Chapter XX: Healing
Lady Theda's dismissal from the Harem by the king sent ripples of surprise and speculation among the concubines. In her place stood Lady Belet, an elderly woman with a commanding presence and a stern countenance that brooked no nonsense. Unlike her predecessor, Lady Belet was not one to coddle or pamper the concubines. Instead, she maintained a strict but fair demeanor, earning both respect and fear from the girls.
As Lady Belet assumed her new role, the atmosphere in the harem shifted. Gone were the whispers and cliques that had thrived under Lady Theda's reign. Instead, a sense of order and discipline permeated the halls.
Meanwhile, Isabella began the slow process of healing, both physically and emotionally. Under the watchful eye of Lady Belet, she found solace in the new quiet routines of the harem. Despite her stern demeanor, Lady Belet showed a surprising level of compassion towards Isabella. She made sure that Isabella received regular massages and beauty treatments to aid in her recovery from the bruises inflicted by Lady Dara and her cohorts, so she wouldn’t have to bear any scars.
Despite Isabella's indifference to Dara's fate, Lady Belet deemed it necessary to administer some form of punishment. She decreed that Lady Dara would be stripped of her privileges, no longer permitted to occupy her own private chamber. Instead, she would be relegated to the communal quarters shared by the less favored concubines, forced to dwell among those she once considered beneath her. Lady Dara would only be allowed back in her room once the king decided to intervene in her favor.
With the king preoccupied by pressing political affairs and imminent battles on the southern front, his attentions were diverted from the affairs of the harem. Gone were the days when Lady Dara could count on his frequent visits or being constantly summoned to his quarters, leaving her seething with frustration at the sudden death of his favor. After being absent from the harem for a whole week, the king decided to summon Lady Jia to his bed instead of Dara. Her once-untouchable confidence was shaken by the king's apparent indifference. No longer could she rely on his presence to bolster her status among the concubines.
Isabella savored the warmth of the morning sun laying on a long chair set in the garden especially for her—Lady Belet had her sunbathing every morning to aid her recovery. Relaxed and distracted with her book, Lady Belet’s arrival in the garden signaled an unexpected interruption. With graceful steps, the matron approached Isabella. A servant trailed behind her, bearing a gleaming silver tray with a jar and a glass.
"Good morning, Lady Isabella," greeted Lady Belet with a warm smile, her voice a melodic cadence amidst the tranquility of the garden. "How are you feeling today?"
Isabella returned the greeting with a polite nod, her expression softening with a hint of curiosity at the unexpected visit. "Much better, thank you," she replied, her voice carrying the faintest hint of relief.
With practiced elegance, Lady Belet poured a translucent rose-colored liquid into the glass, the gentle trickle of wine mingling with the gentle symphony of nature. Isabella's gaze lingered on the glass, curiosity gleaming in her eyes as she raised an eyebrow in question.
Noticing Isabella's intrigue, Lady Belet offered a serene smile. "Fortified wine," she explained, her tone carrying a subtle note of encouragement. "To aid with your fertility."
Isabella's lips twitched into a bemused smile at the unexpected offering. "Fertility?" she echoed, a soft chuckle escaping her. "I'm afraid there's little need for such concern in my case. I’m not a woman yet."
Undeterred, Lady Belet's expression remained serene, her gaze steady upon Isabella. "Things can change, my dear," she remarked, her tone gentle yet persuasive. "It never hurts to be prepared."
With a shrug and a playful twinkle in her eye, Isabella accepted the glass, raising it in a silent toast before taking a sip of the fragrant wine.
With a soft smile gracing her lips, Lady Belet turned her gaze towards Isabella, her eyes sparkling with quiet curiosity.
"And how old are you, my dear?" inquired Lady Belet, her voice a melodic whisper that danced upon the breeze.
Isabella paused for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly as she pondered the question. "I will turn eighteen in a couple of weeks, actually" she replied, a hint of melancholy coloring her tone. The realization of her impending birthday elicited a peculiar mix of emotions within her, stirring a sense of introspection she hadn't expected.
Lady Belet's expression softened, a knowing glimmer in her eyes as she regarded Isabella with quiet understanding. "Oh, eighteen," she mused, a wistful sigh escaping her. "A lovely age, indeed. I miss being eighteen."
Intrigued by Lady Belet's reminiscence, Isabella couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity. "What is your connection to the Dragon King?" she ventured, her tone tinged with genuine interest.
Lady Belet's smile remained gentle, her gaze unfaltering as she met Isabella's curious gaze. "I was his father's concubine once," she revealed, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "I was not born into nobility, I was no princess. I was the daughter of a humble merchant. My father sold me to corsairs when I was thirteen. They gifted me to the late king."
Isabella listened in rapt attention, her fascination evident in the way her eyes widened with each revelation. Despite Lady Belet's humble origins, there was an undeniable aura of regality about her, a quiet strength that belied her past.
"It must have been quite a journey," remarked Isabella, her voice tinged with admiration.
Lady Belet nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Indeed, it was," she agreed. "The late king paid no attention to me for nearly twenty five years as I resided in the Harem. I was almost forty when we became close. Yet, despite my age, I was still able to bear him a child. His last one, a princess. See why it’s good to be prepared? You never know when things can change.”
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