The King's Bride: Part Two
A/AN: Here's Part Two of "The King's Bride"! I hope you enjoyed the first part! I really wanted this to be a one shot but it didn't just work out.
Belle had been receiving her meals in her quarters until the third day. She had no intentions of being social with anyone on that ship. The kitchen boy would come knocking with her breakfast at seven o'clock sharp, her lunch at twelve, and then finally dinner at six. When the young boy didn't come at seven or twelve, Belle became suspicious. She decided to meander into the kitchen and see what the problem was. She dressed in a simple emerald evening gown with puffed sleeves, putting her hair in an updo. She sauntered into the kitchen around six that evening. She watched as cooks and kitchen hands scurried about with various trays of food in their hands. She walked up to the head chef, who was shouting commands at everyone. She tapped him politely on the shoulder. He turned around, his gaze boring into her.
"Can't you see I'm busy, miss? What is it you need?" he asked gruffly in his thick accent. She clasped her hands at her waist to mask her nervousness. "I was just wondering why my meals hadn't been delivered to my room all day? Is there something the matter?" she questioned the chef she was certain was only in a despicable mood because he was tired and overworked. She tried her best to be sympathetic of others shortcomings, realizing they were usually the root of something else.
"The captain says that if you want to eat, you must entertain him for the evening. He's in charge here. I have no say in the matter." He shrugged, shooing her away. She felt her blood boil at the mention of entertainment. The only entertainment he was going to need would be a trip to see the physician once she got through with him. She marched tempestuously to his quarters, her wrath left unchecked.
When she approached the door, she took her hand and banged loudly on the heavy wooden barrier with unnecessary force. She stepped back once she heard the knob turn, clenching her fists at her sides, filled with the uncontrollable urge to punch him.
"Where's the fire, love? You're disturbing my afternoon nap, you know. Unless," he drawled, cocking his brow arrogantly, "you've came to indulge me in more pleasurable activities."
She thrust a threatening finger in his face, her voice dangerously low. "Why have you been hoarding my meals?"
"Hoarding them? I'm not hoarding anything. You may eat anytime you like, Miss French. There are just certain guidelines of how you'll obtain your meals from now on," he imparted, a smug grin tugging at his lips.
"What guidelines? I told you, when I boarded, I have no intentions of receiving your company. I loved my husband, and he's back in that damned castle about to marry another woman because I'm not of noble birth! He'll become king soon, and I'll be left all alone! I'm certain that you're probably well aware of my situation, but if you think I'm lonely enough to sleep with you then you're wrong! How dare you prey on my vulnerability you filthy scum!" she cursed, realizing she'd revealed too much, but unable to find the will to care. She kicked him hard in the shin for good measure.
Belle watched with satisfaction when his knees buckled, and he hit the ground with a slew of curses spewing from his lips. She sidestepped him, sauntering into his cabin. She looked at the table spread with various arrangements of food. She grabbed a helping of fresh fruit, plate of steaming mutton, a small bowl of fish stew, and a large mug of ale before stepping over the agonized captain. The following morning her breakfast was delivered on time along with the rest of her meals the remainder of her journey.
The captain never tried to cross her again, and she was certain he was pleased to see her leave once they reached port. Belle was escorted the rest of the way home by one of the ship hands. She'd provided him with enough gold to rent a carriage to ensure her safe arrival back to her village.
When the carriage arrived in front of the hovel where she'd spent most of her childhood, emotion overwhelmed her. She'd grown up in an impoverished household, with a mother who stayed ill most of the time, and a father who'd drunk his wages away from working in the fields.
The only thing which kept them from being homeless had been her mother's sister, Agnes, who'd spun fabrics for a living. The wool she'd spun had been the finest in all the village, and had gained the king's attention when she was barely an adolescent. His men had come through town twice a year to buy goods, and they'd always stopped at her aunt's booth. The king raved about how impressive her fabrics were, and the clothes his tailor made from her wool were his favorites. The king had offered her residence in his castle if she would exclusively spin fabrics for him. Agnes had turned down the king's offer, but had promised to supply him with as much fabric as he wanted if he would take her niece instead, and offer her a position in his castle.
He'd agreed, and once the queen had met Belle, the girl had unknowingly charmed her way into her heart. She'd became her only daughter, Rheul's, handmaiden. Rheul had loathed tending to her lessons and had always coerced Belle into finishing her writings and arithmetic problems. Belle had adored school, and used Rheul's books to educate herself in her spare time. Many women in her village hadn't known how to read, but Belle's mother had received some education as a young girl, and had taught her the skill with the few books they'd owned. Books were rare and expensive, but her mother had inherited a few from her own father who was once a wealthy merchant who had lost all of his money gambling.
After she'd spent three years in Albannach, she'd received a letter stating that her mother had passed away from pneumonia. Belle's heart had been grief stricken, but she hadn't had enough money to travel home to pledge her condolences. The poor often cremated their dead because they didn't have enough money to give them a proper burial. Two months after her mother's passing her father had drunk himself to death, too aggrieved by his loss.
Belle had never found any reason to return to Avonlea after that. She'd found solace in William's love, and in the thought of having their own family one day. She'd never thought she would be standing in front of this place again, a distant memory lost somewhere in the abyss of her subconscious.
She sighed heavily, holding up her hand to rap softly on the door. A few moments later the door swung open to reveal a woman with her salt pepper hair thrown into a messy bun. Wrinkles and age lines gently creased her face, making her appear worn but her sapphire irises made her seem ageless. A smile bloomed on her lips, and she grinned toothlessly when she realized who she was looking at. She pulled Belle into a tight hug, laughing jovially.
