Days have flown by since Maria and Princess Isabella had their conversation, and the two girls have been working relentlessly towards their shared goal. Since the day she was entrusted with a mission to find secret passages in the castle, Maria has been using every ounce of her expertise to unearth any possible clues that could aid their escape.

Along the way, she also started giving Princess Isabella private lessons on how commoners behave, and how to act more like one.

Maria taught her how to walk without making any sound, how to dress in simple clothes, and how to talk like a commoner. She also advised her to avoid any unnecessary attention or risk getting caught by the royal guards. She emphasised the importance of being vigilant and noticing her surroundings at all times.

Princess Isabella knew it was going to be a challenging journey, but with Maria’s guidance, she felt more confident. She put her heart and soul into learning the ways of the commoners, determined to become one of them for once.

Maria also provided Princess Isabella with friendly advice along the way. She encouraged her to be brave, to take risks when necessary and to always keep an open mind. She highlighted the importance of standing up for oneself and following one’s heart, no matter what others may say.

As the deadline loomed, they only had three more days to put their plan into action. The third day was also the night of Princess Isabella’s 18th birthday, which marked the beginning of a new phase in her life – a time when suitors would begin vying for her hand in marriage. The thought of this made her feel trapped and helpless, fueling her determination to escape on that day. 

As the preparations for the birthday festivities continued in earnest, every hall in the palace was being decorated with colourful banners, shimmering streamers, and beautiful flowers. The sound of laughter and chatter echoed through the halls as servants bustled about, ensuring every corner was thoroughly cleaned. There seemed to be an electric excitement in the air, which only served to make Princess Isabella feel increasingly anxious by the minute. She clutched the edge of the balcony tightly, her knuckles turning white, as she took a deep breath and prepared to face the challenge ahead.

Just as Princess Isabella was about to head to bed, she heard a faint knock on her door. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she had imagined it, before going to open the door. As she opened it, she was suddenly pushed back inside by her best friend, Maria, who shut the door quietly behind her.

Princess Isabella let out a startled gasp, clutching her heart in surprise at Maria’s sudden appearance. “You will be the death of me!” she exclaimed, trying to catch her breath.

“Sorry! It’s just that I’ve got some good news!” Maria said, holding the princess by her shoulders and shaking her with excitement. Princess Isabella couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s infectious enthusiasm, feeling a glimmer of hope rise within her.

“After countless nights of roaming around the castle grounds, I finally found a loose bush that could help you escape!” Maria exclaimed, her excitement palpable as she continued to shake her friend with a firm grasp on her shoulders. “And, there are no guards guarding there!”

Princess Isabella’s eyes widened at Maria’s revelation, feeling a surge of hope and relief wash over her. She knew that Maria had risked everything to find a way out for her, and for that, she was eternally grateful.

Maria noticed her tight grip on the Princess’s shoulder, and she quickly loosened it, taking a step back and giving her friend a reassuring smile. “We can do this,” she said, her voice filled with conviction.

Princess Isabella took a step back, startling her friend, and the smile she expected from the good news was never returned. Instead, Maria saw a look of worry on the Princess’s face, and she frowned in concern.

“What’s wrong?” Maria asked, peering at her friend intently, trying to discern what was troubling her.

Princess Isabella hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. “I’m just worried about what will happen if we’re caught,” she said, her voice low and hesitant.

Maria reached out and took her friend’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We won’t be caught,” she said firmly. “We’ve planned this carefully, and we’re both capable of pulling it off. Besides, it’s not like you have any other choice. You can’t stay here and be forced into a marriage you don’t want.”

Princess Isabella nodded, feeling slightly comforted by Maria’s words. She knew that her friend was right, but the fear of failure still lingered in the back of her mind. What troubled Princess Isabella even more was the thought that by escaping, she would be putting Maria’s job and even her safety at risk. If they were caught, Maria could lose everything. She could be banished from the kingdom, or worse, imprisoned for aiding in the princess’s escape. The thought of this made Princess Isabella’s heart race with fear.

“I don’t want to put you in danger,” Princess Isabella said, her voice trembling with worry. “If something happens to you because of me, I’ll never forgive myself.”

Maria shook her head firmly. “Don’t worry about me,” she said, her voice filled with conviction. “I’m doing this because I believe in you, and because I know that it’s the right thing to do. Besides, we’ve been friends since we were children, and I won’t leave you to face this alone.”

Princess Isabella felt a surge of gratitude for her friend’s unwavering support. She knew that she couldn’t have gotten this far without her help, and she would do everything in her power to protect her friend.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, She went forward and hugged her favorite person, holding her tightly for a moment. Maria responded with a giggle, returning the embrace with equal warmth.

“I’m so lucky to have you!” Princess Isabella exclaimed, backing away from the hug and smiling at her friend.

Maria grinned mischievously. “I know, right?” she replied, giving her friend a playful nudge. “I don’t know how I managed to snag such an amazing best friend like you.”

Princess Isabella rolled her eyes, but couldn’t suppress a smile at her friend’s teasing. “You’re lucky I love you,” she said with a chuckle.

Maria laughed. “Oh, I know I am,” she said, still grinning. “Now come on, let’s get some rest. Wouldn’t want to see a yawning princess now do we?”

And just like that, Maria left the room, and Princess Isabella headed to bed, grateful for the safety and comfort of her small room. As she crawled under the covers and closed her eyes, she couldn’t help but think about the big day that was fast approaching. Each day brought her one step closer to the possibility of freedom, and she felt a renewed sense of hope and excitement bubbling within her. 

With a small smile on her lips, she marked off one more day on her mental calendar, knowing that it wouldn’t be long before she was finally able to break free from her gilded cage and embark on the adventure of a lifetime.