The Reaper's Wicked Obsession-Chapter 145: The Messenger

A Moon Later

"Did you hear? Isadora’s been working kitchen duties for a moon now."

"Yeah, I heard."

"It’s her penalty."

"I can’t believe she went through with it."

"Me too!"

"It’s amazing though."

"I think so too."

"Even though she’s under Lord Raven’s favor she still gets the short end of the stick."

"I heard she was persistent with it and demanded a penalty just because she missed the morning call!"

"I wouldn’t have gotten any penalty if Lord Raven favored me."

"But she did..."

"Is she truly our Lady Raven now?"

Vanya heard everything in the Feast Hall, her eyes skimming to those who gossiped as she packed the last badges of plates she came for.

Isadora has been a hot topic during this period and surprisingly none of it was bad. It was almost like they were suddenly amazed by her.

They talked about her achievements—her bravery, her powers, or the penalty she took despite being under Lord Raven’s favor.

Vanya couldn’t help the smile that curled her lips as she walked out of the Feast Hall into the corridor where more gossips were heard.

"I heard her penalty is over."

"Do you think she’d like to have a friendly spar with me?"

"I heard she trained under Lord Raven."

"I hope she comes to the training grounds soon."

"I heard she’s favored by the Commanders too."

"How long do you think she had been with Lord Raven?"

"I don’t know, do you?"

Vanya eavesdropped on every murmur as she made her way to the kitchen. Isadora was certainly a hot topic in the Court, everyone talked about her.

"Can I have a taste now? It looks so yummy!"

Isadora giggled. "Be patient, Cai," she said, plating the last batch of biscuits she made but they still needed to cool down a little bit.

Cai’s hungry eyes looked as if he would lash on them any minute. Apparently, he had never had them before. It led to one thing after the other and Isadora decided to give the boy a treat.

Baking biscuits was one of the things she did a long time ago, burdened by house chores and brothers she had to take care of, she was meant to do everything.

Isadora was able to make the biscuits with the spare ingredients lying around. It didn’t come out as she expected but this was perfect as it can go.

The smell of it filled the spacious area. Vanya took a whiff of the air the moment she stepped in.

The sound of Vanya dropping the plate on the table grabbed their attention

"Is that the last of them?"

Vanya nodded in reply before signing. "No more dishes after this, our penalty finishes today." She took a step closer and waited for the biscuits just like Cai.

Isadora stiffened at the news, she hadn’t been counting. Wintermoon was almost over too, she spent most of her time indoors and didn’t pay much attention.

It had been very quiet here, and as a bonus, Logi was banned from here because he kept stealing apples. Isadora didn’t have to deal with him either.

It’s been a moon since she saw Kraven, he hadn’t come to her room or made his presence known, he was like a ghost in his own court.

She wondered why.

After all, he just left her starving for something he didn’t give. She was still mad and patiently waited for when she would set her eyes on him and give him a piece of her mind.

’No... I’m not ready for that yet,’ she thought as her mind recalled the things he said to her. How vulnerable he was when he told her a glimpse of his past. It wasn’t fair that he had to do that.

Because now she can’t be angry at him properly.

"I wish it was longer, I’m enjoying kitchen duties as it is," Isadora said, giving Cai a piece who happily bit on it.

"It’s so good!"

Vanya nodded in agreement. It was certainly delicious even though she had little to work with.

The taste was nostalgic for Vanya. In the past, the friendly servants who took care of her always shared things like this with her and it somehow recreated the memory, almost bringing tears to her eyes.

"Are you alright?" Isadora suddenly asked as she noticed her glassy eyes.

Vanya swallowed back the tears and signed. "It’s too good."

Isadora giggled. "Don’t worry I’ll make more for you, as much as you want."

"Do I get some too?" Logi asked, announcing his presence. He leaned on the door frame, arms folded against his chest. His piercing green eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Logi? What are you doing here?" Cai asked with a mouthful of biscuits.

Logi pushed off the wall gently and walked to them. He grabbed Cai’s puffed cheeks and said in a mimicking voice. "Because there is an exception today..." He grinned and faced Isadora who stiffened under his gaze. "...By Lord Raven’s grace." He winked.

Isadora gulped looking away. "Did your Lord Raven send you here to make my day worse?"

Logi chuckled as he released Cai. "Well, not make your day worse, sorry to disappoint." He clapped his hands as he exhaled sharply. "I come to you not as your dog but as a messenger, Isadora."

Isadora blinked and asked. "A messenger?"

"Lord Raven summons you to the ruling council."

Vanya’s wooden plate slipped from her grasp as she stared at Logi in disbelief.

"Isa is summoned to the council?!" Cai said with bright eyes and faced Isadora who looked confused by the whole thing. "That’s great news!"

"Is it?" Isadora asked, puzzled. "Of course, he needed to relay his message through you," she mumbled under her breath.

Her anger rose to the surface again. "I’m not going."

Logi frowned. "A no is not accepted."

"Then no." She enforced.

"I see where we’re going with this and Oh! Did I not mention that he did say if you disagree, he would come himself?"

Isadora pulsed raced, the look in Logi’s eyes told her that it wouldn’t be pleasant if he did.

"Trust me, that would be much more embarrassing for you, he was laughing when he said that."

How could everything about Kraven be so intimidating without him here? It was just a word, yet Isadora was already afraid of the outcome.

He would certainly act shamelessly if he came by himself.

"Isa, you’ve got to go, you might not understand this but this is a great honor and it is likely very important." Vanya signed.

Isadora gulped. ’Is it that important?’ She thought, nervous because the thought of seeing Kraven was too much to bear.

She didn’t know if she should feel mad or just overjoyed. She chose the first, eager to maintain some sense and not get swayed by him.

’I hate him.’ she manifested mentally in a mantra. On the surface, she smiled and faced Logi. "Fine, I’ll go with you."