Izzy looked at the couple as they walked further away from her line of sight. Maliki let her free, wanting this personal time with Elizabeth and Izzy obliged but felt uneasy. She was supposed to keep a watch on him all the time but she knew nothing bad could happen. Still, she couldn’t help but worry.
The warm setting sun blinded her from Maliki and Elizabeth disappear and Izzy began to look away, blinking away the black dots that danced in her vision. The heat of the sun’s last rays began to make her body heat up in the clothing Maliki made her wear.
Izzy brought no clothing with her, not knowing just how long he was planning to stay and so Elizabeth had the maids find her some clothing that were stored away that Elizabeth only wore once. The maids then proceeded to brush her long hair, making Izzy wince. The pain, she noted, was as worse as getting pierced with a dagger. Quick and painful but its effect, long lasting and unpleasant.
Now it was put in a long braid that fell behind her back and the grim on her face washed up and nip tucked and clean. When a mirror was given to Izzy she dropped it, shattering the antique. She barely recognized herself.
Maliki only grinned at her clumsiness and gave a hearty laugh but Izzy frowned. She felt uncomfortable and trapped in the tight dress she was wearing but she knew she had to deal.
Izzy let out a loud sigh which seemed like it was trapped in her for the past couple weeks. Things had been crazy at the castle and she was glad that she was able to get away from everything and come to the countryside. It was like a small vacation for her and she tried to enjoy the most of it. However, her mind couldn’t help but float back to Alex. What would he be doing at this second?
She scolded herself as she remembered that the royal wedding was being pushed forward to ensure the two loyal lines into an alliance. It was the only way to defeat the Valudins and send them out of the kingdom. The ruthless nomads raided her kingdom too long and she wanted to fight personally but Timothy would never let her.
All in all, the wedding had to go on. This much Izzy knew and accepted. It was just a little bit hard and painful for her to see the man she hated and then grew to love was marrying another woman.
“I thought I might find you here.” A friendly, teasing voice came out of nowhere and she flinched. Turning around quickly she came face to face with a charming young man with blue eyes that were very similar to Elizabeth’s. “Oh! I am very sorry. I have mistaken you for my sister.”
The young man bowed in a gesture of apology and Izzy began to shake her head, trying to get him to stand back up.
“Oh, no no. Please do not do that in front of me. I am not of any importance compared to you,” she said quickly. The young man looked at her with a curious look and she noticed the laughing wrinkles that stayed permanent on his handsome face.
“Well you must be a lady for your beauty makes even the strongest man stop and ravish at your beauty,” the young man mused, his blue eyes twinkling. Although she saw the similarity in Elizabeth’s eyes and the stranger’s but his had a touch of mischief.
“You think you are the strongest man?” Izzy couldn’t help but laugh lightly. He was very confident indeed and it amused her to see any man this way. All the men at the king’s castle always respected Izzy as she could defeat most of them easily.
“Why, I am one of the leading general of the king’s army so yes I would think I am quite strong,” the young man smiled. He looked to young to be a general but yet he was obviously fit from the toned muscles that were evident despite his loose clothing.
“Very well then,” Izzy said amused. “I bet you are very strong and it is a pleasure to meet you. However, I should inform you that Elizabeth is a little busy right now. She should be back in an hour or so.”
“Where is she? The servants told me she did not leave or go out today but invited a guest. Are you one of her guest?” the young man asked. He kept his eyes on her, watching her with great interest.
“She is in the garden with Prince Maliki. I am only here because I have accompanied him.” Izzy watched the man’s eyebrow lift in surprise and a smile lift the corner of his mouth.
“My sister has gotten cozy with the prince? As in Princess Anastasia’s younger brother?” The young man smiled thoughtfully. “This is rare and quite amusing.”
“How so?”
“Well, my sister is quiet but not shy. She is usually the type of person who would study people in the background,” the young man chuckled.
“She seems to get along with Maliki quite well.” Izzy saw two small figure from a distance beginning to make their way back. Had it really been an hour or did they come earlier than expect? Izzy didn’t know.
