Glinda worked in silence, her fingers glowing faintly as they hovered over Isabel's burned skin. The wounds slowly closed, leaving faint marks behind.
Isabel hissed softly. "It still hurts…"
"It will," Glinda replied calmly. "Pain is a good teacher." Across the room, Dracula stood motionless. Then he vanished.
Not walked.
Not turned.
Vanished.
"Get some rest, Isabel," Damien said quietly.
"Of course, brother." She gave him a faint nod. Damien turned and walked out, Dishon following closely behind as he gently closed the door behind them.
Isabel's lips curled into a slow, satisfied smile.
"Just wait and see, Dara," she whispered. "My brother will force him to marry me. He is mine. Mine alone."
Dara frowned. "Your Highness… I don't understand." Isabel leaned back against the pillows, eyes darkening."Then listen carefully," she said softly. "This is how it really happened."
"Prince Lokki."
He turned, surprised and smiled."Princess Isabel. You're back?" She stepped closer, the evening breeze lifting her hair. "Not exactly. I'm traveling to a nearby kingdom, but it's already sunset so I decided to rest in Wintercrest tonight."
"That's good timing," Lokki said politely. "Which kingdom?"
"Alvania. Princess Eva is getting married to the Duke of Edinburgh. My brother was invited, but he couldn't make it so I'm attending on his behalf."
"Ah," Lokki nodded. "Of course. My sister will be there as well."
She hesitated, then asked softly, "Then… what are you doing here this late?"
"This place is peaceful," he said. "I train here at sunset. It's also where I meet my fiancée every day." The word struck her like a blade.
Fiancée.
The color drained from Isabel's face.
All her dreams shattered before they could fully come true.
He was her mate.She knew it.Her blood screamed it. She looked at herself,tall, slender, flawless. Long black hair. Brown eyes glowing softly in the fading light. Her gown clung perfectly to her body, yellow fabric brushing against smooth skin. She had chosen this dress for him. Even used human perfume. Powder. Gloss.
Was she not enough?
"You… have a fiancée?" she asked, swallowing hard.
"Yes," Lokki answered simply. "Her name is Mirabel." Her breath hitched."Is she a princess?" Isabel demanded."A duke's daughter? An earl's?
"No," he said. "She's a maid."
"A… maid?" Isabel whispered.
"Why her?" she cried. "What about me? I'm a princess! She's nothing!" Lokki stared at her, confused. "Isabel… what are you talking about?"
"I love you!" she shouted. "Can't you see? Why do you think I dressed like this? Why do you think I came here?"
He stiffened.
"We met yesterday," he said carefully. "This is just an attraction. You'll get over it."How dare you?" she hissed.
"You wouldn't understand," she continued wildly. "It's a vam…."
She stopped herself.
"What?" Lokki asked sharply. "It's what?"
She stepped closer reaching for his hand but
he pulled away.
"I'm sorry," he said firmly. "I'm in love with another. I won't leave her for anyone no matter who you are."
A smirk touched his lips, cold now.
"You really are… unstable."
He mounted his horse and rode off without looking back.
Isabel stood frozen.
Then her expression hardened.
"You will pay for this, Crown Prince Lokki," she whispered.
Dara stared at her in horror. "So… he rejected you?" Isabel smiled slowly.
"He humiliated me," she corrected.
And humiliation deserves punishment.Her fingers clenched the sheets. "My brother will destroy him," she said softly.My father will approve. And Wintercrest will burn if it must.
She looked at Dara, eyes glowing.
"He is my mate. And mates don't get to choose."
Dara, don't you think he even deserves death?" Isabel's eyes blazed. "He chose a pathetic maid over me a vampire princess, a princess of a powerful human kingdom! He is utterly foolish. And mark my words, our men will wage war against them."
Dara frowned. "Your Highness… I still don't understand your wounds. How did this happen?"
Isabel smirked. "Simple. I removed the jewelry on my way back. The sun did the rest. And I spun a story, framing Loki. It was easy. He's in trouble, and it's all his fault." Her eyes glinted dangerously
Dara shot her a horrified look
"Dara, don't give me that look. My father supports me who are you to judge ?"
"I—I'm sorry, Your Highness," Dara whispered, bowing. "You can leave. Your presence… it's suffocating me."
Isabel waved dismissively