Alexander had earlier on planned to punish all the maids that were eavesdropping on his conversation with princess Roselyn but immediately changed his mind when he spotted the beauty there too. However, Isadora had not been part of this. She was actually headed in that direction when she saw the maids lined up on the corridor. This did not deter her from her tracks though but she stopped when she heard the maids talking about Alexander in low tones.
"His majesty has finally agreed to take in a wife. That princess is so lucky he accepted her." One of the maids had said, piquing Isadora's interest. She halted on her tracks and was listening to what the maids had to say when a figure opened the door and stared at them coldly. However, his expression softened once he set his pair of eyes on her. Did he fall for her looks already? She wondered.
"The rest of you can leave. You should never commit such a grave mistake again," Alexander told the maids before turning his attention to the goddess standing in front of him. The maids left quickly, probably afraid that he would change his mind. But they were glad that he had saved them some trouble.
Alexander walked slowly to where Isadora was, holding her in position with his gaze. She was holding a tray of food in her hands. This meant that she had been sent to one of the royal chambers. And given where they were standing, only the queen's chambers were close.
"Where are you taking this?" He asked calmly, not his usual self. Isadora looked down at what she was holding in her hands as if she did not know what it was exactly.
"Thisβ¦" she stammered a little and sounded nervous. "The queen requested for some tea." She finally managed to mumble a sentence. But whoever she was talking to was in another world. He did not even hear what she said as his eyes trained on her beautiful face. She looked now more beautiful in the sunlight. His gaze travelled down to her lips and all thought left his mind. Isadora had pouted her pink lips and at that moment, he felt like kissing her. His gaze furthered southwards and landed on her chest. Wicked thoughts ran through his mind as he lustfully stared at her supple breasts under her clothing.
Isadora watched his every move and she could feel his gaze undressing her every part of the body. She could not help but wonder how wicked this man just was. However, when his gaze settled on her breasts, she could feel the lust in his eyes and this made her feel completely naked. She involuntarily covered her chest with her elbows bringing him back to reality.
Alexander's lingered gaze now moved to her face; it seemed he had come back to his senses. 'This guy was so shameless' Isadora thought. "If you have no more questions for me, I will take my leave now your highness," Isadora said and bowed, leaving him standing there. She didn't even give him the chance to reply.
Alexander watched as she disappeared in the corridor. He breathed heavily and turned around before he was met with a cold stare from princess Roselyn. She was standing by the door to the dining hall and saw everything that happened between him and that maid.
"Who is she?" She asked coldly. This man just rejected a princess and he was now flirting with a maid. How ironic! However, Alexander didn't reply to her question. Instead, he passed by her side before he gave her a cold glare.
"Never question what I do or want to? If you keep being nosy on me, you know what I will do." And with that, he left. That sounded more of a threat than a warning. Princess Roselyn just stood there surprised by the sudden turn of events. Her childhood friend had changed drastically and turned out to be a monster in human form.
However, she had never seen him as calm as when he was talking with that maid. At that time, he looked like his old self, young and carefree. But his attitude changed once he spotted her, or maybe when she asked that question. She wondered why he hated her too much despite her loving him. It hurt her feelings when he did not love him back. But who exactly was that maid? She had to find out.
"Still heartbroken again by that rascal your highness?" the knight who accompanied her asked approaching where she was.
"How dare you call the person that I love a rascal! Do you want a death wish?" She asked pointing a finger at him. It was clear that she truly loved Alexander.
"You love him so much princess. But the question is, does he love you back?" The question struck her like a thunder bolt out of the mid - day blue sky. She knew that Alexander didn't love her the way she loved him but she had to try.
"That is true sir Brandon. But I have to try harder to win his love," she said staring at her hands in defeat. She looked up and met his eyes," besides, the queen is backing me up, and you too are here for me." The statement sounded more of a question. Sir Brandon had agreed to journey with the princess because he was her personal knight. They had made countless visits in Valoria and each one bore no fruit. By time, he understood the prince's temperament towards his love for Princess Roselyn and he knew they couldn't get along.
"I will perform my duty as a knight and stay by your side. But you should know that this is against my will." Princess Roselyn sighed heavily and she knew she had to play her part before things got out of hand. "Assemble all the maids who were eavesdropping on our conversation with prince Alexander. They will pay for this." This would be her first move. She wanted to be a queen so she had to act like one. Maybe this would draw him closer to her. Sir Brandon nodded and left to execute her order.
Princess Roselyn flashed an evil smile. Amongst those maids, she would be there too. She had to teach her a lesson. That maid had to know her boundaries and understand that Alexander was hers and hers alone. No one could take him away from her.
Isadora came by the door of the queen's chamber and knocked softly. A familiar voice called her to come in and she pushed the door open. Inside, the room was filled with light that streamed in through the windows directed at a large bed on the center of the room. On the bed lay a figure whose hair had turned gray. He looked emaciated despite the delicacies placed beside a table on his bed. Beside him sat the queen, holding his hand as she looked pitifully at him.
Queen Victoria turned around and looked at Isadora with watery eyes and Isadora knew she had been crying. However, her gaze did not look close to that of sympathy. She stared at the queen emotionlessly as if she deserved this. The queen was affected by her stare and collected herself before he asked, "what took you so long?"
"Iβ¦I actually..I am knew here and didn't know the way. Actually, a maid led me here." She managed to form a logic statement. The queen nodded in understanding as she took the tray from her. "You should ask in the future. You may leave now." Isadora hesitated for a while before she shot a cold glance at the poor figure who lay on the bead.
"What are you looking at?" The queen asked coldly. Isadora bowed before taking the empty tray.
"I will take my leave now your majesty," with that she left the queen standing there. Queen Victoria stared at her retreating back and her brows furrowed.
"A new maid? Who has asked for a new maid?" she asked no one in particular. Her face also seemed familiar but the queen couldn't comprehend where she had seen her. Giving up the idea, she went beside the king and petted his gray hair. She was a que