Ysabel said, “We’ll stay for one last dinner. I’ve already arranged a feast.”
Come dinnertime, Ysabel was true to her word. She’d arranged for a fancy fountain of cheese and another, chocolate fountain for an elaborate fondue. We enjoyed dinner in a private dining room: just me, Araceli, Antonia, Ysabel, Kaine, Alzira, and Donya.
After the meal, Kaine pulled Araceli aside, offering political tips from an experienced ruler to a new one. Most of his advice seemed to involve beating up people. I was fairly certain that Araceli was only politely nodding along. He also showed off a few fighting moves. Araceli paid more eager attention to those.
Ysabel dragged the rest of us into a game of cards. “I learned a new game in Conollia called Last Dragon. It’s a variant of Bluffer. The goal is to avoid being stuck with the dragon in the end. I’ll teach you how to play; it’s loads of fun.”
Donya nodded. “I’ve played a few times with Ysabel. She always wins, but I’ll beat her next time.”
“Can I play?” Antonia asked.
“We’ll need you,” Ysabel said. “The game requires four people, and I can’t play with Alzira because she always takes the dragon and loses. I don’t mean by accident. She does it on purpose.”
“It’s my duty to ensure your victory under any circumstances, Your Holiness,” Alzira said.
Ysabel sighed. “It doesn’t make for a very fun card game if you deliberately lose to me. That’s why I’ll let you play on my team. We can share the same set of cards. Come on, stand behind me to look.”
“I’m honored, Your Holiness,” Alzira said.
As Ysabel dealt the cards, I noticed a flash of a card vanishing up her sleeve. I snorted and grabbed it, too fast for her to stop me. It was a dragon. “Sis, ditch the extra cards. Play fair.”
“Her Holiness would never cheat!” Alzira cried. “It’s part of the game for her to keep an extra dragon up her sleeve. That’s why she always does it.”
Ysabel winced. “Alzira, don’t incriminate me.”
“I’m sorry, Your Holiness.”
Donya rolled her eyes. “Is this why I keep losing to you? I should have known. Roll up your sleeves, Ysabel.”
Hanging her head, Ysabel rolled up her dress sleeves. Three more cards fell out.
Donya inclined her head at me. “Want to team up to beat her?”
I nodded. “Yes, absolutely.”
Antonia raised her hand. “I want to be on the same side as Bora, too. She’s amazing, and she knows how to win.”
Ysabel pouted. “That’s not fair.”
Donya snorted. “Don’t talk about fair when you always cheat. It’s the only way we can beat you. Besides, you have Alzira on your side.”
Alzira nodded. “That’s right! Her Holiness and I together are unstoppable. Even though Her Holiness currently has the real dragon in her hand, we won’t lose with such a small handicap.”
Ysabel sighed. “I told you to stop incriminating me.”
With Alzira’s facial expressions completely giving her away, the three of us effortlessly beat my sister into the ground. She tried to cheat a couple times, but I was good at catching her. I had to admitit was satisfying, given how often she used to beat me at games as a child. I now realized she’d probably been cheating back then, too.
Donya and I bumped fists. “You’re good. You’re like a less-evil version of your sister,” Donya said, though there was a fond edge in her voice as she glanced at Ysabel. “I’ve been avenged. Thank you.”
“I couldn’t have beaten the evil queen without you.” I beamed.
“Was I useful?” Antonia asked hopefully.
I ruffled her hair. “You tricked my sister into taking the dragon twice. Far more experienced monarchs haven’t been able to pull one over on the Holy Maiden. Be proud of yourself.”
“I’ll get all of you next time.” Ysabel counted up the points. “The final winner is Bora. What a coincidence! I have a prize for you.” She grinned and tugged my arm. “Step outside with me. I need to have a word in private.”
I followed my sister. We seemed to be going toward her guest bedroom. I’d finally started to get the hang of this labyrinth of a palace. “What did you want to talk to me about? Do you have political tips for me, too?”
