MADOLIKA (Completed)

SETUP

Iris took Isabelle to her room to treat her bruises. “I learnt how to treat wounds when I was in Domino. I got hurt a lot and I couldn’t trust many people” Iris said with a smile as she applied medicine on Isabelle's arm but Isabelle didn’t say a word, just stared at Iris. ‘It must've been hard for her' Isabelle thought to herself. “Don’t look at me like that, don’t pity me” Iris said without making eye contact. Isabelle looked down at her bruised arm. Inna knocked and brought a letter to Iris. “Read it” Iris said, still treating Isabelle's wounds.

'Dear Princess Iris

Underneath the starry sky, after the third bell, I request the pleasure of your company for a moonlit stroll through our kingdom's gardens. Your presence would make the night truly enchanting

Yours sincerely, Hans'

Iris looked up at Inna and then back at Isabelle. “Please tell him I can’t make it tonight” Iris said. “What? Why? Your highness, this is prince Hans. As in, prince Hans” Inna said. “Do you know how to treat wounds?” Iris asked Inna. “No?” Inna responded. “Exactly” Iris said. “Your highness, I'm fine. Please go. Before coming here, I used to play around with boys. I’ve been hurt a lot worse than this yet I still had to run errands. Don’t worry, I'm fine” Isabelle said and rose to her feet. Iris smiled at her. “Tell prince Hans I’ll be there” Iris said to Inna. Inna smiled and ran back to inform prince Hans

At night, she met Hans waiting outside for her. They walked through the palace gardens where Hans asked her out to the upcoming ball. She unhesitatingly accepted. It was better to be there with someone than to feel awkward and alone in the midst of other members of royalty. When she returned, Iris took her dessert which Isabelle had prepared for her, and read a book. Suddenly, Iris had a stomachache and began to itch all over, hives appearing on her skin. A physician was called in and came in to see her. The physicist told her it was an allergic reaction to honey which after making his enquiries, he realized the dessert Isabelle had given to Iris had. When the news came out, Isabelle was detained in a cell. She had only used honey to compliment the flavor of the dessert and actually had no idea Iris was allergic to it, however, no one was willing to forgive an ignorant maid, especially when there was room for suspicion as honey was rare in the capital, not to talk of the palace. Who was going to believe she brought it from the outskirts to the capital with good intention.

Isabelle was in prison the entire night. The next morning, the maids were gossiping about the news. Iris was in bed, still unwell, with a swollen face, although the hives were disappearing little by little. One thing was obvious though, that she wasn’t going to make it to the upcoming ball.

Hans was in his room reading through some documents when he heard the gossip of the maids. At first, he didn’t pay attention to them, but then he heard Iris' name and listened in. Hearing what had happened, he went to Sky to help him gain permission to go into the women's quarters. He barged into Sky's room and saw Sky reading a book. “Have you heard what happened to your sister?” Hans asked. “Which one?” Sky asked, putting away his book to give his full attention to Hans. “Princess Iris. I heard she was poisoned by a new maid and is very sick” Hans said and sat on the chair before Sky. “A new maid? Isabelle?” Sky asked. “I think it was Belle but I guess so. I just want you to help me get permission to go to the women’s quarters from the chatelaine queen” Hans said. “I can. But do you seriously believe Isabelle did that? It makes no sense” Sky questioned. “Well, I’m no fool but I don’t know everything either. Of course she might not have done it deliberately, knowing the consequences on herself and her family but perhaps it was out of ignorance. She still can’t be excused. I hope she gets punished” Hans said. Sky wondered what could've happened. Although he didn’t really like Isabelle, he wondered whether she had been in any way misunderstood. Hearing she was in the prison, for some reason, made him feel bad, but he couldn't help but wonder why Isabelle would've done that.