Chapter XI: Trouble
As Lady Theda escorted Isabella back to the Harem, a tense silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the sound of their footsteps echoing through the corridors. Isabella's mind raced with thoughts of the recent events, her heart still pounding with the adrenaline of her encounter with the Duke and the subsequent confrontation with the king.
As they entered the Harem, they were met with a sudden commotion, the usual quiet chatter among the girls replaced by loud gossip and furtive glances. All eyes turned towards Lady Theda and Isabella as they made their way through the room, a palpable tension filling the air.
Lady Dara, her expression twisted with anger and frustration, was the first to speak out, her voice sharp and accusing. "Why was Isabella taken to the king's chambers when I was supposed to be there tonight!?" she demanded, her tone laced with venom.
Isabella felt a surge of fear at the hostility in Lady Dara's voice, her stomach churning with apprehension. Before she could respond, Lady Theda stepped forward, her voice firm and commanding.
"Calm yourself, Lady Dara," she admonished, her gaze steely as she met the other woman's angry stare. "The king is expecting you in his chambers, as usual."
Lady Dara's lips curled into a sneer as she shot a venomous glance in Isabella's direction, her eyes burning with malice. With a final, threatening look, she turned on her heel and swept from the room.
As Isabella was taken to the bathing house, she felt a wave of gratitude wash over her at the prospect of being cleansed after the Duke's unsettling advances. The maids worked efficiently, undressing her with gentle hands and tender care before guiding her into the steaming waters of the bath.
As they began to wash away the grime and tension of the day, Isabella allowed herself to relax, the warmth of the water soothing her frayed nerves. When the maids spread her legs to check for any signs of harm, Isabella barely registered the intrusion. Despite the invasive nature of the examination, she found herself oddly detached, her mind far removed from the present moment. Instead, she found herself lost in memories of the king's piercing gaze, his eyes burning with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.
As the examination concluded and the maids confirmed she was still intact, Isabella let out a sigh of relief, although she didn’t quite understand what it meant to be intact, her tension melted away like steam rising from the water. Lady Theda's sigh of relief mirrored her own, a tangible weight lifted from their shoulders.
As Isabella was being dressed in her nightgown by the maids, Alicent approached her with a sympathetic smile. "Isabella, I’m so glad you’re alright. Would you like to stay with me tonight?" she offered gently, her eyes filled with concern.
Isabella nodded gratefully, the thought of being alone too daunting to bear. "Yes, please," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
As they settled onto Alicent's bed, Isabella's emotions overflowed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she recounted the terrifying ordeal she had endured in the Duke's chambers.
Alicent listened intently, her expression a mixture of empathy and anger. "Lady Theda is a snake," she said bitterly. "How could she orchestrate something like this!"
Isabella nodded, feeling a sense of validation in Alicent's words. "But why would she do that?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.
Alicent shrugged, her brow furrowed with concern. "Perhaps she thought it would break you," she suggested. "And I wouldn’t be surprised if Dara asked her to do it, she does everything Dara asks her to. But I bet she didn't anticipate the king's reaction."
Isabella sighed, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders at the reminder of the king's unexpected intervention. "Then why would Dara ask her to do something like this?” She asked, her voice filled with confusion.
Alicent smiled warmly, reaching out to squeeze Isabella's hand in reassurance. "Apart from me, you’re the only girl in the Harem the king hasn’t taken to his bed yet. I believe she thinks you’re a threat.”
Isabella was thoughtful, but also very tired. Touched by her friend's unwavering support, Isabella felt a surge of gratitude wash over her. "Thank you, Alicent," she whispered, her heart filled with a newfound sense of comfort and companionship.
With a sense of solace enveloping them, they both settled down to sleep, finding solace in each other's presence amidst the darkness of the night.
In the early hours of the morning, Isabella stirred from her sleep, her mind plagued by troubled dreams. She glanced over to see Alicent still peacefully slumbering beside her. Determined to clear her mind, Isabella decided to watch the sunrise from the garden.
As she made her way through the harem halls, the faint echoes of a quiet sob caught her attention. Intrigued, she followed the sound to the bathing house, where she glimpsed Lady Dara in tears, seeking solace in Lady Theda's arms.
Isabella hesitated, unsure if she should intrude on their private moment, but her curiosity got the better of her. She approached cautiously, keeping her distance as she listened to their conversation.
Lady Dara's voice trembled with emotion as she spoke of the king's repeated rejections, her desperation evident in every word. "He did it again, Theda! I can’t take it anymore! He refuses to fill me with his seed," she lamented, her anguish raw and palpable.
Lady Theda attempted to reassure her, though Isabella sensed an underlying tension in her voice. "We'll find a way, my dear," she said soothingly, though her expression betrayed her uncertainty.
“How? How will I conceive an heir if he refuses to spill himself inside of me every time he lays me down?”
Fearing being noticed, Isabella slipped away, her mind racing with questions and concerns. She hurried back to Alicent's room, gently rousing her friend from sleep.
"Isabella, what is it?" Alicent asked, concern etched in her features as she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
Isabella recounted everything she had heard, her voice hushed with worry.
"Lady Dara is distraught," she explained, her brow furrowed with concern. "I found her crying in the bathing house being held by Lady Theda. She's desperate to conceive a child, but the king… The king refuses to..."
Alicent's eyes narrowed in confusion as Isabella trailed off. "Refuses to what?" She asked, her voice tinged with unease.
"She said he won’t spill his seed inside of her. What does that even mean?”
Alicent's expression mirrored Isabella's shock as she processed the implications of Lady Dara's predicament. "It means..." Alicent hesitated, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Well, you said it yourself, it means the king is refusing to conceive a child with her," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper, avoiding giving too many details.
Isabella's eyes widened in comprehension as she absorbed the gravity of the situation. "But why would he do that? Isn’t she his favorite?" she wondered aloud, her mind racing with possibilities.
o
Alicent shook her head, her brow furrowed with concern. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice tinged with unease. "It's... Very strange indeed."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
