Isabelle's eyes snapped open just in time to see a dark figure drop from above, landing between her and Edmund like a shadow made flesh. The force of the arrival sent a gust of cold air whipping through the room, causing the flames in the hearth to flicker.
Before Edmund could react, the figure's hand shot out, grabbing him by the neck with an almost inhuman speed and precision. With horrifying ease, the man lifted Edmund off the ground as though he weighed nothing.
"Ghhh!~ Gkkakk!~ Haak!~ Ghhaha!~"
Edmund's hands clawed at the iron grip around his throat, his face contorting with fear. His legs flailed helplessly as he struggled, gasping for air.
Isabelle stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat. She hadn't even seen the man's face, but the sheer power radiating off him was enough to make her knees weak.
Slowly, her eyes travelled upward, taking in the broad shoulders and commanding posture of her saviour.
When her gaze finally settled on his face, her heart skipped a beat. It was him...The third son of the Holyfield family.
Cassius Vindictus Holyfield.
Her breath caught in her throat, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a strange sense of relief flood over her.
The same man she had feared earlier now stood as her savior. He met her wide-eyed gaze briefly, his expression neutral but piercing, before returning his attention to Edmund, whose struggles were growing weaker by the second.
Isabelle's gaze lingered on the figure before her, the ease with which he restrained Edmund sending a ripple of awe through her.
'How is he this strong?' She wondered, her thoughts racing.
This was supposed to be a man who had buried himself in drink and despair, a "wastrel" as Edmund and others whispered behind closed doors. Yet here he stood, his power evident, his demeanor cold and unyielding.
Her attention flicked to his face—sharp, almost harsh features that were strikingly handsome in an unconventional way. His red eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, like embers smouldering beneath the surface, giving him an intimidating, almost thuggish appearance.
For a fleeting moment, she marvelled at how someone so feared could also carry an air of quiet authority and control. But her admiration was cut short as she heard Edmund's choking gasp.
"Gaaa! Hghhh! Hahhghh!"
Her eyes widened in panic. Edmund's struggles were weakening, his face turning a disturbing shade of red. It suddenly hit her like a stone to the chest—this was the man her parents had chosen for her, her soon-to-be fiancé.
In this world, where marriage was not just a union but a sacred bond for women, breaking off an engagement wasn't a simple matter. Women might be allowed to work or pursue some level of independence, but the societal expectation still tethered them to the will of men, their futures often dictated by familial alliances. Her fate was tied to Edmund, whether she liked it or not.
The weight of her predicament bore down on her.
'I don't want to save him...But I can't let him die either.' She thought bitterly. The shame of failing her family, the whispers of scandal, the fallout—it was too much to bear. I can't let this happen.
Without thinking, she rushed forward, her hands trembling as she grabbed hold of Cassius's arm.
"P-Please!" She pleaded, her voice laced with desperation. "Let him go! He—He's my fiancé. I can't...I can't let him die like this."
Cassius turned his head slightly, his piercing gaze settling on her. It was like being under the scrutiny of a predator, and she had to suppress the instinct to recoil.
For a moment, his expression didn't change, and she feared he would ignore her entirely. But then his grip on Edmund's neck slackened slightly, though he didn't release him.
"Your fiancé?" Cassius repeated, his tone devoid of emotion, as though he were simply verifying an inconvenient detail.
Behind him, Edmund managed to choke out a gasp, still dangling like a rag doll. His muddled thoughts interpreted Isabelle's plea in his favor. "You see—She...She loves me!" He wheezed, his voice rasping with self-assurance even as he dangled in mortal peril. "She can't live without me!"
Isabelle stiffened, her nails digging into Cassius's sleeve as a surge of frustration bubbled up within her. She bit her tongue, choosing not to address Edmund's delusion for now.
'Let him think whatever he wants, as long as he survives this.'
"Please..." She said again, her voice softening as she met Cassius's unyielding gaze. "I'll...I'll take responsibility for him...Just let him go."
Cassius's lips curled into a cold smile, his crimson eyes locking onto Isabelle's trembling form.
"And why..." He began, his voice low and cutting. "Why should I listen to the pleas of the woman who so mercilessly poisoned me?"
