" We will confine the general to the royal chambers for six months...there you shall do all your work and meetings and beg for forgiveness. Then he'll undertake the purification rites at the end of the sixth month and crowned king!"
"The queen will be stripped off her right as a royal bloodline...and sent to cloud hall for a year" the queen teared a scream
"The princess in absent will be sent out for a year!..."
"What gave you the authority!".... Alex roared.. scaring them out of their wits
"Let us finish general!"
"She'll be brought back after year and undergo purification rites as well for three months. Then your royal wedding shall proceed!"
They thought it was fair...
"Why exile...? You can lock her up?" Alex's body tremble with anger. They can see it making them choose their words wisely
"It's not exile... it's a sent out!" One said sweetly
"Make me understand!" Alex's patience was running thin
"She can learn how to rule from other lands and kingdom. She can try to be free, learning various things that can bring growth to this kingdom. The princess is undeniably smart,she should see it the same way too."
Alexander sigh...
A year without Isabella within palace walls
"What if she gets attacked...? I can then have every reason to dispose of you and your family right?".....his grin was wider than before!
"No... she'll have royal guards of her choice go with her on this quest!"
A back and forth exchange...the council didn't give up. They told him if Isabella stays locked up he'll have to marry someone else... and that's not what he wants. So he just had to let this one go off his hands.
....
"Sent out ehn...?" Isabella soon received the royal proclamation. With the royal seal on it her journey was set
"Thank you... I receive my punishment wholeheartedly!"...she grin again and again
Sent out of the land she grew up in all her life. She suddenly hated her mother even more and Alexander.... he's nothing to her now
"Pack few supplies.... we're leaving at dusk!"
"Isabella take it easy... let's prepare!" Salvador suggest
"I don't want him to come to me!...." She said lightly. Still thinking how hard it will be for her if she see him. It's best to avoid goodbyes.
Derrick assured her that she'll be just fine without him
"That water fall...! Let's go see it at once!"
At dusk....
"Isabella!"...Alex cried out
"She's gone sir...the guards at the boarders let her leave!"
Alex fell on his knees and cried! He lost her... he couldn't say goodbye! He couldn't even see the anger on her face after reading the decree!.
Sebastian feels so sorry for his master... having found love in the most complex way,he had to let it go in the simplest way!
"She'll be back in a year.... won't she?" Sebastian's words brought him to a pause
Silence
"There's no need for goodbyes... she'll be back. And you must be ready to use every ounce of your power to make her stay and make her yours. You have to protect her when she gets back!"
Wiping his tears... Sebastian hands him a napkin
"I've sent shadow guards to go after her. They'll protect her and keep us updated. She'll be safe.!"
Alexander feels so relieved. He didn't think about these things... thank heaves Sebastian made it clear or he would have drowned himself in regret.
....
The next few days was bad for Isabella.
She thought she was strong,she didn't need to see him or bid him farewell.
She thought leaving was for the best but she was wrong
Her heart hurts like crazy,food didn't mean anything to her anymore
It's official.... she's home sick
Salvador and Derrick pitted her so much. Their hatred for Alexander grew even more.
Isabella didn't eat much,nor talk much... just on her horse or the corner... minding her business or sleeping.
It became worse by the following week of travel...
"Gosh... she's burning up!" Salvador said with worry
"We're almost at the borders...! Try what you can!"
"Let's make a stop at an inn first. She can't continue like this! He'll definitely kill that bastard general if he sees her like this!"
Salvador was right.... someone will definitely declare war on glowing valley if he see her like this
Next stop....
Boarder Town!
Isabella trapped in a dream...the night with Alex kept turning to a night of blood. A woman crying and running with a child in her arms. Without looking back she'll stumble and get up again and again... hiding in the forest...being hit by an arrows from her pursuers
Isabella unknowingly shed tears for her
"Her fever has broken...she should wake up in three days!" The physician said...
Salvador and Derrick could only sigh in relief
She's going through so much because of a certain bastard who is absolutely doing well at home
Meanwhile....
Alexander did make it a priority to work like a lap dog. No rest, little meal and heavy eye bag underneath his eyes
Though he had warmed himself up with the thought that Isabella would be back soon and no harm has yet to befall her
But it wasn't enough
He needed her so badly...his soul yearns for her and yet...all he can do his wait.
