ISABELLE'S POV— 5

When I opened my eyes, I was in the same fancy room. I didn't die after all. Kyler's people rushed in when they heard Victoria scream. It's a little disappointing. My death would have meant Kyler marrying Victoria, but somehow, I am grateful to be alive. How selfish. I took a deep breath and tried to sit up, but my sides hurt, and I let out a low, soft growl.

"Your Highness," I heard. The voice startled me. It was Ayn. She immediately rushed to me, and behind her was Betty. "Call Doctor Kim," she said to Betty, and she nodded, leaving the room before I could stop her.

"You didn't have to," I said, my lips dry, I swallowed, and I laid back. Each time I tried to speak, I felt the pain at my side.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Ayn said, bowing, hands crossed at her front. "I should have known better," she fell to her knees, which startled me, "I promise to protect you and never leave your side," she said.

Her action reminded me of when I said the exact words to Queen Victoria. My breath seized for a while, and I just stared at her. I was pathetic, but I didn't regret my actions. I owe Queen Victoria my life. When those loan sharks came for me after my father committed suicide and left his debts to me, she saved me. It only felt foolish to betray her. I felt ridiculous lying on this soft mattress.

The door opened, and Betty walked in with an older man with a white beard. I assumed it was the Doctor Kim Ayn spoke about. He smiled at me like I was a miracle.

"Your Highness! Your wellness calls for a celebration," he said and came closer to where I lay.

The door opened, and Noami, she smiled and approached me, then bowed slightly. "It's a blessing you're awake," she said. I rolled my eyes at her and turned to face the window. I didn't want to look at any of them. I was annoyed and frustrated.

Suddenly, it hit me. I was in danger. What could have happened to Queen Victoria?

"Where's she?" I asked.

"Do you feel any pain?" The older man asked. Doctor Kim, actually.

"No," I said, urging to ask more of Victoria when he pushed his hands to my wound, and I growled.

"What the hell was that for?" I asked. He bowed.

"You're in pain. You'll need more sedative," he said. This old man was annoying already, "After we clean up the wound,"

"Well, If you didn't do that, I wouldn't be in pain," I said, looking at all of them, but they remained silent, staring like they put a gun to their heads. I took a deep breath, "What day is it?" I asked.

"It's the second day after the incident, My Lady," Ayn said. I nodded and licked my dry lips again.

"At least, can I get water?" I asked with my brows raised, and Betty quickly rushed out of the room.

Doctor Kim finally finished, and it was time for Noami to clean my wounds. Insisted she made way for me to stand up.

"Huh?" I looked at her.

"You need to shower, and His Highness will summon you soon," she said. I blinked, staring at her. She looked at me when I made no moves. I guess he is stubborn. "Your Highness?"

"I won't go anywhere. He has to come to me," I said, brows raised. Her eyes thinned at my probably ridiculous words.

She blinked a thousand times in seconds, lowered her gaze, and chuckled. "That's a dumb thing to do, Your Highness," she glared at me.

"Right, he did the dumbest thing to pick me as his bride," I said, and she shook her head. She opened her mouth to speak, but I remembered Queen Victoria. I needed to know where she was and how she was doing.

Ayn walked in with a food tray, "Where's Queen Victoria?" She shook, and they turned to me and looked away, continuing their actions.

I knew something was wrong with the way they refused to reply. I pushed the duvet away from my legs, and despite the pain, I got up. Noami looked at me and smiled.

"Are you ready to talk about your bath now?" She asked, but my stare turned serious.

"Where is she?" I walked closer to Ayn, and she held the tray. Her eyes fixed on me, darted to Noami, and then to me. She lowered them when our eyes met.

"I know nothing, my lady," she replied. I looked at Betty, and she lowered her gaze instantly. Noami looked away. I chuckled, of course. King Kyler, I knew he would threaten them to remain silent. I learned how to get to him and get to them.

I immediately grabbed the knife from the tray and placed it against my neck. They quickly backed out.

"Your Highness, that's a foolish move," Noami said, trying to calm me.

