Isadora closed her eyes tightly as a liquid flowed across her skin. The experience was painful but she didn’t regret it. Why was she doing all this? She had questioned her sanity a million times but didn’t seem to find the answer. Or maybe it was for love’s sake? Did she really love Alex? The pain came again and she closed her mind.

Opening her eyes slowly, she saw as her blood dripped endlessly at the white carpet. Lord Richard would question her later, she thought. At this rate of blood loss, she knew she would pass out soon so she had to do what she had to as soon as possible. The searing pain came again making her to grimace in pain. She had to act fast.

She closed her eyes tightly as she drove all her attention on the task at hand. She even ignored the unbearable pain. For Alexander to be saved, she had to act fast, especially now that the poison had stayed so much in his body. But there was something she couldn’t put a finger on. King Griffin had told her that the poison would kill in seconds. But it had stayed in Alexander’s body for almost four hours now. There was only one possible guess that crossed her mind. She shook her head and ignored her thoughts before she continued with the task at hand.

******

A figure dressed in royal robes was standing at a tower in what looked like a castle as he stared at the distance, the direction towards Valoria. His face was laced with an unreadable expression but one could tell he was not happy. The reason for it, only he knew.

"Your Majesty," a voice called breaking him from his reverie. He let out a sigh and turned around to face the person who had called him. He let his gaze travel the man’s length and chuckled amusedly.

"What brings you here Lord Newton? Is there a problem?" He asked stalking towards where the man stood. The man named Lord Newton seemed nervous as the other approached and a hint of fear could be seen om his face. ’His Majesty’ approached to where Lord Newton stood and placed his hand on his shoulder. He could feel the poor Lord stiffen under his touch but that made him more amused.

"I..I.. There.. is..is a messenger to see you...from Valoria." He stammered the words out.

The other man’s expression changed and a curious one replaced the solemn look that had been earlier plastered on his face. "Did you say from Valoria?" He asked excitement clear in his tone.

"Yes." Was all Lord Newton said.

"Where is he now?" The man asked curiously. "Did he tell you what brings him here?"

"The messenger is in the throne hall. He said he wants to personally convey the message to you." His face turned a few shades darker at that. He seemed deep in thought before he released his hand from Lord Newton’s shoulder.

"I will go meet him now." And then eyeing Lord Newton amusedly, "I can see you are working quite well on your new title. I might consider extending the term of service for a longer time." He flashed an evil smile at Lord Newton before he brushed past him and left. But Lord Newton’s face was nowhere close to that of a happy person. In fact, the words had added on to his sad expression, making him sadder. But wasn’t he supposed to be happy that the King was willing to extend his term of service as his informer? Instead, he was sad!

King Griffin paced through the hallways as his mind raced with possibilities. What would a messenger from Valoria come to convey if not death or war? Thinking of war, he knew that that was nearly impossible especially given the current state in Valoria government. For some odd reason that he didn’t know, Valoria had been avoiding constant fights with his kingdom, something that was very rare. That piqued his interest as it was unusual for them to pick fights with Valoria. Or maybe it was the calm before a storm?

Weighing on the other option, he knew that was the closest possible reason. Had Isadora already killed the prince? A smile curved on his face. As expected of her, he thought. He of course knew that she could not fail him. Of all the people, Isadora was the one he trusted most. He had raised her since she was a child, teaching her everything she needed in order to gain her revenge. She even gave up the crown princess title and made him king. A smile curved on his face at that and before he knew, he was now standing in front of the double doors of the throne hall.

He halted when he noticed that he had arrived at his destination. Nodding to the knights who stood by the door, he braced himself as he confidently waited for what lay ahead.

"His Majesty, King Griffin has arrived!" One of the knights nodded before they pushed the doors open. King Griffin walked in with all the elegance in the world, his head held high as his intimidating aura leaked everywhere near him. Even the messenger who stood in the room noticed this and he couldn’t help but shiver a little, yet it was hot and sunny.

"Greeting Your Majesty." He bowed deeply as he held his helmet with the other hand. He wouldn’t dare provoke his enemy in his territory. Not King Griffin of all the people. This man was known for his arrogance so he didn’t dare disrespect him.

However, King Griffin passed past the messenger as if he didn’t talk in the first place. This made the messenger to frown but he was quick to hide his expression. He coldly watched Griffin’s back until he sat on the throne seat. He was quick to return his normal expression before Griffin noticed it.

Griffin now let his gaze travel the messenger’s length. He had spared him a glance at last. His gaze lingered longer at the Valoria’s crest installed on the messenger’s armor and he didn’t look pleased by it.

"So, what brings you here?" He finally asked.

"I have been sent here by the royal family of Valoria to bring grave news Your Majesty...."

"Just get straight to the point." He cut the man off. He was annoyed by this version of messengers. Giving one a story before arriving at the real reason, a one sentence thing. That, he didn’t like. And that was why this guy was already dead, he thought.

"Sorry for that your majesty..." The messenger begun again but shut the moment he received a hard glare from Griffin. He swallowed hard before he got straight to the point. "Her Majesty, Queen Victoria has invited you to her husband’s funeral that will be held in three day’ time." He said as fast as he could.

King Griffin’s expression was now far from happy. He had wanted to hear the word Alexander but it turned out to be his father. Though he was not happy, he was at least glad that someone had died. But how had the king died. He had not heard any information concerning about his ailment so this made him raise some brows.

"How did the king die?" He asked the messenger. The messenger looked back at him in fear and he knew what he would say next.

"I’m sorry your majesty but I cannot provide that information." He said, his voice a little wavy.

"Good! Because you are already dead!"