Chapter 26: Her Mother's Knife

The intimidating aura grew strong with every passing minute making the already scared Isadora to shiver uncontrollably. She could feel those prying eyes scanning her body even though she had not seen anyone yet. The presence was now getting more stronger and she could feel the person approaching him. But instead of screaming or running away, she just sat there in the cold water as her heart raced uncontrollably. She could tell that the person was just a step away from her and it was just a matter of seconds before he reached where she was. Strangely, she did not flinch, but anticipated for it.

A hand caressed her wet hair making her now racing heart momentarily stop. She had to remind herself to breathe. Who dared to enter the maid's bathroom and confront her? The figure smelled like a soap made of spices. Yes! This scent was familiar to her senses, and only one person came to her mind. But could it be him? Coming to this palace simply meant that he was risking his life. But thinking about his character, she knew as well that he might be more than willing to take the risk.

"Isadora?" A deep voice called, jolting her back to her senses. Yes! This answered it all now. She had not been mistaken. Her head whipped around and there he was, the person she had just anticipated to see. He was as elegant as ever, wearing a matching pair of black pants and robes. His blonde hair was perfectly combed and his blue eyes shone in the sunlight like the blue sky. His moustache was well trimmed, complementing his thick lashes and long eyebrows. He was simply the definition of perfect!

"Uncle… I mean your majesty. What brings you here?" She asked after breaking from her dazed state. There was just something to their family members. Be it their angelic faces and stunning looks, they all had a certain aura that could bring a king to their knees, no matter their position in the society. It was just in their blood. And in their kingdom, men were stronger than women. This was because men were born with magical powers. For example, both Sir Gareth and her uncle, King Griffin both had magical powers. But Sir Gareth's was at another level. No wonder her uncle used him at every opportunity.

The man ran his fingers on the edge of the tub, tracing it as he walked. This made Isadora to sink deeper into the tub as if this would stop him from staring at her. And even though he was her uncle, he was a man too, with feelings at that. She couldn't help but wonder why he chose to confront her at the bathroom of all the places. Had he seen her undress? The mere thought of it brought anger to her chest.

"I'm losing my patience Isadora." He finally managed to form a sentence. His gaze shifted to her and sized her nakedness in the tub. This made Isadora to shot him a hard glare whilst covering her shoulders with her hair, earning a smirk from him. It's not that he had not seen everything. In fact, he had followed her since the moment she stepped out of Alexander's room. His face turned serious again reminding her of what he had just said.

"I'm trying Your Majesty. Just give me more time." She said.

"Time is what I don't have princess. Are you even comfortable staying closer to the man whose parents killed yours?" That question was like a stab in the heart to Isadora. Truth be told, she had not even started trying. Instead, he was the one trying to approach her. She scolded herself for having forgotten such an important thing. Yes. She wanted vengeance. And since they killed her parents, she was going to kill their son. They had to feel the pain that she kept inside her heart for all those years. Her gaze sharpened, now laced with killing intent. "Don't forget what I have taught you since you were young." King Griffin added.

"Yes. I will not fail you this time." Isadora said. She was determined to win this out this time round. Play time was over and it was the high time she got into serious business. The sole reason why she came here.

"Take this." He said putting his arm inside his robe and fishing out a knife that was sheathed. Isadora stretched her hands from the tub and took it from his hands. She looked at it curiously before he added. "That knife belonged to your mother. I have made some changes here and there, and above all, it has been immersed in poison. So strong is the poison that a sniff alone is enough to kill someone. So be cautious how you handle it."

Isadora nodded at him while her eyes just scanned the knife. It was lighter than a sword and easy to carry around. Did her uncle expect her to use it to kill Alexander? But why.. why was her uncle so persistent on her to kill Alexander? What would he get for this?

"Why do you want me to kill Alexander so badly?" She finally managed to ask. He seemed startled by her question but as cunning as he was, he could not tell her his plans yet.

"Don't you want to take vengeance princess?" He asked her instead of answering her question. "My heart loathes with anger whenever I see that crown prince walking as if he has the whole world under his feet when I know well that his parents were the cause of my brother's death." He inhaled deeply after saying those words. But still, Isadora knew that he was up to something big. What it was, only he knew?

"I will try my best this time. Just give me more time uncle. I have to win his trust first." She said, looking at him with hopeful eyes.

He inhaled deeply again before he faced her. "You have until next month. That is the maximum I can wait." He said turning towards the window. "I want to be attending a funeral the next time I come here." A sinister smile played on his face at that thought.

"I will leave you now. Just don't disappoint me again." And with that, he vanished in to thin air. The temperatures dropped back to normal. Isadora stared blankly at the last spot that he stood. Her gaze shifted to the knife that she held on her hands. A month! He had given her a month to have killed Alexander. She questioned her sanity again but this made her more confused, so she threw the bad thoughts at the back of her mind.

Wrapping a towel around her, she stepped out of the bathroom. On reaching her room, she pulled the drawer and put the knife there. She wore a new set of maiden clothes and decided to take a nap on her bed. But as minutes passed, her heavy lids eventually closed taking her to the dream world.