Marquess Rodrigo was already on his journey back to the castle, after officiating his deal with House Oliveira, when a messenger reached his procession with the terrible news of what had transpired in his absence. The messenger who rode to the Marquess, had been dispatched by his mother and at that time the guest, Isadora, was in critical condition. When Marquess Rodrigo received the news, he was hit with the despairing uncertainty of his beloved`s fate. Rodrigo abandoned his carriage, took a horse and rode with all his might, day and night until he finally arrived at Castle Garcia in the middle of the afternoon.

As Rodrigo made his way in, some guards and servants came to greet him while others rushed to inform the rest of the denizens of the castle of his arrival. Rodrigo rushed past the staff, running to Isadora`s room, in his hurry, their words didn't reach his ears. He flung the door open, the room where his beloved resided for the past year was now empty.

Rodrigo noticed the presence of a servant behind him. He turned and grabbed the servant by his arms, “Where is she!? Where is Isadora!?” he shouted.

The servant, startled, stumbled in his words. The one who responded was another, the steward who rushed once he learned of the Marquess' return, “Miss Isadora was moved to another room. This one was in need of repairs. If your lordship would follow me I will take you to where she is recovering.”

Marquess Rodrigo turned to the steward and let out a sigh of relief at his words, “so she is recovering, she is alive! Of course she is alive! There was no way she could have died! I should have known.” he mumbled to himself. The Marquess then addressed the steward, “take me to her.” The steward bowed and led Rodrigo to Isadora`s current chambers.

When they reached the closed door, the steward stopped and turned to the Marquess, “I have to warn you, my Lord. The intruder harmed Miss Isadora`s face with a poisoned dagger. She will survive, but the surgeon had to remove the infected tissue.”

Rodrigo almost lost all strength on his legs at the stewards' words. In what state had his beloved been left in. From what he had observed and learned this past year, the angel was currently maintaining a mortal form. Would she, now that it had been damaged, return to the heavens to recover her angelical form and in that abandon him? His hands trembled and all color left his face at that prospect. Just as she had come down flying as gold dust, taking form before his eyes, she could easily vanish away. Rodrigo looked at the door to Isadora`s new room, he had to reach her before she left, and implore her to stay, the state of her face did not matter, Rodrigo loved her and needed her to stay with him. Rodrigo, desperate, rushed past the stewards and threw the door open, “Isadora!” Rodrigo called out as he entered.

The scene the Marquess met was of his mother sitting in a chair beside the bed where an awake Isadora with her face bandaged over was lying down. “…Tsk, to think I ever thought of having her be my daugher-in-law.” was what Madam Dolores was saying as Rodrigo entered the room.

The two women turned their attention to Rodrigo, “Oh, you arrived earlier than I expected.” said his mother.

Rodrigo barely registered her comment and moved to his angelical lady. He kneeled down beside the bed and held her hand, “Don't leave me!” he cried out.

Both Madam Dolores and Isadora were puzzled by his reaction, “What are you talking about?” asked the Madam.

“W-well the thing is…” Rodrigo tried to explain himself, but it was a secret Isadora was an angel, there was nothing he could say to his mother.

“I think it is best if I have a moment alone with the Marquess.” Isadora, who finaly was being able to let out words, said to Madam Dolores. The Madam shrugged and left the room.

“Why would I leave?” asked Isadora, turning to Rodrigo. her voice was rough.

“I was afraid you would decide to go back to the heavens.” was his answer. 

“Oh!” Isadora was baffled to still having to deal with such delusions, but she had no plans of explaining the truth to him so she played along once again. “No, I will be staying here. You have nothing to worry about. You are not getting rid of me that easily.” She still had, after all, to find her lost daughter.

At her words, Rodrigo let out a long sigh of relief, “Thank you! I will make sure what happened will never repeat again!” he declared.

“Very well. Oh, about my maid and guard,” started Isadora.

“Yes, I will arrange you new ones!”

“That is not why I brought them up,” she corrected, “Their baby girl was left all alone, I was quite fond of them, so I would like to adopt her once we are married.”

“Alright, whatever you desire, my love.” agreed Rodrigo. “Now, you probably still need some rest, I will take my leave.”

*

After leaving Isadora to recover, Marquess Rodrigo went to his office. When he arrived, his mother and the steward were waiting. 

“So, who is behind it?” he asked.

Madam Dolores sighed, “Lady Flavia, that stupid girl. She took things too far,” the madam wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, “Poor Sofia, got caught in the whole mess! I still remember when she was only a little girl!”

“I will go to war against House Alves. I will need to ask his majesty for permission.” declared the Marquess.

“My Lord! Wouldn't that be too hasty? I know you care for Miss Isadora, but war against another House over a commoner?” objected the steward.

“Well, she is no longer a mere commoner, she is a daughter of House Oliviera and my future bride.” informed Rodrigo.

“Oh, the Duke agreed in the end, then?” said Madam Dolores.

“Yes, Mother.” confirmed the Marquess.

“Wont his Grace regret it, once he learns of her state and all the drama?” the Madam asked, waving her hand in front of her face.

“Well, knowing his Grace, he will find a way to benefit over it. After all, his long lost sister was harmed by another House, he will seek reparations.”

“Does that ease your mind, dear steward?” asked Madam Dolores. The steward bowed.

“Now, I must write the Duke and his Majesty.”

*

Two days passed and a messenger bird arrived with Duke Oliveira`s response.

“So, what did his Grace have to say?” asked Madam Dolores after her son finished reading.

“His formalities aside, his Grace said he will be coming here himself to discuss it more in depth since his House was the one offended.” Rodrigo scoffed.

