Chapter LIII: Safe
As Isabella was escorted back to the royal quarters by the knight, her mind churned with a tumult of emotions. Relief washed over her in waves, knowing she had escaped unharmed from the clutches of her assailants. Yet beneath the surface, a gnawing sense of fear lingered, her thoughts consumed by the uncertain fate that awaited her in the presence of the king.
Silent and apprehensive, Isabella followed the knight's lead, her steps faltering as they approached the imposing doors of the king's chambers. With a heavy heart, she braced herself for the confrontation that lay ahead, steeling herself against the torrent of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
As the doors swung open to reveal the king's chamber, Isabella's gaze met his, a mixture of relief and apprehension flickering in his eyes. She could sense the tension that hung heavy in the air, the silent exchange laden with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.
With a terse nod, the knight acknowledged the king before retreating from the chamber, leaving Isabella alone in his presence. As the heavy doors closed behind him, a palpable sense of unease settled over the room, the weight of their impending conversation hanging thick in the air.
"I never thought you were capable of such madness, Isabella," the king continued, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "You’re defiant, yes. Unpredictable, certainly. But to attempt escape? To abandon your own son?"
Isabella felt a lump form in her throat as she struggled to find the right words to defend herself. The king's words cut through the silence like a blade, his tone laced with a mixture of disappointment and frustration. She wanted to explain, to make him understand the turmoil that had led her to this desperate act. But as she looked into the king's eyes, she saw only disappointment staring back at her. Isabella felt the weight of his accusation bear down upon her, a cold knot forming in the pit of her stomach as she struggled to find the right words to defend herself.
"I would never abandon my son," Isabella retorted, her voice tinged with indignation as she met the king's gaze head-on. Despite the fire in her words, a flicker of uncertainty danced behind her eyes, a silent plea for understanding.
The king's expression remained impassive, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. "Then what the fuck were you doing, Isabella?" he pressed, his voice low and measured. "Why were you nowhere to be found? Where the fuck were you?"
Isabella's mind raced as she scrambled for an explanation, her thoughts muddled and disjointed. In a desperate bid to salvage the situation, she grasped at the first excuse that came to mind. "I... I was searching for a servant," she stammered, her voice faltering slightly. "Someone who had a message for me. I got lost and ended up at the stables," Isabella explained, her voice barely above a whisper. "The stableman said he would help me, but... but he led me into a cabin and there were other men there. They... they tried to... to..." Her voice caught in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes.
“They tried to what, Isabella?” The king asked.
“They tried to rape me,” said Isabella, calm and composed. The king's fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening in anger as he listened to Isabella's words. He could feel the fury building inside him at the thought of someone daring to lay a hand on her.
Isabella took a deep breath, steeling herself to continue. "But they couldn’t," she said, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart. "Your knight arrived just in time, he saved me, Your Majesty. I swear, I would never have willingly put myself in such danger."
Tears streamed down Isabella's cheeks as she pleaded with the king to believe her. "If you don't believe me, you can punish me however you see fit," she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. "But please, Your Majesty, know that I speak the truth."
As the weight of the moment hung heavy in the air, the king's frustration simmered beneath the surface, his gaze searching Isabella's eyes for answers that seemed to elude him.
"I've given you everything," he began, his voice tinged with a mixture of confusion and hurt. "Yet it's never enough. You seem to enjoy this game of pushing me away, only to draw me back in anger. Why?"
Isabella met his gaze with a mixture of sorrow and determination, her resolve unwavering despite the turmoil within her. "It's not a game," she insisted, her voice steady but tinged with sadness. "I don't seek punishment or derive pleasure from causing you any trouble."
The king's brow furrowed as he struggled to comprehend her words. "Then what is it?" he pressed, his tone edged with desperation. "Why do you resist me, only to return seeking my attention in this twisted way?"
The king's words hung heavy in the air, laden with a mixture of frustration and concern. Isabella's tears continued to fall, her heart aching with the weight of his misunderstanding. "You don’t understand," she managed to choke out between sobs, her voice trembling with emotion.
His gaze softened as he drew nearer, his touch gentle against her tear-stained cheeks. "Then what is it, Isabella?" he implored, his voice laced with a blend of curiosity and desperation. Isabella could feel the warmth of his breath, the space between them becoming smaller. "What is it that you seek, girl? Punishment? Death? I did tell you once that you could die after giving me a child, but I never thought you’d actually want it… What is it that you desire, Isabella?"
Isabella's breath caught in her throat, her mind swirling with a tumult of conflicting emotions. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. The king’s hand went down from her face to her chest. He squeezed her breast gently, which caused her milk to stain her dress. "Please, your Majesty..."
The king's voice was a blend of desire and frustration as he asked, "You want me to force myself upon you? Is that it?"
Isabella's response was lost amidst her tears, her emotions swirling in a tumultuous whirlpool. She couldn't bring herself to answer, her heart torn between conflicting desires.
Sensing her inner struggle, the king drew her closer, his touch both commanding and gentle. She could feel his erection brushing against her stomach. "I know I don’t have to force my way into your body, Isabella. I can feel it," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. "I can feel you want me."
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