Chapter LV: Favorite
The king and Isabella were gently stirred from their slumber by a soft knock on the door that connected Isabella’s chambers to his. The king, still drowsy, called out, "Enter."
Alicent stepped into the room, cradling Prince Ikkar in her arms. She bowed slightly and spoke with a mixture of apology and urgency. "Forgive me for disturbing your majesty's rest," she began, her voice respectful yet insistent, "but the prince needs to be fed. Lady Isabella insists he can only have her milk."
Isabella, already sitting up, reached out with a loving smile. "Thank you, Alicent," she said softly, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her son. "Bring him to me."
The king watched with a fond smile as Isabella took Ikkar into her arms, her previous concerns momentarily forgotten in the presence of their child. "He is fortunate to have such a devoted mother," he remarked, his voice filled with admiration and pride.
As Isabella began to feed the prince, the king gently caressed Ikkar’s tiny head, his touch tender and affectionate. Leaning down, he pressed a loving kiss to Isabella’s forehead. "My greatest treasure," he murmured.
Rising from the bed, the king noticed Alicent averting her gaze, a modest attempt to avoid seeing him unclothed.
Turning back to Isabella, he spoke with a mixture of regret and resolve. "I have many matters to attend to today, my darling. I must leave you now, but I will join you for dinner this evening."
Isabella looked up, her eyes warm and understanding. "We will be waiting for you," she replied softly, her smile filled with affection.
The king quickly dressed, donning his royal attire with practiced ease. With a final glance at his son on his favorite concubine’s arms, he left the room, his heart already yearning for the moment he would return. Isabella, now alone with Alicent and little Ikkar, settled back into the pillows, relaxing. Isabella and Alicent exchanged a brief, knowing smile as Isabella continued to nurse her son.
Alicent's curiosity got the better of her. "What happened last night?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "I was worried when you didn't come back. The king came to your room looking for Ikkar to say goodnight, and I couldn't lie to him when he asked about your whereabouts."
Isabella took a deep breath, the weight of the previous night's events still heavy on her mind. "It was a terrible idea to try to look for that person alone," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly as she recalled the harrowing moments she lived. "I got into some serious trouble."
Alicent's eyes widened with worry. "Was the king angry with you?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"He was very angry," Isabella confessed, her gaze dropping to Ikkar's serene face. "But everything turned alright in the end."
Alicent hesitated for a moment before asking, "And what about the prophecy? You both seem to have… You know."
Isabella nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips as she remembered the king's reassurances. "He told me that the prophecy could mean anything, any war. But he promised to keep me and Ikkar safe, no matter what. His words have given me some peace."
Alicent sighed with relief, her concern easing. "I’m glad to hear that. You seem happy, my friend."
Isabella smiled gratefully at Alicent, her heart swelling with the love and support surrounding her. "Thank you, Alicent."
As the moments of quiet passed, Alicent shifted slightly, eager to bring up another matter. "Isabella, there's something else," she began, her tone cautious. "Jia, the girl the king summoned to his chambers last night, is furious back in the harem. She was expecting to spend the night with him. I guess you got yourself another enemy alongside Dara."
Isabella's expression grew thoughtful, her gaze distant as she processed the information. After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Last night, the king told me he wouldn’t take other women to his bed anymore," she said, her voice soft and introspective. "He said that he did not wish to bring me such pain."
Alicent watched her friend carefully, sensing the conflict in Isabella's heart. "Do you think I should believe him? Should I trust him?" Isabella asked, her eyes searching Alicent's face for any sign of reassurance.
"Well, when I first arrived in the harem, the king was quite faithful to Lady Dara, his favorite at the time. That's one reason my father trusted him enough to send me here, believing he would keep me safe until I was old enough for marriage."
Isabella listened intently, sensing there was more to Alicent's story.
"But then, the Princess of Riardeen arrived," Alicent continued, her voice growing quieter. "The king showed her some sympathy, perhaps even affection, I don’t know. She was too young, anyway. They merely exchanged a few glances if I remember correctly. A few weeks later, she was found dead."
Isabella's eyes widened in shock. "What happened to her?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alicent hesitated, then replied, "Apparently, she took her own life, but many suspected Dara was behind it somehow. The king stopped being faithful to Dara after that, he grew suspicious of her, yet she always found a way to climb back into his affections, to seduce her way back to his bed. She's cunning and knows how to wield her influence."
Isabella absorbed this information, her mind swirling with questions and concerns. "Do you think Dara could cause trouble for us?" she asked, her voice edged with worry.
Alicent met Isabella's gaze, her expression serious. "Dara is ambitious and doesn't easily let go of her power. But without Lady Theda and without the king’s affections, she has nothing." Alicent's expression softened as she looked at Isabella, trying to convey her thoughts carefully. "What I'm trying to say, Isabella, is that the king is a very complicated man. And he can become very cruel once he’s hurt. But I do think he is capable of being faithful."
Isabella's gaze remained fixed on Alicent, her brow furrowing slightly. "Do you think he is capable of love?" she asked, her voice tinged with both hope and uncertainty.
Alicent paused, considering her words. "He might be," she admitted, her tone thoughtful. "But the real question is whether he is willing to be. Love is a choice, after all."
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