Affair with the King

Part 25

Juan woke slowly, groaning as he stretched his aching muscles. He looked to his side, smiling when he saw Sarah sprawled on the bed beside him. He got out of bed, feeling the strain battle had done on his muscles. Putting on his robe, he went to the doors of his chambers, asking the page to draw a hot bath. He then returned to the bed, laying close to Sarah, dropping kisses on her back.

"Mmmm", she sighed, happily, not opening her eyes.

"My love", he said, his lips against her neck. "Wake up. Bathe with me".

She rolled over, stretching her arms above her head. She finally opened her eyes, smiling at him. "You're mother will be needing me".

"My mother can wait", he argued, pulling her on top of him.

"Your mother is a queen", she reminded him, drawing her finger in circles on his chest.

"And, I am her king". He embedded his hands in her curls, pulling her face to meet his. He crushed his lips against hers, kissing her passionately.

"Speaking of queens", Sarah said, once they pulled apart. "We will have to tell your wife of this pregnancy".

He scoffed at the idea.

"Juan", she scolded, "it is better she finds out before the rest of the castle does. I can't imagine she will find the news as joyous as we do. Besides, I take pity on her. I will not give you up for anything, but I do wish you did not belong to another. It cannot be easy for her".

"I belong to you, and only you". He laid her back on the bed, his hand resting on her belly. "But, I will speak to her".

"Today?".

"Yes, my love. Today. And, tonight, I shall announce to everyone else that I am to be the father of a most glorious son!".

"Or daughter", she reminded him, a loving smile on her face.

"Or a most beautiful, smart, and kind daughter, just like her mother. Now, will you bathe with me?".

She kissed him, pushing him on to his back and climbing on top of him. He cupped her ass as she bent down to kiss him. They shared a long, hungry kiss, her hands splayed out on his chest, his roaming her body. When it was over, she got off him, pulling her robe around her naked body.

"I must attend your mother", she repeated.

He bound from the bed, forgetting his aches and pains. She laughed loudly as he swept her into his arms, showering her face with kisses. They were interrupted by his attendants bringing the tub in. He placed her down, kissing the tip of her nose.

She lovingly stroked his face. "And, you'll attend to your wife? With kindness?".

"I will", he promised, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Good", she said, smiling at him. To the attendants she said, "please send someone to help me dress".

Juan put his hand up. "No need. I will attend to my lady. Leave us".

Once they were alone, he removed her robes, moving to her discarded clothing from the night before. He dressed her, his large hands fumbling over the straps and buttons of her layers of clothing. She said nothing, basking in the intimacy of his attentiveness. It took him three times as long as it would have taken an attendant, but she loved him for it.

"You are the most gentle man I have ever known, my sweet King", she said. "And you will be such a great father".

She kissed him once more before leaving him. He took a long soak in the tub, resting his weary body. Once he was dressed, he made his way to Caterina's chambers. She was surprised when he was announced. He had not visited her chambers in many months.

"Dismiss your ladies", was his greeting.

She looked at him, defiantly, not saying a word.

"Sarah is with child".

"How wonderful", Caterina answered, not missing a beat. "Does she know who the father of her bastard is? I'm sure there are several possibilities".

"Are there?", he asked. "How does she find the time? Between sharing the deepest confidences of the true queen of Navarrese, Annabelle, and warming my bed every single night - two things my wife have never been able to manage? She is a marvel at many things. I shall add the manipulation of time to the list of her accomplishments".

Caterina's ladies watched the exchange, some embarrassed for her, others reveling in the drama. She finally had the sense to dismiss them.

"How dare you!", she roared, once they were all gone, flying towards him. "You had no intentions but to humiliate me, in front of my own court!".

"My intentions were quite the opposite. I wanted to inform you of the babe before I announce it to the castle. At Sarah's request".

Caterina went pale. "You cannot announce this!".

"I can, and I will. This is my first born child. I have felt a happiness beyond words and I will share this with my people. They need some happy news after all this sadness surrounding the King's passing"

"And, you'll give them this news at the expense of my dignity?".

"Caterina, you have no dignity among my people. You have made no effort. They know you for what you are".

She slapped him, hard and suddenly, right across the face. "What I am is what you've made me! I wanted to be a good and loving wife to you, but you barely even took notice of me. You used me to get to that servant girl and sentenced me to a life of misery. Where is my child?! Where is my loving husband? You stole all of this from me! You gave it all to her and she so happily took it!".

Juan sighed. "You're right. I used you. But, the rest is untrue. I asked you to be a good wife and make my people love you. I promised you, if you did that, your life would not be unpleasant. I would give you a son, and be kind. And, I did visit your chambers. As much as it tore at my heart to be untrue to Sarah, I came to you. It wasn't until your unkind nature came to revolt me that the visits stopped. You did that. I am sorry you are miserable. I truly am. But, only you have power over your happiness".

"That's it?", she cried, tears wetting her cheek. "That's all you have to say?".

He shrugged. "I'm sorry".

She watched, in shock, as he turned and left her chambers. She wiped her tears away, her anguish quickly turning to rage. She no longer cared for her husband's affection. The only thought in her mind was to hurt him as he had hurt her.