Chapter 26 The summons
Isabella awoke to quietness in her Chambers. The usual whispering, and finger pointing, momentarily disappear.
Everyone seemed to have disappeared. She could feel it. The desertedness in the chamber. The sun through the curtains was shining bright and had seeped into the room, giving the room an orange look.
A loud knock sounded and before she could open her mouth to speak, the door opened, revealing a strange man.
Isabella raised the sheets quickly to cover her exposed nightie.
“Who are you?” Her voice was pointed, and she was clearly pissed. “I didn't say you could come in.”
“You can call me Sam.” His voice was tough. He looked at her, his stare matching hers.
“How can I help you?” She mumbled.
“I'm your new personal guard.” He said simply. His eyes were drifting toward the covered nightie, hungrily.
“Why? Where's Marcus?” She asked, alarmed, ignoring the rudeness in his tone.
He smirked. “ He's been reassigned.” He saidisappearIsabella groaned, her palm connecting to her forehead. “Listen, Samson or Samuel, I don't care what your name is. I need you to do something for me. Get me Marcus.”
“Sam. The name is Sam.” His voice was tougher.
Isabella didn't miss his implication. He wasn't saying his name wasn't Samuel or whatever, but to her, it was Sam.
“And I'm your new personal guard. With instructions from his Majesty.”
She stiffened. Lucien had taken Marcus away.
“Breakfast will be ready in 30 minutes and you'll be sent for.”
He said and stepped out of the door, without waiting for a response from her.
Isabella scoffed loudly the moment he was out of sight. She couldn't believe a mere guard had spoken to her in that manner.
But that wasn't the height. Lucien had taken Marcus away without informing her and for what?
“C'mon Izzy. Let's not act like you don't know.”
The mischievous part of her spoke up.
She shrugged. “I hadn't even starwhatThe door opened and she looked up, expecting to see the hardened face of Sam but came face to face with Mira.
“Did you know about this?” She accused.
“I'm as surprised as you are,” Mira muttered. “Good morning, Ms Thorne.”
Isabella nodded, warding off the courtesy. Mira was always too formal even though they were more like besties.
“Did anything happen with Marcus yesterday?” Mira asked, as she stepped into the closet, bringing out Isabella's dresses for the day.
“Nah… Isabella responded too quickly, making Mira suspicious.
“Ms Thorne?” Mira teased.
“Im serious,” Isabella giggled. “What could have happened?” She asked again.
“Also, knowing that Lucien can sense anything and everything through the bond…”
She stopped, the realisation dawning on her. He'd sensed the interaction between her and Marcus yesterday and had immediately reassigned the poor boy. He was jealous.
She laughed softly at the face of a very jealous Lucien.
Isabella paused. If he'd sensed the interaction betweensurprised Marcus, the, she hadn't been wrong.
He had been outside her door that night and had heard her struggle and shout his name.
The doors opened and breakfast rolled in.
She sighed. No one bothered to ask her what she wanted to eat anymore. They brought in varieties and she had the option of selecting what she wanted and discarding the ones she disliked.
“What do you know about Sam?” She asked Mira, steering the conversation back to its original form.
“He's loyal,” Mira said simply.
Isabella nodded. The words were enough. He was one of Lucien's most trusted servanrealisationd do things in Lucien's best interest and the interest of the kingdom.
The door opened and Sam stepped inside. Isabella dropped the forkful of eggs that she'd just picked up.
He'd not bothered knocking.
“You've been summoned to see the king later in his chambers today.”
Isabella raised her brows.
“Why?”
Sam scoffed. “That's a question for the king, Ms Thorne and I doubt none of us can ask the king that.”
His lips were set straight, his eyes barely looking at her.
Isabella stiffened. She'd just been put in her place by the young man. She wasn't fit to question the king. Actually, she wasn't even fit to question him.
He turns to the door, before turning as though he forgot something. “His Majesty says to tell you to dress appropriately.”