The words hit Isabelle like a slap, pulling her back into stark reality. The fire in her chest—her desperate determination to protect Edmund for the sake of appearances—was extinguished in an instant.
She realised the truth: she had no right to ask for mercy. She was as much a sinner as Edmund, her hands tainted by her actions, no matter how noble she had thought her intentions were at the time.
Her lips parted to respond, but no words came out. Shame filled her, and she lowered her head, ready to bow and accept whatever fate Cassius decided for her.
But before she could, a sudden laugh broke through the tension.
"Hahahaha!"
Cassius's deep, unexpected chuckle reverberated through the cold night air, startling her. Isabelle raised her head, her wide eyes meeting his now amused expression.
"You're surprising." He said, his tone lighter but still sharp. "I came here tonight to confirm what I already knew—that you and this imbecile were the ones responsible for my attempted murder. And..." He continued, a glint of dangerous intent flashing in his gaze, "...I was planning to take both of your heads back with me."
A shiver ran down Isabelle's spine as she caught sight of the unmistakable bloodlust in his eyes. He wasn't bluffing—she could tell. He would've killed them both without a second thought if not for...something. She swallowed hard, bracing herself for his next words.
"But..." Cassius said, his voice dropping to a contemplative tone, "...I've changed my mind."
Isabelle blinked in confusion, her heart racing as he continued.
"After listening to you just now, I realised you were dragged into this mess by him." Cassius said, jerking his chin toward the grovelling Edmund. "You acted out of a misguided desire to protect innocent women, and frankly, I admire that." His expression softened, just a fraction. "You didn't do this for yourself, but for others. That's rare—stupid, but rare."
The unexpected praise caught Isabelle off guard, and she felt heat rise to her cheeks.
''I..." She began, but the words stuck in her throat as she saw his faint smile return.
"And..." Cassius added, his gaze flicking disdainfully to Edmund, who was still on the ground clutching his throat, "...Unlike a certain coward here, you were brave enough to confess your sins...That takes a kind of courage not many possess."
Her blush deepened, her embarrassment mingling with a strange sense of gratitude. She couldn't tell if he was mocking her or genuinely admiring her, but the way his words warmed her made her chest tighten.
Then Cassius tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly as they raked over her face. "Besides..." He said, his voice dropping into a teasing lilt, "How could I possibly hurt someone as beautiful as you?"
Isabelle froze, her cheeks now burning crimson.
She opened her mouth to respond, but no sound came out. She knew, deep down, that had she been as treacherous as Edmund, he wouldn't have hesitated to end her life.
But hearing those words, even spoken in jest, sent her thoughts into disarray.
Her heart pounded as she stared at Cassius, his smirk making it impossible to tell if he was serious or just enjoying her reaction. Either way, she knew one thing for certain: this man was far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.
Cassius's gaze shifted lazily to Edmund, who was still struggling weakly in his grasp, dangling like a caught rat. "Relax." He said, his voice cold yet calm. "I'm not going to hurt her...You, on the other hand..." His grip on Edmund's neck tightened slightly, making the man choke. "...You're the reason all of this happened. I'm going to kill you and leave her alone...That seems fair, don't you think?"
At those words, Isabelle's panic returned in full force.
"No!" She blurted, stepping closer with her hands outstretched. "Please, don't do this!...I-I can't let you kill him just like that!"
Cassius raised an eyebrow, glancing at her from the corner of his eye, and asked, "And why not? He's a traitor, a manipulator, and a coward...What's there to save?"
Isabelle bit her lip, her heart pounding as she struggled to find the words. "He's..." She hesitated, unwilling to admit the truth of her situation aloud. "He's my...future husband." She finally managed, her voice trembling. "Even if I don't love him, I...I can't just let him die. It wouldn't be right."
Cassius's eyes flickered with something unreadable before a cruel smile spread across his face. "Your loyalty is impressive, if misplaced." He said, his tone laced with mockery. Then, leaning slightly closer, he asked, "So, you're saying you'll do anything to save this miserable excuse for a man?"
The implication in his voice made Isabelle's cheeks burn, but she nodded nonetheless, her eyes lowered.
"Yes...anything." She whispered, her voice barely audible.
Cassius tilted his head, his smirk widening.
"Anything, huh?"
He repeated, savouring the way her face turned a deeper shade of crimson.