1 Child of the devil

"He is possessed by an ancient demon, the demon in him overtakes his soul. It is the one haunting you."

***

Isadora squeezed the hem of her silk robe. Her mind rambled over the incident that transpired just yesterday. She felt her heartbeat gradually upswing as if it just occurred. She stood up from the mattress which was swooped with roses, the thin scent of Roseberry filled her doll-like chamber.

Just like every girl in her teens, there were scattered clothes, novels popping out of the inner drawers, and a few scattered shoes on their shelves, they were yet to be organized by the maidens.

Everyone knew that Princess Isadora was a lady who loved secrecy so the only entitled maiden was her childhood friend, Sarah. She was yet to arrange her chamber because she was lurking around the palace to bring back any information on the ceremony arrangements. Just like a reflex action, Isadora's eyes dilated as she heard the sudden knock on the door.

She knew who was behind it, "Come in now."

A lady dressed in a long plain robe walked in smoothly and lowered, "My princess, His Majesty called for you."

"I...I will be there," she said, rubbing the sudden goosebumps that were surging beneath her skin. She knew what her father wanted to say. It was just two days to that day. Two days to the day she would be married off to the most prominent and yet reserved man ever.

King Griffin had invited the four kings from the nearby kingdoms to pay manred to his beloved only daughter who was getting married soon.

Each of the kings had in one way or the other negotiated on forming an ally with the Maxwell Kingdom to gather more power by persuading their sons to marry his daughter but surprisingly, they were all turned down by the King's chronic disapproval.

He had told them that his daughter was already betrothed to his childhood friend and there was no way he could change his mind. Curious to know the man who was suitable enough to espouse King Griffin's only daughter, they came to visit and decided to stay till the wedding.

The maid's eyes were inoculated with anxiousness as she summoned her courage to speak against what the princess had just said, "My princess, he is requesting your presence before the dinner with the Royals. It would be better if you follow me immediately. His Majesty seems to be a bit alarmed."

Isadora nodded making it known to her maid that she understood. But before she could reply, she heard a strange voice, "Kill Ezekiel before he makes you rot in his hell."

"Sarah, did you just say anything?" She wanted to be sure but she knew that voice was far too different from her maid's voice.

"No, my princess. I only came to inform y-"

"It's okay." Isadora breathed in quickly and followed the maid's lead to the door. The maid opened it gently and anticipated for her mistress before closing it to waddle behind her. After some seconds, she uttered, "Isadora, there are plenty of kings out there. I am very sure they are here to see whom to be groomed. You have no idea how sad I am to know this."

"Sssh. Be formal, we are almost at the hall," Isadora warned the maid and she bobbed in the affirmative. "It burdens me to know that everything that transgressed last night was all my doings. It indeed will annoy his majesty when he hears it but still, I don't care anymore. My love for Oswald is more than anything. I would not for anything leave him for a hallowed marriage, they say."

The maid eye-searched the whole environment to check if someone was leaping in the corner. When she was convinced that there was no one, she leaned closer to Isadora, " My princess, do...did you do it with Lord Oswald?!"

"I'm afraid it has to happen. He is the only man in my life and I dare not allow anyone to have his way with me except him. I feel fulfilled. It was the happiest day of my life."

A dread silence followed suit and they walked into the king's hall. The large hall was glowing as there were massive decorations everywhere. The walls seemed to have gone through some painting and the walls had been replaced by new portraits. There were previously three chandeliers but they had been restored with brand new ones. Everything was for the upcoming big day. While these happened, Isadora was unaware of the preparations because she had been stifled in her chamber the whole day.

The two guards in the hall stood firmly as one notified the king of Her Royal Highness' arrival. The king turned backward, sighting his charming little angel, his face brightened, "Princess. I'm glad you are looking flourished."

"Thanks, father," Isadora responded.

Isadora could notice the sudden change in her father's behaviour. Though he had been happy since the day he knew the marriage was close, he appeared happier today that she couldn't do but ask, "And father, you seemed to be more flourished than the princess. Is the crown prince also getting married soon?" She paused, "Or your men are back from the..."

"So innocent," the king interjected, "My happiness ensues from my daughter's welfare. The marriage is not taking place any longer."

What?! Isadora exclaimed within. Her sudden outburst seemed to be visible from her widened lips. At the same time, the maid's hand quivered into a tight fist as a sign of excitement due to the news they have just heard.

Does that mean, her father had broken the upcoming wedding and she could now marry the man of her dreams?

The king sensed his daughter's happiness and he gave out a pleasant smile in response. Isadora could tell that these days, her father had been smiling too much.