Sam said with a knowing smile, the glint in his eyes giving him away.
“Okay,” she said simply, making him stop in his tracks.
“What time does His Majesty want to see me?” She continued.
“Sunset.” Something soft flickered in his eyes before disappearing as fast as they had appeared.
“Okay, tell his Majesty I'll be there.” She said and turned back to her food.
The moment the door closed behind Sam, Isabella dropped her fork in irritation. “Dress appropriately,” she muttered.
Lucien was summoning her, not because he missed her or wanted to speak to her, but because he needed her.
He wanted to satisfy his urges.
He'd left her wet and needy when it was her turn, but because he was king, he could simply ‘summon’ her and she would attend.
The door opened and Mira stepped in, holding a handful of clothes.
“These are for you.” She said, as she dropped them on the bed.
Isabella raised her head, confused. “What are these?”
“His Majesty sent these over. He says to make your pick.”
Isabella couldn't believe what she'd heard. He'd even sent the kind of clothes he expected her to wear.
Mira clapped her hands, and some attendants walked in, taking the trolley and leaving both ladies in the room.
“When is he expecting you?”
“Sam says sunset.” Her eyes travelled to the clothes, before picking one.
She gasped at the revealing clothes she held in her hands. Surely, Lucien did not expect her to walk in this from her chambers to his.
“I'm not wearing this.” She scoffed. “He doesn't expect me to dress like a slut for hire, does he?”
The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself.
But that was exactly what she was. He was summoning her and she was going to come. And she would come dressed in the clothes he had picked up just for her.
Mira smiled. “No you're not. At least, not openly, my lady.” Mira added.
Isabella narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
Mira walked to the dressing room, bringing out a beautiful dress that was covered properly from the neck down.
“You wear this,” she pointed at the gown Lucien had picked out for her, “then you wear this.” She pointed at the covered gown on her hands. We have to give His Majesty a hard time, a run for his money.”
Isabella looked at the dresses Mira had picked out for her. She looked like she was having a lot of fun.
“Besides, if we're going to meet his Majesty by sunset, then I think you should start getting ready now,” Mira interjected.
“That's too early. It's not yet noon.” Isabella protested. She'd not even gone through the things she had listed out for the day.
“It's past noon Ms Thorne.” She pointed at the clock.
“What? How? I just had breakfast…”
“You woke up quite late, Ms Thorne.” Mira pointed out.
Isabella groaned. Mira was correct. She knew she'd woken up late because of the sun that had seeped through the room, but she hadn't imagined that it was already past noon.
“I overslept!” She exclaimed the already known.
“Yes you did, Ms Thorne.”
Isabella sighed.
“You know you don't have to see him,” Mira interjected. “We could report back to him with a sickness or something.”
Isabella shook her head. “It's no use, Mira. His Majesty is not a fool. He knows I'm perfectly okay.”
“Still, you don't have to go.” Mira pressed. “You're not even excited to see him.” She added.
“I'm not.” Isabella acquiesced. “But I have to go, for Elias.”
Mira subtly rolled her eyes but Isabella caught it.
“You don't understand, Mira.” She sighed as she stood up and slowly undressed.
“The only way I can continue seeing Elias is if I do the things His Majesty orders me to do.”
She sat down as Mira packed her hair into a bun.
“I understand you, Ms Throne,” Mira said softly, as they made their way to the tub.
“Your son is important.”
Isabella shook her head. “He's not just important, he's more important than everything I hold dear.”
Mira nodded gravely. “Then we have to do this right.”
She added more rose and cinnamon to the water, making Isabella giggle.
“Since His Majesty wants to see you, we have to make you irresistible.”
Isabella laughed. “That, I agree with you, Mira.” She said and stepped into the water.
Isabella sighed as her head went underwater.
Who exactly was she deceiving?
Lucien owned her and knew how to make her beg.
Her legs shivered and her skin burned at the thought of another humiliating experience with Lucien that evening.