Grand Master Lysander was shocked beyond words. His eyes widened and his breath caught in the throat as Isabel recounted everything. Queen Marie who had an image of a seemingly kind queen, had orchestrated such a cruel plot. It was almost too much to believe.
"Is this true, Princess? You were held captive until now?" he asked, his voice trembling with anger and sorrow.
Isabel nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes, Grandpa. I was imprisoned in a dungeon in the Cursed Hollow for five years. I only recently escaped during the battle with the dark Keepers."
Lysander's composure broke. He slammed his fist against the stone wall, his face became twisted with rage. "Queen Marie has to face the consequences! How could she treat you like this? The little princess of our kingdom has been subjected to such horrors under our nose!"
Isabel was surprised by the Grand Master's immediate trust. She had expected doubt, but his belief in her brought hope for her. "Grandpa, you can't act rashly now. We don't have any evidence against Queen Marie. She has created an image of a kind queen. Even if We tell the truth, the empire will judge me and call me a liar, especially with Pyraxor's death blamed on me."
Lysander clenched his fists, trying to calm his anger. "You're right, Princess. We must think carefully before taking any action."
He took a deep breath, his voice filled with sorrow and determination. "Princess, you have to run away from here. You're under suspicion of killing your dragon and all the evidence points to you. The entire court wants to give you the death penalty."
The color drained from Isabel's face. The thought of her own people wanting her dead filled her with fear and anger. "Queen Marie has truly blocked all paths for me. She has ensured that I wouldn't step foot in the palace and has made sure I am as good as dead."
Lysander placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "The king and I have discussed this. We want to help you escape to another kingdom where you can live a worry-free life."
Isabel shook her head, her determination shining through. "I won't run away like a coward. I will fight for my rights. I need you to do me a favor, Grandpa. Suggest to the father to decline my death penalty. Even if it means stripping me of all my rights and my royal status, I am ready to live as a commoner. But I will stay here and find out the truth."
Lysander looked at her, his heart heavy with worry. "Are you sure, Princess? This path will be filled with danger and hardship."
Isabel nodded and said with hard resolve. "I am sure, Grandpa. I will not let Queen Marie win. I will uncover the truth and bring justice to Pyraxor and myself."
The Grand Master sighed, but a small smile formed on his lips. "You have your father's spirit, Princess. I will speak to the king and do everything in my power to help you. But you must promise me to be careful."
"I promise, Grandpa," Isabel said her eyes shining with determination.
As Lysander prepared to leave, he gave Isabel one last piece of advice. "Trust no one but yourself, Princess. The palace is filled with spies and traitors. Keep your wits with you."
Isabel nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I will, Grandpa. Thank you."
Lysander gave her a final nod before disappearing through the hidden passage. Isabel watched him go, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. She would not let Queen Marie destroy her. She would fight for her rights and uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
As the wall slid back into place, Isabel took a deep breath. She had a long road ahead of her, filled with danger and uncertainty. But she was ready. She would not let fear dictate her fate. She would find out the truth, clear her name and avenge Pyraxor's death.
For now, she had to bide her time, gather her strength, and plan her next move. The fight for justice had just begun.
Isabel's thoughts were a whirlwind as she sat on the cold stone floor. The dungeon in the Cursed Hollow, the poison she had created five years ago—everything pointed to her guilt. But she knew the truth. She had created that poison to fight the dark Keepers, not to kill her own dragon.
Tears of frustration and grief rolled down her cheeks. She remembered the day she had made the poison poison, it was her last creation before her capture. It was meant to protect Valareath, to defend against the dark forces. And now, it had been used to frame her for Pyraxor's death.
Isabel's mind raced, trying to piece together the events that had led to this moment. She recalled her imprisonment, the endless days and nights in the dark, damp cell. The Keepers of the Dark Monster had been her captors, but it was Queen Marie who had orchestrated it all. She was sure of it.
"How could she do this?" Isabel whispered to herself, her voice filled with pain. "How could she go to such lengths to destroy me?"
She felt a surge of anger, a burning desire for justice. Queen Marie had taken everything from her—her freedom, her bond with Pyraxor, her place in the kingdom. Isabel clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She would not let this injustice stand.
As she sat in the cold, dimly lit room, Isabel's mind wandered to memories of Pyraxor. She remembered their first flight together, the joy of soaring through the skies. She remembered the warmth of his scales, the strength of their bond. The thought of his suffering, of his final moments, filled her with deep sorrow.
"I will make this right, Rax," she vowed softly. "I will find out who did this and why. I will clear my name and avenge your death."
Her determination solidified her resolve. She would not run away, she would not hide. She would stand and fight, just as Pyraxor would have wanted her to.
Her grief was overwhelming, when grand master was here she had tried to be strong, but the truth was she was broken from the inside, feeling only an empty shell was left. After all her pyraxor is gone.