D' Arc || The King

Chapter XIII

"Isabel?" She spun around and the cup slipped from her hands, smashing on the ground. "Hal...I..." she gulped in fear.

Isabel backed up quickly and he frowned before his eyes landed on the cup. "Isabel, what's wrong?" He approached her slowly, but she was fidgeting like a deer ready to bolt, her eyes flicking around nervously. She wanted to run, to open her mouth and say something, to say anything really, but her body was glued to the ground and her mouth felt like it was sewn shut. 

"Henry, I-" she stopped and watched him slip his hands into her's. "It's okay," he said softly. "You can tell me. Are you sick?" She shook her head quickly and leaned down to pick up the shattered pieces of the bowl, her nerves growing worse. "I was feeling a little under the weather," she rambled as she turned and dumped the tea out of the pot and marched away from Henry, gripping the ceramic pieces in her hands so tightly that it cut into her fingers.

"Isabel," Henry caught her wrist, making her drop the broken shards of the cup. "What's wrong?"

"Why should I tell you?" Isabel questioned, her statement coming out harsher than she intended. "Don't push me right now. I'm only being nice to you for our child's sake."

Henry froze and stared at her. "What?" He asked in disbelief and Isabel gasped and covered her mouth before backing away from Henry.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" "I'm such an idiot," Henry groaned and Isabel blinked at him like an owl. "I should have realized sooner." He smacked his forehead and she grabbed his arm. "Don't blame yourself, Hal. I shouldn't have let it drag on for this long," she whispered and he looked down at her.

"Isabel, I'm not upset," he said and her hands tightened around his arm. "It's just a surprise," he said softly and she looked up at him, and then he saw she was on the verge of crying. "What's wrong?" He asked, touching her cheek. "I'm afraid, Hal." "There is nothing to worry about."

"You don't understand, Henry. I'm an unmarried woman, I am supposed to be a virgin and if I have children out of wedlock, then I would be considered a woman loose with favors! I would be shamed by everyone!"

"Who cares what they think?" He questioned. "As long as we are together, everything will be fine." "Do you really think so?" Isabel asked, her voice low as she looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear.

"Of course, I will always protect you."

__________

Seven months had already passed and Isabel found herself in the presence of Anne and her four wonderful children.

Three months ago, she had opted to leave the army until she gave birth, as she saw herself as a liability and in truth she was. Isabel looked down at her giant belly as the fire in front of her crackled. There was a sigh and rustle of clothing as Anne sat down in front of her, her dark eyes glinting in the firelight.

"Are you feeling alright?" Anne asked and Isabel chuckled. "I feel like I'm going to explode," she responded truthfully. "It is your first time," said Anne as Isabel ran a hand over her stomach in wonder. "I don't know if I'm ready," she murmured and Anne sighed, sitting down from across the table from her.

"I've had four children, so I'll give you a little look into your life once you give birth, mother to mother," Anne said cooly. "When your children are young, they are a handful, but they will also be the light life. No matter how frustrated you are with them, you will do anything to keep them safe. You would even go to war to make sure that they'll be happy in the future."