Medicine | King Baldwin

48

Isabel sat in front of the ornate mirror, her hair cascading around her shoulders as she meticulously combed through the long, black strands. The early morning light filtered through the window, casting a gentle glow on her reflective surface.

The peaceful silence was abruptly disturbed by a sharp knock on the door. Her focus snapped back to the present, her thoughts scattering as she turned her head toward the sound.

She set the comb down on the vanity and smoothed her dress, taking a deep breath to steady herself before responding. The knock was persistent, signaling that whoever was on the other side was eager to speak with her.

"Come in." Isabel said kindly, her voice warm and inviting. The door opened slowly, revealing Jeanette, who stepped inside with an aura of distress.

"My lady, I mean, Your Grace." She said, bowing with a sniffle.

"What happened?" She exclaimed, her voice tinged with concern.

She quickly rose from her chair, her flowing gown rustling softly as she moved. Rushing to the girl's side, she gently placed a hand on her shoulder, her eyes searching Jeanette's tear-streaked face for answers.

"Lady Agnes, she commanded.. that I be removed from your service." She sobbed, her eyes full of desperation as she looked at Isabel.

"What?" She asked, her voice tinged with frustration. "What could possibly justify removing you from my service?" she demanded.

"She said that the queen should not be served by the daughter of a mere blacksmith." Jeanette replied, her voice cracking with despair.

Isabel's face grew pale as she listened to her words. Jeanette had been faithfully by her side from the very first day, offering support and assistance.

"That's a joke." She laughed, shaking her head. "Don't worry, my sweet Jeanette. No one is going to remove you from my side." She gently grasped the distraught girl's shoulders.

Isabel released her shoulders and, with an expression of barely contained fury, strode towards the door. As her hand reached for the handle, the lady-in-waiting's desperate voice called after her, her tone pleading for a moment's pause.

"Please, Your Grace, don't—" She called, but to no avail.

Isabel was already through the door, determined to confront the injustice that had been done to her loyal lady-in-waiting. Her strides were quick, her footsteps reverberating off the cold, stone walls of the palace as she rushed through the corridors to approach Lady Agnes's chamber.

"Isabel, how are you—" Simon began as he saw the girl approaching, but she interrupted him coldly.

"Not now, Simon." she said sharply, brushing past the startled man.

She threw him a fleeting glance before turning away and striding toward Agnes's chamber. Without waiting for any further interaction, she approached the door, knocked with an urgency that mirrored her frustration, and then pushed it open to enter unannounced.

"You could have waited until I allowed you in." the woman responded coldly, her eyes narrowing slightly. She sipped her tea slowly, savoring each mouthful as she regarded Isabel with a hint of disdain. "It's quite rude to barge in without an invitation." she added, her tone carrying an unmistakable note of irritation.

"May I inquire as to the reason you ordered my servant to be removed from my service?" She asked, her tone icy as she emphasized the word 'my' while pointing to herself.

"Who are you referring to?" The woman asked, her voice feigning innocence.

"You know exactly who I mean." the girl said with a sardonic smile.