“You go by Maliki and not Prince Maliki?” the young man said bewildered and curious. “What relations do you have with him? Perhaps his cousin?”
“He prefers me to call him Maliki. I have tried to call him the proper way but he would not have it. He could be stubborn and spoiled sometimes,” Izzy chuckled, looking at their intertwined hands as they seemed to grow closer.
“Ah, my sister,” the young man said, tipping his hat and bowing shortly before excusing himself.
Elizabeth must have immediately recognized her brother as she let go of Maliki’s hands and excitedly ran to her brother’s arms. Their arms wrapped around each other tightly as if it was the first time they have seen each other in years. As a general that might be the case since the Valudin’s attack began to grow harsher.
“I missed you Treyton!” Elizabeth sighed, feeling her brother’s warmth as he was her own personal sun. He held her tightly but began to let go, seeing that it was inappropriate especially in front of a guest.
“This is my brother, Treyton. Treyton, this is a friend, Maliki,” Elizabeth introduced. The two men shook hands as they greeted each other and Maliki almost winced at the strength Treyton put into it but didn’t show it.
Izzy saw Maliki’s eyes flash in subtle pain but she caught his look and hurried to his side. The young man who was named Treyton seemed to firmly grasp Maliki’s soft hands. Izzy was about to confront Treyton but remembered that Maliki was soft while Treyton was a general, most likely not realizing his own strength.
“Oh, and this is Maliki’s bodyguard, Isabelle,” Elizabeth smiled, gesturing to Izzy who looked was trying to shake her head ‘no’ but as soon as Treyton’s eyes met hers, she couldn’t help but stare.
His blue eyes seemed light up in recognition and he seemed to be thinking deeply, putting pieces together.
“Hello, I believe we have met already,” Treyton smirked before grasping Izzy’s hand. Izzy shook his big hands, grasping his hand as hard as he was. Treyton let go with a mild shock written in his face. “Wow, you are strong. I am guessing you are the same Isabelle who is training to be Prince Alexander’s personal bodyguard?”
“The one and only,” Izzy said, bowing.
“We are of the same level. There is no need to bow, Isabelle.” Treyton smiled at her as she felt a blush cross her cheek and she nodded as Elizabeth gave her brother a weird look.
“The sun is setting. I believe it is time for everyone to wash up. You, Treyton, I wish to see in my room after you are settled. We have much catching up to do, brother.” Elizabeth led everyone back in and gave a quick kiss on Maliki’s cheeks before retreating to her bedchambers.
Izzy grinned at Maliki the entire way back to his bedchamber and he couldn’t help but push her shoulders while blushing.
“Oh, stop giving me that look,” Maliki chided which only made Izzy grin wider.
“Do I hear wedding bells in the near future for you?” Izzy joked, playfully teasing Maliki. Maliki chuckled and flicked her nose which made Izzy flinch by his playful contact.
“The only one we will be hearing is Annie’s bells,” Maliki said and suddenly both their smiles fell. “I’m-”
“It is quite alright. You have every right to say that,” Izzy laughed bitterly. “She is your sister. You should be supporting her.”
“I also want to support you too. If only you were a princess, I would rather let you marry Prince Alexander than my evil sister,” Maliki spat harshly.
“That is your sister you are talking about no matter what she has done,” Izzy said. “Be careful of your mouth. It is better clean than dirty.”
“Yes, mother,” he joked. “Actually you are more like a sister than anything else.”
They both came to a stop in between Maliki and Izzy’s door. Izzy blushed at his compliment.
“That is very nice of you to say that,” Izzy smiled, her eyes looking down at the ground in a short bow. Maliki lifted her chin so that he could meet her eyes and caressed her cheeks.
“Do not be formal with me,” Maliki whispered, looking into her green eyes one last time before giving her a small kiss on the cheek. Not of affection but of brotherly love. “Good night.”
Izzy saw Maliki’s retreating figure as he entered his bedchamber, leaving Izzy frazzled and warm on the inside. No one except Timothy had been that kind and sincere with her and it gave her a nice warmth in her heart and for a second, she was able to have a peace of mind despite everything that was going around her.