"Isabela?"
Prince Jiro entered Princess Isabela's chambers, carrying a small tray with her favorite sweet dessert—vanilla custard topped with caramel glaze.
Isabela immediately perked up at the sound of his voice. She turned, eyes lighting up, and ran to hug him.
"First brother!"
Jiro laughed and gently caught her in his arms. "I heard what happened. I wanted to rush here, but Father made me finish some paperwork first. Are you alright?"
"Yup! I'm totally fine. Don't worry, First Brother! I'm your cute little sister, remember? Nothing bad ever happens to me!"
She puffed her cheeks and made an exaggerated pout. Jiro chuckled, ruffling her hair fondly.
"Sure, sure. You'll always be our baby sister. And as your big brothers, we'll protect you no matter what."
"Exactly! So, where's Second Brother?"
"Looking for me, little sister?"
Isabela squeaked in surprise and turned just in time to be swept into another warm hug.
Prince Drake, the second prince and the crown prince of the kingdom, had returned.
Though Jiro was older, he had voluntarily relinquished the title of crown prince in favor of Drake, claiming that his younger brother was more suited for the crown. Jiro preferred the battlefield over the throne, finding more joy in leading men than in leading court meetings.
Both princes were undoubtedly handsome. Jiro had a sharp, composed demeanor, while Drake exuded quiet authority. Together, they were the pride of the kingdom—and the heart of their younger sister, Isabela.
"Are you alright, Isabela?" Drake asked, a hint of steel in his voice. "When I heard what happened, I left immediately. That woman deserves more than just punishment. If I were there, I'd—"
"I'm fine, really," Isabela interrupted cheerfully. "Nobody can bully the one and only princess of our kingdom!"
Drake narrowed his eyes in concern, but at her wide grin, he simply sighed.
"As long as you're safe."
"Second Brother, are you not tired? Did you travel all night just to come back? How's everything in Brown Province?"
"Oh, come on!" Jiro huffed. "You didn't even ask me that when I arrived!"
Isabela turned to him with a guilty smile. "First Brother, are you tired? Did you travel for a long time?"
"Too late. Don't bother now." He crossed his arms but couldn't keep the grin off his face.
Drake laughed, his shoulders shaking. Jiro shot him a mock glare, which only made him laugh louder.
Jiro had been stationed near the capital, commanding the royal army from the nearby barracks. Drake, on the other hand, had just returned from the province of Brown, where he was investigating rising tensions and reports of rebel movements seeking to revive the fallen dynasty. Despite the dangers, he had returned the moment he heard about the incident involving his sister.
Isabela watched her brothers with a fond smile. In this moment, she felt warmth bloom in her chest. This world—the world she herself had created in her novel—had become her reality. And although she hadn't intended to, she had fallen in love with the characters she wrote, especially her brothers.
She remembered the ending she had originally penned—the one where she fell in love with the enemy crown prince and insisted on marrying him. A union that caused great strife. Her death soon followed, born from betrayal and grief. Then the king died of heartbreak. Her two brothers, driven by vengeance, declared war. The war ended in utter defeat. Jiro and Drake both perished on the battlefield.
She would not allow that to happen. Not this time.
"I want to go to the Shadow Kingdom as an envoy."
Her words were met with complete silence. Both princes stared at her, eyebrows raised, expressions unreadable.
The Isabela they knew would never volunteer to leave the palace—much less journey to another kingdom. She disliked long travel, and the only reason she had even met the enemy prince in her original story was because he had come to their kingdom as a diplomat for Jiro's wedding.
"I'm serious," she continued, sitting upright and folding her hands on her lap.
"I want to help smooth relations with the Shadow Kingdom. Please help me convince Father."
"No way!" Jiro and Drake shouted in unison.
Isabela pouted again, this time dramatically turning her back on them.
"Fine. You don't have a sister anymore. Get out."
The two princes exchanged glances. They knew this tactic well—Isabela's fake tantrums were notorious. And unfortunately for them, they worked every time.
"Isabela," Drake tried gently, "it's dangerous outside the palace. Traveling to another kingdom, especially the Shadow Kingdom, isn't just risky—it's reckless. You're the only princess of this realm."
"So? That's exactly why I should go. If I stay sheltered forever, how can I ever help this kingdom grow stronger?"
"She has a point," Jiro murmured, stroking his chin. Drake glared at him.
"You're not helping," Drake snapped.
"Come on, Drake," Jiro reasoned, "I'll go with her. I'll be by her side every moment. Nothing will happen to her under my watch."
Drake stared at his younger brother. Then he looked at Isabela, who stared back with her large, pleading eyes.
He sighed deeply. "Fine."
"Really?" Isabela jumped up and hugged them both tightly. "Thank you, thank you! You two are the best big brothers in the world!"
And just like that, the three of them marched toward the king's study. At first, the king was adamant—absolutely against sending his only daughter to another kingdom. But after nearly an hour of discussion and relentless persuasion from all three children, he finally relented.
"You have two weeks to prepare," the king said sternly, fixing his gaze on Isabela. "If at any time you change your mind, you may withdraw."
"I won't change my mind," she replied with determination. "I'm going."
The king studied her, then finally sighed. "Just be safe."
Though he allowed the journey, the king spared no effort in ensuring his daughter's protection. He secretly assigned elite shadow guards to accompany her and Jiro, hidden among their escort. As the youngest and most talented general of the kingdom, Jiro's presence alone was enough to reassure most. But the king still prepared contingencies.
Isabela, on the other hand, was thrilled. This would be her first time leaving the palace.
Excitement buzzed through her as she imagined what lay ahead—not only changing her own fate, but rewriting the destiny of those she loved.
As departure day arrived, her maid Jane helped her dress in a travel-friendly gown embroidered with the royal crest.
"Princess, it's time. The king has requested that you stop by his study before leaving—he has something to give you."
"Alright," Isabela nodded, adjusting her cloak.
"Go ahead and inform my brother."
Jane bowed and hurried off.
Isabela stared at her reflection one last time. Her heart pounded in her chest—not from fear, but from anticipation.
She touched her pendant—the one her mother left behind—and whispered to herself, "I was about to go to you. Can it be… that you're really like him? Well… it doesn't matter. I just want to see you."
A smirk tugged at her lips as she stepped out the door and began a journey that would change everything—not just for herself, but for the entire kingdom.