That evening, after setting her plans in motion, Isolde returned to her chambers, hoping to find a brief moment of peace.
But as she entered the room, her gaze fell on an envelope resting on the small table beside her bed. The black wax seal on it sent a chill through her, filling her with a sense of dread.
Slowly, she opened the envelope, her heart pounding. Inside, a rolled-up map lay neatly.
As she unrolled it, her eyes immediately recognized the layout—it was her family's lands, with ominous red marks on certain villages.
Beneath the map was a terse message: "Your family is under my protection… for now."
Isolde's heart thundered, and the air around her seemed to freeze. She sank into her chair, her chest tight with panic.
Veren's words were no longer just a verbal threat; this was a warning, clear and direct. She could feel his cold grip tightening, spreading over her family, dragging them into a danger she couldn't fight alone.
"He's using them," Isolde whispered, her voice laced with anger. "He's controlling what I value most."
Veren wasn't simply targeting her; he was threatening her family, entangling them in a sinister, hidden web.
His words from earlier that day now felt far more terrifying, like chains slowly tightening around her life.
Isolde rose, her expression showing a newfound resolve.
"Veren doesn't just want to possess me," she thought, anger simmering within her. "He wants to leave me with no other choice."
If Veren believed he could completely subdue Isolde with this threat, he was sorely mistaken.
For her family, for herself, Isolde knew she had to act—and faster than she had ever anticipated. Slowly, she clenched her fists, her body trembling as a sense of helplessness began to take hold.
"I must find a way to protect my family… and myself. But… how?"
Veren's veiled threat echoed in her mind, each word reminding her that everything she held dear was now under his control.
Even in the safety of her room, surrounded by soft curtains and the gentle glow of the lantern, Isolde could find no peace.
"Will… I lose everything?" she murmured, almost inaudibly, as her usually determined eyes revealed a shadow of deep fear.
Nearby, her maid Lena, a loyal presence since childhood, watched her closely, her face a mixture of loyalty and concern, as though she felt the burden pressing on Isolde. Lena hesitated before speaking, her voice soft yet steady.
"My lady," Lena began gently, "is there anything I can do to help?"
Isolde looked at Lena, attempting a reassuring smile, though it lasted only a moment before her face returned to the anxious expression she could no longer hide.
"Lena…" she started, her voice heavy with hesitation. "Veren is not just a threat to me. He knows my weaknesses, knows where my family is, and he… intends to control me through them."
Lena's eyes widened slightly, reflecting her worry, but she remained steadfast.
"No matter how powerful he is, my lady, I believe there are still people who will stand by you. You are not alone."
Isolde exhaled deeply, clutching the letter in her hand. She knew she could no longer afford to wait.
"I have to fight back. If I allow this to continue, what will become of my family? How far will he go in the end?"
With determination in her eyes, Isolde looked directly at Lena.
"Lena, I need someone I can trust. Someone who can help me resist Veren without drawing attention."
At this, Lena nodded and placed her hand over her heart as a pledge of loyalty.
"If you permit, my lady, I know someone who may be able to help. He is an honorable knight who once aided your family in difficult times… Sir Cedric."
For the first time since receiving the letter, Isolde felt a small surge of relief. With Sir Cedric's help, there might still be hope to free herself from Veren's hold.
-ooOoo-
As night deepened, Isolde, cloaked in dark robes, slipped out of the palace.
Accompanied by Lena, who walked beside her, she moved carefully down the quiet halls, their footsteps muffled under the shadowed sky.
At the end of the corridor, the small garden door opened. Together, they slipped out and hurried across the dimly lit palace garden toward their meeting place.
Under the pale light of the moon, near the garden's high fence, stood a tall, imposing figure.
Sir Cedric, dressed in a black cloak with a hood obscuring his face, revealed only the sharp glint of his eyes. His gaze sharpened with recognition as Isolde approached.
"Lady Isolde," he greeted her respectfully, his voice gentle but filled with conviction.
He bowed his head before lifting it again, his face etched with deep concern. "Thank you for reaching out. What can I do for you?"
Isolde steadied her breath, her heart racing but her voice calm.
"Sir Cedric, I… I need your help to counter Veren Kaelis's power. He is pressuring my family, and I cannot allow him to keep control over what I hold dear."
Cedric studied her, understanding the fear and determination in her eyes.
"I have heard of Veren and his ambitions, Lady Isolde. He must not be allowed to destroy what is precious to this kingdom… and to you."
Isolde swallowed, preparing to reveal her deepest worries.
"He has already shown his power, Cedric, and I know how far he is willing to go. I… I need allies. Someone who can help me protect my family, my position, and even… my life."
Cedric nodded slowly, his face solemn.
"You have an ally in me, Lady Isolde, and I give you my word. I will help you resist his influence. But we must be cautious. Veren has spies everywhere, and one misstep could ruin us."
Isolde nodded, meeting Sir Cedric's gaze with a profound sense of gratitude.
"I am ready. I am ready to take this risk rather than surrender my life to the control of a man who threatens the very existence of all I love."
Under the dim sky, the three felt the tension that hung in the air. They knew that tonight marked the beginning of a long struggle—a battle that could bring them into even greater danger.