To the leader of the Vauldins,
I have thought about the compromise you had presented to me weeks before. Your deal had caught my eyes. As the next queen of this kingdom, I have great authority that can either help you or destroy you. I bring to the table, the head of the two kings, King John and King Henry, as well as a portion of my land that I will be inheriting all in exchange for peace between your people and my people. Our past disputes have left us in bitterness but I desire a different approach than our predecessors and I hope this transaction will ensure a healthy relationship between you and I. Keep our agreements a secret and you shall have what you want.
However, keep harm away from Prince Alexander and I as we are your benefactors when I become queen. For this deal to be completed, I ask you one more simple instruction. Kill the bodyguard that is entrusted to keep Prince Alexander safe. Make sure the bodyguard is dead but the prince unharmed. Only with your agreement, your wishes of success and land will be complete. Let this day be the day our deal is set in stone. I know you keep your word so let me keep mine.
Best wishes,
Princess Anastasia
Annie was satisfied with the letter as she wrapped the letter around the crow that the leader of the Vauldins had sent. It had come weeks before but she held her plans until now.
The anger that she felt as she read her mother’s journals had been the final push to accept the Vauldins’ offer. Her own father betrayed her and her mother and she sought out no use for her father. He was a pathetic king and she thought no less towards King John. She concluded that he was too soft at heart and he was no great leader. That weakness had passed onto Alex and she was determined to strengthen the royals when she was queen. She promised she would be strong so that no one else could ever hurt or bother her again.
As soon as Annie finished tying the letter around the crow’s feet, the creature flapped its wings, heading towards north where the Vauldins resided. She was sure she was making the best decision she could with the cards she had been given. It has to be done, she reminded herself. She closed the window, hoping that everything will go as planned.
Izzy knocked the door, feeling nervous and yet wanting to feel relieved to see him again. The door opened and she sucked in her breath when the familiar head popped out.
“Oh, Izzy!” he said, opening the door all the way. Several guards were guarding his door and he hadn’t expected Izzy to visit him although he had wished.
“Maliki,” Izzy sighed in relief as he led her inside his bedchamber. “I was just checking up on you.”
“Well thank you for your worry but I am unharmed, see?” he said, putting his arms out and turning around showing proof.
“Has your father come for you or perhaps your sister?” Izzy asked but regretted saying it. Maliki’s eyes were downcast and he gritted his teeth but managed to smile.
“No, they have not. You are my first guest,” Maliki said in fake enthusiasm.
“Well I’m honored,” Izzy smiled, trying to figure out how to drive the conversation to a happier topic.
“I miss her a lot, you know,” Maliki said first. “I want to see Elizabeth again and to know that she is unharmed.” Izzy’s heart softened for Maliki.
“She is alright, I assure you. She is out in the country while the Vaudlins’ attack the city,” Izzy assured him. After we defeat them, I will accompany you to see Elizabeth again.
“So you can see Treyton,” Maliki teased. Izzy’s cheeks grew warm but she hadn’t even thought of that. She only wanted to be there for Maliki through his happiest times.
“Of course not,” Izzy defended. “Am I that shallow?”
“No, never,” Maliki replied. “I know you care for me.”
“Good,” Izzy smiled. She was about to drive the conversation to Maliki’s love life and tease him instead when there was a knock on the door. Maliki gave permission and a guard popped his head.
“Isabelle, General Treyton wants to see you,” he said. His message made Izzy’s heart jump slightly and she saw Maliki give her a secret smile. Izzy wanted to wipe that smile off his face but she couldn’t with a witness in the room so instead she nodded to the guard.
“I will look for him,” Izzy replied and the guard left.
“I guess I will see you later. Stay safe, Izzy,” Maliki smirked as Izzy made her exit. She smiled back before she closed the door. Now she had to find Treyton.
It was easy guessing where he would be as he was getting ready to counterattack the Vauldins. So naturally she started with the practice arena where most of the men were camped. The rest were on watch at the city gates.
“Isabelle,” Treyton called from behind her. She jumped a little and let out a nervous laugh before she turned to him.
“You called for me?” She wanted this meeting to be fast as she knew she wasn’t supposed to be there. Her duty was back at Alex’s room but she asked for a small break with the guards outside his bedchamber.
“Yes, I just wanted to speak with you before we go off again tomorrow,” Treyton said, his usual teasing demeanor vanished.
“Yes, what is it that you wanted to say?”
“After this war is over and if I survive, I ask permission to me court you properly. I have yet to ask the king but I know he would give me anything I want if I asked.” Izzy felt her heart beat rapidly as she let everything Treyton had said sink in. There was a man that wanted Izzy for who she was. She was so filled with joy and hope but there was bitterness that it wasn’t Alex who was saying this to her.
