Since childhood Esmeray always dreamed of being a mother, her love for children was very noticeable. She even spend her time at charity's for orphan children. As she got older she donated her time and resources.
Due to this she won the hearts of the people, many paid her back by serving in the military or doing small favors.
On her eighteen birthday she was poisoned, even though she recovered the effects of the poison took its course. Unfortunately she could no longer bare children. Her heart was broken, her hopes of forming a family went down the drain.
The news was kept between her and her mother. King Lionel was never told of this, so for him to suggest an heir hit her like thousand stones. If he knew he wouldn't have mentioned it, maybe perhaps he wouldn't have proposed to this marriage.
"Princess?" A maid called out to her "Huh?"
"Would you like me to run the bath water for you?" She asks holding a towel in her hand.
"Yes...can I ask something?"
"Please do."
Esmeray stood from the bed, holding her womb "Do you have children?" She asked catching the maid off gaurd "My lady...no, I don't..."
"I see.." the maid not knowing where this conversation is going or why it even started in the beginning added "I pray that when I do is with the right man. " Esmeray smiled at her response, allowing the maid to continue her task.
She isn't sure what to do. She knows it's important to tell the Prince but what will his reaction be? Will he end the contract? Will he take a concubine to bare his heir? If news got out she would be surely mocked by both kingdoms.
As night draws Esmeray can't seem to close her eyes. Her heart breaking knowing she can't bare children.
Far from her, Xerxes tosses and turns his mind going back to his conversation with Esmeray. The anger in her eyes as he mentioned consummating.
After what feels like hours, Xerxes up on sleeping and rises from his bed. He paces around his room, running a hand through his hair in frustration.He doesn't like this either but King Lionel is right.
After all why should he look forward to sleeping with her? They have not talked in weeks, he knows nothing about her and she knows nothing about him, or his afair with Lady Isabella.
He pauses in his pacing, a sudden realization striking him. He sinks down onto the edge of his bed, his head in his hands."He's right," Mateo whispers to himself, the words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. "Why should I look forward to sleeping with her? We're strangers, bound by duty and nothing more."
Yet something in him is curious about her, the night of their wedding how she got excited about the festival, how she became a child for a moment. Her face filled with delight, her smile vibrant and welcoming. Her soft hands against his rough hands..her small height compared to his tallness. Suddenly he finds himself thinking about her and how she has managed to be away from him. He begins to wonder if she looks for him, or wonders about him.
His mind playing images of her curvy body, how she looks without clothes, if her body is just as soft as her hands. If her lips are just as soft as they look and as sweet as honey.
How would she look bending down, would she beg for more, would she call out his name as he pushes himself deeper into her.
The thought sends a flutter through his chest, a feeling he quickly pushes aside. His reaction noticeable in his pants as a clear hardness makes its presence known.
He shakes his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "No," he murmurs to himself. "She's just a means to an end, a way to secure our kingdoms' future."
Tired of fighting his sleep he dresses and sneaks his way to Lady Isabellas quarters. He hesitates for a moment before knocking softly on the door."Come in," a soft voice calls from inside.
He takes a deep breath and enters the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Lady Isabella is sitting by the window, a book in her lap.She looks up as Xerxes enters, a small smile playing on her lips. "Your Highness," she greets him, setting her book aside. "I didn't expect to see you tonight."
He approaches her slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. "I couldn't sleep," he admits quietly. "I kept thinking about... us." He reaches out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
She smiles at him, she wants to believe his words but she knows he likes playing games. For now though she will be his pawn and one day his queen.
Lady Isabella leans into his touch, her heart racing at his proximity. "I'm glad you're here," she whispers, her eyes fluttering closed as he brushes his thumb along her cheek.
As the night wears on, Xerxes and Lady Isabella lose themselves in each other's arms, the outside world forgotten. The moonlight casts a soft glow over their entwined bodies, the only sounds their whispered words and gentle sighs.
The moon and stars their only witness to their hidden affairs.