A year passed since the Time Traveler started her stay at Castle Garcia as a guest. It was early morning and Isadora was, once again, mid bow, waiting for the Marchioness Dowager acknowledgment. This morning ritual of theirs had started about six months ago when the Madam suddenly declared that, since Isadora was staying at the Castle that long, Isadora should pay her respects to her on a regular basis, giving start to this new form of harassment. Isadora found Madam Dolores`s petty display of dominance adorable. It was her first time going through such a thing. Isadora was enjoying herself so much that she refrained from reporting the harassment to Marquess Rodrigo. Madam Dolores was not going to live forever, so Isadora`s time to relish in this acidic relationship was limited.

After having fun with her mother-in-law-to-be, Isadora returned to her chambers. She turned to Sir Bruno who guarded her, “Let`s see how Sofia and the baby are doing.” Once at her chambers, Isadora went to an inconspicuous door which led to her maid`s room. Inside Maid Sofia was holding her daughter, Alicia.

“Hello, Sofia.” greeted Isadora. Sir Bruno moved beside his wife to admire his daughter.

“Hi, Lady Isadora. Forgive me for not standing.” said Sofia. Isadora waved the apologies away. The Time Traveler watched the couple and their daughter. After her initial push, they moved quickly and, in a year, were married and had a baby. Isadora recalled when Sofia coyly asked if she would be their child`s godmother since she was the one who got them together. It was a strange feeling, being her own mother`s godmother. 

Isadora heard the distant sound of a knock at the door to her chambers. As she moved to see who it was, Sir Bruno made to follow, Isadora waved him away, she didn’t want to disrupt the family moment.

“Enter.” Said Isadora. 

“Hi!” greeted Rodrigo. Once inside he lightly kissed Isadora`s lips. Feeling embarrassed, he cleared his throat before proceeding to speak, “I have everything ready, I will be making my way to Oliveira Manor today.”

“That is great, I’m looking forward to it.” said Isadora with a smile. 

Today, Marquess Rodrigo was departing to finalize things with Duke Oliveira. The Time Traveler was looking forward to her third marriage, not only would it allow her to leave her nebulous status as a guest, but it was a necessary step in her plan to search for her daughter. There was also the fact Marquess Rodrigo was surprisingly orthodox, he was determined to wait after marriage before having things advance too much physically. Isadora found it quite frustrating, having to practise chastity for a whole year. She was uncertain how Rodrigo would perform, being inexperienced and all. The advantage would be she would be free to train him to her personal tastes.       

Marquess Rodrigo hadn’t taken long after they started courting to propose marriage to Isadora. He was also very aware she would need to be adopted by a noble family to marry him. Rodrigo had suggested to her the idea of having one of his vassals adopt Isadora, but his beloved angel was against it, she insisted it had to be House Oliveira. Rodrigo did not understand why Isadora was so adamant it had to be that House, but he did not question her for it was not the place of mere mortals to comprehend the intent of heavenly beings. 

Despite it being almost a year since they had first spoken of marriage, their official engagement had been delayed for, talking the Ducal House into the whole scheme was quite the ordeal. Fortunately, Rodrigo had reached the final steps, Duke Oliveira had at last agreed to add Isadora to his family registry as his long lost sister, it only cost Rodrigo House Garcia`s silver mines. He thought it a small price to pay to be beside his beloved Isadora. 

“When will you be off?” Asked Isadora.

“Well, now actually.” answered Rodrigo, “and, adding the travel time, I guess it will take about a month before I return.”

“Any more complaints from your mother?”

“Surprisingly, no. She seems to have finally accepted it.” said Rodrigo.

“Realy, now?” It was surprising indeed, Madam Dolores had kicked quite the storm when she first learned of their plans, it was the real reason for her increased harassment of Isadora. Had she really given up on her disappointment? Well, perhaps she tired herself out, “That is good news, a harmonious family would be best!” commented the Time Traveler thinking back on her experiences.

“Yes. Well, I have to go now, don't want to be behind schedule.” said Rodrigo. He then turned to Sir Bruno who, hearing his Lord`s voice had left Sofia`s room and joined them, “Take good care of Isadora while I’m out. Guard her with your life.” commanded the Marquess.

*

About three weeks passed since Marquess Rodrigo left for Oliveira Manor. Isadora was disrupted from her sleep in the middle of the night by the sound of glass breaking. For a short moment, in her drowsiness, the Time Traveler thought it was Tiago once again paying her a night visit, but soon she remembered he was dead and at that time not even born yet. Isadora turned to the window, there was a cloaked figure adjusting their stance after making their entrance. 

Before Isadora could react, the intruder rushed towards her, there was the swing of a blade and a sting just below her right eye. The assassin pushed her back into the bed, and held her down as the dagger was raised. Suddenly the door to Isadora`s chambers was opened, “Lady Isadora!” shouted Sir Bruno running in, his sword out.

The knight swung his sword sideways towards the assailant, who jumped out of the bed to dodge, letting go of the injured Isadora. Sir Bruno`s blade got momentarily lodged at the bed`s canopy frame, the assassin took the opening to stab the vulnerable knight, the dagger met Sir Bruno`s side twice before he swung his arm out, hitting the attacker`s face. The Intruder stumbled back holding his obscured face, Sir Bruno freed his sword and stood between Isadora and the assassin. Both fighters stared each other down, recovering their breath momentarily before resuming their bout. Isadora watched everything with bated breath, she could feel herself losing focus and the harrowing pain on her cheek spreading through her face.

