Chapter CIX: Suspicious
At the Stone Keep, the lords were conflicted about Isabella being crowned queen. While she was the sole legitimate heir to the throne, her figure was undeniably controversial. Suspicion surrounded her, for she had spent two years as a concubine in the court of the Dragon King, and now she stood among them with their son, carrying in her womb his second child and heir. The uncertainty of her loyalty troubled many. Was she truly there to rule her people, to reclaim the throne that was rightfully hers? Or was she simply driven by a desire for revenge against the Dragon King for his betrayal with another woman?
Among the lords, opinions varied, but most leaned toward the latter. To them, she was just a troubled teenage girl, more concerned with regaining the Dragon King's attention than with the fate of her kingdom. They saw her actions as selfish, a desperate attempt to punish the man who had wronged her, even if it meant dragging her people into a dangerous game of vengeance.
The skepticism was palpable. How could someone who had lived under the Dragon King's roof, who had shared his bed, truly have Allendor’s best interests at heart? To the lords, Isabella was a symbol of division, not unity. Her presence stirred unease, not confidence. They feared that her motivations were driven more by personal vendettas than by the genuine desire to lead and protect her people.
But there was one who understood her better than anyone else—Lord Pallor. He alone seemed to grasp the true reasons behind Isabella’s return. He saw past the doubts and the rumors, recognizing the resolve that had finally brought her back to Allendor. While others questioned her loyalty, Lord Pallor believed in her potential to rule, understanding that she had endured much and had survived the perils of both war and the treacherous court of the Dragon King.
Lord Pallor had taken it upon himself to teach Isabella everything she needed to know about being a ruler—lessons her father, King Aldrus, had failed to impart. Aldrus had raised her as a princess, sheltered and pampered, never preparing her for the weighty responsibilities of the crown. Now, older and more battle-hardened, Isabella had survived the brutalities of war and the schemes of the Dragon King’s court, but there was much more to learn about being a good monarch.
Isabella and Lord Pallor were playing chess together in the garden while Alicent played with Ikkar nearby. The sun bathed the scene in a warm light, and the soft sounds of Ikkar’s laughter floated through the air, adding a peaceful rhythm to their conversation. As Pallor moved one of his pieces, he glanced at Isabella, a question forming on his lips.
“How is your baby, my queen?” he asked gently, his voice filled with genuine concern.
Isabella paused, placing her hand on her rounded belly. “I think I’m far more advanced than I thought,” she admitted, her tone thoughtful. “My belly has grown so much. I didn’t grow this big with Ikkar until I was at least six months in.”
Lord Pallor nodded thoughtfully, his eyes briefly resting on her stomach. “Then we must prepare for the arrival of a new prince soon.”
Isabella looked at him, her expression softening with gratitude. “Thank you, Lord Pallor,” she said quietly.
Pallor raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. “Why are you thanking me, my queen?”
“Because you’re the only one here who doesn’t see me as a whore, the Dragon King’s whore,” Isabella replied, her voice tinged with the weight of her confession.
Pallor frowned slightly. “No one sees you as a whore, your Majesty.”
“They do,” Isabella insisted, her voice betraying the pain she felt. “They might not want to, but it’s almost inevitable it seems.”
Pallor moved another chess piece, his gaze thoughtful. “You haven’t had your chance to prove yourself as their queen yet.”
Isabella’s eyes flicked around the garden, ensuring they were alone. Then, almost in a whisper, she spoke. “I hesitated a lot, Lord Pallor. I gave up many times. Clara must’ve told you that.” She paused, her eyes growing distant as she remembered. “I felt happy after a while, you know? After my son was born… Things just got better. He… He loved me deeply, and the pain he caused slowly began to fade, to be replaced with his love.”
She hesitated for a moment, her voice barely above a whisper. “I loved him, Lord Pallor. I loved the Dragon King. I think I still do. I think I always will.”
The admission hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Isabella’s eyes met Pallor’s, searching for understanding. “I knew I wasn’t the queen Allendor needed, and I urged Clara to go back without me. I told her to tell you that you had my blessing to crown yourself king and keep on leading our people.”
Pallor remained silent, allowing her to continue.
“I came back because I heard a calling, a voice that had been silenced for a long time, urging me to leave… there was no love left to silence this voice anymore. The voice that urged me to show my son that he wasn’t just the Dragon Prince… he was a prince of Allendor, and he should be proud.”
Isabella’s voice grew firmer as she continued. “The King created for me the most beautiful and comfortable gilded cage, and I was happy there… but there was no room for another woman, especially Dara, so I had to leave. It’s true, I love the Dragon King, but I won’t be put in a cage anymore. My son, my father’s grandson, needs an army… Because of his father’s actions, he might have to fight his own half-brother someday.”
Lord Pallor listened intently, his eyes never leaving her face. When she finished speaking, he nodded slowly. “You are very brave, my queen,” he said with quiet conviction. “I don’t think many people in your situation would have had the courage to do what you did.”
Isabella looked at him, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. “The lords didn’t see my escape as something brave at all.”
Pallor shook his head. “I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about your ability to find happiness with the Dragon King despite everything. You found happiness amidst pain, amidst the absurd. You not only survived, but you thrived in such a hostile environment, as a captive, powerless.”
He paused, his gaze steady. “Your subjects probably will never understand your story, but you still have the chance to prove yourself. Use the same strength that allowed you to survive in the Dragon King’s harem to lead them now. Show them the queen you truly are.”
As Lord Pallor guided her through the intricacies of governance, diplomacy, and leadership, Isabella began to see the path before her more clearly. The doubts and fears of the lords lingered, but Isabella was determined to overcome them. She was neither a princess nor a whore. She was the Queen of Allendor, and she would not allow anyone to doubt her resolve.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
