A Tale of Arranged Hearts ( Medieval Romance )

Part 5

          In the grand hall of the castle, adorned with opulent decorations, Isabella and Alexander stood side by side, ready to greet the important guests attending the upcoming wedding.
Among them was Stephan, a tall, handsome duke with blond locks, shiny hair, and piercing blue eyes. Isabella recognized him from her father's business meeting, and a subtle smile graced her lips as they exchanged pleasantries. Stephan, however, seized the opportunity to discreetly and playfully flirt with Isabella, his charming demeanor accompanied by a twinkle in his eyes.
"Oh, Lady Isabella, you have grown into a beautiful woman since the last time we met. Your coming of age is soon if I remember correctly?" Stephan's voice carried a hint of admiration, his eyes lingering on Isabella as he awaited her response.
"Thank you, Sir Stephan," Isabella replied, her tone composed yet cautious. "Yes, my birthday is this week. I would be honored if you could attend the ball."
Stephans's eyes traveled to Alexander who was excessively glaring at him.
"If only you do the honor of dancing with me." Isabella's hand whipped to cover her opened mouth at the shocking proposal, while the blond man bowed to her and kissed the top of her hand. Both had sly smirks on their faces, as Stephan faced Alexander to greet him.
"Your Royal Highness, it is an honor to be greeted by you."
"Yes, sir. Stephan, I suppose it is. Has your journey been tiring, you don't look so well, I will order the servants to prepare a bath for you or would you prefer to eat first?" Alexander's smirk betrayed a hint of satisfaction as he seemingly took charge of the situation. The shock on Isabella's face was mirrored by the disbelief in Stephan's eyes. Isabella knew that Alexander had no interest in rules or being respectful, but this was outrageous, he had just met Stephan.
"I am quite alright your highness, but I suppose I could rest."
          They traveled to the castle, while they were walking Stephan chained his and Isabella's hand and continued flirting with her. A simmering jealousy brewed beneath his composed exterior, but he refused to let it surface. Alexander walked behind them with a scowl, offended by the fact that some peacock was showcasing interest in his future wife, this could harm her innocence, more over their arrangement.
"Isabella, go tell the chef to prepare dinner" Alexander commended.
"I can tell the servant" She looked confused.
"No, I want you to tell him personally."
As Isabella disappeared from his vision he turned to Stephan.
"Listen here pretty boy," Alexander began in a measured tone, "Isabella will soon be my wife. I suggest you refrain from any inappropriate interactions with her."
Stephan chuckled lightly, seemingly unfazed. " Your Highness, there's no harm in a little friendly banter. After all, we're all here to celebrate, aren't we?"
Alexander's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing. "This is not a matter for jest, Stephan. Isabella deserves respect, and I won't tolerate any behavior that suggests otherwise."
The tension between them escalated as Stephan continued to downplay the situation. Alexander, unable to contain his frustration, a blood vessel appeared on his forehead, and he issued a thinly veiled threat.
"I would advise you to reconsider your actions, lest you find yourself facing consequences beyond your imagination." He placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
Meanwhile, Isabella appeared from the corner, finishing the confrontation from a distance, her brows furrowing in disapproval. As Alexander and Stephan exchanged heated words, she approached them, her expression a mixture of anger and disappointment.

"Alexander, what is the meaning of this? Why are you threatening Stephan?" Isabella's voice carried a sharp edge.
Alexander turned to face her, his eyes momentarily softening before regaining their composure. "Isabella, he was crossing boundaries. As your future husband, I cannot tolerate such behavior."
Isabella's frustration grew. "Alexander, you have no right to dictate who I interact with or how they choose to treat me."
Alexander's gaze hardened. "Yes I do, I am your future husband, I am your future king. I won't stand by and watch someone else try to claim what is rightfully mine. This is as disrespectful to you as is disrespectful to me, I will not turn a blind eye to that. He chose the wrong way to introduce himself."
Isabella scoffed, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "Rightfully yours? You claim possession without declaring affection. It's unfair and hypocritical."
"I don't care what's unfair or hypocritical but you should not have behaved this way" his finger pointed at her.
"I knew these past few days could not be so good." The soft voice murmured quietly.
"Speak up when you speak to me."
"I said I knew that you couldn't be good for long, I knew whatever good happened these past few days was going to be ruined. And now we're back to the way it was." Her voice loud and ringing, upset at Alexander's behavior, she was tired of their constant back-and-forth banters.
"Are you desperate for attention? Why are you acting as a loose woman, why are you blaming me in this situation? If you do not care for your reputation then so be it, but do not act as a noble lady."
"Do not say something you will regret later, Alexander, I am tired of forgiving and forgetting the things you say. I have not once given a reason to call me a loose woman, on the other hand, you, of whom rumors are circulating around the castle. You don't understand what it's making me feel, but have I once named you a loose man, have I once accused you of anything?" As I was catching my breath he was silent, he had so much to say but now he is silent.
"I am tired, of the false hopes, of the arguments, I am tired of you. Let's take a break. Since I moved into the castle I now have more time to organize the wedding, you don't have to worry about it, I want us to encounter as less as possible. This will be good for both of us." I searched for an answer in his eyes.
"What? No! What in the hell are you saying?"
"I believe I was quite clear."
"No, you were not. What fucking rumors are you talking about? If you are not a loose woman, then why are you flirting with another man when you will soon have a husband? Were you not angry at me that I left for that trip right before the wedding? To me, it seems that you are the hypocrite here." His eyes bore into mine, he was frustrated, you could sense it in his tone and body movements, he was loud and gesticulated a lot. Why is he acting as if he doesn't know the rumors about him, where did he see that I was flirting, why is he always trying to hurt me, every time I find good in him he goes out and demolishes that.
"Alexander. Rumors about you and As I said, I have not given you a reason to call me a loose woman, if you dare to say such things to me again I will not forgive you. Ever. No matter what it does to my reputation." The determination in Isabella's eyes left him speechless, the thought of this engagement ending and her being upset with him suddenly changed his way of thoughts. He didn't know what to say, whether he should apologize or keep interrogating her.
"Isabella, I..." a short pause to gather his thoughts.
"I don't want to go back to the way we were, but.. keep yourself in check. Why are you flirting with men in front of me, if you want this marriage to end, then explain yourself."
"Alexander you're unbelievable, in this situation, you totally manipulated my words." The soft face softened and tears curled in her eyes, she turned her face to the side to avoid being seen by the man in front of her.
          Alexander noticed the gesture and his hand jerked to her face but he stopped himself midway, who was he to comfort her, he was the one who upset her, thoughts engulfed his mind as they stood there. The tension hung in the air as their unspoken feelings collided. Isabella, frustrated by Alexander's reluctance to acknowledge their connection, turned away and walked off, leaving both men behind.  Alexander, torn between his possessiveness and the realization of potentially losing her, stood in the grand hall, lost in these thoughts. As the evening continued, the atmosphere remained charged. Isabella avoided Alexander, nursing her wounded pride, while he grappled with conflicting emotions.