“Any word from his Majesty?” asked the Madam.

“Not yet, but you know how capricious he can be.” answered Rodrigo.

There was a muffled clap from outside the room, followed by a knock at the office`s door, “Yes?” asked Rodrigo.

The door was flung open and a redhaired man wearing a mudded cloak entered, “Hello!” he greeted, waving, a grin on his face. It was the King, Gustavo II. The Marquess and his mother immediately stood and bowed to him.

“Enough of that,” the King waved them off, “what is this I hear of an attack by House Alves? And Duke Oliveira`s sister was injured? Since when did he have a sister? You have been quite cheeky my friend.” he waved his index finger at Marquess Rodrigo and glared.

“The thing is, your Majesty-” Rodrigo started.

“Pft…Hahaha!!” King Gustavo`s laughter interrupted the Marquess` excuses, “You are too serious. I’m not mad, just disappointed I was left out. So, where is my brother-in-law`s sister?”

“She is recovering from her injuries, your Majesty.” answered the Madam, “You must be tired from your journey here, how about I have the maids prepare a bath for you followed by some lunch?” she offered.

“Uhm, very well. It was quite a tiring adventure. But, know this, I don't like having attendants helping me bathe, so after things are prepared they are to leave me be.” warned the King.

“Understood, your Majesty.” the Madam bowed. She rang a bell, the maid who arrived was immediately startled by the presence of the strange man wearing what was a mudded fancy cloak.

“Prepare a bath for his Majesty.” Ordered Madam Dolores.

The maid's eyes went wide, she looked at all three people in the room, in her surprise, “Yes, Madam!” she bowed realizing she was in the presence of the King, he seemed more casual than she expected.

As soon as the King left the office, the two Garcias slumped down on their seats, exhausted by the storm that was their ruler. How had he made it to the office without no one noticing? And, how did he arrive at the castle so fast?

*

At lunch, the King sat at the head of the table. As their meal unfolded, he suddenly said, “Oh, yes. I almost forgot,” he looked at the Marquess, “Have a message sent to the palace, to let them know I will be staying here for a couple of days.”

“Very well, your Majesty.” answered Rodrigo. 

“I was wondering about that, your Majesty, but where are your attendants?” asked Madam Dolores.

“Oh, I gave them the slip. They would only slow me down. I didn't want to miss all the drama you are brewing!” The King smiled, as if his explanation had been sufficient. “So, when do I get to meet this new addition to the Oliveira family?”

“Well, as I said before, she is recovering. Not only that, she never met royalty before, so she needs to be prepared.” said the Marquess.

“Nonsense, it will be fine. Besides, as is well known, I hate waiting! I wouldn’t have become king so early if I was a patient man after all.” At the King`s words, Madam Dolores choked on her food, as she coughed, the King stared at Marquess Rodrigo. After a servant helped the Madam, the monarch continued eating.

*

There was a knock at the door to Isadora`s chambers. Rodrigo hurriedly entered and closed the door behind him.

“What is the issue?” asked Isadora, Rodrigo seemed disturbed by something.

“Well, don’t panic but, his Majesty is here.” informed Rodrigo.

Isadora squinted her eyes, thinking, “The current King is already Gustavo II, Right?”

“Yes, and he means to see you. I had to inform his Majesty of your existence to seek vengeance against the Alves.” said Rodrigo.

“I see. Well, let's get it over with then. I’m curious to see what he is currently like.” said Isadora.

“B-but, his Majesty can be-” started Rodrigo.

“It will be fine. I have been through worse than some King.” assured Isadora.

“If you are sure. I will tell his Majesty you are ready for his visit.” As Rodrigo went to the King, the Time Traveler wondered how similar his Majesty`s young self would be to Rafael and Gabriel.

The man who entered, wore simple travel clothes, if Isadora was not familiar with the Royal family`s features she never would have recognized him as the king. The resemblance to his future son and grandson was obvious to see, but the younger Gustavo II seemed somehow more feminine than them. “Hello!” he said, waving as he entered. The King took a single glance at Isadora and went “Oh! They made quite the mess of you!”

“Your Majesty!” went Rodrigo.

“What? It`s the truth.” said the King. He approached Isadora, “I can't really see with all the bandages but, by how flat they sit against what is left of your face,” he placed his hand inches off Isadora`s face, “your nose is mostly gone!” the King observed.

“Yes.” Isadora agreed flatly. How different his Majesty's demeanor was now compared to the future, Isadora attributed it to the future decline of his health. It would be amusing to watch his decline, she grinned.

“Oh, thought of a joke or something?” asked the King, seeing her sudden smile.

“Your Majesty, Isadora needs her rest.” pleaded Rodrigo.

“Yes, yes, very well.” the King turned to Isadora, “I guess our fun will be cut short, much like your face! Ha!” he laughed at his own joke.

“Your Majesty!” Rodrigo reproached.

“I know, I know.” the King waved the Marquess off and continued to address Isadora,  “Don`t cry Lady Oliveira, look at the bright side, you will get to wear some cool masks! That will create quite the mysterious aura!”

Isadora just stared at the eccentric monarch. Rodrigo once again pleaded, “Your Majesty, Please!”

Eventually, Marquess Rodrigo finally succeeded in having the King leave Isadora`s chambers, as he almost pushed Gustavo II out of the room, Rodrigo looked back at his injured beloved and mouthed an apology. 

The Time Traveler, now finally being able to rest, was glad she would be able to, once again, live through King Gustavo II`s death. As she recalled the old King, a thought crossed her mind, he would age very poorly in the next two decades, future Gustavo II looked quite old for someone in his forties.