Baked with Love: A Sweet Pursuit of Passion

Made my decision

Perhaps Phillip would be the best; he hasn't pushed me to do anything. He was attractive; I'll tell them that but I just didn't feel anything for him.

Other than a small bit of relief at the thought of him not pressing me.

I continue walking around my feet, hitting the cobblestone ground.

Today would be the day that I make my decision. There was something about the way Nicholas talked to me.

Now I did find him attractive; as weird as it sounds, he was very bold. Though his concept of having to fix my bad attitude pissed me off.

Though Spencer is kind of similar, just not so verbal with his thoughts.

I still remember, do you think your opinion is more important than that of a man? Let alone your husband.

Puff-like men are always right.

Like you have got to be kidding me.

Mold you into your best version of yourself.

I'm already the best version.

Both of these men have made it very clear they would have exceptions, and with said expectations comes discipline.

I didn't want that, so I kept getting pulled to Phillip again; at least he hadn't blankly threatened to discipline me for my behavior.

Which is a wrong positive; he hasn't even really bothered me that much.

As I continue walking, I hear some muffled voices come from down the shadowed hallway.

Phillip was talking to a man. He was standing very close to him.

His hand was on the guy's face.

His eyes were looking at the man with lust. Before he kisses him.

I stand in my spot, hoping to not be seen.

I felt weird as hell watching them, so I moved in the opposite direction.

He likes men...

He likes men...

He likes men...

What the heck?
I stumble and knock something over the sound very loud in the night.

"Stop who goes there?!" Phillip commands in a tone I've never heard from him before.

I act like I cannot hear him.

"Isabella, stop right now; that is a command!" He shouts.

I close my eyes tightly.

And still in my tracks.

Well, I'm not going to pick him now...

So now I'm stuck between the two men who intimidate me the most.

One of those who communicates with me is Nicholas.

Spencer is great; he just doesn't talk much to me.

My conversations with these two men rapidly replay in my head.

Why did I have to see that?

"What did you see, Isabella?" Phillip asks.

"I'm not going to say anything," I say quietly.

His face was laced with worry.

"Believe me, I won't say anything," I say as I attempt to comfort him.

He sighs and runs his hand through his hair.
"Well, I appreciate it." He says carefully.

"I hope you do know; I'm not going to pick you now though," I say.

What seems like relief passes on his face.

"I understand." He says as he looks more relaxed.

"It was my family's idea... I think they have some ideas; I'm not the son they had in mind." He tells me as though he were disappointed with himself.

"Now as payment for not saying what I just saw, tell me, Spencer or Nicholas?" I ask him carefully.

"Well, both have their faults. Spencer likes to act like a charmer; he's a lady's man constantly in the brothels at least 4 5 times a week normally with the same girl. Nicholas has been to the brothels a few times after battle or long trips. Doesn't spend the night there with them though." He tells me.

Ewe brothels, how gross.

"Do you think he cares for the girl he sees?" I ask him.

"Well, she is pregnant.. so I'd say so... She only sleeps with him. or so she says... The baby might not even be his." He tells me.

Each one of these secrets that has been revealed hits me like a train.

"So why would he want to marry me?" I ask him.

"Lords cannot marry sex workers, Isabella; it doesn't work like that." He tells me seriously.

"So really the best option is Nicholas, as he doesn't have a sex worker he's in love with or he's not into men," I ask him, almost annoyed but still thankful that the information made it easier to make my decision.

"I suppose so, Isabella." He tells me as though trying to soften the direct blow to me.

"Well, thank you, Phillip," I say walking away.

I should confirm the brothel thing first before I make any decisions.

I walk to the brothel, and the strange smells hit my nose.

"Hello, does Lord Spencer come here?" I ask the lady at the front her bare breast on display.

"Yes, girl, he normally sees Claire." She says pointing to the woman with a large stomach ready to pop at any second.

"Poor fella too; he could never marry her." Says tells me she is snarky as she looks at Claire with distaste.

"Does she see any other clients?" I ask her.

"No, he pays the amount every day and visits her every night." She says she is still looking distasteful at her.

"I see, thank you," I say walking out.

Just as I walked out, I saw Spencer heading here.

"What are you doing here?" He asks me carefully.

"Just trying to find out who my suitors are. Claire is inside; best hurry up." I say walking away.

"I cannot marry her. She is barring my child. What am I supposed to do?" He asks me as though I said something wrong.

"You are doing the right thing if she is barring your child Spencer. But I don't want to marry a man who already has a child and is in love with a woman he can never have. Have a nice night, Spencer." I say it as carefully as possible.

"Are you being serious right now?" He asks me, stepping closer to me.

"Yes, I am; I've made my decision," I say as I walk away from him to the royal chambers.