BIRTHRIGHT (complete #Wattys2016)

Chapter 16: Companionship

"Isabelle. I never loved your father." Queen Mary told her daughter, causing her to come to an abrupt halt.

"You're father and my marriage was arranged, just like yours. But I wasn't so lucky as to fall in love with the man my life was destined to be with." She told her as she brushed away a stray tear from beneath her eyes. "Come sit down."

Mary led Isabelle inside the chambers, settling her down on the bed as Isabelle looked at her mother incredously. Her mind numb with shock.

"I was 17 when my marriage was settled to your father, who at that time was 24 and the King of Scotland. We had met on a ball, and your father took a liking to me. He had me meet him every now and then, and sooner then I could realize he was asking for my hand in marriage. I told him I couldn't marry him. I was the daughter of a high ranked official in the Scottish army,"

"And, I was in love with someone else."

Isabelle's gaze snapped up to her mother, her mouth falling open at the revelation.

"I was in love with the boy I grew up with. He was my best friend. He was always there for me. And I loved him. We both had agreed that when I turn 18, he would marry me. But then I had gone to the ball where I met your father, and everything changed."

"I told your father that I could not marry him, but I didn't tell him why. He told me that he would give me a fortnight to decide, and had left. I confided in the man I loved, and he told me to marry Henry. He just told me to trust him, so I agreed to the marriage."

"When we got married, a few days after that I was introduced to the general of Henry's army. My best friend, my Andreas. I used to sneak out of the castle and meet with Andreas whenever I had the chance. Your father didn't suspect anything, until one day, he saw him with Andreas, running to the stables. Your father caught us. He had Andreas locked in the dungeons, and I don't know what happened down there."

"Your father knew I loved him, and said that he would let Andreas go, but he was never to return back to Scotland. I convinced Andreas to follow his terms. He left. And never returned."

"Soon, I had you. But I could never love your father as I loved Andreas. Your father was my friend, a companion. Andreas was my other half, my soulmate. Your father could never replace him."

"I am sorry you had to find out this way. Please know that whatever I do, I do for your betterment." Mary said softly as she went to stroke Isabelle's hair, but even before she could, Isabelle slapped her hand away. Standing up, tears streamed down her face, her ears were ringing with the sound of her heartbeat, her mind buzzing with everything. Shaking her head, Isabelle backed away from her mother, looking at her in disgust and revulsion. Turning on her heel, Isabelle ran out the chambers and down the grand foyer. 

She thrust open the chamber doors, startling the two people inside. Alexander stood beside Theodore, conversing in French, but both of them stopped when they noticed Isabelle's state.

"Isabelle? What is the matter?" Alexander asked as he rushed forward, just in time to catch her as her legs gave out beneath her, darkness comsuming her world.

***

Alexander paced the hallway in front of his chambers, waiting for the nurse to come out. The French Royals were all standing anxiously waiting, as Queen Mary had a nervous expression adorning her features. Suddenly the door opened and Alexander stopped, looking up in hopes of seeing the physician, but were surprised to see Isabelle step out.

"Amour! Please lay back in bed. You must rest." Alexander said as he rushed to her and held her to him.

"No. I am fine." Isabelle stated as she pulled away from Alexander, and then glared at her mother. "I want everyone to know what caused my state of shock."

"What are you talking about?" Natalia asked, stepping forward.

"My mother, never loved my father." Isabelle stated vehemently as everyone looked at her in shock. "My mother is the one who ensured that my letters never reached you, Alexander."

"She is the reason as to why we had no way of communcation for three years. She lied to me."

"But worst of all." Isabelle said with a humourless laugh. "She wanted to make you belive that I didn't love you anymore, amour." Isabelle said taking a firm grasp of Alexander's hand.

"She wants me to marry the Emperor of England. The same person who is behind our father's murder!" Isabelle yelled out, her mind fogged up with anger and disgust for the woman in front of her.

The silence was a poison to them, for in that void of sound the shallowness of the weight of the truth settled down on their minds, putting an unmiginable burden on everyone present. Isabelle scanned her mother's face for a reaction. The silence hung in the air like the suspended moment before a falling glass shatters on the ground. She expected her to crumple, wail or dissolve into tears, but she did none of those things, instead she looked away as if she had any dignity to save.

"B-but why?" Alexander was the first to speak. Shock evident in his voice.

"I had to do what I had to do." Mary said firmly.

"Please mother. Do enlighten us. Why do you want such a porposturous notion to take place?" Isabelle spat.

"To save him. To keep him alive." Mary said, confidence growing with every word. "The day I found out I was expecting you, I had gotten a letter the previous day. It was from the late King of England."

"Since Andreas had to escape Scotland, he had to go through England. He was captured by the royal guards and taken to the King because he had told them everything. The king wanted to make a preposition. He wanted something in return for sparring his life."

"What did he want?" Alexander asked, fearing to be correct.

"He wanted you." Mary said, her words directed at Isabelle. "He wanted you for his son. His heir."

Those words struck Isabelle like a blade had peirced her. She staggered back, but Alexander took a frim hold of her, pulling her towards him, keeping her safe and steady.

"And I agreed."

***