Chapter CX: Funny
Isabella gathered with the lords of the council in the dimly lit chamber, where maps and battle plans lay sprawled across the table. They were deep in discussion, strategizing on how to reclaim the military fort of Hiard from the Fire Army. The fort itself wasn't of great strategic importance, but it was lightly guarded, and they believed their chances of taking it were good.
As the lords debated their plans, Isabella’s thoughts began to drift to something far more significant than the fort. The discussion faded into the background, replaced by a singular focus that had been gnawing at her mind. Without warning, she interrupted the conversation.
“We need to take back Rosehall,” Isabella declared, her voice cutting through the room.
The lords fell silent, exchanging glances. Some of them even let out small, discreet laughs. Isabella’s eyes narrowed, and she asked sharply, “What’s so funny?”
Lord Pallor, who had been quietly observing the room’s reactions, finally spoke up. “Your Majesty, we’ve discussed taking back Rosehall many times, but it’s not possible.”
“Why not?” Isabella demanded, her gaze locking onto Pallor.
He sighed, leaning forward. “The castle is not only heavily guarded, but they control the lighthouse. If Lord Erkmen manages to light it, the troops stationed up north will march south and surround the castle. It’s a death trap.”
Another lord chimed in, his tone exasperated. “And, I might add, they have a fucking dragonrider. He could turn the entire castle into an oven with us inside.”
“A dragonrider?” Isabella repeated, her curiosity piqued.
Pallor nodded. “Yes, one of the king’s cousins is stationed there with a dragon.”
Isabella’s eyes narrowed as she considered this new information. “Then all we need to do is ensure that Lord Erkmen never lights the lighthouse and kill the fucking dragonrider.”
Lord Pallor shook his head. “It’s not that simple, Your Majesty.”
Isabella turned to him, her gaze intense. “If we create a distraction to invade the castle without giving Erkmen a chance to light the lighthouse, kill the dragonrider, and then march north to take down the troops stationed there… could we take back Rosehall, Lord Pallor?”
The room fell silent. The lords exchanged uneasy looks, clearly shocked by her proposition. After a long pause, Lord Pallor finally spoke, his voice measured. “Yes… it’s possible. But it would be incredibly risky.”
One of the lords, his voice tinged with doubt, said, “With all due respect, Your Majesty, this isn’t the first time we’ve come up with a plan like this. The great problem is that there’s no distraction. Lord Erkmen would never open the castle gates for any of our men like this.”
Isabella leaned back in her chair, a calculating smile playing on her lips. “Oh, he would certainly open them for me. I know him, awful man, tried to rape me once—didn’t succeed, but I bet he still wants to try.”
Lord Pallor’s expression darkened. “Lord Erkmen would immediately try to return you to the Dragon King.”
“Perhaps,” Isabella acknowledged, “but there’s a good chance he might try to find my son first. Returning the King’s whore isn’t nearly as important as returning the prince. Erkmen knows that, and if he doesn’t, I’ll convince him. It doesn’t matter—I know how men work. If I can get him to think with his cock, we’ll have enough time to execute the plan and take Rosehall back.”
The lords exchanged uneasy glances, and one of them asked cautiously, “What about the dragonrider?”
Isabella’s eyes flicked toward Lady Clara, who had been standing quietly in the background as she served them wine. “Lady Clara could lure him or distract him to kill him.”
At this, Isabella noticed the look of terror on Lord Pallor’s face. His usually composed expression faltered, and his concern was palpable. “Your Majesty, that would be—”
“Dangerous,” Isabella finished for him. “I know. But so is doing nothing.”
After the council meeting, Lord Pallor requested a private word with Isabella. The other lords dispersed, leaving the two of them alone in the chamber, save for Clara, who remained by Isabella’s side. Lord Pallor’s expression was tense as he began to speak.
“With all due respect, Your Majesty, I cannot allow my daughter to embark on a mission that is nearly suicidal,” Pallor said, his voice steady but firm.
Clara, who had been quietly listening, suddenly intervened. “Father, I want to help. I can do this.”
Isabella looked at Clara with a mixture of admiration and determination. “Clara traveled across the realm alone, infiltrated the Dragon King’s palace, and managed to get me, my son, and my maid out of there unscathed. She’s smart and resourceful. She can do this.”
Lord Pallor’s brow furrowed, and he shook his head. “She’s seventeen.”
Isabella’s eyes darkened with memories as she responded, “So was I when the Battle of Rosehall happened, and I was taken to the Dragon King’s harem. Maybe if I had been a little more prepared, more skilled like Clara is, I wouldn’t have been taken.”
Pallor looked at his daughter, his concern still evident, but Clara met his gaze with a reassuring smile, nodding as if to say she would be fine. After a long, heavy pause, he finally relented, nodding in agreement. Clara left the room, her footsteps echoing in the hall.
Once she was gone, Lord Pallor turned back to Isabella, his tone more contemplative. “If your plan to take over Rosehall succeeds, you will surely win the lords’ unwavering support.”
Isabella’s expression turned thoughtful, almost melancholic. “I’m not so sure about that,” she replied quietly.
Pallor tilted his head slightly, puzzled. “Why not?”
Isabella sighed, her gaze distant. “My plan to take over Rosehall involves many moments where I’ll have to remind them that I’m well-versed in the deceiving arts of seduction. Even if I succeed, it will take more than that for them to see me as a respectable woman who won’t deceive them.”
Lord Pallor studied her carefully, sensing there was more she wasn’t saying. “Are you planning on doing something about that?”
Isabella’s eyes sharpened with resolve as she met Pallor’s gaze directly. “Yes. I know what I’m going to do.”
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