"Of course to you, I wouldn't think a second to push this into my neck. Now tell me where the fuck she is,"

They hesitated, looking at each other. I pushed it deeper, and Betty screamed, covering her lips. Noami nodded.

"Yes, of course... where she is," she swallowed. I knew how servants were. Once they were commanded to protect someone and a secret with their lives, the life of the person they are watching comes first. The secret means nothing.

I knew how this worked. Once Queen Victoria's father caught her with that Knight. He threatened to send him away. She saved him with the same method, threatening her father with her life. Now, I am doing the same.

"She's locked up," Noami swallowed, fear washing over her.

"Continue," I said, knowing she knew more.

She swallowed again, shaking, "His Highness ordered her to beheaded..." she paused, "This evening," she added.

My eyes lit up, damnit. Now, fear gripped me, my hands around my neck shook, and I zoned out for a minute. Queen Victoria dying because of me was purely treason. I'd die if she dared.

"Th-h-the door," I stammered. Ayn dropped the tray and rushed over to the door, opening it.

I walked closer, and the moment the guards spotted me, they bowed, moving away. I had no idea where I was going, but I held the knife to my neck firmly.

"Where's he?" I asked, a face I didn't recognise, not like I remembered anyone. He looked frightened and stammered.

I pushed the knife further, and he gasped, "Blood," he said. I didn't care.

"His-" I paused, "Kyler, Where's Kyler?" I asked.

"His courtroom," he said. I shook my neck, ordering him to lead the way. My eyes scanned around, alert. I took the knife off my neck and threatened the maids, who had already made way for me.

Once we reached his courtroom, the long door opened, and I felt fresh air blow against me. Men filled the room, lords? I don't know what they are called. They all looked away, and the guards who stood turned backwards. An armed man stood beside him, and he turned backwards immediately. My eyes fell to his, and I dropped my knife and fell to my knee. This man had no emotion. His eyes darkened instantly. The confidence I felt minutes ago had disappeared, and I just felt the urge to beg.

"Please, please spare her. She has done nothing wrong!" I banged my chest, "I deserved it. She was only right, don't you think? She doesn't deserve to die, and I do. Please, please, I'd do anything to spare her life!" I spat, but I heard the chair drag, and there was total silence. Then I heard footsteps. Someone dropped beside me, I looked at the person, and it was him. He took off his coat and wrapped it around me. Then I realised I had only my night dress, no slippers, and my hair flowing behind my back.

He said nothing and covered me completely. Then, he cleared his throat, and everyone stood up, walking out of the room except one— the armed man.

"You too, Kesem," he said, quickly turning over, heading to the ground as he walked out of the room.

Kyler sighed and stood up, about to walk out when I grabbed his trousers, "Please, I'd do anything you ask of me! Please spare her," I said, crawling further. The coat came off.

"Get up," he ordered.

Instead, I lay on the floor. I searched my head for an excuse, and nothing.

"Why should I forgive her? She hurt you. It's treason,"

"No! I have committed treason. It's only natural when your serving girl is chosen instead of you," I said. He bent towards me, and I dared not look at him.

"Look at me, Isabelle," he said, voice soft, calm, and tempting. I slowly looked at him, and he kicked the knife away from me, took my hands, and helped me up. A sneaky smile craned his lips.

"Does this mean yes? I'd do anything. Please spare her life,"

"She must be so important to you," he said, so fucking calm, it's almost contaminating.

"Please, I owe her my life. I promised her, please, I'm begging you," I begged.

He took his coat and covered me. Once he was done, he leaned closer to my ear, and I felt his breath pour against my skin. His hair smelled so good, almost dreamy, and I shook when I felt his hands against my thigh.

"Anything, Love?" He asked, pulled away to look at me, and my eyes met his. What was he thinking? I didn't mind, and I didn't care as long as Queen Victoria was alive.

"Anything," I whispered.

He chuckled and sighed, "I hate to do this," he paused and looked at me, "Marry me," he said, brows raised, accompanied by a smirk. "Marry me, Isabelle, and then I'd spare her,"