Chapter 71 The start of war
A light knock sounded on Isabella's door before the door pushed open.
Mira rushed in, banging the door gently behind her as she knelt down, the tears streaming down her face.
“Ms Thorne?” She gasped, her hands reaching for Isabella. “You're alive. I…I was so scared.”
Isabella managed a small smile as she helped Mira up. “I'm okay. How's Elias?”
Mira sighed, looking away.
Isabella stood up, alarm filling her face. “Mira?” Her voice was louder than she intended due to the panic.
Mira nodded. “He's okay, my Lady. He's just withdrawn.”
Isabella gulped, nodding fastly. “That's manageable.” Her throat caught a sob. “Why are you here?”
“I've been assigned here.”
“By whom?” She knew the answer to the question the moment it escaped her lips.
“Lord Damien,” Mira answered regardless.
“I'm so sorry, Mira.” A heavy sigh escaped Isabella's lips.
Mira shook her head, taking Isabella's palms in hers. “It's really okay, Ms Thorne. I promised to serve you and I'll keep to my word.”
“No you can't.” Isabella protested weakly. “Staying here with me, means that you'll be ostracised. “Heck, you may even end up being killed.”
“I know that, Ms Thorne,” Mira responded coolly. “I've been given the chance to think about it, and my decision’s not gonna change.”
Isabella nodded gravely. “I understand that, Mira. But I still think…”
Mira shook her head. “What have you had to eat, Ms Thorne?” She deftly changed the subject.
Isabella smiled despite how she felt inside. “I don't think I’m hungry, Mira. I'll eat when I'm hungry. In the meantime, I think we should talk.”
Mira shook her head, walking to the door. “I disagree with you, Ms Thorne. I'll get you something to eat immediately. We can talk while you eat.”
The door opened as she spoke to a guard in whispered tones. She poked her head back inside. “Your favourites, Ms Thorne?”
Isabella smiled, her stomach growling. “A different side, Mira. Preferably some soup.”
Mira nodded eagerly, delivering the message as she stepped back inside the room. “Just so you know, I heard that.” She motioned at Isabella's stomach, an affectionate smile plastered on her face.
Isabella smiled like a little girl before looking away. “I'm pretty sure you've heard all that's transpired?”
“I thought we were waiting for the food to arrive before we started talking?”
Isabella shrugged. “I figured we'd start now instead of waiting for later.”
Mira nodded, nudging her to continue.
“What's the news like? What are the people saying?” Her face was desperate.
Mira sighed looking away. “I'm not supposed to tell you this, Ms Thorne." Mira began, hesitating.
“Mira please,” Isabella pleaded, her voice shaking. “I would really need some good news here.”
Mira shut her eyes, a deep battle going on in her mind. “The county's divided, Ms Thorne.” She rushed, afraid that if she as much as, gave a pause, the words would get stuck in her throat.
Isabella nodded. “As expected. What's the ratio?” She pressed.
“Lord Hale still has a lot of work to do with the people…” A knock sounded on the door.
Mira stood up, rushing to the door. “I guess that's your food, My lady. I'd better get it.” It felt like she had just been relieved of a huge burden.
Isabella bit her lips, trying to rein in her patience as Mira and the strange woman who had brought the food, set it down.
“This is too much. I don't think I can finish this.”
She stretched her hand out to receive the bowl that Mira had handed to her. “You should eat first.” She muttered her thanks to the strange woman as she closed the door after her, leaving herself and Isabella back into the room.
“You were saying?” Isabella urged with a mouthful. She wouldn't allow herself to be distracted by the state of the food.
Mira nodded, settling back to her former position. “Yes, I was talking about the council.”’
“Yes,” Isabella agreed, swallowing as she reached for the bottle of water, taking down a few gulps.
Mira nodded satisfactorily. “Lord Hale still has a lot of work to do with the people, Ms Thorne. They don't seem to be agreeing.”
“How?” Isabella's frown was soft as all her attention turned to Mira, the food forgotten in an instant.
“Lord Hale’s reputation precedes him, Ms Thorne.”
Isabella grunted. “Yes, I do, but I'm also confused as to the relationship between his method of income earning and the support he needs to garner.”
Mira's eyes travelled to the food, reminding Isabella of her promise.
