Thanks to Fran for all her beta work, and 2browneyes and Judyblue for prereading when they can :)
As Isabella trails from the garden behind Angela, nervous anticipation hums over her. She has known for a fortnight that her aunt would come for the wedding, but she has never received a definitive answer for her father. Just the thought of him staying in the same residence as her causes fear, even though he has never physically harmed her.
Though her marriage to King Carlisle is of her father's own doing, she is uncertain how he will react when she does not appear at the altar. These errant thoughts slip through her mind and bring about questions she has not previously asked herself … or Edward.
Did he even consider her father in his plans?
Would her father even care?
It is enough to think that one country will be after you, but what if there are two?
A shiver runs through her, knowing that her father is an evil man, one so unlike King Carlisle that the very idea of him chasing she and Edward scares her uncontrollably.
"My Lady." Angela grasps the princess' arm to gain her attention as they walk across the terrace. "Are you all right?"
Isabella takes a deep breath and nods without much confidence. "Yes, of course."
They are unable to have any further conversation, as when they enter the castle, King Carlisle is awaiting them. He smiles, but the usual longing is absent. "Isabella," he says, reaching for her elbow. "Please, allow me to escort you. Lady Forge's carriage will be in the courtyard momentarily."
Though Isabella has cooled their interactions, the command is clear from her future husband. With important guests arriving, she shall play her role. "Yes, My Lord." She tilts her head and offers the best smile she can muster, which turns genuine as she considers greeting her aunt.
She clears her throat. "May I ask if my father also made the journey?" She keeps her head faced forward, weary that King Carlisle might detect her fear.
His feet falter, and he brings them to a stop, lifting her chin so that she must meet his eyes "Isabella, how long has this been troubling you?"
"For a while," she answers quietly, desperately hoping he cannot see the complete deceit in her eyes.
King Carlisle sighs heavily, rubbing his chin in thought. "Of course," he mumbles, seemingly to himself before grasping his future bride's hand. "Isabella, why did you not tell me you were afraid? He can never control you again, that power belongs to me and me alone." Her eyes widen slightly at his words, but he quickly offers reassurance. "Not that I ever would," he rushes to say. "But I will protect you from that vile man with everything that I have."
The guilt that Isabella constantly fights gnaws to break free. Even though he has suspicions regarding her feelings, all that emanates from Carlisle is kindness. That is the only man he has ever shown her, and the guilt rises to a point where she can no longer face him.
In an effort to push this conversation aside, she quickly averts her eyes and prods him to continue walking. "Thank you, My Lord, I feel much safer now."
King Carlisle chuckles. "Well, you will be pleased to know that your father is not expected."
Isabella, though relieved not to have to face him, still is unsure if that is a good thing or not. If he is not here, then he and his men are elsewhere, and she can only hope it is far away back in Policia.
As they enter the courtyard, Isabella spots the approaching carriage, and her excitement from earlier returns full force. Though she has not seen her aunt since she was a girl, their relationship was close; it was almost as if they were sisters bound by their relationship to one awful man.
Though she is still beside her future husband, Isabella feels the presence of another at her other shoulder. Angela. Her handmaiden is some years older than her aunt, but she was born in the castle and has spent her life serving various ladies until she was assigned to Isabella as a babe.
Isabella gives her a warm, excited smile and grabs her hand as both eagerly watch as the carriage strolls to a stop. All decorum falls away as Lady Forge steps onto the bricks, her eyes scanning for her niece, desperate to see that she is still safe. Isabella, unable to stay still, steps forth as her aunt locks eyes with her and sweeps her into her arms for a gleeful hug.
Holding her tightly, she says, "Isabella, it has been so long." The two women share a long, loving hug before Lady Forge pulls back to look over the young princess. "Let me look at you." She cups her cheek. "So lovely."
Isabella smiles at her aunt with tears gathering in her eyes. "Esme, you are just as I remember you."
Lady Forge allows a laugh to slip past her lips as she shakes her head. "Not quite, but we do not have to discuss that." She grabs Isabella's arm and pulls her close to her side as she turns to focus on the man standing quietly in the background.
"Your Majesty," she says as she curtsies, but her shrewd eyes are trying to assess the danger her niece is in as they skim over the other faces present. She breathes much easier when she realizes the knight is nowhere around, but a large smile breaks free when she sees Angela standing quietly to the side.
She steps over in front of the handmaiden. "Angela, it pleases me so very greatly to see you still serve the princess. Thank you," she says as she feels tears of gratitude fill her eyes.
The three women huddle close and exchange more welcoming sentiments before Esme once again faces the king. "Forgive me, sire. It has been many years since I have had the pleasure of either of their company."
Carlisle smiles pleasantly. "No need for an apology. I am just happy to see such a large smile upon Isabella's face. Shall we?" He waves his hand for the ladies to precede him into the castle. "Angela, will you show them where to take her luggage?"
"Yes, My Lord," Angela replies with a bow.
"Come, ladies, I shall escort you to the afternoon meal."
Though neither Lady Forge nor Isabella wishes to sit and dine with the king, they each feel compelled to remain silent, albeit for differing reasons.
