3rd pov
Isabella was about to chide and refuse to wait when her eyes fell on Philip who looked at her and then walked towards the inner place without spraying her another glance. But she knew it was her chance. So, she nodded and left.
She took hasty steps towards the inner place. When someone pulled her hand tightly and dragged her into a dark room.
She did not even react. She knew this touch and she had felt it all over her body. She just closed her eyes and let him take her.
Philip looked at his servant who nodded back and guarded the door.
Philip closed the door and then looked at the girl with annoyance. He had clearly told her that he would find a chance to meet her in the inn of the town yet she was not only here but also sent her personal maid to roam in the palace to call him.
He did not understand how could a woman be this dumb. Did she think that Marianne and all her staff was dumb that they would not notice that her maid had come to find him.
He could not believe that he had been sleeping with a dimwit like her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked the girl who was leaning with her eyes closed on the wall and holding his hands. He really wanted to jerk her hand. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to control the anger surging in his heart.
"I am here to meet you. I know that you did not want me to come here. But this was an emergency." she replied as she could feel the hidden anger in his voice.
Philip wanted to scold her but he stopped when he heard the word emergency.
"What is it? Did something happen?" though he was still angry but there was worry too in his voice.
She nodded her head as she took a deep breath and opened her eyes, "Cassius.. He knows about us. He said he knew that I have an old lover and these days we are meeting each other. He even threatened me that he would tell his majesty if I complained about him." she added through gritted teeth as she remembered the way he treated her.
Philp moved his fans and cupped her cheeks. She smiled as her face turned red, "sshh, don't worry, love, I will handle the matter. Just tell me what he said to you in detail. Were you threatening him to complain against time to Charles?" His velvety voice was soothing that she felt herself melting in his soft touches, warm voice and gentle look.
She nodded, "he is still meeting Marianne. He spent the whole day here while I was waiting for him at his palace yesterday. And when I thought that he would come and apologize. He tried to threaten me if I opened my mouth and said anything to my father. He would tell everyone that I am sleeping with you. I am here to warn you. I think he knows more than you and I can think. But I did not know how to talk about it with my father." she replied with a shiver at the last line, even the thought about her father beating her again made her scared to her core.
He smirked as he looked at her fearful face. But then he changed his expressions and filled his eyes with concern.
"Hey, do not worry. I will talk to your father and find a way. You did not need to talk about it. You are very precious to me, my love. You should not think about these things. I just want you to take good care of yourself, would you do that for me?" he asked, caressing her cheeks and she leaned on him further.
Only Philip was the one who cared about her. Even her parents were using her. She was nothing but a pawn for everyone. The love and concern Philip was showing her, she was craving it for centuries.
"Philip, do I really need to marry Cassius? I want to marry you. I want to live a simple life now. I am tired of all the scenes my father had in his mind. Why not just settle for the business you have got from your father" she asked with a pleading face. Her eyes were turning moist. She was feeling exhausted with all the arguments.
His eyes turned cold as the words left her mouth. His grip on her shoulder tightened and she winced.
"Philip, you are hurting me."
"Ah, I apologize you, my love, I just felt heartbroken and furious when I saw you in this state. I understand your condition but your father would not let us go. He had already stated to me clearly that he would only let you go with me when you transfer dukedom to him. And the only way to do that is to give birth to Cassius's child and then kill him." he explained to her with patience.
"But Philip..'' She was about to speak further when he put his finger on her lips and rubbed her lips.
"It is not a safe place to discuss further, Isabella. I will meet you tomorrow at our fixed place. Then we will discuss this matter in detail. I am missing making love to you too, my love. But for now, you should go home and take a rest. You are looking exhausted, my love" he continued rubbing her lips sensually as he continued talking to her in his deep voice.
She enjoyed his touch and nodded. She was ready to do everything needed to be with him forever.
"I understand, Philip. I shall go now, before that witch becomes suspicious. I apologize to making you worried again." she was about to move when he held her hand and pulled her towards himself and then smirked looking at her surprised and embarrassed face.
In the next moment, he took her in his arms, and kissed her long and hard.