Chapter 469 - Four Hundred And Sixty-Nine: The Deal
The third point of view:
Niklaus was surprised when his daughter Isabella walked into his room. When the knock on his door came earlier, he had expected it to be one of his servants - she was the least on his mind. Not that Isabella doesn't come into his bedroom or something, but this was the first time she knocked "politely".
"Father," She called him and that made Niklaus' eyebrow raise. The Isabella he knew doesn't show sudden fondness for him unless she needed something from him.
"What is it, Isabella?" He asked, closing the window on his screen that contained an article that was titled, 'How To Tame Your Stubborn Wife'. He put the laptop aside on the stool beside the couch he was sitting on.
Reina had gone out with Emily to discuss the details of their moving to Lincolnshire. Since both of them - Niklaus and Reina - would be active in the wedding preparation and coronation, the couples would have to travel over there.
Although he had contemplated leaving the kids behind because of their trouble-making, Reina kicked against the idea. The last time he left them, Miguel attacked. She would not leave her kids behind. Thus, it was settled. So in one word, the whole family would be traveling to Lincolnshire before the wedding.
"Dad," Isabella cooed, going to sit beside her father on the couch, "You must feel so tired from all the stress from work..." She rolled up the sleeves of her long sleeve polo, "Here let me help massage you,"
A smirk formed on Niklaus' face but he didn't show it, instead complied with her request - who in their right mind turns down a free massage? He turned around, showing off his broad shoulders so she could rub.
Isabella wished she could bang her head against the wall, she hadn't meant to offer him a massage. But then, she was as nervous as shit that she blurted the first thing that came to mind. Normally, she was proud to say whatever she wanted to, but Isabella knew her father would never agree to this one.
"Yes, right there, that feels good," Niklaus shamelessly enjoyed his daughter's therapy while keeping his senses alert for any of her petite tricks. He trusted Isabella, but not when she was being this skeptical. If he could remember clearly, she had been quite mischievous when young. Truthfully, he just started trusting her a bit recently.
"Father," Isabella began, biting on her lips nervously, "About Miguel's men...."
"What about them?" Niklaus asked nonchalantly.
"Did you kill all of them off?"
Niklaus's countenance changed at that question. He turned to ask her, "Why do you ask?"
"I'm just curious,"
"Sakuzi has them and no, he hasn't killed them off because he's found some of them useful. And again, why do you ask?" Niklaus pinned her with his probing gaze.
"Fine," Isabella sighed, giving up on her massage act. Her father was smart and must have sensed something was wrong, she might as well come clean with him.
"You do know Jean, right?"
"Good question. Who is Jean?" he inquired.
"One of the mercenaries Miguel hired. He was the one who turned on Miguel in the end and fought for us,"
"So?" It wasn't hard for Niklaus to remember that one since he heard of what he did.
"I want him as my shadow guard," Isabella finally dropped the bombshell.
"You got to be fucking kidding me," Niklaus cursed, a trace of fury crossing his features.
Isabella gulped, this was it.
"What did you just say?"
"You heard me right, Niklaus. I want Jean to be my shadow guard," she stood her ground.
Niklaus shot up to his feet, trying to digest what he just heard her say, "Of all my men you could choose, you want a ruthless hitman who has no sense of loyalty to anyone to be your shadow guard. That man almost killed you!" he reminded her.
"He could have, but he didn't. I talked to him, and he changed his mind. Not everyone does that!"
"This conversation would not lead us anywhere," Niklaus concluded for her, "If you want a shadow guard, pick one of my men,"
"You don't understand Niklaus!" Isabella tried to make him see reasons with her, "I have this strange connection with him. It's like I could understand the kind of person he is...'' she wrapped her arms around her chest, "And let's admit it, you know he's more skillful than half of your men. With that kind of prowess, making him my shadow guard would be a great gain to you. Just look at the bigger picture,"
Niklaus didn't reply, his face full of thoughts, and for a moment there, Isabella thought he finally considered her idea when he suddenly announced," I'm sorry, but no gain is worth your life, "
"Father…"
"Isabella!" he growled at her warningly. However, Niklaus forgot he was dealing with a daughter who was as headstrong as him.
Isabella sat up from the sofa, saying with determination, "Then, let me persuade him,"
"What?" His brows furrowed.
"Let me see him one and one and persuade him to pledge loyalty to you," Isabella said.
"There would be a no meeting with -"
"I gave you a chance!" Isabella screamed at him.
She went on, "You messed up big time at parenting but I gave you the second chance to be the man you are today to me. So why condemn the others?"
None of them spoke for a while, the weight of her words weighing down on Niklaus. With his head raised high, he proclaimed, "Fine, I'll let you meet him. However, if you aren't able to persuade him, death becomes inevitable,"
Isabella's heart raced, what has she done? Did she just condemn Jean to death with her impulsiveness? However, the girl didn't give up hope. She was the great Isabella. She would surely make this work.
"Fine, deal,"
"You'd see him as soon as you want," Niklaus sat back down on his couch with a groan, "You can leave now,"
"Alright, father," Isabella turned to leave when Niklaus called her.
"Also, I'll need more of your massage on other days," He quickly added, "With no ambitions added to it,"
"Sure," Isabella grinned and left the room. As soon as the door closed, she punched the air in celebration. The first step was successful, all that was left was to convince Jean to be her Shadow guard.?Or die.
However, Isabella didn't get to celebrate much because her phone rang at that moment and she answered without even looking at the screen.
"Hello?"
"Isabella help," was the familiar voice that came from the other line.
Her face darkened.
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