Afternoon fades into evening as they share a meal and polite conversation. Esme fills them in on her marriage, along with her return to the castle after her husband's death. She works hard to make her life seem normal, wishing to hide the true depths of control King Charles has over her life, even now.
For the king's part, he is simply basking in his future bride's happiness. It is the most time he has spent with her in what seems like ages, and their usual tension is nonexistent. He even feels a modicum of shame for his previous suspicion of her. He can now understand how her fear was pulling her away.
Lady Forge uses every single minute she is in the couple's company to gauge their interactions. She must give her niece credit; there are no noticable signs of the betrayal she is committing. But then, Lady Forge wonders; is Isabella even guilty at all? Or was it just a ploy by the blond-haired man, or even Charles himself?
Though Isabella is enjoying the small, impersonal discussion she is having with her Aunt Esme and even Carlisle, she is anxious to be alone and have the freedom to enjoy female conversation. After all, she will only have a scant few days with her aunt, ever again.
"Aunt Esme," she says at the next lull in the exchange. "Would you like me to show you to your chambers? Perhaps have a bath prepared? You must be tired from the journey."
Esme smiles and reaches for Isabella's hand, offering her a gentle squeeze. "It was a rather long journey. Are you sure you do not mind?"
Isabella stands. "No trouble at all." She turns to Carlisle. "If you will excuse us, My Lord."
"Of course," he agrees, standing and offering Esme a hand to assist her from her seat. "I apologize if I have kept you for too long. It was simply wonderful to see Isabella so happy."
Esme smiles at Carlisle and bows before turning to her niece and taking her elbow. "Lead the way, dear," she says, eager to be somewhere more private. Her earlier worries resurfacing in lieu of the king's puzzling comment.
As they ascend the stairs, the two women are lost in their own thoughts, but interestingly enough, they are traveling a similar path. While Isabella considers whether she should share her affair with her aunt, Esme is desperate to warn her niece of what her father has learned.
She is also desperate to know if it is true.
By the time they reach the top of the grand stone stairway, Angela has caught up with them. "Lady Esme, I have already started the preparations for your bath. The king was kind enough to inform me of your wishes."
Esme halts and turns to the handmaiden. "Thank you, Angela, but could you please give Isabella and me time to speak. Privately?"
Angela halts her steps and looks between the two women, her protective instincts kicking in. While she has not been around Esme since she was a teenager, she has always considered her a good person. Yet, when it comes to her princess, she is unwilling to risk any untoward behavior.
"I am sorry, My Lady, but I cannot allow that without knowing your intentions. You are from Policia, and Isabella has finally escaped that wretched place. It is my duty to make sure she remains safe." Angela stands facing her with tense shoulders, ready to defend Isabella at all costs, if necessary.
"Angela," Esme says, stepping forward. "I admire your gumption, but I assure you I am no threat to Isabella."
"It is okay, Angela," Isabella speaks, stepping beside her aunt and laying a soothing hand on her handmaiden's arm. "I also wish to speak with my aunt. Will you oversee the other maidens and make sure we are not interrupted?"
Angela studies her princess with worried eyes, but finally, with a nod, she says, "As you wish, My Lady."
Isabella squeezes her arms gently before releasing her and turning back to Esme. "Shall we. You have been placed in the East Room. The views of the sunrise are absolutely breathtaking."
"That sounds lovely, dear," Esme replies as they travel down the corridor and to a large wooden door. "I am just happy to be waking up here in Olympia. It would have devastated me should I have missed your wedding."
Esme keeps her eyes pinned to Isabella as she says this, gauging her reaction, and even though it is minuscule, she still notices. Though her niece retains her smile, it is not hard to miss how it turns from genuine to strained. Add to that the slight wince, and every fear Esme has for her niece amplifies.
She presses her hand into her arm. "We should talk now." With a new urgency to her movements, she pushes through the door and pulls Isabella in behind her, leading them both to a pair of chairs situated beside a small table. "Please, sit. There is no time for delicacy."
Isabella's brows furrow as she hurries to comply, given the urgency in Esme's voice. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh, dear," Esme says, brushing a gentle finger down her niece's cheek. "I truly, truly hope not, but my observations have given me cause to worry."
"I do not understand," Isabella replies, leaning into the almost motherly touch of her aunt. "You have only just arrived. Is something not to your satisfaction."
Esme sits back and grabs both of Isabella's hands in an almost desperate grip. Placing them on the table between them she pins her with anxious eyes. "Before I left for my journey here, I was privy to some, if true, dangerous information. Well, that's not completely true, I eavesdropped on your father and overheard something … Oh, Isabella, for your sake I hope it is not so."
"Aunt Esme, please," Isabella says, her heart now thundering. "What did you overhear?"
"Oh, dear child." Esme sighs, as she can see the guilt burning in her niece's eyes. "It is true." She stands and starts pacing the floor, her mind in a tizzy trying to come up with some kind of reasoning for such an outright betrayal.
Isabella jumps up, frantic now, and grabs Esme's shoulders. "What? What is true? You must tell me so I can prepare myself!" Her thoughts are chaotic as she shakes her aunt rather roughly.
