" No no that's a bad idea, I mean have you seen her, she doesn't even has what it takes to be a queen, and besides, she has some emotional issues, she isn't fit for the throne".
Mark was quite adamant in his decision but Andrea wasn't convinced with his reasons.
" So who then is fit to rule us, sire , Angelica, or who". Andrea's response made him pause a bit.
" Think about this sire, we can't send her back, neither can we hide her, we can't kill her so we have no choice". Mark paced around for a while trying to think about it's possibility.
" What about Tessa, can she survive for five years". His tone was low, he looked at Andrea with concern.
" I talked to priest and he gave me this" Andrea brought out a silver necklace which has a glowing pendant on it. " If Isobel where this all the time, it will give the princess some life" Mark signed in relieve, he stared at Andrea who wasn't looking so happy.
" What are the consequences Andrea".
" After a while, Isobel might start to loose strength".
" Would she die?" Mark asked worriedly. Andrea shook her head which made mark breath in relief.
"But....."
" As far as she won't die, it's fine" marked cut in before she could complete her words.
" About Isobel" he paused for a while to make sure he is was making the right decision, Andrea looked at him with interest.
" I would train her on everything she needs to know about been a princess and acting like princess Tessa, I know the princess best, so am the only one who can teach her, while I want you to delay the coronation, do everything to make sure Angelica won't do the coronation before we are prepared". Andrea left immediately.
Mark was in deep thought, thinking about how he would train Isobel to be perfect in few days what the princess had to learn her whole life.
He slowly entered the room as he was shocked at the unexpected scene of Isobel eating without restraint, what was worst was the fact that she was eating with the maids.
Isobel had used her power earlier on to order them to eat with her. She had try asking them nicely but they refused her request politely so she had to order them. Isobel wasn't used to eating alone especially with people watching, she would rather they all eat together.
Disobeying the princess orders would warrant death for the maids so they dare not disobey her, yet in history no princess or queen to be has ever lowered herself to eat with maids so as strange as it was, it was also very scary as the maids wasn't sure if she was testing them or not.
" Go on eat" every word Isobel utter would make them shiver in fear, their hands where shaking as they weren't sure if eating was the right thing to do at that moment.
" If you don't eat then I will feed you" they were all shocked, the maid reached her hand for the meat Isobel was offering, her hands were shaking which only made Isobel laughed at the girls nervousness.
" Why are you so scared, am I that scary". Isobel said as she laughed. Due to her laughter, the food choke her which made her cough.
On seeing her cough, all the made jumped to their feet as they bowed in fear. " Please punish us my princess we deserve to die".
Now Isobel was confused, she didn't know what they did wrong to seek their own death. " Why would I kill you" she asked naively. They were all still shaking as they knew what was coming. " We didn't prepare the food well that's why it choked you, so please punish us".
After reasoning what they said for a while, Isobel laughed loud. " But it wasn't your fault I choked, why will I punish you for that" they all breath a sign of relief as Isobel continued to laugh at them.
" You know I never liked periwinkles until I met Fred, my dead fiancee, he loved it so l learnt to like it to" Isobel expression grew sad at the mention of Fred. The maids weren't sure on what she was talking about, as they stare at their selves in confusion.
No one noticed Mark who had been watching them all along, with a very angry aura.
" Does the food taste nice" his voice was thick and frightening. The maids quickly jumped to their feet, shivering in fear.
" Please punish us sire, we made a mistake" the anger in Mark eyes was scary, Isobel knows that if she doesn't interfere, he might really kill them.
" No don't punish them, this three maids made me happy, they should be rewarded" Isobel had watched so many soap operas involving kingdom and how they rule but she wasn't sure if the same rule apply here, she was just taking chances, without been sure if she would be punished or not.
Mark eyes were really scary when he stared at her, his fist was tightened like he was going to punch her. At that moment, her heart jumped in fear.
" You three has made the princess happy so you would be rewarded with 10 gold's each" he said while clenching his teeth.
Isobel eyes widened, she wanted to help them but she never expected that they would be given gold, that's worth a fortune, she was sure they would never be slaves again, Isobel smiled at them as they bowed continuously, appreciating her.
Maids where giving 10 gold just because they made her happy but she as the princess, she wasn't giving anything, though she can touch them but she can't call them hers .Isobel thought to herself.
She went back to the table where her food was served, a while ago she was really having fun until he came with his emotionless face and spoiled the fun, now she is all alone, who should take responsibility? Isobel thought to herself.
