Princess Isabella Of Portugal Chamber

Closing her eye's Isabella let out a sigh of satisfaction allowing herself to dwell in his loving affections towards her.

"Yes lover it is... After what you have witnessed with the birth of our son has it put you off in a sexual way I'm not insecure I am just curious to see if childbirth has changed your opinion."

Richard removed slowly his hand from her breasts. He sighed deeply

Ah..so you think that I'm not attracted by you anymore. I assure you that I still find you beautiful, Isabella. But you shouldn't worry about that, now. You just need to rest..

He smiled, watching her feeding little Max

"Would you mind if I spoke with Lady Inge alone for awhile"

The very cheek of him to not answer her question it was annoying to be kept being called Beautiful he kept saying it without any feeling what so ever.

Richard surprised for her request but he nodded silently. Probably she needed her time after childbirth

Of course I don't mind. I'm going to call her. But I'll remain in the corridor if you need me..

He bent on her kissing her forehead. After smiling at the baby, he left the room looking for Lady Inge

Inge came back in Princess's chamber after the King asked for her. She curtsied

"Your Highness..did you want to see me?"

She asked. She smiled seeing that the new mom was feeding her baby

Isabella summoned Inge nearer to her concentrating on Max but her mind was elsewhere.

"How long shall I be confined to this bed? Their was something in the way that Richard touched me that I did not care for the lack of desire that is it. I need you to do two things for me find me a nurse for Max and I need to speak with the Spanish ambassador aswell but when I am in the company with the ambassador could you possibly look after Max for me please."

Inge stepped closer the bed. After listening her requests, she nodded

"Your Highness, the doctor said that you can't leave the bed before a week. You had a surgery, and if the wound would open again, you would lose a lot of blood.."

She smiled looking at the baby

"But of course, I shall look for a nurse. If you wish, I can feed your baby, my Lady. I still have milk in my breasts cause I'm still feeding Leo. So you can have rest. And I shall talk with Ambassador Mendoza. But..why do you think that the King has no desire for you? If I may ask.."

"I can feed him I just need someone to hold him but I shall stay here for a week then. Thing is I asked Richard to massage by breasts for me and then while he was doing that I asked him if he still found me sexually attractive and I tell you Inge he removed his hands so very quickly. I feel tired and over filled with tears is this natural Inge"

Inge was like a friend who Isabella could easily talk to about anything.

Inge took a breath. She looked indulgently at her and she sat on her bed

I think it's natural, Princess. Men react in different way when they become fathers. I'm sure he still finds you attractive. But give him time. Just..don't pressure him. And you'll see that once you'll leave this bed things will be as before between you two..

She smiled reassurengly

Isabella felt comforted by Inge words and tried to smile

"Yes I truly hope so Richard is the love of my life... Also I have heard some very distressing reports from Spain which need to be discussed with the Spanish Ambassador when I am healed."

Isabella beckoned for Inge to come forward.

"I fear for my fate here is why Emperor Charles has placed his mother in a nunnery under the claim of madness! She was always so very kind to me as a child and never seemed mad. How can someone be cruel to their mother it breaks my heart Inge really does."

Inge surprised hearing what the Princess was saying. She shook her head

Oh..I had no idea, Your Highness. I am very sorry for her. It's cruel treating his own mother like that. I am sure she is not mad. But..I guess you know how Emperor reacts..

She sighed and smiled, not wanting her to feel agitated

But I think Ambassador Mendoza can't help you in this matter. Remember that he still hates you. You know..because of his cousin Eleanor..

"It runs in the blood his farther treated Queen Joanna appalling he made her travel during the last moments of her pregnancy, after she had given birth aswell and now it looks like Charles is doing the same. When you have been treated like that by your Farther then husband and now son it is only natural to feel depressed. I will always give her my friendship as for your Ambassador he represents Spain he should of at least told the King! Can no one see my distress over this is it wrong that I want to go and visit her."

With a heavy sigh Isabella was becoming bored of this confinement now stuck with a baby herself in a foreign land was her same fate turning out like that of Queen Joanna.

