Chapter 38: Leave, Isabel!Victoria approached Letecia and Isabel who were sitting on a bench. A devious smile curled on her lips."Ah, what a lovely scene," Victoria said loudly, her voice dripping with false sweetness.Letecia and Isabel turned, startled by her sudden presence. Letecia's eyes narrowed knowing there will be trouble when Victoria is around."Victoria," Letecia greeted coolly, standing up. "What brings you here?""Oh, just taking a walk and enjoying the fresh air," Victoria replied, her eyes fixed on Isabel. "I see you’ve found yourself some company."Isabel bowed her head, avoiding Victoria's gaze. "Your Majesty."Victoria stepped closer as her expression turned cold. "Isabel, you seem quite comfortable here, don’t you? Forgetting your place, perhaps?"Isabel looked up, confused and wary. "No, Your Majesty. I am just—""Just what? Enjoying privileges beyond your station?" Victoria interrupted with her voice sharp and criticizing.Letecia stepped in, speaking a firm to
Chapter 39: Lies and SchemesLucian stood on the balcony of the west hall, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The vibrant colors of the sunset painted the sky, but his thoughts were far from the beauty before him. His mind was a storm of questions and doubts.Why had he been so enraged at the mere thought of Isabel hurting Victoria? What had driven him to imprison the woman he loved? The memory of her tear-streaked face haunted him and her pleas echoed in his ears. Was it wrong for him to have acted so harshly, even if it was to protect the Isabel?The questions gnawed at him relentlessly. Had he been too cruel? Too quick to judge? The doubt unsettled him, breaking the confidence he usually carried as king. "No," he muttered to himself, trying to silence the uncertainty. "I did what I had to do."For him, his duty was clear and that is to produce an heir to secure the throne. That had been the deal with Head Minister Marlowe. After that, he could pursue his desires freely. At le
Chapter 40: Farewell, My KingIn the middle of the night, Letecia moved swiftly and silently through the shadowed corridors of the palace, her form hidden beneath a hooded robe. Her heart pounded in her chest as she made her way to the dungeons, driven by an urgent need to see Isabel.As she approached the entrance to the dungeons, she slowed her pace, calming her breath. The guard on duty straightened at her approach, his eyes narrowing with suspicion until she pulled back her hood and revealed her identity."Let me inside," Letecia commanded, her voice firm as she held up her royal seal. The guard's eyes widened in recognition, and he immediately stood at attention, bowing respectfully."Yes, Your Highness," he replied, quickly unlocking the heavy wooden door. The iron hinges creaked as it swung open, revealing the cold, dark corridor beyond.Letecia stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. The air was thick with the damp, musty smell of the underground, and the distant
Chapter 41: Sir GayleThe carriage rolled steadily through the dark, narrow streets. The wooden wheels clattered softly against the cobblestones. Inside, Isabel sat in silence while her hands rested on her lap. Hours passed, and the carriage gradually slowed to a stop. The coachman opened the door, and Isabel took a deep breath before stepping out onto the familiar streets of the slums where she had grown up. The cold air bit at her cheeks, but it was a welcome sensation, grounding her in the present.As her feet touched the ground, the first snowflakes of the season began to fall, drifting gently from the sky and settling on her shoulders and hair. Isabel paused noticing it as a gasp escaped her lips, realizing what was happening. Almost immediately, Isabel looked up, watching the delicate flakes swirl and dance in the air. The sight filled her with different emotions. Her eyes wandered around the streets, taking in the rundown houses and the narrow alleyways. She remembered playi
Chapter 42: Hand in Marriage"What do you mean?" Isabel asked, her voice trembling.Sir Gayle opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, the door suddenly swung open. Standing in the doorway was Teressa, her eyes wide with fear and confusion."Oh my God... Isabel?! It really is you! I thought I heard wrong. Wha- how- I..." Teressa stuttered, her words tumbling over each other in her shock.Isabel's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of her mother. Teressa looked healthier than the last time Isabel had seen her, no longer pale and frail and that made her heart swell with relief."Ma..." Isabel began, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her cheeks. She could no longer contain her emotions and immediately leapt forward, wrapping her arms around her mother in a tight embrace.Teressa held her daughter close, her own tears falling freely. "Isabel, my sweet girl, you're home," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.They stood there for a long mome
Chapter 43: Morning VisitorThe next morning arrived with the sounds of crunching and pounding outside Teressa's home, that jolted her from sleep. Alarmed, she hastily wrapped her old shawl around herself and hurried to the door.But the sight that greeted her upon opening the door left her utterly shocked.There, in the middle of the cold of winter, stood Sir Gayle, shirtless, vigorously chopping wood."My goodness, young man! What are you doing? You'll catch your death out here!" Teressa exclaimed in genuine concern, rushing back inside to rouse Isabel from her sleep."Isabel! Wake up, dear!"Isabel's eyes fluttered open slowly while her mother's form was still blurry before her."Yes, mother?" she mumbled sleepily."Your... husband— I mean... that young man! The physician is outside chopping firewood in the snow!" Teressa relayed, her worry evident in her tone."Mother, let him be. He's accustomed to such tasks," Isabel replied groggily, the reality of her situation still sinking i
Chapter 44: Lovers' QuarrelAfter breakfast, Teressa took her bitter-tasting medicine, grimacing as it went down. She quickly drank a cup of water to chase the taste away and then began to dress for her day of work at the pub. Wrapping her old, warm shawl around her shoulders, she glanced out the window and saw a scene that made her pause.Outside, Tristan, her future son-in-law—was scolding Isabel, who was struggling to carry a heavy bucket of water from the nearby well."Isabel, what on earth are you doing? You shouldn't be carrying that!" Tristan exclaimed, his hands on his hips, looking every bit the concerned fiancé."Well, someone has to fetch the water, and you were busy chopping wood," Isabel shot back, her face flushed from both exertion and the argument."I could have fetched it after I finished! You need to take it easy," Tristan insisted, reaching out to take the bucket from her.Isabel pulled it away, determined. "I'm perfectly capable of carrying a bucket of water, Trist
Chapter 45: The InvitationWhen they reached the house, Isabel knocked on the door, which soon opened to reveal a pleasantly surprised Mrs. Hawthorne. "Isabel! Tristan! What brings you here?" she asked, stepping aside to let them in.Isabel smiled warmly. "I just wanted to talk to you about a few things, Mrs. Hawthorne. Thank you for seeing us on such short notice."Mrs. Hawthorne waved her hand dismissively. "Nonsense, dear. You’re always welcome here. Come in, both of you, and let’s sit by the fire."As they settled by the fire, Isabel took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "Mrs. Hawthorne, I wanted to thank you for taking such good care of my mother while I was gone. It means more to me than I can express."Mrs. Hawthorne reached out and patted Isabel’s hand. "Oh, Isabel, it was no trouble at all. Your mother is a dear friend, and I was happy to help. How is she faring now?""She’s doing much better, thanks to you. Your kindness has been a great comfort to her," Isabel replied