Sir Bruno springed towards the assassin who avoided his blade by dodging to the side. The assailant, with their free hand, retrieved something from under their cloak and threw it towards the Knight. Sir Bruno with his quick reflexes managed to dodge the flying knife, as he stepped towards his opponent there was a thud, almost as if a body had hit the ground behind him. Sir Bruno, fearing the worst and despite his instincts, let his eyes go from the assailant and looked behind. The door that connected Isadora`s chamber to Sofia`s room was open and his wife was kneeling at the ground, her hands were grasping at her throat with a foreigner object sticking out of it. There was blood pouring from her mouth and neck, her eyes were wide open looking at him, she was utterly terrified. 

Sir Bruno, frozen by the sight of his wife dying, felt a sudden sharp pain in his stomach. The assassin was holding their dagger in him. The Knight attempted to swing his sword at his target, but the strength of his arms had left him, this was the third injury he was suffering from the intruder. The assassin kicked Sir Bruno down as they pulled out their dagger. They kept their attention on the dying knight for a moment, making sure he was not going to be an interruption once again. 

As the assassin went to turn back to his target, the woman who resided in those chambers, there was a crushing impact on their head. The assassin fell down to the ground, before they could react to what was now happening, Isadora stabbed at them on the throat with one of the broken chards of the vase she had broken on the intruder's head. 

After making sure the assassin was no more, Isadora was left exhausted, she had no strength to care for her injured knight and maid nor to call for help. She could feel her consciousness fading, all Isadora could do was hope that the other guards would reach her chambers before any hypothetical additional intruders could finish the job.

*

When Isadora woke up, her face was bandaged over, it obstructed half of her vision. She felt weak, all she could do was look around with her eye and move her head a little. Isadora realized she was in another room, they must have moved her out of the scene of the crime.

Surprisingly, sitting beside her bed was Madam Dolores, nodding off. Isadora tried to speak, but all she could do was groan. It seemed to have been enough, for now the Madam was awakened.

“Ah. You woke up.” commented the Madam. Isadora groaned back. Madam Dolores cleared her throat, she seemed uncomfortable, “Horrible thing, this whole ordeal. You must have a lot of questions.” said the Madam. Isadora groaned affirmatively.

“Well, where to start? It’s been about a week since the attack. My son is due to arrive later tonight. I sent word to inform him of what happened.” said Madam Dolores.

Isadora groaned once more. The Madam continued, “if you are wondering, no, I’m not responsible for what happened. You were left quite vulnerable, unconscious for a week and all. If I wanted, you would not be breathing right now.” Isadora recognised that the Madam`s logic made sense. So, Lady Flavia Alves was left as a suspect. Of course, it was what was to be expected from an Alves, Tiago`s aunt.

“And it is regrettable, but Sir Bruno and your maid, Sofia, did not make it.” the Madam seemed truly sorrowful as she informed of the fate of the couple. “The other maids are taking care of the baby for now.”

Isadora looked away from Madam Dolores. She knew they were bound to lose their lives but, despite coming from the future, she failed to prevent it. Isadora recalled her grandmother who, even knowing the danger, opened the door connecting to her room and beckoned her to hide in it. Isadora remembered the sight of the knife hitting Sofia`s neck as she reached for her.

Madam Dolores spoke, “You must be curious about your state. From what the doctors said, the blade that cut your cheek was poisoned so the damage was tremendous, you are lucky to have survived. Well, perhaps not, considering all the rotting flesh they had to take out.” At her words, Isadora`s uncovered eye went wide. 

The thing the Time Traveler had been avoiding to face since she first learned the masked Marchioness Isadora Garcia and her where the same person had finally caught up to her. The Time Traveler did not know what Marchioness Garcia kept hidden behind her mask but, going by Madam Dolores` words, it could not be good. And now, that same secret was covered behind the bandages surrounding her own face. If she had not ignored it out of fear, perhaps, she could have prevented it from happening and also saved Sir Bruno`s and Sofia`s lives. The issue was, even though she was from the future, the Time Traveler had little information about these events. All she knew was Alicia`s parents died when she was young, and the Marchioness kept her disfigurement hidden behind a mask. She hadn’t even been aware they were connected. For what it seemed like the first time, the Time Traveler was regretting her disinterest on the people around her. Both when she lived as herself, Sofia Oliveira, and as Monica’s impostor she had been indifferent to others. She regretted not paying more attention in her nobility history lessons.   

As tears runned down her eye, Isadora looked at Madam Dolores, she needed to know about Lady Flavia. Isadora tried to ask, but all that left her mouth were groans. Despite the pain of the struggle she kept at it.

“Ah, stop! You are going to make it worse.” warned Madam Dolores, “I get it, you want to ask me something. From the rage in your eye, I guess you want to know who was behind it. Well, if I’m being honest, the only people who would have reason to try having you killed are me and Lady Flavia.” The Madam cleared her throat, “well, I already said it wasn’t me. I might disapprove of you, but endangering the security of the castle to have you dead is too much. And, about Lady Flavia,” Madam Dolores let out a long sigh, “in truth, that girl is gone. She sneaked out and is yet to be found. Most likely fled when she learned you survived and things were not looking good for her. Tsk, to think I ever thought of having her be my daugher-in-law.”