“Please tell me an answer. I want to know if you are at least willing to give it a try. I do not want to fight a battle where I know I will lose and I cannot win if your heart has already rejected me,” Treyton said. Izzy was confused but a part of her wanted to give Treyton permission. She was willing to try and wanted to reply but someone beat her to the chase.
“General, what are you doing here?” Timothy interrupted, loudly. He had taken his helmet off and sweat was pouring from his face. He was in fighting gear and the way he took fast breathes told Izzy that he had just ended a mock battle with one of his men.
“Izzy, what the hell are you doing here? Your duty is not to be outside with the soldiers. Go back inside,” he ordered, his voice growing louder. He was angry for Izzy being out here. Although she could be a good asset for the army, he never wanted Izzy to see what the battlefield was really like. It was bloody and it would scar anyone for life. He had to keep her safe where she was: in the castle.
“I will but tell me what will happen to you and the army,” Izzy begged. She had to know that both Timothy and Treyton would stay safe.
“The Vauldins are attacking again tomorrow when the sun is at its highest. More people will be situated at the castle. There are rumors that a Vauldin assassin will come and try to kill the royals but they won’t come even close to the castle so I want you to stay in there. You’ll be safe there,” Timothy explained, hoping she would understand how important it was for her to stay there.
“I will,” Izzy replied simply, partially scared of what was happening. In her lifetime there was never a big attack with the Vauldins as now. She would have never imagined it happening in her generation.
“Keep Zander safe,” Timothy whispered in her ear as he gave her a small hug. “I’ll see you when I get back.” With that Timothy strode off to his men with Treyton slowly behind him. Treyton gave Izzy a look of longing and waved a short good-bye before he was lost in the sea of faces.
Back at the castle, Izzy slowly made her way to Alex’s bedchamber, coming in quietly so she wouldn’t startle him with the noise. However, she still managed to wake him up.
“You are finally here,” Alex said, propping himself carefully so he could see her face. She looked distressed and Alex began to worry. Was something wrong?
“I am,” Izzy replied, coming to the edge of his bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Horrible but it’s a mutual feeling between my emotions and the pain in my chest,” Alex said matter-of-factly.
“What you did there for me back there. Don’t do that ever again,” Izzy scolded as if she was lecturing a child. She thought she could never live if Alex was hurt in any way.
“I will always want to protect you and always will no matter what,” Alex replied boldly, although feeling nervous at the same time. Would Izzy explode into anger? He wasn’t particularly sure but he knew it was a possibility.
“It’s my job to protect you not the other way around. Let me protect you with my life and when I fail, you can avenge my death,” Izzy said tiredly which let Alex know that Izzy would press the matters any further. So instead he went with his usual remarks.
“You are not a very good deal maker,” he teased. Izzy looked at him and rolled her eyes but he caught a small hint of a smile tug at the corners of her lips.
“I see even a deadly injury can never stop your smart comebacks,” Izzy laughed out loud, feeling a sense of peace. It felt right to be with Alex in his room, laughing and joking.
“You know me better than anyone else,” Alex defended and smiled as he saw Izzy blush.
“Where is Annie?” Izzy asked, suddenly noticing her absence. She would have thought that Annie would be flinging herself onto Alex whenever she got a chance and Alex’s crippled-ness would be a great excuse for such behavior.
“I am not sure but thank God that I have some peace,” Alex sighed in genuine relief. He wasn’t ready for more drama and teary-eyed Annie. She was not what she seemed to be, Alex concluded.
“Don’t say that to your fiancée,” Izzy said and her face dropped. No one could rewrite this future. They would end up married no matter what.
“Let us not dwell on things that have not happened yet. The present is still a present for a reason,” Alex said, smiling at the bad pun.
Izzy tried to brighten up and decided to walk around his room, stretching her legs from the lack of exercise. It was only when she went to his desk that she noticed her mother’s journal gone. Her heart jumped, threatening to beat out of her chest as she turned around to Alex.
“Do you know where the book I wanted to borrow went? Did someone take it?” Izzy asked, frightened. She had to get it back. She had been searching for it forever and she wouldn’t back down now at such a precious time like this.
“No, I never touched it and the maids would never touch my stuff. The only person that has access would be Annie,” Alex said and as he said it they both knew the primary suspect would be. “Was it something important, Izzy?”
Izzy couldn’t even open her mouth to answer. She was struck with horror. The only reason Annie would have taken it is if she read it herself and found something that she didn’t want Izzy to find out.