After bringing Isaiah up to speed, Aiden and mother came over to give us an update on what was happening at the palace. The authorities arrived to question Lady Marie and according to mother, the noble folks involved were also being questioned at their residences. Gideon told us to not worry too much about anything for now. We then ate breakfast together.

　　Cassian and Gideon left shortly after to make sure everything was going according to plan, but they did not say anything to the rest of us, much alone explain their plan. But I felt peace of mind knowing that I fully trust them and that they knew what they were doing. All I hope is for them to stay safe.

　　I knew that Lady Marie’s time was running out, but I also knew that desperate situations call for desperate measures. If she planned for one final attack on us, then I just pray that she would target me instead of anyone else. But knowing Lady Marie, she had made it clear before that she would not hesitate to drag in innocent lives if it would benefit her.

　　A little while later, Augustus and Aiden left to head to town, wanting to go to the bookstore but also to see how the public was reacting this this sudden news about treason and murder.

　　Mother left to rest while Isaiah and I decided to get dressed in our training outfits to have a short workout outside. He led me to this nice grassy field at the back of Gideon’s manor, it was spacious to say the least.

　　“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked. “You are still recovering from that day, right?”

　　“Of course, I’m sure! Besides, Rodrick is too busy at the palace so the only other person I can ask to train with me is you.” I gave him a smile, but he did not return in. Quite the opposite really, as he frowned.

　　“Hmph, I’m the second choice?”

　　“Rodrick is my sword master, Isaiah.”

　　“I think I am more than capable of teaching you how to use a sword. Maybe you should rely on me more,”

　　“I never doubted you, although, prior to this we both wanted to hurt each other physically, I do not think training together would have been beneficial.” I said, followed by a soft laugh.

　　“You wanted to hurt me?”

　　“Why are you so surprised? You were always so angry and threatened me on numerous occasions. Naturally, I wanted to retaliate.” I told him while I moved my wooden sword side to side to stretch my arm and to get a feel of the sword.

　　Isaiah paused for a moment. “And what about now?”

　　I glanced at him as he watched me patiently, waiting for my answer. “What do you mean?”

　　“How do you feel about me now?” he asked, unfazed in the slightest for asking such a question.

　　“Are you expecting me to confess my feelings for you?” I giggled.

　　“Weren’t you the one who said that we have to be more honest with our feelings?” he gave me a cocky smile and I could not help but to raise my eyebrow at him.

　　“Let’s make this interesting, shall we?” I proposed. He stayed silent, watching me in anticipation. “Let’s have a friend match. The winner has to say their honest thoughts about the other.”

　　“I refuse.”

　　“Oh? I didn’t know the great monarch of the Eastern Kingdom was a coward.” I pushed.

　　Isaiah frowned. “I know you are just trying to bait me into agreeing to this, but you are clearly at a disadvantage.” He huffed.

　　“Are you underestimating me?”

　　“Cordelia.” He warned.

　　I laughed, finding it adorable how he was being so worried about my health. I made my way towards Isaiah, standing by his side. He looked down at him, watching me attentively to see what I was going to do or say next. I could see how he was already ready to refuse me.

　　“I assure you that I am fine.” I tried to convince him. “And truthfully, I am itching to fight.”

　　“Fine. But you need to let me know if you are starting to hurt, do you understand?” he urged and for some reason, I was taken aback. I was ready to try to keep convincing him until he agreed out of being annoyed by me, but this was easier than I thought. I wanted to believe that due to his competitive nature, he only agreed to beat me since I defeated him during the archery challenge we had back then.

　　“I understand.” I said, slowly backing away from him. Isaiah took a few steps back as well, until we were a good distance away from each other. “Don’t go easy on me.” I said teasingly.

　　Isaiah scoffed. “Never planned on it.” he said and immediately charged towards me.

　　A sense of excitement and glee filled me as I took my stance and got ready to fight. But everything happened so fast. One moment I was ready to parry his attack, the next I was laying on the grassy ground with Isaiah straddled on top of me and the tip of his wooden sword pressed onto my neck.?

　　I could not fathom what just happened but all I could do was look up at him in awe. He moved so fast that he managed to disarm me and also push me down onto the ground with me feeling anything.

　　“It’s my win, right?”

　　“You’re amazing.” I blurted out, watching as my compliment made him grow flustered. “But you know, I never surrendered yet.” I called out, quickly reaching for the hilt of my sword and striking him with it. Due to his moment of distraction, the sword flew out of his hand.

　　Before he could move away, I reached out for his collar with my free hand and rolled him off me while I straddled his lap in a blink of an eye. I mimicked his pose from earlier, pushing the tip of my sword onto the centre of his neck. All Isaiah did for a long moment was just look up at me in awe. He probably did not expect me to fight back after seemingly being defeated by him. In all fairness, he did beat me, and I was about to say that he won this match, but Isaiah interjected.

　　“Marry me.” Were the words that came out of him all of a sudden.

　　I blinked at his strange request, only to burst out laughing. My sword slipped off my hand, falling to the ground next to his face. “My dear Isaiah, have you forgotten that we are already married?”

　　“Y-Yeah I know that!” he blushed as he propped himself up into a seated position all of a sudden, causing me to slide off his waist and sitting on his lap. He wrapped his arms around my waist to hold me still. This sudden change in position had my heart hammering against my chest. “Listen, Cordelia. I-If, even by a miracle, that you have any ounce of affection for me, I would like to know.”

　　“I thought the loser was the one who had to confess their feelings to the winner?” I teased and he did not appreciate it at all as he let out a sigh.

　　“You already know what my answer is? Don’t you?” His earnest gaze made me feel as though I wanted to drown in those beautiful midnight blue eyes of his, wanting to hold him close until his warmth engulfed me.

　　Instead of answering him, I reached my hands out to caress his cheeks. He allowed me to touch him, even relaxing his face onto the palms of my hands. I leaned forward, bringing my lips to his for a small peck. I pulled back and a second later was drawn towards him once more. I kissed him again, this time, feeling him kiss me back. We stayed like this for a moment, allowing our emotions to speak for itself through our kisses.

　　I then pulled back, feeling as though it was rather dangerous to be displaying such affection out in the open like this. My cheeks felt hot, and I found it hard to look Isaiah in the eyes. When I finally did, the both of us laughed, I then hooked my arms around his neck, and he pulled me into a tight embrace.

　　“What are you two doing?” The both of us parted from our embrace to look over at the source. It was Cassian, clearly pouting with his arms folded across this chest. “Here I was trying to look for the both of you only to see you frolicking about?”

　　I chuckled as the both of us parted and stood up. I dusted the stray blades of grass from my trousers. “Do you have any good news for us?” I called back to him.

　　“Lady Marie has been taken into custody.”