And if she comes back he needs to have full control over everything to prevent any more problems.
Starting with the maids and council...he intend to start his personal vendetta with them first.
.....
She made it through with a fake smile.
Ever since she woke up she looked at Salvador and Derrick with a different eyes
" Have we met before this?" She asked
"No!" They said sharply yet cried inside for lying
As Derrick told Salvador it seems the medicine made a twist turn during her little seclusion. And soon she should see them more differently.
Her eyes no longer looked warm... her pale skin has recovered but she was sick inside.
"Isabella.... welcome to Rock Empire! Our home town!" Salvador announced hoping she'll smile
Even though she didn't.. she was amazed by the buildings, people and street. It was so lively and amazing.
Flowers everywhere made it looked like a flower valley rather than rock empire.
Though the rocks are indescribably huge,yet it has been carved and blasted into something spectacular.
Derrick smiled knowing she had been captivated.
They soon reach the streets and that's where the peak was. Children playing, pets roaming...it looked different from what she read about them
Soon.....a little smile settled on her lips
Salvador was mentally dancing in victory while Derrick was more of jumping in victory
"I can bring you here another time!"
"Yes... certainly!" Unknown to her her of how her eyes sparkled in anticipation and excitement. Salvador made it a top list to bring her outside and forget about that jerk.
.....
"They're here...! Audrey is back!" A young boy yelled
"Lord Draco... every preparation has been made.!" A elderly maid reported with a smile
It's looks like a party,with smiles on their faces...
Roman looks so young with his causal wear... he's trying not to scare her
"Draco!... Where have they reached?"...he asked again with anticipation
"Almost at our territory...!" Draco smiled, spinning around like a kid.
"Make sure everything is ready...Did you tell Lucien?" Roman hoped not... that iceboy would kill the excitement if he showed up
"No..! He'll ruin the fun for us!"
"Exactly!" They said together, laughing at the same time.
It's been a very long time since they had reasons to smile. The cold dark house regained it fire, peace and colour instantly
"Woah...your home is beautiful Salvador!" Isabella whined... suddenly losing her former tight composure.
She begin to admire the painting and art work one by one.
They didn't stop her,they let her roam around... after all this is her home.
"Welcome brothers!"...Roman came out, along side Draco. Isabella moved aside letting them catch up. The four brothers have discussed not to let her know yet...
"Good evening sir!"... Isabella greeted with her tight composure again, losing the smile and colour it had few minutes ago.
"Good evening princess Isabella!"...he smiled but she didn't
Looking at Salvador and Derrick like traitors... They suddenly felt scared
"We had to tell them you're coming with us,so that they can prepare!"
"When?" Her cold voice was calm yet striking. Draco in his head felt his sister is so cool. Her swift change is so on point.
"When we're at the inn!" Salvador confessed like a pained child
"Sorry to be of a bother....they didn't tell me!"...
Roman smiled....he wished death a thousand times for the one who turn his sister into a gloom box!
"It's not a bother at all. This is our warm reception towards the princess. The maids will show you your room for you to change and relax. Dinner would be served soon!"
Isabella didn't spare another person a glance. She walked swiftly and cold to the room.
"She seem tensed and wary!"... Draco said with a sigh. He expected her to smile and comment on his new hair do.
"Well that's how she is! She doesn't let her guard down!".... Derrick added
"I expected nothing less from a warrior princess!" Roman felt proud instead...
"Sire....the lady collapsed!"...
A maid suddenly freaked out
"What!"...they all dashed in
Seeing her on the maids hands... Roman took her to the bed..
"Get the physician here at once!".....he ordered
"Get a bowl of water!"...
"We'll damp her skin!".... Salvador added
"Hurry!"... feeling there's no any command to give than that Draco ran to her side... trying to warm her sudden cold hands with his warm palm.
"What's happening?" Roman... having not dealt with something like this before panicked
"She had a fever while we were on our way!"... Derrick said with guilt in his eyes.
"And you didn't tell us because?"... Roman's anger was getting high
"Because we thought if you found out you'll go crazy in anger... Salvador nearly cried
"Shut up... we'll talk about that later. Let's make sure she's better!"....
They finally agreed on something
But one feeling was mutual... whatever reason for the fever was would be dealt with immediately!