Chapter 29 Transactions
“Hmmph.”
Elias groans as he picks up his sword and advances.
“Go baby,” Isabella clapped excitedly as she watched from the sidelines.
Per her agreement with Lucien, she would spend two hours with Elias, uncoordinated with any time of her choosing.
And Isabella had chosen his practice hours. She smiled as she remembered the look of horror on Mrs Louvre's face.
“The young prince will be distracted,” the old woman had protested firmly.
Isabella had remained unmoved.
“Your Majesty?” Mrs Louvre had turned to Lucien, urging her to back him up.
Lucien shrugged. “Give Isabella whatever she wants with the Crown Prince.
A triumphant smile had immediately appeared on Isabella's face as she walked away.
The consequences of her actions were coming soon to bite her in the ass, but for now, she was going to enjoy every little bit of this interaction.
“Did you see that, Mommy?” Elias's excited voice brought her back to the present.
“Uh huh.” She nodded, matching his excitement. “You are on fire, baby.” She stretched out and high-fived him before urging him back to the training ground.
Isabella's smile was content. Life was good. She was present in Elias's life and that was all that mattered.
She saw the little boy run to her again.
“What's next, hun? Are you good?”
He nodded excitedly. “I have a ten-minute break and then football sessions start.”
“Ah,” she gave a small nod. “Are your days usually this packed?”
“Is it packed?” The little boy shrugged and gulped the water Isabella had handed out to him.
Isabella smiled. It wasn't packed actually, she just… never mind.
“So, this new arrangement with daddy?” Elias trailed.
“What new arrangement?” Isabella tried to keep the shock away from her voice and face.
“C’mon Mommy. I'm not a kid.” He grumbled, making Isabella give in to large bouts of laughter.
“But that's exactly who you are.” She made to ruffle his hair and the little boy ducked.
“Mommy!” He screamed, laughing as he moved away from her.
“Are you going to stay till I'm done?” He moved back to her, the playfulness in his voice gone, replaced by something serious. “I want you to read me some stories.”
Isabella's smile was gentle, as she nodded. “I'll be here baby.”
“Really?” The little boy widened his eyes as though he didn't believe her.
“Yup. Every day too.” She added, making him squeal in excitement.
“Yesss.” He jumped up as he made his way back to the field.
Isabella clapped and jumped at the passes Elias made. More often than not, he was being dribbled, but her shouts were the loudest.
She couldn't believe she had missed this part of his life for more than two months.
She sighed, as she felt her strength dwindle. She'd expended more strength than she had in weeks.
Elias ran to her, sweaty and she threw him a bottle of water.
“Done for the day?”
He nodded, breathing hard. “That…that was intense.”
Isabella giggled in agreement. “I agree. Now, let's go eat.”
Betty came up from behind. Isabella had not noticed her earlier.
“Mommy's eating with us, Betty,” Elias announced excitedly.
The young maid nodded, as she curtseyed at Isabella. Her eyes were kinder as she led the way.
Isabella all but laughed out loud as she walked with Elias to where they would have their meal, with Marcus walking slowly behind them.
Oh, Marcus.
She'd traded another deal with Lucien, insisting that he take Sam away and bring back Marcus.
She wanted a familiar face.
They'd barely settled down to eat when Marcus hurried to her side.
“Ms Thorne?”
The look on his face could not be deciphered.
“His Majesty…” There was a look of hesitation on his face.
“He seeks your presence in his chambers.”
Isabella stiffened momentarily, then returned back to her food.
“I know I promised to read you some stories, but Daddy needs me.” She said, turning to Elias
She could feel Betty's pitiful eyes on her.
“Do you and Daddy need to work? Cause daddy said you've been saddled with work.”
Isabella smiled. “Yes, honey. It's really important. But I'll see you tomorrow.”
She stood up, straightening her dress.
“Pinky promise?”
“Pinky promise.”
“Okay,” Elias bobbed his head and Isabella walked slowly to the door, painfully aware of every movement she took.
