8

Her blonde hair cascaded down her gown. She held a side up with a ribbon. Make up was evident on her face, a little bit too much. She was dressed in a purple gown with gold lines by the neckline and the downside. There was a large golden necklace laying on her neck. Gold earrings of the same design dangled from her ears. She was a refined young lady from her appearance. 

   "Prince Adrian," she said, looking at him straight in the eyes and then looking at the figure on the bed. The covers were over Isabelle's face so she wasn't visible to the stranger.

    "Juno," Adrian called with a smile. He left the bed silently so he wouldn't wake Isabelle. 

   He led Juno out of the room.

    "Wow, you look so mature now," Adrian complimented Juno. 

  They sat at the dining and the maids brought in refreshments. Adrian was digging into his meal when he noticed Juno's eyes on him.

"Why are you staring at me?" He looked at her.

  "Why didn't you tell me about your marriage?" Her face was red from anger. "I sent letters to you ever month. You never replied."

   "I got married without my knowledge,how was I supposed to inform anyone?" He sighed and continued eating.

  "Are you attracted to her?" She asked with curiosity. 

  Adrian didn't reply as he avoided her gaze.

"Are you still rejecting your marriage proposals?" He changed the topic.

  "No man is good enough for me," she sipped her water. "The one I love doesn't look at me."

  "You have someone you are interested in?" He asked in disbelief. "Tell me his name. I shall arrange a meeting."

  "No need. He's a married man."

"You were eyeing a married man?" Adrian chuckled. "You're naughtier than I thought."

"Have you chosen a consort yet?"

"Why would I need one?" He shrugged. "I have Isabelle."

    "You've changed," Juno hissed. "A lot."

    "Juno!" Spencer shouted as he walked in his his armour. 

Juno smiled and rose to bow to him.

"Captain Spencer, how I've missed you," she bowed and he patted her.

"Our a girl looks prettier than ever, don't you think?" Spencer teased.

"What do you mean by little girl? I'm twenty two ."

  "Alastair's probably looking for a groom," Adrian rose up and laughed with Spencer. "I have to go to my room now. Isabelle is not in a good condition."

  "I noticed that when she barely touched her meal this morning. Should I call for a physician?" 

  "I already did. He said she will be alright but I have not seen any improvement," he walked off in the direction of their room.

  "Is he in love with her?" Juno questioned Spencer authoritatively.

"What did I tell you when you left to study? He's a prince. He will not wait for you."

  "Does he love her?" She thundered.

"He doesn't want a consort," Spencer turned around. "Isn't that enough for an answer?" He walked off, leaving her biting her lips in regret.

   When she left to study in Qing, she thought Adrian was in love with her even though he always made it clear that she was like a younger sister to him. The cold hearted general she loves is now being drawn to another woman. How important was Isabelle to him?

    

    Adrian dipped the cloth in the water for the fifth time and squeezed the water out. He placed the cloth on her forehead as she breathed heavily. She must have had a hard time adjusting to a new environment. He didn't make it easy for her either. Once, her eyes opened but as soon as they met his, she closed it again. He was by her side all day tending to her until she woke up at night.

  "Are you alright?" He asked with concern written all over his face.

She didn't reply and sat up slowly. She removed the cloth from her forehead and placed her spine against the head rest. 

Her eyes were still quivering.

  "Come with me," he tried to pull her up.

"Why?" She managed to say weakly. Her voice was hoarse.

"The physician asked you to take a cold bath immediately you wake up," he explained and helped her up.

  She placed her left hand against the wall and her right hand was in Adrian's as he led her to the bathroom. 

"Princess Isabelle?" Juno interrupted them much to Adrian's surprise. 

"Who are you?" Isabelle asked.

  "Juno, why haven't you left yet?" Adrian asked her.

"I had to meet your wife," Juno replied, looking at Isabelle with contempt. "I am Juno, daughter of Alastair."

  Isabelle nodded and signalled to Adrian to keep walking.

  Juno ran and stood in their way and Isabelle was getting annoyed.

"Surely you can walk to the bath house yourself," she pulled Adrian away from her. "I just arrived today and I need to talk about a lot of things with him. Excuse him?"

  "Well," she said, breathing out. "He's my husband," she pulled Adrian back with all her strength. "When I'm done with him, he shall see you."

   She ended the conversation there and walked away with Adrian and Juno staring daggers into her back. Juno just met her real rival. It seems Isabelle was fighting for her man. Adrian stole glances at Isabelle as he led her into the bathroom. The maids were ordered to leave the room. Isabelle collapsed on the edge of the bath and Adrian ran to her side.

   "Are you okay?" He held her shoulders.

She was looking at him with a feeling he couldn't fathom. She was looking pitiful, weak and at the same time, attractive.

   "You do not want a consort, right?" She asked.

"I told you. You're enough for me," he said to her.

"Please do not leave me," she placed her right hand on his cheek and her palm caressed it softly. "I do not care if you hate me, please don't leave me."

   She was crying gently.

  "Isabelle, what is all this? Why are you suddenly crying?" He was confused. 

