Chapter XXX: Choice
Isabella went back to the Harem with her head high, but inside she was crumbling. She tossed and turned in her sleep, tormented by visions of battlefields soaked in blood, the proud banners of Allendor stained crimson, and the searing flames of dragons licking at the edges of her consciousness.
Isabella’s troubled dreams were interrupted as she woke up in her simple bed to the jovial laughter of the other concubines filling the air of the communal bedroom of the Harem. She rubbed her eyes wearily, the weight of her dreams heavy upon her heart, dreading the day ahead filled with uncertainty.
Lady Dara's laughter echoed through the chamber as she greeted Isabella, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Good morning, Princess Isabella. Seems like the king didn't fancy your company last night," she teased, a smirk playing on her lips.
Isabella rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "And it seems like he didn't fancy yours either, Lady Dara," she retorted, her tone laced with acid. "Otherwise, you'd be busy riding him instead of bothering me."
Lady Dara's expression darkened at the sharp remark, her laughter fading into a scowl. Her companions had to suppress a laugh while being shocked with Isabella’s unusual boldness. With a disdainful huff, Dara turned on her heel and left, her pride wounded by Isabella's biting words.
Draped in a veil of melancholy, Isabella wandered through the day consumed by thoughts of the king. Seeking solace, she retreated to the serene sanctuary of the garden, where she immersed herself in the pages of a book, the words offering fleeting respite from her turmoil.
As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the garden, Lady Belet sought out Isabella. Finding her secluded beneath the boughs of a willow tree, she approached with quiet concern, breaking the silence that enveloped them.
“Good evening, Lady Isabella,” Lady Belet approached Isabella with a gentle smile, receiving a sad yet appreciative nod in return. "I was looking for you. As the keeper of the harem, one of my most important duties is to ensure the well-being of all the concubines. And it’s a very complicated mission when I have to keep this aligned with the Crown’s interests," she began softly, her tone measured.
Isabella regarded her with a mixture of confusion and apprehension, prompting Lady Belet to continue. "Why are you telling me this, Lady Belet?" she questioned softly, uncertainty clouding her gaze.
Lady Belet's gaze softened, her concern evident as she reached into the folds of her sleeve, retrieving a small silver vessel. "I worry, Lady Isabella," she confessed, her voice tinged with apprehension. "The burden of bearing the king's first heir may prove too great for you. To carry a prince is a blessing and an honor, but also a great challenge and no one could blame you if you do not wish to partake in it, especially considering his Majesty’s troubled feelings toward you."
Isabella's heart skipped a beat, a mixture of fear and curiosity coursing through her veins as Lady Belet continued. "Drink this," Lady Belet offered the vessel to Isabella, her words laden with implications. "It will ensure you bleed on the day of your period in a couple of weeks. If you choose to not to… Well, maybe you will still bleed as usual. But, in that case, there’s also a chance…"
Isabella's eyes widened with realization, her breath catching in her throat. "A chance of what?" she pressed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lady Belet's gaze held steady, her words weighted with the gravity of their implications. "There’s a chance the king's seed may take root within you, and you will bear him a child."
Isabella took the vessel from Lady Belet's outstretched hand, her fingers tracing its smooth surface thoughtfully. With a furrowed brow, she turned to Lady Belet, her expression a mixture of uncertainty and apprehension.
"Do you think... Do you think I am expecting a child now?" Isabella's voice trembled slightly as she voiced her fear, her gaze searching for reassurance.
Lady Belet shook her head gently. "No, Lady Isabella, right now you are not," she replied, her tone calm yet resolute. "But by the end of the week, you might be. it's a possibility."
Isabella's heart raced at the realization, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. "And do you truly believe I couldn't handle bearing the king's heir?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of worry.
Lady Belet met her gaze with unwavering sincerity. "I am not offering you a choice out of the simple goodness of my heart, Lady Isabella," she explained, her words gentle yet sharp. "As I said, my service is to his Majesty, the king. I could have surreptitiously mixed the potion into your food today without you even knowing. But I’m offering you a choice. I think you’re fit for the role you might play. The question is whether you want it or not."
Isabella gazed intently at the vessel cradled in her palm, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. After a moment of contemplation, she turned her attention to Lady Belet, determination flickering in her eyes.
"You were right, Lady Belet," Isabella began, her voice steady despite the storm raging within her. "Yesterday, you reminded me that I am no longer a princess who can wait to be rescued and led to the safety of a noble marriage. Indeed, I am no princess. I am Isabella the Third, the rightful Queen and ruler of Allendor. And if my fate has brought me to the Dragon King’s harem and led me to his arms… Maybe it is my fate to share an heir with him."
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