Inge sighed deeply. She touched her hand softly

"Oh that's no wrong. Not at all. Queen Joanna has been just unlucky in her life. But I still believe that Emperor Charles is not a monster as everyone says. Perhaps he just wants to protect his mother. I'll send you the Ambassador as you wish. And if there is something else I can do, let me know.."

She smiled friendly

Isabella bit her lip and said what she had to.

"Yes look after Maximus so I can go back home here is what you have to do place him in a poor household so no one will know that he is the illegitimate son to the King of Bavaria he will have other sons I suppose when Maximus is older to travel I shall send for him."

Isabella knew their was a chance she would not do this but she asked anyway.

Inge looked shocked at her

"Your Highness..are you saying that you're going to leave without your baby? I..I'm not sure if I can take the responsibility to take care about a royal child. He needs his mother.."

She replied, a bit scared by her proposal

Isabella smiled at Inge innocence placing Max down on the pillow using all her inner strength she got out of bed steadily at first the feeling coming back to her feet she turned to Inge.

"Inge that is fine I have several other people to take him it is no problem"

Going over to her case Isabella pulled out only her lose fitting dress she was in pain but ignored it.

"You see Inge I am needed back in Spain and in Lisbon this is not good times for them and to take a bastard child will not be so good"

Isabella quickly pulled on her lose dresses and headed to the door halting before leaving.

"Inge I shall never forget the kindness you bestowed upon me during my time here you have been an angel but I have to leave if the Ambassador does not take him then the Archiduchess will take him somewhere. I'm sorry to leave you behind and I wish you all the best with little Leo but when things have a beautiful beginning they always have a bitter ending like this... But I have a ship waiting to take me home so Goodbye Inge.

Isabella left quickly before she could say anything leaving Max upon the bed she Quickly left.

Inge remained speechless with little Max in her arms

"I shall take care of him, Your Highness. Don't worry. Just take care. And remember that your child needs you.."

After she left, she sat on bed. She looked at the baby, feeling seriously worried for the Princess. Her wound was not fully healed yet. She needed to stay in bed. What if she felt bad, or if she had a hemorrhage during travel?

I came to find Inge sitting with the young child a sadness filled me it hurt to see this whole scene unfolding before the courts very eye's I went and sat next to her. "I think the Princess is feeling a bit neglected by the King if you need any help with Leo I do not mind at all do you think she will return. I asked curiously.

Inge sighed, rocking little Max in her arms

"I don't know, actually. Thank you for your offer, but I am used with Leo, so I can take care of Max too. I am just worried about Isabella's health..

She admitted

Looking down at little Max I grew a bit broody. "Inge we now have two little babies in court. I admit it feels weird to see little Max not being treated as future King are we lucky that she did not run away with Max? I would like my own family and you deserve every happiness too."

Inge smiled

"Leo and Cleves sisters are my family for now, Maria. And I have no intention to be into a relationship with a man. But if true love will come and he will accept my son, then why not? I wish the same happiness to you, Maria.."

She looked at little Max taking a breath

"It's nice having babies around Palace. And I love taking care of him. But I hope his mother will be back soon.."

I sighed thinking about my past liaison and how at every single moment Valerie kept bringing it up like a constant thorn in my side. "I thought that I knew what love was but it appears to be blind and Valerie will not let me forget about my mistake with her rogue of a Brother I seriously would not be surprised if a mishap happened to this baby." I played with his little fingers looking at him tenderly.

Inge looked at Maria in surprise

"Princess Valerie is back at court? Oh..I imagine it was not easy talking with her about her brother. He hurted you and I am very sorry. But it ws not your fault. Some men just like to play with ladies's feelings.."

She said rocking little Max in her arms. He was about to fall asleep

I looked at Inge she was always the most kindest of people and never judgemental towards anyone she simply accepted them as they were. "You are to kind I have no regrets about the liason it numbed my lonely times in all honesty I could not tell what upset her the most it seemed her mind was set on the ongoings outside of court."

Inge looked at Maria with a thoughtful air. She smiled shooking her head

"I think simply that Princess Valerie is not responsible for her brother's mistakes. But I know she is very close to her uncle. So give her time. And I'm sure you'll find a loyal friend in her. Just like myself.."

She said smiling softly