"What the hell happened to her?" Newton asked nearly storming into the room as he towered over her sleeping body, a look of fear and concern evident on his face.

"She has been like since morning Your Majesty," Laura said stepping back to allow him get a better look of the sleeping beauty. But this was not the time to admire her beautiful features.

"Have you tried to wake her up?" Newton asked, his gaze shifting to the already scared Laura.

"Yes your Majesty," she answered nodding her head at the same time. She held her hands nervously, her concerned gaze never leaving Isadora’s calm face.

Newton placed his finger on her nose, instantly letting out a sigh when he confirmed she was breathing. How then was this possible? What the hell had happened to her after he left? He could only hope it won’t get worse, but without knowing how to get her out of this state was just but a wishful thought.

Newton placed his hand on her sweaty forehead, a frown settling on his face when he felt her skin as cold as ice. She was sweating but cold! How ironic! He had thought she might be suffering from a fever but seems he was wrong. He could see her chest heave up and down in rhythmic and controlled breathing. At least that gave him the hope that she was alright.

"Wash her face with a clean and wet cloth," he instructed Laura. "Inform me if anything unusual happens, and most importantly, no word of it should go out. Only me and you know about this," he stressed the last part as he knew the nature of the maids. Gossip was like something they could never leave without. Not that he trusted Laura to keep the secret, but at least long enough to maybe have Isadora back.

He drew the robes closer to his body as he made his way out of the room. Laura had woken him with a start as she blumbered trying to explain to him Isadora was not alright. But what happened to her overnight was still a mystery that required great wisdom to unravel. Disease was out of question here.

Throwing the thoughts at the back of his mind, he decided to head to his room, Griffin’s room, and take a bath. He had not even had his first royal breakfast all thanks to Laura. Why would she even think Griffin would help? Joy would wash over him if he realized the condition Isadora was in. He could even plot to kill her now that she was unconscious. Lately, he had being seeing her as a threat to his anarchy and throne ascension. This, Newton had learnt from a Knight, at a fee of course. No knight would risk spreading such rumors about the royal family.

He shrugged the robe off his shoulders and hung it on the stand before wrapping a towel around himself and stepping into the bathroom. A hot steaming bath was what he would prefer at this hour but he chose a cold one instead. He stepped in the tub, letting the cold water mask his features before settling to the cool sensation. Closing his eyes tightly, he let his mind wander, an image of Zed spunking him crossing his mind. He bit his lower lip between his teeth as he imagined how it would feel.

Damn it! Newton cursed, sitting in the tub with a start. He ran his fingers through his already wet hair, clenching his left hand’s fists hard that his knuckles turned white. Why would he think of that bastard of all the people? He hated him! How dare he... Kiss him. He wanted to say that but remembered he was actually the one who made the move! Goddamit! What had even gotten into his mind that time? I am a seer! He repeated in his mind, internally rolling his eyes but wait... Zed was a seer! A seer who saw right through his disguise. What if he could identify what was wrong with Isadora? He could have thought that.

But meeting with him again was not something Newton was looking forward to especially after what had happened yesterday. How could he even face him? Those scrutinizing silvery eyes flashed across his mind making him swallow nervously. This was worse than a nightmare, forget about the ghosts haunting you in your dreams. Facing that man, if he was one, was the craziest idea in his mind right now.

But he couldn’t avoid him forever! Besides, he needed to talk to him about Isadora and see if he could help. How he got into the dungeon still remained a mystery to him. Maybe he would find out later, if that was even possible. Right now, he needed to confront his fear and face the damn seducer.

- - - - Ancient Crescia - - - -

Walking off the sea of dead bodies proved to be the toughest job Isadora had ever done. Her foot sometimes dipped into a soldiers wound carrying with it cloated blood that made her nearly throw up, but looking at what lay ahead, she could only hold back and take the next step to the unknown.

After seemed like an eternity, she finally managed to make it out of the hell of a walk, her legs and hem of her dress now painted scarlet with blood. She had to admit that this was the worst moment she had ever experienced in her life.

She let out a sigh holding her mouth before she ended throwing up at a nearby tree. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she momentarily froze in fear when the sound of galloping horses was heard nearby. Her gaze whipped to that direction before she spotted a group of around four men riding on horseback and a carriage in between each of the two men. They were travelling at a slow pace unfazed by the fact that bodies lay ahead blocking their way.

Instinct told her to hide behind the tree but as thin as it was, she was certain they could spot her easily. Her knife! She searched for it in her dress but alas, it was not there. Her heart began beating close to her ears when the sound of the approaching carriage grew with each passing second. It could only be a matter of seconds before they reach where she was. And as if her instincts were true, the carriage came to a halt close to where she stood. Oh Lord no! They had caught her! An iron grip on her hands was what she had expected but contrary, it turned quiet, so quiet that Isadora could hear her heart beating wildly in her chest. Were they not coming to take her, or kill her? Curiosity made her peep, a frown settling on her face when she saw the men looking at the dead bodies but stationary.

"Yet another massacre," one of them who had his hair tied into a ponytail said as he shook his head.

"I fear this will continue if we don’t hurry and hand over the princess," the other one replied. His physique was bulky all most double the size of a normal human. Even the horse carrying him couldn’t help but shift uncontrollably, yearning to go forward at any second.

"What happened?" Came a gruff voice from the carriage. "Why did we stop?" His voice was etched in anger.

"It’s a massacre sire. It’s nothing to worry about though. We’ll just take the forest route," the guy with a ponytail took the initiative to explain.

"You better hurry," the same gruff voice answered. The sound of leaves clutching caught the attention of the knights, their prying gazes instantly shifting to the side of the path. The ponytail guy signalled the bulk one to go ahead and look what it was that caused the noise. He jumped off his tired horse and unsheathed his sword before he crept into the forest slowly, his eyes scanning the area akin to those of an eagle.

Isadora rested her back on the tree, her heart racing uncontrollably. She was just at the first tree and the hem of her dress was clearly visible however how much she tried to hide it. Was this the end? She was in the middle of an unknown land so they wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. And judging from their little exchange, she could tell they were the offended side, losing countless lives in the war. And she dared appear in a battleground and expected mercy?

The sound of dry leaves clutching echoed in her mind signalling to her that her demise was a few steps away. She had never felt this helpless before. No weapon to defend herself! Where was her dagger when she needed it the most?

The frame of a knight appeared by her right side making her swallow nervously. This was it, the end!

"What did you find?" The other knight asked from the other end.

"There’s nothing here apart from this stinking body of our brother here. May his soul rest in peace," he said and sheathed his sword, yet he was staring directly into Isadora’s eyes!