Chapter 4 She's DEVIOUS

Isabella’s POV

He was seated at a grand desk, his face serious. The tension in the room was palpable. I sank to one knee, bowing my head. “Your Majesty,” I said, my voice echoing in the quiet space, “thank you for seeing me.”

“I’ve heard that you’ve been waiting outside for quite some time, Lady Isabella.” He sounded both stern and concerned. “What do you wish of me? If you want me to revoke William and Beatrice’s wedding decree—”

“No, Your Majesty.” I inhaled slowly, feeling my pulse race. “I’m not here to demand you take back that decree. I’m here to request something else entirely.”

His brow furrowed. “Oh? And what would that be?”

I forced my gaze upward, refusing to show fear. “I humbly ask your permission to dissolve my marriage with William Beauchamp. I no longer wish to remain his wife.”

For a moment, the king just stared at me, stunned into silence. Then he rose to his feet, eyes flickering with what looked like pity. “Isabella de Montfort, do you realize what you’re asking? A formal release from marriage, especially one publicly backed by royal decree, is almost unheard of. You could become an outcast in noble society.”

My chest tightened, but I stayed firm. “I understand, Your Majesty. But William has made it clear he values someone else’s companionship over mine. He’s humiliated me, neglected me. I would rather face life alone than stay trapped in a loveless arrangement.”

The king exhaled, pacing a few steps. “You realize there will be whispers. You will have no one to rely on.”

I felt a bitter laugh escape my lips. “Your Majesty, he cast me aside first. He showed no loyalty to me. I’m simply following through on the decision he’s already made.”

He paused, eyes drifting over my worn clothes and the sorrow etched on my face. I could see him recalling how my father once saved his life, how my family’s sacrifice had paved the way for so many victories on the battlefield. After a long silence, he nodded.

“Very well. In the coming days, I will issue a formal statement allowing you to end your marriage with William Beauchamp.” His voice softened. “I do this in honor of your father’s memory as well as your own determination. Should life become unbearable or you find yourself in danger, you may return here for my protection.”

Relief flooded me, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a faint spark of hope. I bowed low, tears forming in the corners of my eyes. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will never forget your kindness.”

He gave me a fleeting smile, something sad and gentle. “Go, then. And may you find the peace you seek.”

I rose unsteadily, my head spinning with the enormity of what had just happened. By the time I stepped out into the corridor, Emma rushed toward me, her face pale with worry. I managed a shaky grin. “The king agreed,” I murmured. “He’ll grant me my freedom.”

She wrapped her arms around me, half-laughing, half-crying. Then we left.

Days later, Emma shared some news she had learned through her contacts in the palace. She said the King had been summoned by the Queen Mother immediately after I left. Rumor had it that she was upset, troubled that I’d been forced into such drastic measures. They said she remembered me as a bright-eyed girl from a noble house that bled for the kingdom. They claimed tears were shed, that the King faced rebuke for allowing such a situation to unfold.

William’s POV

I walked into the palace courtyard with my head held high, still riding the wave of victory from the front lines. After everything that happened in the last few days, I thought I’d be ushered straight into the King’s study.

We had parted on good terms, and he even praised me—praised both me and Beatrice Blackwood—so I expected a warm welcome. Instead, I was told to wait outside his chamber. One hour passed, and nobody came to speak with me or even look my way. My chest grew tight with uneasy thoughts: What changed? Why this sudden silence?

Eventually, Lord Howard, the Royal Chamberlain, showed up. “His Majesty is occupied,” he said with a polite bow. “Come back another day, Lord Beauchamp.” He didn’t offer further explanation. He just looked at me with that same guarded expression everyone around here wears, and then he left.

I was stunned. This was the same King who granted me this prestigious engagement just days ago. And now he refused to see me? My stomach churned with confusion and a growing sense of dread.

I tried not to dwell on it too much as I headed out of the palace grounds, but just then, I overheard two guards by the gate chatting in low voices. They mentioned my wife—Isabella—sneaking into the palace yesterday. Something about her visit being tied to the “royal marriage.”

My entire body tensed. She must have come here to sabotage the King’s plans. That was the only explanation that made sense to me. I spent the whole day yesterday with Beatrice and her family, so I had no idea Isabella had an audience with the King.

I broke into a sweat as I mounted my horse and rode back home. The moment I reached my estate, I jumped off my horse and tossed the reins to a startled servant.

My mind was on fire with all the ways Isabella could have spun this story. I pictured her in the throne room, crying about being neglected. Maybe she even demanded the King withdraw my engagement to Beatrice. I couldn’t stand the thought that she was undermining everything I’d fought for.

When I finally got to her quarters, I burst through the door. “Isabella!” I shouted at the top of my lungs, too furious to bother with any formalities. Emma, her maid, stood in front of her like a small, trembling shield. But Isabella calmly told Emma to step aside. She regarded me with this eerie sense of calm that only made me angrier. It felt like her composure was mocking me.

I pointed an accusing finger at her. “You went to see the King, didn’t you? You’re trying to stop my marriage to Beatrice!” I expected her to either deny it frantically or confess on the spot, but she just shook her head.

“I did go to the palace,” she said, her voice slow and steady. “But I never asked him to stop anything.”

Her tone drove me crazy. “Oh, so you’re just acting innocent?” I snapped. “Don’t lie to me, Isabella. I waited outside His Majesty’s study for an hour today, and he wouldn’t even see me! That never happens. It has to be because of you.”

She folded her arms. “The King hasn’t withdrawn the engagement. If that’s what you’re worried about, you can relax.”

Those words eased some of the tension in my gut, but I still felt raged. My voice came out in a bitter snarl. “You’re making this difficult,” I said quietly, fighting to control my temper. “I’m willing to be generous. You can remain part of this household. I’ll ensure you have status, that you never lack comfort. In time, I could give you a child to raise, secure your position for the future. That’s more kindness than you deserve after this stunt.”

She lowered her gaze to her hands, then glanced toward Emma, who hovered at the doorway. I followed her line of sight and saw a flicker in her eyes—was it pity or simple indifference? When she finally spoke, her voice was soft but steady: “Emma, please see our guest out.”