In the dying twilight, the looming tower cast a sinister silhouette against the dark, cold sky. Isola's sapphire blue eyes shimmered with concern as she watched Asher emerge, his tall and powerful figure framed by the crimson light seeping through the cracks of the heavy doors. She knew Asher's new personal spot was this tower, and she knew all the things he would do within the tower.
Asher softly smiled as their eyes met, an expression that held a tinge of warmth as he walked towards her.
"Are you feeling better now?" Isola asked, her voice barely a whisper, as if she feared that any louder sound might disturb the peaceful air that was enveloping them.
Asher's eyes darkened briefly, "I am just getting started. I will never let them off easy. For all these years, they enjoyed themselves as they made others suffer. Now it's my turn," The resolve in his voice was unyielding, a granite wall against her gentle words.
Isola nodded, her own eyes narrowing in determination, "You shouldn't. They deserve it. But, Asher, promise me one thing," she implored, her voice taking on a soft yet firm edge, "No matter whoever all you want to take revenge upon, don't let them make you forget what's most important to you."
Asher cupped her face in his calloused hand, his thumb gently brushing away a stray strand of her luminous white hair that had fallen across her cheek, "How can I forget when your and others' beautiful face will be a constant reminder in my head?" His voice was rough with emotion, but the tenderness in his eyes warmed her to her very core.
Isola's cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, but she didn't avert her gaze from his.
She squeezed his hand, her grip firm and reassuring, "Is there really no way that I can't come with you to the Severed Realm?"
Asher sighed as he shook his head, "I tried. But for now, there is no way even though I would have really wanted you there with me. Things would be a lot easier."
Isola lowered her head as she felt sad that she wouldn't be able to accompany him. But she could understand since Esther wouldn't let an outsider use one of their secret arts.
Seeing her dejected look, Asher raised her chin with his finger and said, "But on the bright side, you can help me out from this side. You are the only one I can depend on to cover for me, just in case."
"Of course, that is a given," Isola said and then glanced at the tower briefly with furrowed brows, "So you are planning to take her with you?"
Asher, a cold smile playing on his thin lips, nodded, "I have been planning to do that for a long time. Since I managed to make someone as strong as her as my slave, I can use her to my heart's content without any worry." His eyes gleamed with eerie intent, making Isola feel that Rebecca had no idea what was awaiting her.
Still, she felt a bit confused and asked, "Then...you are really planning to spare Oberon? Won't he try to get back at you if he learns what you did to his mother? I heard that Oberon might be an unfeeling animal to everyone except his mother. He even killed a noble from a decent House just because he thought they indirectly insulted his mother."
Asher scoffed and waved a dismissive hand, "I know, I know. It's exactly why I took her. As for Oberon, don't you worry. He'll get what he deserves in due time," A satisfied smile formed on Asher's lips as he imagined certain scenarios involving Oberon.
Before Isola could press further, a humming sound emanated from Asher's pocket. He reached in and pulled out a Whispering Stone, raising a brow as he said, "It's Lysandra."
Isola narrowed her eyes as Asher answered the call and asked in a casual tone, "What is it, Lysandra? Didn't I tell you I would get back to you soon?" Asher felt it was best not to go full-on hostile towards Lysandra since he needed her now that the Draconis Kingdom was still a great danger. It was also with her help he was able to bring down Rebecca, especially when he told her to send those images of a tortured and near-death Oberon to Rebecca at night.
He knew the only way to truly make Rebecca submit was using Oberon and make her realize that she can't afford to wait any longer.
A cold yet determined voice echoed from the other side, "I waited long enough after I did what you wanted me to do. Now, it's your turn to keep your word. I want to see my son. Tell me the time and location, and I shall be there."
Isola felt complicated upon hearing this woman's words. She knew Asher was using an undead Agonon to take advantage of Lysandra to fulfill his plans. Yet she felt a bit bad for her since it seemed like Lysandra was a loving mother who was still believing that her dead son wasn't really dead.
Still, since she knew how important this was for Asher, she decided to not think too much about it since the world wasn't fair as she had long realized.
But what she was worried about was how Asher was going to let Lysandra meet her son when he wasn't really alive?
She knew Lysandra wouldn't release Oberon to Asher if Asher didn't keep his word. And if Oberon doesn't get released, Rebecca might try something extreme that could end up in her killing herself.
"What about your husband? Won't he be upset or suspicious if he sees you slip out somewhere?" Asher asked with a raise of his brow.
"You let me worry about him and care only about letting me see my son," Lysandra firmly said, her voice frigid.
"Fine. Let's meet tomorrow," Saying so, Asher cut the call and placed the Whisper Stone back into his pocket.
Isola's brows furrowed as she asked, "Why did you tell her that? How are you going to present a dead man as an alive one?"
Asher smiled as he said, "I already told her that Agonon has been stuck in that hellish dimension for quite a while and that he had undergone some drastic changes, which could be horrifying to her. And yet she still wants to meet him. From this, you could sense that she is desperate enough to see him even if I told her Agonon is just a talking skeleton."
"So you can make him talk?" Isola asked with an astonished look.
"Something like that. But don't worry about it. She will believe whatever she is going to see," Asher said with a reassuring look.
"But how long will you keep this up? What if she finds out one day? I doubt a mother won't be able to notice something is wrong with her son…" Isola said with a worried look.
Asher let out a subtle scoff and coldly said, "Who cares if she finds out one day? I will just make sure to sabotage her kingdom before that can happen. She hates Drakar with every bone in her body. So I will be doing her a favor in that way."
Isola slowly nodded, hoping things would happen as he had planned.
She then pressed her finger against her chest and said with a suppressed smile while putting up a mock-serious expression, "I told Rowena she had no reason to worry, but as your consort and for Rowena's sake, I still wanted to warn you that you shouldn't mess up again. No more married women. You understand, right?"
Asher chuckled as he grabbed Isola's finger and kissed it before saying with an amused look, "I wasn't expecting you to nag me on this as well. I feel hurt that you guys think that I am that unrestrained. Am I that bad of a husband?"
Isola felt a bit bad and said softly, "No, I didn't mean-"
"I am just kidding with you," Asher laughed as he hugged Isola, making her hug him back with an aggrieved smile, "I know, but you really know how to silence us with your words. It's very unfair."
Asher kissed her neck softly before looking at her face and said with a smug smile, "That's just one of my charms. Isn't that why you fell in love with me?"
Isola's cheeks became warm as she smiled and said, "Well…it is one of the reasons."
However, a hundred meters away, the doors of the tower were slightly cracked open as a pair of pale red eyes glowed from within.
Rebecca's eyes were still brimming with rage as she looked at the love birds in the distance. She couldn't believe that this alien fiend had such a sweet side to him, nor did she expect him to have such a loving relationship with Isola.
Was her suspicions right? Does he really care about Isola and Rowena more than himself? Or was it just a front to fool everyone and lower their guards? She definitely had to figure out his weaknesses and take him down the moment she got an opportunity.
However, seeing Isola here made Rebecca realize that Isola must know everything and felt that this fish-tailed bitch was only pretending to be such a sweet and innocent girl on the outside.
She definitely must have seduced him to save her own skin and that of her people. How cunning like the rest.
She definitely will make them all pay…
