KYLER'S POV— 6

"Marry me," I said, brows raised, accompanied by a smirk. "Marry me, Isabelle. Then I'd spare her,"

I wasn't expecting her to say yes. And, of course, she didn't. She laughed. She's unpredictable. Who would have thought she would laugh? She was begging with tears, but I guess I made her laugh.

She paused and groaned, holding her side. Ah, her wound, I didn't remember that. She took a deep breath and glared at me. Oh my goodness, I forced myself not to take a step backwards. She looked like she was going to nod to me.

What can I say? She looked extremely beautiful when angry but a burst of sunshine when she smiled.

"Why should I? It would be best if you married Queen Victoria, don't get me wrong. I didn't come here to strike a deal. I am just asking you not to behead her. She has done nothing wrong," she said. I couldn't believe my ears. Wasn't she begging seconds ago? Somehow, this lady leaves me speechless.

"That was an option. You need to do something for me to let her go, I don't want to let her go, and I can't force you down the aisle," I said, and she wiped her eyes.

"I won't marry you," She replied. I nodded.

"Of course, you wouldn't, but I will," I replied. She shook her head, brows thinned.

"What's so special about me? Victoria has more than I can offer you,"

I got up, never looking away from her, "I choose who I want to marry, and it's you. You have hours to think about it. That's my only deal, marry me, and I won't behead her,"

"And if I don't? If you behead her, you won't have me as a queen," she replied. She always had an answer, but that wasn't my problem. "I'd kill myself if you behead her," she said. I grabbed the knife from the floor.

"We'll see about that," I said and headed towards the door. It opened, and I walked out. Noami and her other servant stood outside with her coat, ready to take her. "Are you getting old, Noami? You look like you have trouble taking care of her. Do you need rest? I am pretty sure I can offer you that," I said. She lowered her gaze and, shook her head, fell to the ground.

"Forgive me, Your Highness! I deserve death! She had a knife to her neck, the Queen's safety comes first," she argued. I looked back to Isabelle, and she glared at me instead.

"We would have dinner," I said. She looked away, and Noami nodded.

"Yes, Sire," she said.

I walked out and, as I turned, headed for my chambers. Kesem stood by the hallway, leaning against the wall. The moment he saw, he stood straight.

I sighed. I wasn't ready for his joke. I felt shitty for making a deal with Isabelle. I should take her, but I can't. The lords seemed concerned about me, wondering when I would make an heir. I sighed again just at the thought of it.

"So?" He asked. I walked past him, heading for the chambers. Kesem followed until I arrived at my room. Lee stood there.

"Nothing special, Kesem," I said.

"Your Highness..." Lee took careful steps towards me, "Her Highness held a knife to her neck," he said.

Kesem signalled to him, letting him know I knew about it. I rested on the soft sofa. Lee rushed to get water and offered it to me. As I drank, I listened to Kesem complain.

"Maybe you should listen to her and marry Victoria. The people don't seem to condone your decision, and Victoria's people think it's treason to marry a maid. They aren't in support either. You don't expect her to accept either," Kesem said.

"That's not my business. They aren't marrying her. I can't take Victoria as a wife,"

"Is this about three years ago?" Kesem asked. I looked at him.

"That's enough, leave. I have to prepare. I have dinner," I said. Lee immediately rushed to prepare my bath.

I watched him leave the room, and the moment the door closed, I reclined on the sofa, taking a deep breath.

"Well, I think you should hold onto her. If you let Victoria become Queen after all these, she won't spare her, and neither would her people. You can only protect her if she's beside you," Lee said, and I shifted my gaze towards him. He doesn't always sound smart, but for the first time, he made sense.

"Take the evening off," I told him, happy with his reply. He laughed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," he replied and continued.

Finish what I started. Of course, that was the only solution. Isabelle wouldn't recognise me, I thought she would when we had that dinner, but I was disappointed she ran away from me. Whatever happened three years ago was useless if she wouldn't remember. I have to let go of that and focus on what I started. I am not expecting her to accept my deal, but it would be best for her.

THE DOOR OPENED, INVITING ME to the dining room, but she sat in a white sleeveless gown, her cleavage slightly exposed. Her red hair parked behind her, and she had a few pieces of jewellery adoring her. I hoped she walked in first. I am sure that gown fitted her beautifully down her waist. She's staring at the food. She didn't even bother to wait for me to start. She looked up at me, chewing. Gosh, she's so.. cute

"So you're a late King?" She said with food in her mouth, and I paused. My gaze met the guards in the dining room. They looked downwards.

"A late King?" I asked, confused. A guard pulled my chair, and I sat.

She reached out for the glass of wine and poured herself. My eyes locked with the head chef, who was supposed to pour it for her. He blinked and stepped backwards.

She continued. She grabbed a chicken with her hands and began munching on it. I chuckled. What was she doing?

"What's funny?" She asked, and my laugh disappeared.

"What are you doing?" I asked. She shrugged.

"Well, I heard any sharp object is banned from my presence," she poured the whole wine into her stainless goblet. I looked at the table, and they had just done exactly what I ordered. "You're doing a lot, Your Majesty,"

I sighed softly, "Kyler," I corrected. The last thing I expected was her calling me by my title.

"Well, Your Majesty, I can not call you by your name," she said. I raised my brows and looked away.

"Sure, whatever you please," I replied.

There was silence, no words. Just Isabelle eating almost the whole table, I couldn't help but watch.

"Why? You haven't seen your bride eat so much?" She said, and I opened my mouth to reply when I realised what she had just called herself. My eyes glued on her. She dropped the chicken, picked a napkin, and cleaned her lips, including her lipstick.

"What?" I asked, shocked at the word 'bride.' I didn't think, no, I had a little hope she would give in, but it's so quick.

She looked at me, "I'd marry you," she said, and I only stared.

"This is about Victoria?" I asked. What was I thinking? Did I expect her to agree willingly after cutting a deal that she wouldn't escape?

"I realised you're powerful. I haven't seen a single knife or fork around me. Your servants have been around me even when I want to pee. They won't let me breathe. It's pointless anyway," she said. I had no reason to feel bad or expect her pity.

"So it's not about Victoria?"

"It's also about her. You have to keep your promise and release her," she said, "One more favour, when you release her, give her a rank, and I'd do anything you want-" she took a deep breath and looked at me, "Even when you want an heir," she added.

Shit, damnit, this wasn't what I wanted, "Isabelle,"

"Yes, Your Highness," she said, and I dropped the cutlery. My chair dragged. I hated this. I needed her to fight me. I got up, and she immediately dropped to the floor. I could see the gown. It had hugged her fine and had a slit on her right side.

"Please," she said, and I breathed heavily, angrily staring at her.

"Did Victoria put you to this?" I asked, knowing the effect Victoria had on her. She looked up at me.

"It doesn't matter, right? I accept to be your bride, your Queen," she said, and my frustration grew.

"Of course, it's Victoria," I whispered. She got up.

Her step quickened, and in seconds, she covered the gap between us and wrapped her hands around my neck, staring at me.

"I'd marry you, Kyler," she said and swallowed before her lips pressed against mine. She tasted chicken, her lips soft.

I grabbed her waist and pulled away. She breathed heavily, staring at me. My eyes danced around her, down to her exposed cleavages. I pulled her closer, kissing her harder.