As Isolde stepped into the familiar halls of the Sable Dukedom, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. Memories of her childhood flooded back, both comforting and bittersweet. But beneath the surface of familiarity lay a newfound sense of uncertainty, fueled by the revelations she had learned from Lucian.
She made her way through the castle, her mind racing with thoughts and questions. How much of her life had been shaped by lies and manipulation? Could she trust anyone, or was she truly alone in this world?
As she reached her chambers, Isolde found herself confronted by a familiar face—her mother. The sight of her brought a sense of comfort amidst the chaos of Isolde's thoughts.
"Isolde, my dear, you've returned!" her mother exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her daughter. "I've missed you so much."
Isolde returned the embrace, feeling a sense of warmth and safety in her mother's arms. But even as she held her mother close, Isolde couldn't shake the nagging doubts that lingered in the back of her mind.
A wide smile spread over Isolde's lips as she grabs her mother all of a sudden out of curiosity "mother…..you are a nymph, right?" Her mother's expressions changes as she covered Isolde's lips, "that's a forbidden topic"
Isolde's smile faltered as her mother's reaction sparked a newfound curiosity within her. She could sense the tension in the air, the unspoken secrets that lingered between them like a veil of shadow.
"Mother, why is it forbidden?" Isolde pressed, her voice barely above a whisper as she gently removed her mother's hand from her lips.
Her mother's gaze held a mixture of sadness and fear, a silent plea for Isolde to drop the subject. But Isolde's curiosity burned bright, driving her to uncover the truth that lay hidden beneath the surface of their lives.
"Please, Isolde, some things are better left unsaid," her mother implored, her voice tinged with desperation. "There are forces at play that we cannot begin to comprehend."
Isolde's curiosity burned brighter than ever, fueled by her mother's cryptic words and the veil of secrecy that shrouded their family's history. She refused to be silenced, her determination driving her to uncover the truth no matter the cost.
"For how long will you live like a coward?" Isolde questioned her mother, her voice tinged with frustration and impatience.
Her mother's eyes widened with alarm, a flicker of fear dancing behind her gaze. "Stop it," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's for your own wellbeing."
Isolde shook her head, refusing to back down. "But you are a nymph," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "That doesn't matter anymore," her mother replied, her tone heavy with resignation. "I am just a fugitive now. Thanks to your father… I am still alive. Or else I would have died years ago because of the…" Her words trailed off, her lips quivering with unspoken fear.
Isolde's heart clenched with empathy as she watched her mother struggle to contain her emotions. She longed to offer comfort, to ease her mother's burden, but she knew that there were dangers lurking in the shadows, threats that they could not afford to ignore.
"There are eyes and ears everywhere in this castle," her mother continued, her voice filled with urgency. "You need to be careful of what you speak."
Isolde nodded solemnly, her mind racing with thoughts and questions. She knew that their conversation was far from over, that there were still secrets waiting to be uncovered. But for now, she would bide her time, treading carefully until the moment was right to confront the darkness that lurked within their midst.
As Isolde's mother softly urged her to go and meet her father, Isolde felt a surge of determination. Before leaving, she leaned in close to her mother's ear, her voice barely above a whisper. "The Black Dragon is still alive," she revealed with a dangerous laugh, leaving her mother bewildered and shaken.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Isolde made her way to her father's office. As she knocked on the door, she felt a mix of apprehension and resolve. Her father's uninterested greeting did little to dampen her spirits.
"You came back earlier than expected," her father remarked, his tone devoid of emotion.
"Thank you for your praise," Isolde replied with a respectful bow, masking her true feelings beneath a façade of politeness.
"I will officially introduce you as my heir to my subjects," her father declared, his words ringing with authority.
"I am grateful," Isolde responded, hiding her inner turmoil behind a mask of gratitude. She knew that revealing the secrets she had uncovered could wait for a more opportune moment.
With a curt nod, Isolde excused herself from her father's presence, her mind already spinning with plans and schemes. She had learned that knowledge was power, and she intended to use the secrets she had uncovered to her advantage.
As she left her father's office, Isolde's determination burned brighter than ever. She had a newfound sense of purpose, fueled by the knowledge that she held the key to unraveling the mysteries that surrounded her family.
But even as she plotted her next move, Isolde couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of her mind. The secrets she had uncovered were dangerous, and she knew that she would have to tread carefully if she wanted to emerge victorious in the game of power and intrigue that awaited her.
To be continued....