Chapter 146 CHAPTER 146
Lisa knew something was wrong the moment she stepped into the room.
Isabel’s laughter was usually the first thing you heard when you entered - bright, restless, impossible to miss. She was never still for long. One moment she’d be in the kitchens bothering the cooks, the next she’d be trailing Ethan through the corridors with questions, or sitting on the floor outside Liam’s room just to annoy him.
But today, the room was quiet.
Shopping bags were scattered across the floor, far too many of them, their handles tangled like they’d been dropped without care. Isabel sat on the edge of the bed with her back to the door, shoulders slightly hunched, hands folded tightly in her lap.
Lisa paused.
“Let me guess,” she said lightly, forcing a teasing tone as she stepped inside. “My brother bought more things for your first day. I swear, he’s enjoying this more than you are. You’ve officially found his soft spot.”
Isabel turned slowly.
“Oh. You’re back,” she said, blinking as if she’d been pulled out of deep thought. “I didn’t realize it was already afternoon.”
That was when Lisa knew for sure.
She crossed the room in two steps and sat beside her, placing her hands gently on Isabel’s shoulders. “Hey. What’s wrong?”
Isabel shook her head at once. “Nothing. Really.”
Lisa studied her face, the way her eyes avoided contact, the tightness around her mouth. “Did someone say something to you? Did anyone treat you badly? You know you have to tell me if…”
“No,” Isabel interrupted quickly. “Everyone’s been amazing. The staff, everyone. I promise. That’s not it.”
“Then what is it?” Lisa asked softly. “You look… troubled.”
Isabel let out a shaky breath. “When I told Ethan I wanted to go to Lunaris, I was so excited. I wanted it so badly. But now that it’s confirmed - now that the council agreed - I’m terrified.”
She laughed weakly. “It feels backwards. I wanted this. I asked for it. And now all I can think about is how new it is. How unknown.”
Lisa nodded slowly. “That doesn’t sound backwards. That sounds human.”
Isabel swallowed. “When the servants brought the gifts, I didn’t even open them. I just… froze. Ethan came by later and asked if I liked them, and I told him I’d look at them later. I could tell he noticed. I could tell he was disappointed, even if he didn’t say it.”
Lisa squeezed her shoulder. “Ethan understands more than you think. He really does.”
She smiled gently. “And I kind of guessed I’d find you like this today. That’s why I planned something.”
Isabel looked up. “Planned what?”
“A surprise.”
Isabel glanced at the bags and snorted softly. “If it’s another gift, I might cry.”
Lisa laughed. “Good thing it’s not.”
She stood and held out her hand. “Come on.”
The woods were already dimming when they arrived, the sky painted in soft purples and deep blues. A few guards followed at a respectful distance, silent shadows among the trees.
Lisa stopped and turned to Isabel. “I need you to trust me.”
“That sentence never ends well,” Isabel muttered - but she let Lisa tie the blindfold around her eyes anyway.
Lisa took her hand and guided her forward. Isabel’s steps slowed as the ground changed beneath her feet, the scent of pine and damp earth filling her lungs.
“We’re not in the palace anymore,” she said quietly.
“No,” Lisa replied. “We’re not.”
When they stopped, Lisa untied the cloth.
“Surprise.”
The fire crackled warmly in the clearing, flames dancing against the night. Ethan stood nearby, hands in his pockets, smiling softly. Liam leaned against a log with Celine beside him, both of them grinning.
Isabel’s mouth fell open. “What… what is this?”
“A party,” Lisa said. “Or a picnic. Or whatever you want to call it. Something just for tonight.”
Ethan stepped forward. “I noticed you weren’t okay earlier. When Lisa mentioned it, this felt right. We all went to Lunaris - Liam, Celine, and I. If you have questions, fears, doubts… this is the place for them.”
Isabel’s eyes shimmered. “With everything going on… you still did this for me?”
Liam shrugged. “Family comes first.”
She smiled at him. “Guess that makes you my big brother now.”
“I’ll take it,” he said easily. “And if anyone gives you trouble at Lunaris, you call me. The guard commander will deal with them.”
Ethan raised a brow. “Or call me. King has a nicer ring.” He chuckled, “It’s terrifying.”
They laughed, the sound easing something tight in Isabel’s chest.
They roasted mushrooms over the fire, shared stories about Lunaris - about secret shortcuts, strict teachers, and ridiculous traditions. For the first time all day, Isabel felt herself breathe.
Then she hesitated.
“Do people get bullied there?” she asked quietly.
Liam and Ethan exchanged a glance.
“You probably wouldn’t know,” Isabel rushed on. “You were the prince. And you…” she nodded at Liam, “…were a council elder’s children.”
Ethan surprised her by shaking his head. “You’re wrong.”
Lisa stared at him. Celine did too.
“When I was younger,” Ethan continued, “I was bullied. More than once.”
“What?” Celine asked. “How come I never heard of this?”
“Probably because you would have rushed to tell elder Lora about it and then it would have become a huge thing.” Ethan said with a smile.
“You’re right about that.” Celine responded. “You shouldn’t have kept it to yourself,” Selene said softly. Then she looked at Liam, shooting him a pointed glance, one brow arching in silent accusation. “And you too.”
“It didn’t feel important,” Ethan said. “They spread rumors. Said what happened to you and our parents was my fault.”
Liam added quietly, “Some of it came from his cousins.”
Lisa blinked. “We have cousins?”
“An uncle too,” Ethan said. “He thought he should’ve taken the throne after what happened. But he had been disowned by the previous king – our grandfather - before he died. When the council refused, that resentment followed us to school.”
Isabel listened closely, something settling inside her.
“My old school…” she said slowly, “I wasn’t exactly loved. I was poor. No parents. People thought it was funny to call me the school baker.”
Celine reached out and squeezed her hand. “If anyone tries that at Lunaris, I’ll handle it.”
Lisa laughed. “Look at that. You’ve got a whole defense squad already.”
She turned serious for a moment. “But truly - if anything happens, you come to me.”
Isabel smiled, her fear finally loosening its grip. “Deal.”
Music drifted softly from Liam’s phone, and soon they were dancing - laughing, spinning, forgetting the weight of tomorrow.
Ethan watched them, warmth filling his chest.
They had come here for Isabel, or at least that was what they had told themselves. But watching them now, Ethan knew the truth. They had all needed this.
He felt the weight of kingdom matters slowly loosen its grip, the constant pressure easing as warmth spread through his chest. Isabel’s laughter rang through the clearing as Celine tried to teach her a few clumsy dance steps, and nearby Liam pulled Lisa into his arms, their movements easy, familiar.
This was their safe place.
This - right here - was family. And in their laughter, their closeness, Ethan felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Liam leaned down and murmured, “This was a good idea, princess,” Lisa smiled - and kissed him softly, the firelight catching them both.
Tomorrow’s battles could wait.
For tonight, this was enough.