Chapter CXLIV: The royal table
Dinner at the royal table was as lively as ever, filled with laughter and a pleasant chaos that had almost become tradition. The four children, barely able to sit still, wriggled and fidgeted between bites, letting out bursts of laughter as they whispered jokes to one another. It was the kind of noise that Isabella and Alaric had come to cherish deeply, these fleeting moments of joy shared in each other’s presence, far from the weight of duty.
They had a rule that was often bent: dinner was family time, and if the children wanted to play, if they wanted to stay awake just a little longer, it was allowed. There were plenty of nights when one or all of them would end up falling asleep in their bed, and neither Alaric nor Isabella ever felt the urge to send them away. The evenings like these, spent with their family, were what grounded them both.
But tonight, Isabella noticed subtle glances from the lower tables, where the courtiers dined, and quiet murmurs that seemed to ripple through the hall, voices muffled as they exchanged whispered words. Isabella’s gaze drifted to Kai, her youngest, his bright auburn curls shining in the candlelight as he laughed at something Ikkar was saying. Her heart clenched. Even if these glances were innocent, each murmured word felt like it was directed at her son.
The rumors surrounding Kai’s birth were not new, but they had only grown since their marriage, like quiet embers refusing to die. To those outside the royal family, his auburn hair was a matter of speculation. People knew that she had still been married to Pallor when he was conceived, and though most honored the story that Kai was born of her love for Alaric, whispers persisted. She could ignore them well enough most days, but it pained her to think of how they might one day affect Kai.
Alaric reached over and lightly placed his hand over hers, pulling her back to the present. She looked at him, grateful for the quiet understanding in his gaze, as if he, too, sensed her unease. Alaric had never questioned Kai’s place in their family, but she sometimes wondered if he ever doubted, if the persistent whispers ever tugged at his trust.
Her gaze softened as she returned to watch her children, taking comfort in Pallor’s memory, remembering how he had forgiven her. He had been a good man and had given her his blessing in his own way; he would have wanted her to be happy. The future of her children was her greatest priority, and she felt a swell of determination to ensure that Kai grew up with the security and love he deserved, far from the shadows of courtly rumors.
Isabella suddenly felt a little dizzy as sharp pain hit her stomach. She took a deep breath and forced a smile through the discomfort. She turned to Alaric, her heart aching at the concern etched on his face.
“I think I’m going to leave dinner a bit early,” she said, her voice steady despite the pain. “I just need to lie down for a little while,” Isabella said as she managed to keep her smile steady, though the pain was sharp and twisting, tightening around her abdomen. She clasped Alaric’s hand gently, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Alaric’s brow furrowed as he studied her. “Are you sure? Do you want me to take you upstairs?”
“No, no… I’m just a little tired, that’s all,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the discomfort pulsing beneath her ribs. “I’ll go lie down a bit, but please… Stay with the children. They’ve missed you today.”
Alaric studied her face, his own expression laced with concern. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” he asked. But she shook her head, reaching up to brush a stray lock of his hair behind his ear.
“I’ll be fine,” she promised with a smile, though the corners of her mouth strained with the effort. “Just a little rest is all I need.”
Reluctantly, Alaric brought her hand to his lips, kissing it softly. “I’ll be up soon,” he said, and she smiled, pressing his hand once more before turning to leave.
As she walked down the dimly lit hallway, her steps faltered. She wrapped an arm around her stomach, her nails digging into her side as she clenched her jaw, suppressing the urge to cry out. Each step seemed to deepen the pain, until it radiated through her in waves, forcing her to pause and lean against the wall, drawing shallow breaths. Her vision blurred slightly, but she forced herself to straighten, brushing a shaky hand over her gown as she continued down the corridor.
Another sharp wave crashed over her, and she gritted her teeth, barely stifling a gasp. She needed to make it to her chambers, where she could let herself feel the pain away from prying eyes.
Suddenly, she felt a rush of movement as Alicent came running toward her, worry etched on her face. “Isabella!” she called, rushing to her side and helping her keep her balance.
Isabella glanced down at her shoes and gasped, her heart dropping as she noticed the dark blood stains spreading across the fabric of her socks. “Not again, please…” she whispered, panic flooding her veins as pain intensified, rippling through her body.
“Here, let me help you…” Alicent asked, her voice urgent as she noticed the blood.
“Call the healers,” Isabella urged, her voice trembling.
“I already did! Just focus on walking. You’ll be alright,” Alicent reassured her, but Isabella could hear the fear in her friend’s voice.
Finally, they reached the royal chambers, and just as Alicent helped her inside, the healers arrived, a flurry of urgency behind them. Isabella could barely register their presence through the haze of pain and fear that enveloped her.
“Take off my shoes,” she urged Alicent, her voice strained. “Hide them. Throw them away.”
Alicent’s hands shook as she quickly complied, her eyes wide with worry.
Isabella lifted her skirts, the sight making her stomach drop even further. The amount of blood was shocking, pooling beneath her and staining her fingers as she pressed them against the fabric.
“No… no, no…” she sobbed softly, the weight of grief crashing over her. The world around her blurred as she cradled the loss in her heart, her spirit shattered yet again. She felt herself slipping away, drowning in a sea of sorrow, the echoes of her children’s laughter fading into the distance. Tears slipped down her cheeks as the realization set in: she had lost her baby.
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