Lord Newton was a special person not only to Isadora’s life but also to Gareth’s. She had him to thank for everything that she knew regarding combat and self defense. Lord Newton had tutored her and Gareth on how to wield a sword and he had earned himself a place in the royal Crescian palace. He had been promoted into a general of the royal palace guards, a title that he had held for so many years. So it came as a surprise when Laura told Isadora that he had been demoted. She didn’t show her surprised face but deep down she wondered what he had done to deserve such kind of a punishment.

"Where would you like me to serve your breakfast?" Laura asked once she was done with her hair.

"The garden would be fine." She said. Laura nodded and left. Now Isadora was alone in her room. This place held so many beautiful memories of her and mostly her parents. She looked at her bead and remembered how her mother would kiss her forehead every night before she slept. She had even began forgetting her mother’s face. The thought alone made her worry and she searched for her parent’s portrait in the room.

And there it was, placed neatly beside the full length mirror. She made her way to the place and took the frame into her hands. The photos were covered in dust so she blew it and rubbed the rest with the back of her hand. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

A tear ran down her cheek as the most beautiful pair of eyes she had ever seen stared back at her blankly. Her fingers traced her mother’s face and she could only imagine how it would feel if she were here. Her gaze shifted to her father and a warm feeling spread across her chest. Though her father had little to no time for her, she was at least grateful that he made her exist. Without him, she wouldn’t be the woman that she was today.

"I miss you mother," she whispered and hugged the frame more closely to her chest as she let the tears do their magic.

"I miss them too." Isadora got startled and looked to the direction of the voice. Laura was holding a tray of food as her face switched with emotions she couldn’t comprehend. Had she been watching her?

"When did you get in?" She rubbed the tears and placed the frame at the dresser.

"Just a while ago until I found you lost in your emotional state." Laura said.

"Your parents, they were good." She added and Isadora just nodded faintly. She was too young then to notice if they were good. But since many people said so, she could only believe. But there was one thing that never left her mind. The painful look on her mother’s face that dreadful night would certainly remain forever implanted in her mind. Not until she killed the person who did so to her parents would the weight get lifted at least a little.

Thinking of Alexander, she knew that he was close as old as her. But why then did Griffin want her to kill Alexander yet he was not the actual murderer of her parents. If the king and queen were the perpetrators, then why seek revenge on their children? She was supposed to kill those that killed her parents and not their children. She understood that Griffin wanted to inflict pain into their hearts but still, a part of her told her that he wanted more than just revenge. King Griffin was a ruler well known for his hunger for power and the only option that could come into her mind was that he was using her to get Valoria. He was taking advantage of her vengeance feelings to take over Valoria.

Her uncle was wise and cunning. The reason why he so much wanted Alexander dead was that he was the only male child. In Valoria, only men had the right to rule. And it did not apply to Valoria only. Even here in Crescia, they said that it was a bad omen to be led by a woman. That showed that a kingdom was weak. In the event of the death of a king, his son would be crowned King as soon as the king was buried. The coronation ceremony would begin right after the king was buried.

Back then, she was too young to even know how things worked. Her uncle was the only person who was present to comfort her younger self. She had been so lonely back then so Griffin bought a slave boy to keep her company and entertain her. Little did she know that the slave boy would turn out to be her best childhood friend. Gareth shared his childhood with Isa in every way possible. Isadora was so happy to have him that she urged her uncle to treat him like her brother. King Griffin was a little hesitant but eventually gave in due to her stubborn nature. From there on, she promised to become the most powerful woman in Crescia.

"I have set the table Your Highness." Laura said pulling her back to reality again. Oh yes! She was supposed to eat. Gods! This place was turning her emotional. But she couldn’t help with the good and bad memories. And now, she was heading to her personal garden, another place she cherished most due to the many beautiful memories she had created there.

The sweet smell of food hit her nostrils making her more hungrier than before. How she missed royal food. Back in Valoria, she had been eating normal food as the other maids but she didn’t complain. Besides, whom should she complain to? Alexander? Thinking about him brought back the memories when they shared a meal together and a blush crept her cheeks. Throwing the disturbing thoughts aside, she sat down and enjoyed her breakfast as she enjoyed the view of her garden.

Laura watched her silently and she was glad that the princess had regained some appetite because she emptied her plate. Once Isadora was done, she grabbed a fruit and headed for the swing that was in her garden. Maybe she could just stay here as she waited for her uncle’s word, she thought.