Chapter XXXI: News
After the rebels' devastating raid on the Royal Port, the kingdom braced itself for yet another announcement from the king. Despite the heavy casualties suffered by his fleet, the king resolved to take decisive action: the invasion of the Theran Islands would still happen. In a bold declaration, he announced his intention to lead the charge personally, flying himself his mighty dragons into battle.
The king remained conspicuously absent from his harem. Occasionally, he would request the presence of a concubine in his chambers, but wouldn’t even bother to choose which one, leaving Lady Belet with the task of selecting a suitable candidate each time.
Amidst tears and pleas from hopeful concubines vying for the king's favor, Lady Belet remained steadfast in her duty, selecting the most suitable candidate without succumbing to their attempts at persuasion. Despite their fervent promises and desperate bargaining, Lady Belet's pragmatic approach prevailed.
Yet, much to the confusion and frustration of the chosen concubines, they invariably returned the next morning unfulfilled, whispering amongst themselves about the king's inexplicable refusal to spill himself inside of them.
As the weight of the possibility of being pregnant settled upon her, Isabella found herself consumed by anxiety, her mind swirling with doubts and regrets. She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that perhaps she had made a mistake in refusing Lady Belet's potion, wondering if it could have spared her this uncertainty.
Each time another concubine was summoned to the king's chambers, a pang of irrational jealousy pierced Isabella's heart. She struggled to comprehend these emotions, resenting the idea of coveting the affection of the man who had usurped her kingdom, a man she regarded with contempt for his cruelty.
In an attempt to shield herself from these tumultuous feelings, Isabella withdrew into solitude, seeking solace in the quiet corners of the harem. There, she could distance herself from thoughts of the king, if only for a fleeting moment, and avoid the internal dramas of the other concubines.
As whispers of the king's impending visit spread through the harem, anticipation hung heavy in the air. For many concubines who had not been summoned to his chambers in weeks, the prospect of his return sparked a flicker of hope and excitement.
However, their enthusiasm was tempered by the king's unexpected decree; in a departure from his usual practice, of allowing all his women to entertain him at once like a lascivious swarm, he instructed Lady Belet that he desired only a select few concubines to attend to him during his visit. He didn’t specify who.
Four concubines were selected by Lady Belet for the king's bath: Dara, Lisanne, Jia, and to the surprise of many, Isabella. As they were prepared for their task, they were dressed in thin see-through linen dresses, strategically wrapped around their bodies to accentuate their curves and allure.
In the bathing house, the atmosphere crackled with a heady mix of anticipation and apprehension. The concubines were in a silent competition. Each one sought to maintain an air of poise and seduction, their hearts pounding with the weight of expectation as they awaited the king's arrival. The air was filled with the delicate scent of gardenia petals, their fragrance spreading with the steam rising from the hot water.
As the king entered the bathing house, his eyes were drawn immediately to Isabella, who stood among the other concubines with an air of silent reservation. “Good evening, your Majesty,” the women greeted him in unison with seductive smiles, their demeanor eager to please—except for Isabella, who remained conspicuously silent, her expression unreadable. “Good evening, ladies,” said the king, his eyes locked on the only girl ignoring him.
Surprised to see her among the chosen concubines, the king's curiosity was piqued. He wondered why Lady Belet had selected Isabella, of all the other girls, to attend to him. Did she request to be there, driven by a longing to see him? The king asked himself. However, as he observed Isabella's demeanor – her eyes avoiding his gaze, her posture distant – he discarded this idea.
“Here, let me help you, my king,” Lady Dara said as she approached him to assist with his undressing. She couldn't help but notice his unwavering gaze fixed upon Isabella. Despite her, his favorite, being right in front of him, his attention remained solely on the annoying little girl who was avoiding his attention.
A surge of anger coursed through Lady Dara as she realized that the king's favor had shifted, once again bypassing her in favor of Isabella. She felt a pang of anger towards the girl who seemed to effortlessly command the king's attention, a sentiment fueled by envy and frustration. In that moment, Lady Dara's resolve hardened. She refused to be overshadowed by someone she deemed unworthy of the king's affection. With renewed determination, she vowed to reclaim her position as the king's favorite, no matter what.
As the king eased himself into the warm water, a sigh of relaxation escaped his lips. "Jia, Lisanne, come join me, my darlings," he commanded, gesturing for them to enter the bath. The two concubines eagerly complied, shedding their linen coverings before slipping into the water and happily nestling themselves under his arms, their expressions radiant with anticipation. “Dara and Isabella can assist me.”
Dara shot Isabella a venomous glance at Isabella before focusing on the king, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Of course, Your Majesty," she cooed, moving to stand beside him. Isabella remained composed, her expression impassive as she wringed a towel in her hands.
As Isabella attended to the king, gently rubbing his shoulders with the damp towel, he leaned back with a contented sigh, reveling in the sensation of her touch.
Turning to Lady Dara, who stood nearby, the king requested a glass of wine with a casual gesture. With practiced efficiency, Lady Dara swiftly retrieved the wine and stood poised beside him, the jar in hand.
Taking the glass from Lady Dara, the king indulged in a long sip, savoring the rich flavor on his tongue. Then, with a playful glint in his eye, he poured the remaining wine onto the waiting lips of Jia and Lisanne, the gesture dripping with sensuality as they eagerly drank from his offering and giggled.
The king's playful demeanor persisted, and he continued to share his wine with the two concubines, reveling in the camaraderie of the moment. Turning to Lady Dara with a grin, the king requested a massage for his weary shoulders. "Dara, would you do me the honor?" he asked.
Eager to oblige, Lady Dara wasted no time in pushing Isabella aside, her movements confident and assertive. "Of course, Your Majesty," she purred, her voice dripping with seduction as she began to knead his tense muscles.
Meanwhile, the king's attention drifted to Jia and Lisanne, who were still by his side. "Why don't you two have some fun?" he suggested with a playful wink.
Jia and Lisanne began to explore each other's bodies with gentle touches and kisses. Isabella couldn't help but let out a small gasp of shock, her eyes widening in disbelief.
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