A/N:

Ages:

Isabella: 17

Edward: 23 (Very recently, This chapter takes place during the summer)


{Chapter 43}

Isabella couldn't stop smiling and laughing at the entertainment provided at the feast thrown in honor of her condition. She was happy to know that she was not unwell but blessed, and that was the reason she had not felt as herself for weeks.

Her hand was tightly clasped in Edward's, and he was smiling and laughing along with her.

To the people, they appeared a very happy couple, and they played the part well. However, their marriage was as emotionless as it had always been.

Edward did not know, but Isabella had found out about all of his mistresses, and while most of them were nameless women who were paid for a service, she wasn't naïve enough to believe he hadn't engaged with one or two of her ladies as well. She was Queen, though, and she was not going to whine about her husband's escapades.

There was something different about the King this evening, though. Isabella took notice of how his eyes remained on the entertainment and did not once wander over to where her ladies were sitting, no matter how one of them, Lady Cray, continuously searched for contact.

Instead, in a very rare move by the King, he raised their clasped hands and placed a kiss on Isabella's knuckles. They exchanged a look and then turned back to the people in the hall.