“You know you don't have to do this.” Marcus hissed the moment they were out of the door.
Isabella paused in surprise as she saw something in his eyes.
Anger.
“Are you concerned?” She teased, forcing herself to smile.
“You don't deserve this.” His voice was controlled.
“It's the price I have to pay, Marcus.” She shrugged. “It's my fate, and I've accepted it. Can't you see how happy Elias is?”
She continued. “He's excited that he finally gets to spend more time with Mommy.” Her voice broke, betraying the strong front she was trying to put up.
“And if this is the price Mommy has to pay to keep him excited, then Mommy will pay it.”
Marcus's expression was grave.
They were at the entrance of Lucien's chambers.
“I'll be here Ms Thorne, while you…” He let the remaining words hang in the air as he opened the door and ushered her in.
Isabella nodded and stepped in. She stood by the door as her eyes wandered across the room, before resting on Lucien by the window.
Isabella tried to hide her smile. That was where he loved to sit anytime he summoned her.
“You sent for me.” She curtseyed.
He stood up and walked to the shelf close to her before picking up a book.
“Wanted to know how your day went with Elias.”
Isabella chuckled. “Is that why you sent for me?”
Lucien shrugged. “What other reason is there?”
“You let me stay with Elias past my stipulated time.”
“You were having fun. I would have been the devil to stop the fun.”
Isabella tried to stop herself from laughing hysterically. Was Lucien being serious right now?
“And now?”
He shrugged.
“C’mon, Your Majesty. Let's cut to the chase. We made an agreement. I sell my body to you and you allow me enough time to spend with Elias.”
She rushed. Saying the words finally out loud made blood rush to her face.
Lucien dropped the book and walked to her, thinning the distance between them, until there was nothing.
“And are you ready to keep to your own end of the agreement?”
His breath was on her face.
Isabella gulped, the words stuck in her throat.
“Let's not deceive ourselves, Isabella. I want you and I know you want me too.”
“You sure have an interesting way of showing me that you love me.” She whispered.
“I know,” Lucien rasped, his hands moving through her dress with unbridled precision, as they fell.
“I try my best to stay away from you,” his hands unclasped her bra as he tossed it away, before using a finger to circle her nipples till they were taut.
“But you, Isabella Thorne. There is something about you. Something that pulls me to you even when I try to resist.”
He punched her nipples slightly, making her groan in pleasure.
“And I know you feel it too.”
She shook her head. “I…I don't.”
Lucien's laugh was harsh as he immediately slipped two fingers inside her panties.
“Your body says otherwise.”
“Still doesn't negate my stance.”
Slowly, Lucien bent down, pulling her panties aside as he inhaled.
“Have I told you how pretty you are?”
Isabella gulped, unable to respond. Truth was, she wanted him as much as he did, but she was not going to bring herself to tell him that.
Lucien swept her off her feet in bridal style as he walked slowly to the bed, dropping her gently.
“You make me do things I've sworn I wouldn't do anymore.” He muttered as he thrust in gently, making Isabella cry out in pleasure.
Lucien's thrusts were gentle as their hips rhymed, their moans syncing in gentle music.
“Spend the night,” Lucien said gently as he pulled out.
His voice was without the usual arrogance. “Please.”
He held her hair as he inhaled the flowery scent.
Isabella paused. This was the closest she'd come to seeing him begging. He was vulnerable.
“Alright.” She muttered as they remained in that position, with Lucien's hands roaming her body before resting on her nipples.
Soon, soft snores could be heard. He was asleep, their bodies intertwined.
Isabella sighed. This one was different.
The music from the birds, interrupts her thoughts.
Was this what it felt like to be loved?
Lucien had had sex with her in the most gentle manner.
But it was not just the sex. He was different.
But what if it was an illusion?
Was he clearly different?
Today could just have been different. What if the humiliation resumed tomorrow?
Isabella closed her eyes, forcing herself to sleep. Tomorrow was going to come, and when it came, she would face it, but now?
She was going to bask in the love.