Watching the figure of Daphne through the screen, Sia shuddered. Her chest heaved up and down, her shoulders trembled and she drew heavy breaths.
Her golden eyes turned bloody red and a mad, furious and fanatic voice left her lips.
"Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill her! That bitch deserves death! No, death is too…light!"
A thick killing intent exploded out of her, dying the dark space crimson.
Sarah hurriedly grabbed Sia's hand before she could use the darkness power and bust their lies of being Jai Empire's agents.
Varian heaved a sigh of relief and turned to Sage Nevar.
The old man was looking at Sia in astonishment and confusion. The woman had been silent so far except for matching glances with the cold woman and Varian.
But what happened so suddenly? They were just staring at the maid on the screen with Baldur.
Varian rubbed the back of his head and explained with an expression of deep sadness and suffering.
"Her father and mother were killed by their maids who were actually spies of the alliance. Her husband was also killed by the maids—who also happened to be long planted spies. She hates maids in the Alliance more than any soul. If she could write away her life to kill them all, she would do it in a heartbeat."
Sage Nevar nodded in understanding and expressed his sympathies. "I know people like that. People who hate plumbers, carpenters. Bad experiences really left them with scars. No wonder she doesn't like outsiders. It makes sense."
Varian's lips twitched.
Was he really that persuasive or was this guy actually having problems with his brain, believing every bullshit he spouted?
'No, wait, everything I said made sense though. No wonder he believes me.' Varian realized.
"And that girl too had some bad experience, huh." Nevar looked at Sarah with same sympathetic eyes.
Sarah barely held back from rolling her eyes and gave Varian a look while squeezing Sia's hand.
Varian understood and pulled Sia to the side. Using the slivers, he made a perfect barrier that's opaque from outside but transparent from inside.
Sia quickly changed into Isadora. She yanked her hand back from his grip and looked up at him.
Her silver hair flowed down, covering most of her face. Yet those red eyes shone through like rubies.
Varian sighed as he realized the emotions rolling in her eyes.
Hatred. A lot of hatred. But also pain. Deep pain that came from her memories.
Her tears had long dried up. Yet looking at her like this, Varian could imagine the nights cried and wondered why she deserved that fate.
'Betrayal is painful because it never comes from your enemies.'
Not too long ago, Isadora must've had a good relationship with the maid Daphne.
But now…
Isadora didn't trust him despite watching him with Sia for nearly a decade. She tried to kill him—because she's certain he'd betray her.
While she spoke about her experience on why relationships couldn't stand the test of time, didn't she also have strong bonds until betrayal?
Until then, she too thought that some bonds could last forever. She cherished those bonds and wanted them to remain.
The betrayal pushed her to the denial side.
"Isadora,"
She looked into his eyes and muttered in a slow, cold voice. "I want to rip her limbs apart…I want to look into her eyes during that…I want to hear her screams…I want to feel her body squirm in pain…I want to feel her heart stop beating…I…"
"Isadora!" Varian yelled.
She stopped for a moment and tilted her head in confusion. "Why? Aren't you vengeful too? I am not doing anything wrong."
"I'm not against hatred or negative emotions. They are useful. But you…your hatred is consuming you. You don't look like a sane woman now. Nothing like a Princess."
"Princess? Heh," A few strands of her hair in front of her face shook with that laugh.
Her silky hair slowly moved back, revealing her beautiful, cold face. "I'll give up everything in the world for my revenge. Varian, enough talk, let's go! I'll participate and help with the plan! I just want that thing alive!"
Varian let out a small sigh. "After this, can you tell me about what happened with you?"
Isadora froze at his words before snarling at him. "Do you really think I want to recall something like that?"
"The legendary princess Isadora, the woman whose records that not even the most talented geniuses of the kingdom or even the empire could hope to break," Varian looked at her with a cocky gaze and said slowly, with a teasing smile. "Is that princess…afraid?"
"You!"
Isadora knew. This was just a word play for him to play with her ego to agree to his demand.
But…
Even if she knew, Isadora felt humiliated when he looked down on her. His attitude was very, very irritating.
If it was just some stranger, it wouldn't have triggered her. She'd have just ignored those words.
But this was Varian. Someone she knew despite not wanting to. She couldn't ignore his words.
'He knows which switches to press! This guy is really dangerous!'
"And what if I tell you? You only want to take and not give?" She pursed her lips and looked at him with a mocking expression.
She was implying that there was nothing Varian could 'give' her. So, he's not in a position to recieve the information about her past, even if she's willing to share.
Despite Varian pressing the switches right, Isadora being Isadora gave a tough reply.
"Oh," Varian's lips curled up and he slowly leaned forward, his eyes staring right into hers.
The playfulness in his gaze was gone and his eyes showed seriousness he rarely showed. But when he did it, it mean something very important.
Isadora held her breath without intending to and waited.
"If exchange for telling me about your past," Varian smiled. "I will help you in your revenge. Be it a rank 7, rank 8, rank 9 or even a…divine ranker. That's my promise to you."
