Game

Clop. Clop. Clop.

The horse hooves and the occasional 'hyah' from the coachmen were the only visible sounds in the carriage. 

The previous emotion of excitement and warmth was absent in the atmosphere. Ysabel stared out the window. She didn't want to think about what had happened before leaving Bezmun. 

There were consequences for what she had done. But the young monarch had no room for regrets. 

'It must be done,' Ysabel thought, avoiding eye contact with Reis. The latter's hands were trembling. 

A faint pinkish mark was still visible on her cheeks where Lady Dolores had slapped her. The palace maid kept her head down. Guilt and an overwhelming shame for the chaos she had caused left her unable to look at Ysabel.

"Hyah!" the carriage suddenly came to a stop, surprising Ysabel and Reis. They inevitably looked at each other, but the palace maid managed to hold it only for a few seconds.