Dread

His expression returned to normal almost immediately as if he never had an intent to kill seconds ago "No, I haven't figured it out yet" he lied blatantly. But it wasn't really a lie right? He knew the Lora girl wasn't the mastermind and he hadn't found the mastermind so technically he wasn't lying.

Alexia caught his lie but played along "When you do, please tell me alright?" she begged and he nodded in acceptance. He couldn't reject when she looked cute. An evil thought came into his mind and he smiled "But..." he paused making her curious.

"But what?" she asked impatiently hoping she would get a good answer. He talked in riddles some times and she would be left in confusion. She hated that a lot.

"I want a reward, something interesting and it is something in this room" he said making Alexia look around the room in confusion? What was interesting about the room that he wanted as a reward? She looked around again. What if she was missing something? But all she saw were chairs, tables, some paintings and some other stuffs around.

Ivan shook his head in frustration. Couldn't she get it? He decided to be straightforward this time around "I want a kiss from you" he put as simply as he could.

Alexia felt heat rush up to her cheeks. What was this man saying? A kiss from her? Couldn't he just share information with her without expecting something in return?

Ivan pointed at his lips "Go on. I'm waiting" he said waiting for his kiss making Alexia grumble in resistance. The two times they had kissed, he was the one who initiated so she felt a little embarrassed doing the initiating now. She sighed as she accepted her fate. "Well here goes nothing" she muttered under her breath.

"Close your eyes. I won't kiss you if you don't" she commanded. It wasn't going to be that hard. It was just a kiss, right? But anyways, she already planned to just kiss his cheek and that was all.

Ivan closed his eyes in anticipation and Alexia leaned closer. Just as her lips were about to touch his cheek, he opened his eyes suddenly and his fingers to hold her chin in place as his lips landed on hers. He sucked her lower and upper lips consecutively before letting her go. He would have kissed her till he was very satisfied but he remembered that her body was still recuperating.

Alexia looked stunned. How did her plan go awfully wrong in just a matter of milliseconds. She lay on the bed quickly as she shut her eyes, head still a little muddled from the kiss "I want to sleep. Don't you have things to do?" she was indirectly chasing him away.

Ivan was aware she was sending him away but since he had scores to settle he heeded "Yes, I do. If I don't come back by night, don't wait for me, okay?"

Alexia nodded even though she was annoyed. She said he would have things to do but she didn't say he should leave for a day "Hmm...." she hummed turning on the bed as she watched him walk outside.

Ivan made his way outside and as expected Raphael was already there waiting for him "Where's Levy" he asked. It came as a surprise since it was not new to him that the both of them always stayed together. It was as if they formed a bond over the years because of their different circumstances.

Raphael replied maintaining a respectful stance "He's right at the entrance". Ivan nodded at his words walking to the entrance of the palace "So who's the person" he asked knowing Raphael would have an answer for him already. He was one of his best and knowledgeable fighters after all.

Raphael whispered a name and Ivan's eyes darkened. He had to make a special trip to someone. His steps hastened as he walked towards the entrance.

Meanwhile in Brine...

Daffany walked to her room smugly as a maid followed behind her docilely "Have you done the job I asked you to?" she asked making the maid shiver frightenedly.

"Yes ma'am. About the money, please I need it urgently now and since I have done your job as you asked, please pay me" she bowed quickly afraid to come across as rude or disrespectful.

Daffany turned as fury filled her eyes. She raised her hand and a slap echoed across the hallway "Watch the way you speak. Your money shall be given to you as agreed. Now leave and remember if you spill the truth about what I asked of you, consider yourself dead" she knew it was dangerous making a deal with a maid but she had to take risks. But she was obviously not going to leave the maid alive. The maid was the type of person that one threat would have her spilling her guts out so she needed to be safe. A dead person can't talk after all.

The maid walked across the hallway scared. She had already told someone about the deal between her and the princess. How was she going to tell the princess that? She looked around before running to the entrance of the palace. She had to run away before anyone could kill her.

Daffany walked into her room happily. She froze mid-step when she saw who was sitting on her bed with a smile on his face. But she knew in her heart, that was no smile. 'Did he know something?' she wondered 'She would play along till she figured out why exactly he was here' she thought.

Ivan stood up from the bed strode towards the woman by the door "Did you think you could kill her?" he smiled enjoying the horrified expression on her face.

Daffany stuttered out "Kill...kill..who? W..what...are you..talking about?" she was going to pretend she didn't know anything until she was very sure he knew. She was not one to give up half way.

Ivan smirked "You still want to pretend as if you are innocent, huh?" he said as he reached his hand out to her neck.

Daffany pressed her back against the wall. She had to escape by any means "Ivan stay back or I will scream " she was really scared. What was this man planning?

Ivan chuckled darkly "Let's see how long you can pretend" he grabbed her neck in one swift move applying the right pressure so she would not die. At least not yet.

Dread crept into Daffany's heart as she felt the air leave her body. Her eyes turned panicked. Oh no! Did Lora say something? Yes, the maid from earlier was Lora.