Isabella

4

Princess Isabella, upon hearing Steven's sincere words, could only stare in awe and remain speechless. She was unable to utter any other words besides a simple thank you.

"I think I should be off now," Princess Isabella said, snapping out of her daze.

"With whom are you going home?" Steven asked again, watching Princess Isabella run back home, distancing herself from him.

"I'm just going home on foot, my house isn't too far," Isabella replied, running away.

"Shall I accompany you?" Steven asked once more.

"No need, besides, we've only just met!" she replied.

After running quite a distance away from the common folk and Steven, Princess Isabella walked slowly and cautiously towards a small forest that surrounded the road leading to her school. There, her two handmaidens were waiting with their horses. Princess Isabella approached them both.

"I thought you both weren't coming," Princess Isabella said to Celine and Ashley, her maids.

"Of course not, how could I refuse your command, Your Highness," Ashley replied.

"Oh my, you look very pale, are you feeling unwell, Your Highness?" Celine asked, concerned about Princess Isabella's pale complexion.

"No, don't worry, I'm just feeling weak from running," Princess Isabella replied, panting. "Have King Edmund and Queen Marie departed for Sherwood yet?" she asked, suddenly remembering her parents' journey to Sherwood this afternoon.

"Not yet, Your Highness. Your parents are waiting for you to return from school. Prince Andrew has also just returned from hunting in the forest," Ashley answered, responding to Princess Isabella's question.

"Let's return to the palace, in case someone who knows me sees me here with both of you. It would be chaotic if anyone discovered my true identity," Princess Isabella said, mounting her beloved white horse, Belle.

"Very well, Your Highness," both maids obeyed the order and quickly mounted their own horses.

"Let's go home, Belle," Princess Isabella said to her beloved white horse, and they set off riding back home.

After arriving at the palace, Princess Isabella alighted from her horse and walked elegantly towards the palace door. Several guards in charge of the palace's security were observed opening the door for Princess Isabella. She also greeted the palace officials who had come to meet His Majesty King Edmund, and they all bowed respectfully to Princess Isabella. Following that, Princess Isabella visited her father's resting place to see her parents before they departed for Sherwood.

" You've returned, my daughter?" enquired King Edmund, who was seated gracefully on his throne. Above his head was a blue crown adorned with a variety of precious gems worth millions. Princess Isabella promptly approached King Edmund and Queen Marie, bowing respectfully to her parents.

"Yes, father, I have just arrived," said Princess Isabella, not forgetting that Prince Andrew was also sitting nearby, behaving properly, not far from King Edmund.

"It is a relief that you have arrived safely, so your mother and I can leave now," said King Edmund, occasionally glancing at his wife who was sitting beside him.

"Are you two ready to leave?" Prince Andrew asked.

"Yes, my son, I think it would be better if we leave sooner," Queen Marie replied.

" Right, let's not dilly-dally any longer, my dear. Let's depart at once," said King Edmund to his queen. "Guard! Tell the driver to ready the carriage!" commanded King Edmund to a guard on duty at the palace.

" Of course, Your Majesty," replied the guard, then left the premises. The king then stepped down from his throne with the queen and walked out of the palace, followed by their son and daughter.

About half an hour later, King Edmund and Queen Marie were seen bidding farewell to their parents and their children.

"My dear daughter Isabella, take good care of yourself while your father and I are away," said Queen Marie to her youngest daughter. "Listen to your grandmother and your brother, Prince Andrew, and take care of your health, my dear," she added.

"Don't worry, mother. I'll be alright here. I pray for your safe journey and return," said Princess Isabella. Meanwhile, King Edmund was seen leaving a message for Prince Andrew, causing the prince to nod his head in understanding.

"Remember, my son, you are my eldest son. I entrust this kingdom and Princess Isabella to you. Take good care of them in my absence and your mother's," said King Edmund to Prince Andrew.

"Very well, father," replied Prince Andrew.

"Mother, I must be off now, and do remember to eat and take care of your health," said King Edmund to his queen mother.

"Yes, my son. I pray for a smooth and safe journey for both of you," replied Queen Arabella. After the farewell greetings were over, the king and queen entered the luxurious black carriage, accompanied by several guards, and they began to leave the palace grounds. Princess Isabella felt a sense of sadness in her heart as she couldn't accompany her father and mother to Sherwood.

They watched as King Edmund and Queen Marie departed until their shadows were no longer visible from the palace grounds, and the palace gates were closed again after their vehicle left. Then Prince Andrew looked at his beloved sister's face.

"Come on, don't be sad. Mother and father won't be gone for long, just a few days," said Prince Andrew. "Hey, how about you join me in practising archery with Master Glenn ClearWood, would you like that?" Prince Andrew suggested to Princess Isabella. Princess Isabella looked at Prince Andrew with shining eyes.

" That sounds interesting! I'm in, " replied Princess Isabella.

" Let's go now, " the prince replied.

"After the archery practice, come straight back home, don't go anywhere else!" Queen Arabella advised her two grandchildren.

"Alright, grandmother," replied the handsome and beautiful royal siblings of Neverland.

Then the two of them ran to fetch their archery equipment, which was stored by the palace staff in a room filled with sports equipment. After getting what they needed, the prince instructed a palace maid to prepare horses for him and Princess Isabella, as they would be riding to the archery practice taught by Master Glenn ClearWood.