The maids had already been escorted out by the guards it was just them left in the room. Mark felt it was safe to talk.
" I brought you here for a reason".
"I know" Isobel said with food in her mouth. Mark was so disgusted by the sight, it was so obvious in his face.
" If you observe, you will notice everyone is treating you like the princess and that's because you look a lot like her".
" Wow, doppelganger huh". Isobel said with a mischievous smile, mark tried hiding his feelings.
" She is ill and only your presence can heal her but in the meantime we also want you to act like the princess" Isobel shook her head as she continues with the food.
" Am going to teach you everything you need to know about been a princess and ruling the kingdom".
" What's in it for me" Mark had quite a hard time understanding the English as it felt confusing.
" I said what would you give me to do all that for you".
Finally he got it, " you will get to be the queen which comes with a lot of power and not just that, you will have wealth and everything will be in your control" he told his hand feeling quite proud of his offer. Isobel gave him an smile of approval. She stood up for the chair walking towards him, her unexpected reaction made in money back a little.
" Princess is ill, so u don't want people to find out so you want to use me as a substitute and in return you will give me wealth" Isobel smiled at him, Mark was finally relieved she got the point.
" No thanks" Isobel sudden change of mind shocked him.
" What!!!".
" You heard me I said no, am not going to put my life in danger just to save someone ass, thanks for the meal anyway it was delicious, am leaving" she walked away without looking back.
He was still shocked at what just happened before realizing he needed to stop her from walking through that door looking unkept and in her night gown, she was even holding a chicken bone. If she take one step out of that room she will ruin the image princess Tessa built for years.
" Stop" he dragged her back from the door. " You can't leave like this".
" And why not?" She pushed his hands off hers.
" Listen to me you are not in your world anymore, so you can't just leave, until 5 years" Isobel looked at him with a mischievous smile. " He's crazy" she thought to her self.
" Yeah right" Isobel said, not believing a single word he just said, still walking towards the door.
" Don't you want to see Fred again".
Isobel froze at the spot, still replaying what he just said in her mind, she turned back slowly.
" What did you say" she said moving towards him, Mark could feel his guilt, he just hope his expression won't betray him.
" I said, if you want to see Fred again then you need to accept my offer" . Tears were already gathering in her eyes as she never believed there could ever be hope of seeing him again.
" I can help you revive Fred and in return you will help me protect the princess position". Isobel grabbed his hand, "when can I see him, huh". Mark face was emotionless as he stare at her.
"5 years time, that's when the blood moon will appear and the blood moon is our only connection between the dead and the living so cooperate with us for five years and you will get your man back.
Isobel eyes were already clouded with tears, her smile was beautiful, it suddenly remind Mark of how Tessa would always smile at him, whenever he gave her hope. At that moment, he felt like he was betraying Tessa.
Isobel shook her head in agreement, " I will work with you, I will do anything and everything necessary as far as you can bring Fred back" she said with the most reassuring smile.
Mark signed in relief, but he was guilt ridden. Fred can't come back, he has no connection with this world, he doesn't have a doppelganger, so there is no connection with this world, so he can't bring him back. He left the room without saying another word.
Isobel giggles through out the day was guilt torture for Mark who find it very hard to concentrate in teaching her. " First, to be a princess is something you must learn from birth but since you obviously grew up in the wild, it's going to be difficult so I brought some personal trusted tutors for you, she will teach you everything you need to know about been a princess".
The door opened slightly as three women came in. The first thing Isobel noticed was their faces, it had something Isobel would call paint because it definitely wasn't make-up to her.
Their gowns were large, no single part of their body was exposed making Isobel wonder if they never feel hot because could feel it will be a very hot afternoon. Isobel smiled mischievously at them as they entered the room. They all bowed at the same time, greet at the same time, they were obviously trained for this, Isobel giggled at their etiquette.
" We are the best etiquette teachers in the world, and we would teach you all that you need to know". One of the lady said, Isobel glanced at her with a funny smile.
" Love the lip stick by the way". The women looked at their selves confused, they have no idea what lipstick mean.
Isobel crossed her legs sitting on her fine Golden chair with her arms crossed, ready to see what they have planned for today's class.
Mark could clearly see the lack of seriousness on her face but he ignores it anyway.
"My princess, please stand up we will take you for a bath" one of them said, helping her stand.
" Ok fine, but I will bath my self" upon her refusal she was still led into the bath room and bathed the way they new how.
Earlier on, Mark had warned them not to give in to any of her request as she can be a bit stubborn.