19 The Assassin

Nesrin's eyelids fluttered.

Izekiel was leaning very close now, his deep dark eyes were shrouded with an inexplicable darkness, his one hand was on her arm while the other rested on her waist.

He made her feel more like herself, too aware of all the possibilities and the places he was touching, she wondered how it would feel if he moved his fingers to trace her curves with his fiery touch.

If he closed the distance in between and kissed her until she could not breathe, her heart fluttered and became heavy at these thoughts.

Izekiel pulled back.

He stood up and fixed his clothes, there was a mischievous glint in his eyes as he smiled.

"The princess is not ready yet, I should maintain the lines,"

Izekiel knew what he was doing, and Nesrin's face heated up with embarrassment and anger. She fixed her clothes and blurted,

"Yes, you should!"

Nesrin clasped a hand over her mouth, she was shocked by how angry her voice sounded.

"H-have a nice day," she controlled the emotions in her voice,

Izekiel watched her in amusement as she swept out of the room, and when her shadow disappeared, the smile upon his lips disappeared as well.

Johanna was hiding something.

He did not care for how people choose to live, as long as things are not getting in his way and for that reason, he had to find out the secrets locked up inside her.

And what way is better for gaining a woman's trust, other than the promise of love?

It was the time when the sun was setting, and the corridor was illuminated by the soft orange hue of lanterns. Jeremiah was outside a chamber when he saw Izekiel coming.

"Why was an assassin brought to my study?" Izekiel spoke with distaste clear upon his face, "She should be in the dungeons."

"This is a different case," Jeremiah opened the gates, "She is a child."

There was a girl, who seemed to be no more than thirteen, sitting on a chair. She had puffed her cheeks in anger and angrily glared at the pastries and tea in front of her.

The girl had a baby face, but her anger was like a bull. It created a rather funny sight for Izekiel and he snickered.

Behind the girl, a maid was standing. She looked pale as a white chalk.

"She refused to speak anything," Jeremiah scratched his neck, "I doubted myself when I found her, but this is indeed the person that shot an aim as precise as that."

The girl watched Izekiel with narrowed eyes, she was wary of him and heard all the tales. The emperor looked back at her with a kind smile, she began to doubt everything she had heard.

But she still had her pride to maintain!

"Why did you do that?" Izekiel took a chair and sat in front of the girl. His voice was calm and soft.

"I won't say anything!" her eyes teared up as she fumed,

"Well, you just said something,"

She gasped and pressed her lips together tightly.

"Why don't you eat something?"

The girl turned her face away.

A moment later, there was a small growl of hunger that came from her stomach.

"Are you sure...?" he asked,

When the girl said nothing, Izekiel pulled her pastries towards himself. He picked a cinnamon roll, garnished with thick cream and chopped pecans. His eyes widened at the first bite and he looked at the maid.

"Was this made by you?"

"Y-yes, your majesty,"

"They are delicious I must say," Izekiel took another bite, "There is a perfect blend of everything. It's buttery, sweet and... words won't do justice with how amazing they taste!"

The girl watched him from the corner of her eye, who acts like this when a hungry person is sitting right in front of them? She was beginning to understand why the emperor was called cruel!

"Just let me go!" she complained, "The princess is still alive, I did nothing wrong!"

"What is your name?" Izekiel casually asked while eating a cookie,

"Can I go after that?"

"You can, but not until you answer some questions."

She fisted her hands tightly, her suppressed tears began to run wild. She couldn't speak, it would be dangerous and the consequences can be anything. However, what choice did she have?

"My name is Alice," she glanced at the maid, "I work under Lady Tasha."

"S-she is new, your majesty." Lady Tasha quickly said, "Please have mercy on her, this child is ignorant."

"How come a maid of ten years is skilled with bow and arrow?" Izekiel ignored her and asked his next question.

"I am fifteen!"

He watched her doubtfully. The girl fumed up once again, but she controlled herself and continued,

"My brother was an elite knight, he taught me many things."

"He taught you about poisons too?" Izekiel's carefree expressions were getting darker,

"N-no....that's...." Alice hiccuped, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, "If... I say... then I would die..."

Izekiel did not deny or assure her. He watched her coldly, mercy was not something he had ever learned. If someone deserves punishment, he won't ever hesitate to deliver it.

"Don't worry, you won't die," Jeremiah said, "If you tell us the truth, complete truth, then you will be protected under the imperial law of informants."

"You have attempted a murder upon the imperial consort, indeed the informant law will give you some protection. Death might be avoidable, but you will pay for your crimes," Izekiel smiled dryly, "If you delay any further, then just know that there are many punishments worse than death."

Alice froze in fear, she clumsily wiped away her tears, her heart was heavy with emotions but she was too scared to even cry.

"I-it happened yesterday. My brother...he-he was part of a secret organization. He never told me much, but I was aware of a few things. Yesterday, he met me and said he was scared. He never acted like that, he was always strong...he..."

Alice paused to control her emotions, after a small pause she continued,

"He told me to take care of myself, become a noble lady in future and work hard...that was the last time I saw him-"

"Why did you attack Princess Johanna?" Izekiel was getting impatient,

"S-someone met me. He wore a cloak and led me to the unused well, where my brother was lying dead. He said it happened to him because he refused to kill the princess...." Alice sniffled, "I was angry, he shouldn't have died for some princess! We fought through the drought of the west...we fought so hard to survive, and things were becoming better, but then it was all ruined because of the princess!"

She broke down in tears, her voice cracked as she spoke.

"The-man...he gave me a potion-and left...I knew what had to be done."

"That's unreasonable," Jeremiah shook his head, the girl had risked her life and her future for something like that. If she just came to them and informed them about the masked man, then she would have been able to save herself and even be rewarded.

"Hatred gives reason to commit all sorts of sins," Izekiel smiled at Alice, "What if I give you another chance for revenge?"