still talking. "I couldn't answer the phone in the air, and I forgot to call back after landing. Dad made a business stop in the neighboring village. We're staying at the Corazón del Diablo hotel and will be leaving in the next few hours to arrive at your Kingdom", answered Jumanné. "I don't have much time then! I should warn you, the note, the one that said". Isabelle was interrupted by Jumanné, "Just a few more days Princess or should I say Princesses. I got it too and told Dad. We were supposed to be here tomorrow but because of that note he decided it was best to arrive a day early to discuss it with King Rafael", finished Jumanné.
"I was planning to tell them after returning to the palace. They can't find out about it from your parents. Dad would be so mad! I have to leave", Isabelle whispered. Luke and Alejandro were now walking towards them when Isabelle got "THE CALL". A call from Clara now would only mean one thing and one thing only. Isabelle knew she had to leave now; without answering the phone, she got up, told Jumanné to cover for her and ran off. "Where's she going?", Luke confused, "uhm her father just returned from out of town", Jumanné lied. "out of town?", Alejandro asked in a skeptical tone. "Yeah, uh, her father is a member of the grand council of another kingdom", Jumanné replied going with the flow. "Didn't you too just meet? How'd you know all that?", Luke asked with clear suspicion.
"Oh. uh, that's what we were talking about. She told me she was waiting on the phone call, and she just got it", Jumanné finished. "Okay, well then we should head back, this is enough for one day", Alejandro stated. Luke and Alejandro bid their fair wells and went their separate ways. Luke, heading back to the village and Alejandro and Jummanè, to the neighboring village.
Isabelle ran through the forest and after receiving the second call from Clara, she knew it was time to fly. What took a ten minutes' walk, she ran in four minutes. Isabelle blazed out of the garden, through the village and ran towards the palace gates. She arrived at the gates breathless and immediately started scouting for guards when she saw a black dress along with black flats on the lounge chair beside the pool.
The gates were slowly opening, and she knew that it was Clara. As soon as the space was big enough to fit her petite body through; she slid through and ran towards the pool. She grabbed the clothing and ran into the outside fitting room. As soon as she was inside, she took the wig off letting her hair loose and removed the makeup along with the fake freckles from her face. She then took off her clothes, removed her contacts and slid in the skin fitting dress and flats. She threw the clothes in a hidden corner along with her side bag, checked herself in the standing mirror and exited the room. Isabelle ran back to the lounge chair and sat, only to see Clara dropping the rope. She overheard Clara telling her mother that she was relaxing by the pool. Isabelle then grabbed the rope, ran to the fitting room, reopened the door and threw the rope inside. She closed the door, ran back to the lounge chair and sat picking up the magazine at the table just in time for Queen Melaine to peek over the balcony. "Isa, could you come up to your room, we need to talk", Queen Melaine stated.
All Isabelle could do was nod as she was completely out of breath. "Well, I wanted adventure so why complain", she thought to herself as she entered the palace from the side door. Isabelle entered her room and hugged her mother, secretly winking at Clara and thanking her. She then pulled away and went to sit on her bed. "Isa, as you know, Queen Latifa, King Dejean and Jumanné will be statying here for the upcoming ball", Queen Melaine reminded her. "Yeahh, I had been wanting to see Jumanné for some time now", Isabelle responded with as much enthusiasm as she could muster up. " Clara will also be staying with me from now on", she finished smiling.
"Well, that's wonderful! She's practically family", Queen Melaine replied smiling as well. 'That is the good news", Isabelle stated nervously. "Good? What's the bad news? Queen Melaine asked turning to Clara who was avoiding her stare. "See, something happened this morning. There was someone fully clothed in black on my balcony. I looked away then took a next glance and the person was gone. I know it was a real person because he/ she left a note in my bathroom", Isabelle explained while Clara got up and fetched the note that was on the nightstand. She then handed it to the Queen who wasted no time in reading it. As she read the note, there was fear in her eyes but only for a split second before being replaced by anger. 'How did he know where to find you? Isabelle, listen to me, no more sunbathing unless there is security. Do you understand?", she pressed.
Queen Melaine's Emerald eyes darkened. She was angry and Isabelle knew that this would not be the end of this conversation. Clara excused herself before exiting the bedroom to fetch the things that Isabelle left in the fitting room. Isabelle had never seen her mother this worked up, she was always the calm and collected one leaving the irritable disposition to her husband. "Sí", she replied nodding her head. Queen Melaine continued "A few of the guards accompanied your father to meet with Queen Latifa and her family. As soon as he returns and I inform him of this, Authur won't be able to come within a mile radius of this village without us knowing", she stated coldly.
Her eyes gradually returned to the beautiful Emerald color that princess Isabelle loved. " Isa, I know how you feel about constantly being watched but we have to work together until this is sorted", she finished. "Entiendo mamá", Isabelle replied smiling lovingly. "Te amo mucho mi niñita, ahora pero lo que es aún más importante siempre", Queen Melaine stated before kissing Isabelle on her forehead and exiting the room. Isabelle heard her mom call two guards; one entered the room and greeted her before taking his position on the balcony. The other stationed himself at her bedroom door. "Well, this is going to be fun", she thought to herself sarcastically as Clara re-entered the room. They briefly smiled at each other before going their separate ways. Clara went straight to the dressing room to pick out Isabelle's evening attire for tonight's dinner and Isabelle threw herself in the couch exhausted. She had so many unanswered questions for Jumanné and tonight she was planning to get those questions answered.
Translation
Sí, - yes
Te amo mi niñita, ahora pero lo que es aún más importante siempre- I love you my little girl, now but more importantly always.