  She tried to pull herself together. 

  "Earlier, I had a dream. You were in Angbotain, killing everyone. There were screams, shouts and blood everywhere. You were smiling as you entered the palace. You slaughtered my father."

   She was crying now. She was hard to console. It felt like she experienced it.

"It was just a silly dream," he assured her.

"Promise me that whatever happens, your blade shall not slay my father."

  "Isabelle," he groaned.

"Promise me!" She thundered.

   He sighed and held her cheeks. 

"I promise you today, I shall not harm your father in any way." 

"You promised," she reminded him and he nodded.

  He helped her into the water with her undergarment on. He turned away with burning cheeks and stuttered,"I will be outside, call me when you are done." 

   Adrian breathed out and blew air to his face as he exited the washroom. He bumped into Juno who looked at him with fury in her eyes.

"What happened?" She said rudely. "Does your wife not want you to see her bath?"

"It's getting dark, Juno. Leave now before your father gets worried."

"I'm with you so why should he worry?" She moved her palms carelessly around his chest. Adrian's body rose immediately and he slapped her hand away.

"Juno!" 

  "What is it?" She fired back. "You like it. If I didn't travel to study, won't I be in her place now?"

   Adrian sighed and looked at her firmly. "You won't."

"Why not?" She asked with glassy eyes. "We like each other."

  "What gave you that idea?" Adrian was confused. "You are like a sister to me. I have never had romantic feelings for you."

  "Adrian," she called softly.

"I saw you as my confidant, as my friend. Do not cross that line," he warned and tried to walk away.

  "I will!" She stood in his way. "I want to be your consort!"

  "Juno!" He held and shook her. "What is wrong with you? I am married."

"But you're not in love, are you?" She said with gleaming eyes and a seductive look. She moved closer to him in silence and her lips approached his. Adrian placed his hands on her waist in an attempt to push her off.

   "Get a room, will you?" Isabelle said. She was looking more clean and better. Her face was slightly relieved.

Adrian was startled by her entrance but Juno maintained her composure and didn't leave her position.

"It is not what it.." Adrian tried to explain but she raised her hand, an action royalties have been taught since they could learn to walk.

"Carry on," she placed her right hand on the wall and walked slowly. Adrian removed Juno's hands forcefully and ran to Isabelle's side. He held her left hand to support her and she agreed in silence.

  Juno watched as they disappeared from her sight. She kissed her teeth and smirked. 

"You have always been mine, Prince Adrian and you shall continue to be."

   She turned and left the residence until another day.

Lydia walked briskly with a tray into the room.

"What is this?" Adrian inquired. He was tucking Isabelle into bed.

  "The Royal Chef sent this over when he heard that her Highness was ill."

"She is in no condition to eat," Adrian dismissed her. "You may retire to your chamber for the night."

  Lydia bowed and walked out.

  Isabelle's eyes were open, staring at nothing in particular. Adrian was locking his fingers together like a teenager who did something wrong.

"Isabelle," he called and she turned to look at him. "I promised you that I would not get a consort and I shall stand by my word. Please ignore whatever you see, they are not real."

  "Not real you say?" She raised an eyebrow. "Okay."

  He got onto the bed and under the covers. It was a chilly night but why was he feeling warm? He felt stimulated. This was not the first time he would share a bed with her. Why was he so attracted to her in her weak moment?

He breathed out continuously before Isabelle turned over to him. 

"You make it uncomfortable to sleep in peace." 

"Should I sleep elsewhere?" He asked.

  He was nervous, she could see it.

"Tell me about Prince Fredrick," she demanded. "Did he have a love marriage?"

   "No. He had an arranged marriage. Nobody ever marries for love in the royal family. I was at war when I heard about his marriage. I arrived home to find Princess Victoria in the palace."

  "He must really love his wife," she cooed.

"He treasures her," he nodded.

"What about Prince Malcolm?" Isabelle pried further.

   Adrian looked at her with a dark gaze and sat up slowly.

"He had an arranged marriage too. Princess Phillippa shall be exiled tommorow."

   "Exiled?" Isabelle gasped. "Why?" 

"She could not provide a child during the years of her marriage."

"So, she'll be exiled?" Isabelle asked again in disbelief.

  Adrian nodded slowly. Isabelle's eyes grew sad. She worried about her future in the house of Adrian. What if she ends up like Philippa? No man would ever look at her again.

  "Nefertiti is getting married soon," Adrian informed her. "We may need to stay in the main palace during the ceremony period."

  "Do you and the princess get along well?" She was curious about his relationship with his sister since it seemed like he and Malcolm were on bad terms. 

"Sometimes, as you can see."

"What about Prince Malcolm?" She asked.

   "That is enough questions for tonight," he slipped under the covers. "You should try to get some rest. You are not fully recovered."

  "Avoid it today and it shall haunt you when you least expect it," She sighed and turned on her side so her back was facing him.

   

      He looked at her from his side of the bed. Why does he keep telling her whatever she wanted to hear? Was it because she was ill? No one had been able to get words out of him that easily. What was she doing to him?