"Calm down, Bella," Esme soothes, removing the princess' hands. "Sit. Let us discuss this state of affairs like rational women and decide what course of actions we must take. Because, I assure you, dear, I am on your side no matter what."
Both women attempt to collect themselves as they retake their seats. Isabella's thoughts are scattered as there are too many scenarios for her to contemplate; therefore, she decides to allow her aunt to explain herself before losing all reason. As for Esme, she has now accepted the information as factual and has mentally moved on as to how she might save her niece from the horrible fate she has brought upon herself.
Clearing her throat, Esme says simply, "I know you are having an affair with the knight, but please understand that I am not your problem. It is your father, for he, too, possesses this information."
Isabella gasps, her heart dropping to her stomach. Of all the information Esme could have shared, this is by far the worst. Her father is an evil man, and information such as this will crumble Olympia. He will make sure of it.
Tears gather in her eyes and begin to fall down her cheeks. "What is his plan?" she asks, not even able to muster enough fight to care. Whatever his plan, he intends to destroy them all.
"I am not certain, but it cannot be good," Esme replies, standing and moving over beside her niece. She places her arm across her shoulder and holds her tight against her. "At least we have the advantage. You have time to correct this. King Carlisle has proven to be a fair and even-tempered man. You can allow your father to hold your fate, or you can entrust it with the king."
Isabella's tears turn to sobs as the thought of Edward, her true love, enter her mind. She needs him at this moment more than ever before, yet she knows he will not be there. Their life has been altered by outside forces, and she does not even have the luxury of contacting him. She cries harder.
Esme holds her niece, wondering what it must feel like to love someone so much that she would risk her life to have him. Her closest reference to anything of the sort was her mother. Being a king's mistress can be advantageous, but it can also be deadly, and her mother paid with her life. All for the love of a man who would never be hers.
She sighs heavily as Isabella's tears fade. "Do not fret, dear. I am here, and I will stand by your side. Your battle is my battle."
It is at this moment when Isabella realizes that no one can fix this for her. There is only one option, at least, only one that may guarantee her lover's life, and she will do anything to save him.
Standing abruptly, she wipes her face and gathers herself. "Thank you, Aunt Esme, for sharing what you know. I truly do appreciate your support, but this is my mess, and I will tend to it. Please, relax into a warm bath, and we will discuss this further tomorrow."
Esme's brows furrow. "Are you sure, Isabella?"
The princess offers her a sad smile. "There is nothing we can do today. Rest, because I have a feeling tomorrow will not be quite what you had hoped when you made plans to travel here."
Esme pulls Isabella closer and hugs her tightly before releasing her. She watches with a frown as her niece turns and exits her chambers with a blank expression.
Isabella feels dead inside as she makes her way back to her chambers. She has been forced into a corner which has but one exit. Her heart skips at the thought, but it is not fear for herself but fear for the man she loves.
As she turns onto the main corridor, her eyes scan, praying for a glimpse of bronze hair, but it is not what she finds. She finds blond, so she takes a deep breath and calls his name.
"My Lord." She pauses when he turns to her and offers a small smile.
"Isabella," King Carlisle says with his own smile, until he gets closer and can see how red her eyes are. "Are you all right?" He touches her arm.
She shakes her head and waves him off. "Of course. It has been a long time since I have been able to spend time with my aunt."
"Ahh, I see." The thought of the two women catching up after so long makes him happy. "Did you need something, or were you just eager to see my handsome face again?"
"Actually, yes … to both." Blood rushes to her cheeks. She has never tried to flirt before and is not sure if now is the right time, but it cannot hurt. "I was hoping you would join me in my chambers to break our fast."
Carlisle's brows climb high onto his forehead, but at the same time, his heart starts pumping double time. "Yes," he answers, too eager for the opportunity to bother asking about her change of heart.
"Thank you, My Lord." She curtsies and turns to retire to her chambers for the night.
King Carlisle watches her go, a permanent smile spread across his lips. He wonders if the fair Lady Forge is somehow responsible for this unexpected change in his bride-to-be.
Isabella closes the door behind her and collapses against it. She made a promise earlier today, and she intends to keep it. But as soon as the sun has risen, she will do what she must to protect the most important person in her existence.
Somewhere else in the castle …
Behind her lids, a series of images flash by quickly; the decision has been made, and though it pains her to watch, she knows she has only a specific part to play.
Not only does their fate solidify before her, but so too, does the battle.
Long one! Okay, we're at the nitty gritty now, and the next posts will depend on chapter length. If it's long, one a week, short, you'll get two. Not sure how much more is left, chapter-wise, but the story is ramping up and then winding down.
All Mobward entries are in and voting opens tomorrow; read, review and vote! Just search "We Love Mobward fanfiction" for the link.
Last thing, "Wanted Dead or Alive" is in its last 5 days of the kindle scout campaign, and I'd love if you'd go give it a hit, even if you've already nominated it. Let's see if we can get it hot and trending again :D
kindlescout dot amazon dot com/p/2GG55K9S3EVWZ
See you next week :)