Without a word, Isabella picked up the tray, taking a large spoonful. “Does this work?” Her giggle was that of mischief.
Mira found herself smiling despite the situation. Isabella could act cute when she wanted to. “Yes, my lady. It works.”
Isabella nodded, chewing hurriedly. “I've kept to my own end of the bargain. It's your turn.”
“Lord Hale is known to be a slave master, Ms Thorne. Selling and buying off poor people.”
Understanding dawned on Isabella. “He's the one man who's working against them. Understandably, they hate him.”
“Yes,” Mira bobbed her head. “I agree with you.”
“And the elites?” Isabella asked, mouth full.
Mira paused, adjusting her position on the ground. “There's controversy, Ms Thorne.”
Isabella's teeth stopped chewing involuntarily, the food suddenly becoming spicy on her tongue.
Her stomach churned. “What do you mean?”
“Mira?” Isabella urged, studying the younger woman who had shut her eyes. She could tell that Mira was looking for the right words so as not to hurt her.
“I can take it. I've had worse.” She mumbled.
Mira opened her eyes, revealing clouded eyes. “I'm sorry, Ms Thorne.”
Isabella waved it away. “You've done nothing wrong, Mira. Just let me know what's happening.”
Mira sniffed. “The elites believe Damien is the right person for the job. They…” she paused.
“They what?”
“They believe…they believe…the…Moonlit blood is cursed and as good as His Majesty was to them, it wouldn't suffice.”
“They think he has been contaminated?” Isabella said wryly, taking the words out of Mira’s mouth.
Mira nodded weakly. “If you put it like that.”
Isabella stood gently, walking to the window.
“My Lady?” Mira's voice was laced with concern.
“I'm fine, Mira, and I'm full if that's what you wanna ask.”
“Actually,” Mira began, her eyes looking everywhere but in Isabella's direction.
“Mira?” Isabella’s voice contained annoyance.
Mira cleared her throat noisily. “I don't know if it's appropriate, but I think there's something you should know.”
“And?” Isabella asked exasperatedly when she realised that Mira would not go on unless she urged her.
“There's some sort of renovation going on.”
“That's very vague, Mira. Can you please speak in clearer terms?”
Mira shook her head. “It's about Mrs Louvre.”
Isabella spun. “What about her? Please” don't tell me she's in on this?” Her voice shook.
She and the older woman never saw eye to eye but from her experiences in the past, she knew Mrs Louvre loved Lucien like her son.
Mira shook her head. “On the contrary, Ms Thorne.”
Isabella exhaled, relief flooding her chest. “That's really good to know…” she trailed, her eyes widening.
“Then, if she's safe, what seems to be the issue?”
Mira nudged her head outward.
Isabella followed her eyes, a gasp escaping from her lips before she could stop it.
“How? Why? What happened?”
“She was speaking about Lord Hale.”
Isabella frowned. “That doesn't make sense.” The lines in her forehead creased slightly.
“We aren't allowed to speak about him?”
“Your voice, Ms Thorne.”’Mira whispered in horror.
Isabella shrugged, her arms folded. “Where is she?” She asked defiantly, ignoring Mira’s pleading expression.
“In the cell meant for guards,” Mira answered resignedly.
“H…how?” Isabella couldn't believe her ears. “Are you sure about this, Mira?”
Mira nodded. “I'm sorry, Ms Thorne.”
“That's the place kept for people who have committed treason, if I'm thinking correctly, isn't it?” Isabella pressed.
Mira nodded. “You're right, my lady.”
Both women fell silent, with Isabella chewing her lips.
“I would love to be left alone.” She muttered.
“What?” Mira spun, concern etched in her face. “I don't think I can do that, Ms Thorne.”
Isabella turned her back, her gaze focused on the window. “It's not a request, Mira. It's an order.”
Mira knelt hurriedly. “I realised that, my Lady. I…I'm just saying that it would be wicked of me to leave you in a condition such as this.” Her voice shook. She was trying to hold in her tears.
Isabella's heart softened. “Get up, Mira. I'm not angry at you. I just need to think.”
Mira nodded. “Thank you, my lady.” She bowed softly. “I won't, however, be returning to my quarters. I would keep watch over you just outside the doors.”
Isabella couldn't bring herself to argue further. “I think I can make do with that.” she sighed softly, walking slowly back to the bed.