Four Days ago*

Isadora carefully jumped off a white horse when she spotted Oswald from a distance. She hauled the horse with its rope to a nearby tree and tied it around it.

She glimmered and slowly walked to Oswald. For a moment she was amazed at the fact that he didn't sense her or the horse approaching but she understood he must have been buried in his thoughts. How could she tell him that she was going to get married in a few days? He looked relaxed and she needed not to make him sad. She should have told him two years ago, the very first time she was told but she didn't wish to. She never wanted her friendship with Oswald to end due to her father's frantic theories.

She walked to where he was sitting, some metres before a calm river. When she got to his side, she gazed at the same serene view before he tilted up his chin and smiled widely holding her hands so that she could sit by him, "Isadora, how good are you on my horse right now?"

It was almost dark. Isadora wondered why Oswald chose somewhere as silent as this. Though she loved the serene waters just before them, she still felt cold as there were a lot of bushes and trees around the area.

She sat down carefully and stared at him, "Excellent. Only that remark is it for your horse. It seems your horse is meant for me," she paused, "not you," she concluded with a taunter.

Oswald's hand slowly took hers in his, and he curled her hands protectively while Isadora stared at it. After a while, she looked up at him basking in the warmth of his palm as she smiled, "How did you know I needed it?" She asked, surprised.

"You are cold," he replied instead.

"I know I am supposed to be sweaty, but I know you are there to make me fine someday," Isadora said wryly. Her head bent over to his shoulder and she smiled, thinking back to about five years ago, she couldn't do what she was doing now. She remembered the very first time she tried to lay her head on his shoulder, he pushed her head away instead.

Oswald smiled in response. He didn't say anything but pulled Isadora closer to him, his hand encircling the middle of her stomach and waist, "Do you not remember what happened the very first time Isaac stalked us down here when we were busy catching fishes."

Isadora's mouth widened in horror, "Why would you say that now?" She prattled, "he...he had to walk down here from the palace to later get pushed into the river by us. Arrgh, we were so wicked!" She emphasized.

"Yes. You show out the best in me when you are around," Oswald replied.

Isadora bit her lips, glaring at him, "Don't tell me you are being sarcastic? Of course, you love it when I play wicked," she playfully hit his chest.

"Mayhaps you are right," he chuckled.

And for a while, they remained silent. The sound of the birds intensified. They enjoyed their moment together as they kept watching the slow waters.

Theron, a moment, Isadora broke the silence, "Let's ...catch some fish, would we?"

"No, Isadora. You...you are still cold. I'm sorry for making you come here in this weather," he replied rather.

"But I am not weak. I do not like it if my sickness brings a halt to our fun. Or mayhaps we hunt? It wouldn't be that cold, would it?" Isadora's eyes rolled up to his, she was staring at his brown eyes enthusiastically. One of her eyebrows was drawn up. "Or we should go to pluck some fruits ... Or should we fight. You can bring it down here your swords, right? I...I miss your training." Isadora continued speaking while he looked back at her in amusement.

He removed his gaze from her and stare back at the sea, "I would love to be a physician, one day."

"And why would you?"

"I do not want you to suffer anymore. I...I am afraid you would also leave me," Oswald replied. His eyes were not leaving the sea. He couldn't bear the look in her eyes should he try to set his eyes back on her.

For a moment, Isadora kept still. Her mind rumbled on whatever he had gone through. They were almost the same.

Oswald's father was a Duke, a ruler in a faraway town. He was also a man who married many wives. His mother was the third among the wives and it was told that he maltreated her until she died. He was only eight then. He was sent out of the dukedom before he somehow got adopted by a very generous man living in Maxwell Kingdom.

He had gone through a lot. Including the persistent suffering from his father and the pain of letting go of the only woman who loved him.

"Oswald...I would never die, okay? I would not for anything leave you, I promise," she said, saying those words made her recall that just three days now, she was going to get married to someone else. She felt guilty and she didn't know how to tell him. Especially now, now that those memories of his past came hunting him.

She felt his hold tighten on her waist and she looked back at him. Cupping his cheeks with her hands, "I love you, Oswald. I would forever do. Trust me, we will be together forever and no one would die. Believe it. All these things shall pass. You shall get your revenge on your father."

Oswald nodded and she released her hold from his cheeks trying to stop the tears that were soon going to be touching her pale skin.

"But why? Why do you plan to leave me, Isadora?" His gaze was everywhere but her face. "Why is the world so unfair...why does the world finds joy in taking everything that makes me alive."

Isadora's heart began to beat faster. What was he saying? She never planned to leave him. Or...or could it be...could it be that he knew already? That he was also aware of the rumour?

"Do I not know that you are betrothed to someone else?" His jaw clenched as he released his grip from her waist.

"I'm...sorry. I didn't know how to tell you."

"Why would you do such a thing to me?" He stood up and paced around, "What would happen to me when you leave?"

"Please. I'm so sorry."

"And see...your father couldn't choose someone better than the exact man who killed my sister."

Isadora's mouth widened. What was he saying? How did he know him? "What did you say?"

"I know him. I...I knew him, he stayed in Venesia. I was seven then when he raped my sister. He...he...he is..." His hands began to tremble. He was out of control but he didn't want to show the princess' his terrifying anger. "He ruined my sister!"