Isadora’s feet carried her forward, her heart beating close to her ears as she slowly approached the alter. Alexander was yet to notice her coming. She stared daggers at the cloaked woman, jealousy stabbing her like a knife. Lord, since when did she become this jealous? And why was no one stopping her? She stared back at the crowd to only find empty seats, everyone was gone! Lord Richard was nowhere to be found as well.

Her gaze shifted back to the front and Alexander was still there, holding the hands of that woman and staring unblinkingly at her eyes as if spellbound. The priest immediately began the recitations making Isadora bread heavily with each passing second.

"Alexander?" She called, holding her chest as bread in some kind of pain. But surprisingly, he didn’t look at her. A frown settled on Isadora’s face. She was certain the distance was close enough for him to here. Why then didn’t he respond?

"Alex?" She called again, taking a few steps closer. But still, Alexander’s gaze was fixated on the woman, a steel grip holding her hands. Isadora walked her gaze now fixated on the woman. Who was she?

"What have you done to him?" She asked trying to make out her face in the netted veil, but all she could see was her pearl white teeth as she smiled evilly at her.

"I just did what I had to princess; claim him before you," she said in a flat tone that carried a hint of mockery with it.

Isadora narrowed her gaze at her. What did she mean she claimed him? And why was the priest continuing despite the fact that they were talking. What had she done to them? Was she a witch?

"Who are you?" Isadora still couldn’t believe this was Roselyn. Otherwise, how could she be so powerful.

"I guess you know that," she said. She lowered her veil and smiled at Isadora, "hello princess."

"This can’t be!" Isadora shook her head. Her mind and soul refused to believe what she was seeing. Since when did she grow so powerful?

"Yes it is. You took my husband’s love and attention from me and expected that I would just let him be. It doesn’t work that way princess. Alexander is mine, forever," she whispered the last word close to her ear.

But the fact that an Arcadian princess had magical powers remained a maze to Isadora. Arcadia was the weakest of all the kingdoms in the continent but the aura she was exuding! Not even a queen had such an intimidating aura.

" You must be so brave to have come back after what you did. Consider yourself dead princess!" She snarled at Isadora. Did this have to do with the poison incident? But why did Isadora feel it was something else? What did she do to anger the Arcadian princess?

"Why should I?" She asked, tried to fetch the reason for Roselyn’s anger. But the look she got!

"How dare you? You kill my father and ask that?" She held her hand out and before Isadora knew it, she was held a few feet above the ground, an invisible force choking the air out of her. Veins popped on her face, her eyes turning red as she stared at the merciless Arcadian princess she had always known to be a weak woman. Not a sign of a smile was on her face and she was determined to stop at nothing but sending Isadora to her demise. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Still, Isadora couldn’t understand. When did she kill Roselyn’s father, and for what reason? Arcadia and Crescia never fought. In fact, it was the only kingdom that traded with both Crescia and Valoria, thereby proving to be a channel for Crescian and Valorian goods. It was therefore unwise for both kingdoms to attack Arcadia. So what nonsense was Roselyn speaking?

"I didn’t kill your father Roselyn. This... is a mistake. You..you’re mistaken," she managed to say some words before Roselyn scoffed. Her grip on Isadora’s neck tightened, not a shred of mercy visible on her face.

"How dare you? I saw it with my own eyes. You drove that sword through his body, not a shred of humanity left in you. And you expect me to let you leave? Never!"

Isadora’s feet dangled mid air as she effortlessly tried to fight for some air, but would Roselyn let her? She felt the grip around her neck tighten even more, almost crushing the bones in her neck. At this rate, she was going to die soon. Alexander! Right! He was the only one who could help her now. But would he even listen? He was standing still at the same place as if rooted to the spot, his gaze fixated on one point. What had she done to him?

Isadora was also not in the point to call him. The invisible grip on her neck was growing tighter with each passing second, and Roselyn seemed to stop at nothing. ’Alex’ She called him in his mind, a trick she had learned from Lord Newton. It was like talking through telepathy but it didn’t work for everyone. Only the high members of the palace or the royal family could utilize this trick. But would it work for Alexander? She had to keep trying or else she’d die!

’Alex! Please help me!’ She tried again, tilting her head to his direction but he was as still as a statue. Oh no! Was this the end? She could feel her head feeling heavy now, and her vision turned blurry seeing the silhouettes of two beings standing in front of her. A pained look appeared on her face and for once, she cursed for being helpless. It astonished her how strong Roselyn really was, but that was just not the right time. She needed to act now if she wanted to see another day.

"Alexander?" She called again with all the energy she could master before she felt hands all over her body.

"Isa Isa? Your Highness? Please wake up!" Isadora shot her eyes open as sweat dripped all over her face, her eyes still wide like one who had seen a ghost.

"Are you alright?" Came Laura’s worried voice. Isadora took a moment to process everything that had just happened. So it was a dream. But why did it feel so real. Her hands flew to her sore throat where red marks could be seen.

"You are not alright!" Laura almost screamed. "I should call the physician!"

"No need Laura. I’ll be fine," she said, holding the maids hands and smiling at her the same time. This would at least calm the worried maid.