Before King Griffin became a king, he was known to be a very talented warrior prince who rebelled very well. More than two decades ago, there had been a rumour that he killed two thousand beasts that lurked and almost destroyed the Maxwell Kingdom. Though only a few people believed that such mythical creatures exist, everyone knew too well that the King in his prime was an indestructible soul, even now. So he was known to be a strict man and a man that hardly smiled.

Isadora knew the man she was to be wedded to must have called off the marriage and decided he would rather marry an older woman, no man in his right sense would take a kid as his wife. Though earlier, her father seemed to be elated by the upcoming marriage, she didn't understand why her father would be so glad when the marriage was called off.

"Princess, the groom to be has decided to make the marriage confidential due to one or two things. He had decided to bring his people to take you before dusk," he enlightened as he straightened his crown and cleared his throat dramatically, "It's with great pleasure he honoured me by deciding to take my daughter's hand in marriage so soon. This shows honesty and gratitude. And perhaps love. Your generation seems to be happy about love in marriage and I think he indeed loves you, princess. He couldn't wait to call you his wife and still keeps it sacred."

"But Your Majesty..."

"The rules, princess!" He warned but a smile covered his eyes and lips so quickly brushing off the frown on his face, "The grand ceremony starts now. I have informed all the maids of this. You shall be prepared before the clock strikes nine. There is a lot to do."

Isadora's mind dreaded her father at that moment. She wasn't ready for this. She loved Oswald and she would never get married for the sake of marrying. She had no idea who this man was. She had never set her eyes on him and what if the man didn't think she was beautiful enough? What would her father say if she asked? Of course, she had asked countless times and his only reply was, 'He loves you. He had seen you the exact day you were born and he promised to cherish you till your heart content. Even more.'

But this didn't seem to go well with her. It meant she was getting married to a man as old as her father at the age of eighteen. What could be nastier than that?

"Father...no. This is unfair. I have no amenity to plan things on my own."

"Rules, princess!" Her father spurned her with a scowl that only meant one thing. 'Talk and get punished!' "There are very little of things to pack. You need not take many clothes as you are going to your husband's house. If there are other things to take, your maids shall do those for you. You need not be fretted for even a bit."

"But father, I know not who he is. I do not love the Lord...the Lord something... See, I have zero ideas about his name either," she kept her words at a fast pace to ensure that she was able to find her speech assimilated before she got shut again.

By now, the king seemed to be riled. He hissed and walked to the princess, "This is my last warning. Never talk when I make a statement, let alone, against my words, Isadora."

Her heart sank deeply into her ribcage and she almost sobbed due to her father's harsh tone, "Apart from being a sacred marriage, every lady is to be untouched till her marriage right, father?" Isadora questioned.

Her maid's eyes widened at her outburst. "Yes, Princess." King Griffin affirmed.

"But father..."

"Rules!"

"But father, I am no longer untouched. I am a woman now."

"What did you just say, princess?"

"I...I said I am a woman now. With that, I don't think I am acceptable to get married to the Lord-"

"You slut!" King Griffin landed her a hot slap, "When did that happen? How dare you bring condemnation to my name?"

"That's because I don't want to get married yet. Not to a man you promised to give me to because of his help to you. I am no fit to be his," she said, proudly. Her heart felt like a load had been unloaded from it and at the same time, it felt like there was a sudden gush of blood. She had recited how to break the news to her father but it seemed to come out inherently from her mind.

"Who has dared to litter the name I took years to build? Tell me, is it, Oswald? That naughty of a beggar?!"

"He isn't a beggar, father!" Isadora's voice rose to the highest. The sudden pats from her maid didn't seem to resuscitate her. "You just need to accept the fact that this marriage has been invalidated. You know the prophecy, I shall get married to whoever for the first time laid with me."

"You child of the devil!" Another slap landed on Isadora's cheek and she felt like she was deafened all of a sudden.

The king turned to the two guards, "I order before the clock strikes nine, bring me Oswald's head."

"No, father. I beg of you, please do not do this. It's...my fault."

"As for you." King Griffin pointed to his daughter, "You shall no longer be my daughter. When the groom comes, he shall do whatever he pleases to you as you are no longer what he thinks of you." He looked back again to order a guard to send her away but there was none, so he pointed to the maid, "You. Take her away and tell the maids that they no longer need to worry about beautifying. She would be wedded that way."

"You are at his mercy." He looked at his daughter with a loathsome face, "and you disgust me."

Just with his words, she fell to the floor. This wasn't what she was expecting. She was thinking the marriage wouldn't hold on any longer and one of the maids would replace her. But now, she had caused a great misfortune in one day. She was disowned, would be married off to a stranger....and Oswald!

There was no way she would be the death of Oswald. She was the cause for everything!