Blood Oath

Izaak had a good laugh after hearing me calling him a cat. I don't know if it's good or bad, planned or unplanned but meeting him again that also so unexpectedly can't be just a mere coincidence given Izaak's over-cautious nature about meeting people.

'' You turn out to be easier to talk to than I thought, Princess,'' He said while smiling. Princess? I felt my heart fluttering once again thanks to this man in front of me. ha! He is going to call me Princess now too? I hate to admit but the word Princess sounds different from his lips.

'' You never came here before, did you?'' He suddenly asked me. I snapped back to reality. That's right it's my first time coming here after coming back in time but can I answer him honestly? No, I can't because it makes no sense for a first-timer to know that the secret door at the back of the Grand Duchy of Casvoner leads to this White Forest which is miles away from the estate by distance.

'' No, I have been here several times before, but you,'' I glanced at him coldly and continued, '' I should be the one asking you, You didn't come here before, did you?"' He blinked a few times and smiled innocently, '' You are doubting me, I- Woooo, why are you pulling a dragger at me?'' His eyes widen seeing me pointing my dragger at him. '' Hey put that down,'' He asked me but I stepped closer to him while looking into his eyes, '' There is no guarantee that you aren't here to do something wrong to me and more importantly, I can't help but question how someone like you is here.''

The corner of his lip lifted a little and the same arrogance which shows as if he predicted everything from before actually made me wonder if we are any different than my past life. Izaak stepped closer and now the dragger was just a few inches away from his throat. I can't show him that I am feeling uncomfortable by the position we were in because Izaak right now isn't someone who blindly trusts me and ignores any minor fallback. The more natural, the better.

'' I can't deny that I can be dangerous for you but Princess, wasn't it you approached me first?'' He said while smirking. I lifted my eyebrow in confusion and said, '' What nonsense are you speaking?'' He stepped a little closer. His red monstrous eyes were staring at me intensely. It felt like he could see through my hesitation and anxiety.

'' You called my name when our eyes first met in the central market.'' His voice sounded deeper than usual. My eyes widen in shock resulting in my grip around the dragger losing a little, Izaak took the chance and instantly took my dragger from my hand. In a blink of my eyes, the dragger which I was pointing at Izaak was pointing at me.

'' How do you know about me?'' Izaak asked me. He was no longer smiling, the look he was wearing was the same as the General who was interrogating his foe. My past self could never imagine Izaak facing her like this. I chuckled and he frowned looking at me. He tilted his head and said, '' You are crazy, Princess,''

'' Didn't you realize when you saw me asking Sebastian to get information about you? That,'' I pointed my finger at my head and continued, '' I am lost from here?'' Izaak seemed to be taken aback by my answer. It was a gamble to disclose the fact I asked Sebastian because after connecting things with how Izaak intentionally came in front of the carriage that day, It's most likely he was in Sufu at that time to get Sebastian's side with him and saw some noble lady approaching him, Izaak must have used his Amazing Hearing Power to hear our talk. Later he followed me to see who am I. Seeing his reaction, I have won the gamble.

'' Never thought I will be taken back by some noble lady,'' He laughed at himself. '' I am not just some noble lady, '' I corrected him. He nodded in agreement. '' I apologize, you aren't just some noble lady but A crazy lady who doesn't know what she is getting herself into.''

I pushed the dragger away from my face and said, '' But you stalked this crazy lady and right now exposing yourself as a person who hides his real face under the mask of a harmless abounded prince stuck in Moon Palace. Who wins then?'' Izaak seemed to be puzzeled. But later sighed. He put down the dragger and looked at me with tired eyes, '' I give up, You are not someone I should underestimate.'' I smiled happily after hearing his confession. God, If this is set by you then I can't help but be grateful, you have saved me from the hassle.

'' If so, Then can we cut to the chase and talk things seriously?'' I gave him a proposal. Izaak grinned and said, '' Let's see what you have in your mind, Princess Valentiara Von Casvoner.''

The breeze started getting fast making his silver hair get messy. I have to accept that, the Izaak in front of me is much younger but his intimating yet calming aura is still the same assuring me that,

This time it will be different.

'' I will make you the Emperor, Your Highness Izaak.''

Izaak's eyes widen in shock not believing what he was hearing. I had confidence in my words, after all, In my Past,

I Was The King Maker.

'' Are you hearing yourself? Making me the Emperor? That's equal to rebelling against the Imperial Order.'' He said with disbelief mixed in his voice. I smiled and replied, '' If I am successful then the Empire and history will know me as the King Maker.'' '' You sound too confident, but how can I trust that you won't stab me in the back? You are someone who knows about my existence even when you haven't made your debut in the Imperial Society?'' Izaak's face turned dark. The doubt is reasonable but I have answers to his questions. I took the dagger from his hand and he stared at me with confusion. I cut my palm and said,

'' Until I Will Be Getting What I Want, I, Valentiara Von Casvoner, Swore My Loyalty To Your Highness Izaak on my Blood.''

Izaak's breathing hitched seeing the blood flowing from my hand. He facepalmed himself and looked at me in more disbelief, '' You have any idea what you are doing? Blood oath?''

'' It proves my loyalty and confidence, and most importantly, it will always remind you that I am betting my everything on you,'' I said. '' What do you want so desperately that you are choosing me instead of the other two princes?'' This question was too heavy to answer but I know based on my answer everything depends. I looked into his eyes directly and said only four words, '' I don't want regret.''

Izaak stared into my eyes as if he was trying to find the answer and I guess he knew that I wasn't lying. He didn't ask anything any longer. He took the dragger from my hand and closed his eyes before cutting his right palm. Blood was flowing from both of our hands, he held my hand and a bright light like a thread started tangling around our hands.

'' I, Izaak Gabriela De Amanso, Accept The Loyalty Pledge with Valentiara Von Casvoner,'' He said while looking into my eyes. A smile appeared on my lips.

And with this blood oath, this Alliance Out Of Regret finally regrets.

This time, I won't fail, I won't regret, I won't lose.

This Time,

I won't lose myself by chasing after light.