The room grew eerily silent, Isadora’s words resonating in the room. Griffin wanted to say something but he ended up closing his mouth like a fish.

"I don’t care what you think but that’s my decision in case you wanted an answer," Isadora added, making Griffin more angry. She even couldn’t explain where she got the courage to raise her voice against her uncle. Never in her life had she ever done it before.

"And do you know the consequences of what you’ve just said,"Griffin asked. How could she? After all he had done for her? This was how she was going to repay him? Either she was foolish... or courageous.

"You can’t do anything to me. You! How I wish my parents were here," Isadora said succumbing in self pity.

"You trained me to be a strong woman for a purpose. Didn’t you? I always did whatever you asked me to. I even helped you expand your kingdom, my kingdom. Wasn’t that enough?"

"Your parents would have wanted what was the best for you, not this. Why don’t you get it Isadora?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Would my parents have wanted me to do what you had asked me? To revoke my right?" She asked, her eyes blazing in anger.

"That’s not the point princess..."

"Then what’s the point?" She pressed on relentlessly. He was not going to get away with it that easily.

"It’s just that... Crescia needs a great leader who’ll bring victory to us," Griffin said in defense. "Can you be that leader?" He asked, throwing a quick glance at Isadora.

"Yes, if given the chance," Isadora replied, her resolve stronger than Griffin could imagine. Lord no! What the hell had he just done? This was not going as expected.

"I can even lead the war if needed," she added, making Griffin almost grimace in physical pain. But wait! That was a good idea. What if he places her in the front line so that she dies first. Isadora dead, the kingdom is mine, simple! Why was he even over thinking about it? Yet another chance had availed itself to him. This time, he was going to act cautious.

"Alright then. Your wish us granted princess. You’ll be in charge of the first cohort. You’ll lead them into battle," he said and smiled sinisterly.

"See? I’m being kind and fulfilling your wishes."

"That was not the first wish!" Isadora said acidly. How could he? He could send her to command a battalion but not make her the overall leader? That was ridiculous!

"That also, I’ll grant to you once the war is over. That is if you’ll have made it out alive." So her damn uncle knew that he was sending her to death zone? But that didn’t deter nor waver her strong resolve. She was not going to give him the satisfaction he wanted.

"I accept. And when I come back, prepare to step from the throne, my throne," she said, looking him in the eye.

"Alright. Who am I to say no? It’s decided then. You’ll be leading the first battalion to the war zone. Good luck!" Griffin said, tapping her shoulders heavily. Not that he wanted to but because it was the same thing her parents would have done.

"I’m not gonna die!" Isadora whispered in his ears. "And when I come back, victorious, I bet the smirk on your face would be replaced by something else...adorable."

Was that supposed to scare him? Absolutely not. He was sure she wouldn’t make it unless... Oh damn! How could he have forgotten it? The damn crown prince! What if he spared her? He loved her anyways so what would stop him from doing so. This would be no fair play!

"Kill Alexander by any chance you get. He’s their strength," he said, not voicing his intentions of saying so directly.

"I’m actually itching to drive a knife through his belly," Isadora replied with a smirk. Griffin let out a sigh he didn’t know he was actually holding all this time.

"It’s settled then..."

"Where do I find my men?" Isadora asked disregarding his closing remarks. Griffin was thrown off by this. He didn’t like the way she was acting lately. She didn’t even treat him with the respect he deserved, both as a king and her uncle.

"They’re in the camp, North wing," he chose to reply instead.

"I’ll be on my way then," Isadora replied. She needed a plan, a good one at that, if she wanted to make it out alive. She didn’t have any at the moment. Maybe reading some political books would help but first she wanted to meet her team. She was literally running out if the room when she ran into this woman who was standing by her door.

"I’m... sorry," she said, her apologetic expression turning to that of surprise. Before her was standing the most beautiful and stunning woman she had ever met. But what caught her attention was the emerald eyes and pink lips. It reminded her of her mother.

"You should look where you’re going," the woman said bringing Isadora out of her dazed state. And why was this woman knitting her brows as if she was trying to remember something.

"Yes!" She exclaimed. "You are Isadora, right?"

"Yes," Isadora replied,equally confused. Why was this woman acting as if she knew him, coupled with her familiar looks, it made her curious.

"And you are?"

"Lady Jade? What are you doing here?" Griffin asked walking closer to where the pair stood. Jade looked at his direction but instinctively rolled her eyes when she saw who it was.

’Who does that to a king?’ Griffin questioned himself and his sanity too.

"I was just taking a walk around the palace, Your Majesty," she replied courteously avoiding his probing gaze. Isadora’s gaze darted between the two. What the hell was happening here? She was in the dark and it wasn’t fare. Wait! Had Griffin fallen for this woman? Why not? She had the looks, the smile that would make a man faint and her curvaceous body was a feast to the eye. Even Isadora couldn’t help but like her. Weird! Not that she was into ladies though.

Lady Jade. So that was her name? And what was she doing here in the first place. Judging from how she was dressed, it was definitely clear she was of royalty. A guest? But she was not informed! It was her duty to receive guests as the daughter and princess of Crescia.

"I’m sorry I had to introduce myself this way Isadora. Please forgive me," she said surprising both Griffin and Isadora.

Isadora’s brows knitted. Why was this woman treating her with so much respect. Did she know something?

"My name is Jade Your Highness," she said and curtsied at Isadora. And now Isadora was stunned. No one had ever considered her as a princess but this woman was actually treating her like one. It somehow scared her.

"Meet my niece, Princess Isadora," Griffin took the initiative to introduce the two to each other.

"Would you mind telling me what your business here is, Your Highness?" Isadora asked.

"I guess your uncle here has the perfect answer to that question," she replied, shifting her gaze to a surprised Griffin.

He clearly did not see that coming. How could he even explain it? To begin with, he had not informed Isadora of the meeting with kings. She would definitely be mad at him, and it would be worse this time.

"Err..." he began, his eyes looking everywhere else but Isadora. "Have you eaten yet?" He asked trying to divert the topic to Lady Jade. But who would buy that? Not a curious Isadora!

"Answer the question first," Isadora said, her arms crossed over her chest now. She couldn’t imagine that a royalty had visited them and Griffin refused to inform her.

"I wanted to tell you earlier but... you know," he said, referring to the small fight between him and Isadora.

"Again, that’s not the answer to my question." Isadora couldn’t believe that he was so much trying to ridge the simple question. It even made her more curious now.

"Tell her," Jade pressed.

Damn it! Griffin cursed. This woman had brought nothing but bad luck to him. He even believed she was sent by the devil to torment his being. Why on earth did she come here to begin with? Well, he called for her. What a stupid question that was.

"I’m waiting." Isadora’s patience was now growing thin and every fibre in her body was itching to reach at nothing but the truth.

"Actually... There are many kings in here. I convened a meeting with them to rally them against Valoria. I’m sorry I’m telling you this now," he said, looking at Isadora with pity. God have mercy on me! Maybe a silent prayer would help.

Hell no! He was the mighty king Griffin. He count not act weak in front of anyone, especially not with Jade present. He was going to receive what was coming... like a man.