Chapter 41: A sinister encounter
[Mythiopia]
The entire royal palace was very quite for the past few days. Reason? There king was very cranky. It was like a dark cloud always present on over his head. Anger him, and you will be struct by lighting.
But not many knew the reason behind their king's irritation.
"Lawrence.. If you don't like, then stop watching. Go and finish other things instead of staying up late every night" Aliza suggested. She was fed up with her husband's behavior.
He would get angry if Dylan clings to their daughter. He would get angry if Dylan wasn't looking at Isabella, since they cannot see her too. He would get angry if he flirts. He would again get angry on Dylan even if Isabella was the one to come and flirt.
Basically, the king didn't like his son-in-law. He didn't want any son-in-law at all, and suddenly this Dylan was thrown into their family tree now.
Lawrence had broke three desks and two chairs in the past three days.
"Look at him. Just look at him.. What a shameless kid. How dare he sip from the same cup my daughter used?" Lawrence shouted and banged on the table, breaking it and adding another point to his destruction score.
Aliza sighed. The best thing was to shut off that coin for the king's own mental peace. But he wasn't ready. He liked being tortured looking at his daughter getting all chummy with his not-so-favored son-in-law.
It was because of Aliza that the coin was shut most of the times since she knew better than to peep at a newly wed couple. If not, Lawrence would have collapsed because of high blood pressure.
But Aliza must say that the culture in the human realm was more open and bold compared to the conservative norms here. People don't hesitate in expressing their feelings at all. At least not her daughter and son-in-law.
Lawrence glared at the projection. Dylan was in front of the mirror whistling and combing his hair while Lawrence was thinking of smashing that mirror on his face.
"I am going to the library." Lawrence declared and left with a huff. Aliza shook her head in resignation. This was really Aliza's first time seeing Lawrence so out of composure.
Aliza happily sat closer to the coin to see what her daughter and son-in-law were doing today. The past few days she saw what their world was like.
And she also saw where they were studying. It was huge and beautiful. And she seemed to have many friends. Her best friends being Dylan and Bianca.
The queen was glad that Dylan was a good person. He respected Isabella a lot. And loved her as if she was a small kid.
Both of them had a very active social life. They would go for a jog in the mornings. Sometimes they would play outdoor games with their friends. Sometimes both of them would get busy in the school work.
She also got to know that right now it was their vacation time. And they would get busy once the school officially starts again.
"Mother" Stella walked into their parent's chamber. She was dressed in black warrior clothes as she just returned from her daily practice sessions. The princess walked in gracefully as her gaze fell on the open projection.
"Stella. Come. Sit here. Let's watch your sister for a while" Aliza patted the place beside her on the couch for her eldest daughter to sit.
Stella gave her a sweet smile and took a seat beside her. Her gaze fell onto her beautiful sister getting ready to go somewhere with her husband.
"What's taking so much time Dylan? Hurry up, or we might miss the bus." Isabella spoke while arranging her bag.
"Yup. Coming princess" Dylan came out neatly dressed with a bag. They were planning to go to the university to change their marital status in the records and also do some grocery shopping.
Stella saw them lock their small house and walk to a crowded station to catch the bus. Though she didn't show it on face, she felt quite annoying seeing so many people boarding the same bus.
Scenes like this reminded her that Isabella is no match to her.
"What is this place?" Stella asked when she saw a few beautiful buildings and well maintained lawns.
"This is where Isa and her husband study." Aliza replied with a smile. It was nice to know about her daughter's life.
Stella nodded. Though the university was very beautiful, it was no match to the royal palace. And it's not like Isabella was a princess there. She was just an ordinary student just like the scholars in their palace.
She saw Dylan and Isabella do some document signing and validation processes before leaving the administration office.
Then Isabella and Dylan idled around in the lawn for a while before going to shop for groceries.
Stella again looked down on both them here. She had never stepped into the kitchen till date. Anything she wants, it would be present in front of her the very next moment.
But Isabella and husband? They had to shop, cook and the even do the dishes on their own. And they were even careful on spending.
Isabella would look at the price tag before purchasing anything. Stella scorned at this behavior. How can she be the crown princess? Her habits are like that of a lowly servant.
But she kept quite. Her mother was carefully looking at whatever Isabella was buying.
Aliza planned on giving these recipes to the kitchen so that Isabella can eat all her favorites when she arrives here.
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[London]
"What are you looking at?" Isabella asked, her cheeks slightly flushed.
She and Dylan were in the ladies' essentials aisle, where Dylan was curiously examining menstrual products.
Squatting on the floor, Dylan compared different packages, genuinely intrigued. "I see that tampons and cups are better options. Why do you use pads, then?" he asked innocently, holding up both items.
Isabella stared at him, momentarily speechless. She knew he was just trying to understand, but it still felt odd explaining her choice.
"You read the instructions, right? Why ask me, then?" she murmured.
Dylan tilted his head. "Pads stay outside, but these go in. Are you scared they'll hurt?"
She scratched her head. "Not really. I just have this silly perception that they might get lost inside."
Dylan raised a brow but nodded in understanding. "But don't pads cause rashes?"
Isabella huffed. A passing shopper giggled at their exchange. "I know how to avoid rashes. Now move."
Dylan grinned but complied. "I was just asking."
"Great. Thanks. Now go get some eggs," she instructed before walking off.
She smiled to herself. Next time, he'd be doing this shopping alone.
Lost in thought, she browsed the towels section when suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her from behind.
She recognized Dylan's shirt and hands, so she relaxed.
"Dylan? Didn't I tell you to get eggs?" she asked softly.
Oddly, there was no response.
A hand clamped over her mouth just as something sharp pierced her neck.
Isabella's eyes widened in horror. She struggled, but the grip was too strong. Pain shot through her body, paralyzing her.
Through the mirror's reflection, she saw the person behind her.
He looked exactly like Dylan.
Her strength drained away as the grip loosened.
"ISA!"
Finally… finally, she heard Dylan's voice.
Then darkness consumed her.