"My! My! If it isn't my blue Belle! What's brought you back home lassie?" she inquired breathlessly, and Belle tried to smile but it was impossible to keep up the facade. She collapsed in the old woman's arms with hiccuping sobs, grasping tightly onto her skirts, afraid that if she let go the world would crumble beneath her. The deckhand wordlessly left her trunks by the door before departing in the carriage.
"What is it child? Whatever is the matter? In your letters you seemed so hopeful and optimistic about your future with William. What happened?" she inquired, rubbing her back consolingly.
"They were, but his brother died, and now he has to take his place as king. Malcolm never legitimized the marriage, so in his eyes we weren't really wed. Liam is going to become the next sovereign and his father is forcing him to marry a woman of noble birth. He sent me away because he didn't want me to become his mistress. He wanted me to have a normal life full of happiness," she sputtered, feeling the final pieces of her heartbreak from the confession.
Agnes wrapped her in a tight hug, "I know your heart is breaking lass, but I promise you it'll heal. It sounds like William loved you deeply. He didn't want you to suffer the oppression of being ousted by society, scorned for being a woman of ill repute. You may have been married in your own eyes, but your kingdom wouldn't have thought so. He gave you your best chance, and I know you don't see it now, but one day you'll realize it was all for the best. Let's get your things inside, and I'll make you a hot cup of tea." She tried to comfort her, and Belle nodded, unable to formulate another response as they made their way inside the hovel.
Belle spent the next few weeks locked in her old room, too bedridden with grief to move. Agnes didn't push her, but by the end of the month, the old woman was tired of the recluse her beautiful niece was becoming. She marched into the room and yanked back the sheets and opened the curtains. Blinding sunlight assaulted her vision, and she cursed under her breath from the intrusion.
"It's time for ye to get up now lass! You can't stay holed up here forever! I've drawn you a hot bath, and you're going to clean up and go into town with me. Today's market day, and you could use the fresh air," Agnes commanded. Belle rubbed her tired eyes and sighed, knowing her aunt wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Fine! Just give me an hour to freshen up," she mumbled under her breath before scooting out of the bed. She walked into the sitting room, and stared at the trough of hot steaming water. Hot water was hard to come by in the village, and she was thankful for her aunt's thoughtful gesture. She slipped off her shift and sank blissfully into the warm water.
Belle let the water soothe her as she soaped up her body and washed and rinsed her hair. She dressed in a simple blue peasant dress her aunt had made her unknowingly, and soft leather moccasins William had gifted her with some time ago. She pulled her hair into a high ponytail before helping her aunt load the cart with spools of thread. Agnes saddled up her horse and attached him to the wagon. Agnes rode in the back of the wagon with the thread, while Belle drove the horse. She and William used to ride together into the forest down by the lake all of the time. Occasionally, they would tie their horses to a tree and go for a swim.
Belle sighed despondently at the fact that everything she did reminded her of him. It seemed that she was going to have to get used to being reminded of him everywhere she went. He would be forever branded in her memory, his very essence etched on the shattered pieces of her heart. She knew her wounds would heal with time, but they were still fresh. She just didn't know how much more she could take of this agonizing pain.
After they reached the market, Belle assisted her aunt with displaying the fabrics. Time seemed to drift by languidly as the day passed. Business was slow, and she was starting to feel the strain of wanting to crawl back into her bed and wallow in her pain.
Something interesting happened a couple of hours past noon when a man with onyx hair and honey brown eyes stopped by to purchase some thread. Agnes had gone to fetch them something to eat while Belle tended the booth. She squinted her eyes as she tried to place the familiar looking stranger. Realization hit her when he greeted her with a broad smile and spoke.
"Why hello there Belles! I'd heard you were back in town, but I wasn't sure if it was true or not. How are you doing? It's so good to see you!" he greeted her warmly with a friendly smile.
"I'm doing alright Gaston. How are you?" she returned amiably, attempting to mask the pain that was brewing in her heart.
"Ahh I'm faring well! I recently took over my father's blacksmith business, and business is booming! I can barely keep up with all of it." he laughed heartily, and she couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm.
"I bet your wife is very proud of you." she assumed, and he shook his head while scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Oh, I'm not married Belle." She felt the heat rise in her cheeks at her blunder. "I'm sorry Gaston. I'm sorry for assuming," she apologized in an effort to smooth over her fallacy.
"What about you? I'm surprised to see you've come back. I too assumed that you'd found someone at court and settled down," he remarked, and she laughed at the irony of it all.
"I was married but things just didn't work out, and I'm sorry, but I'm just not sure if I'm comfortable sharing it or not," she added, and he held up his hands in defense.
"I'm very sorry to hear that, Belle. I wasn't trying to pry. Why don't you come over sometime? I'll show the shop and a few of the things I've made," he stated invitingly, and she couldn't believe she'd actually agreed.
"I would like that very much." she returned, and he grinned with a gentlemanly bow.
"Well I hope to see you soon then." And with that he was gone.
Agnes returned moments later, holding a fresh loaf of bread. "Did we have any customers while I was gone?" she inquired, handing Belle a piece of bread.
"Yes, Gaston stopped by, and we talked for awhile. He wants me to come see the blacksmith shop sometime," she imparted without going into further detail, and Agnes smiled at her niece's confession. She hoped happiness was in store for Belle somewhere around the corner.
~X~
William held his letter to his chest after he'd read it for the hundredth time under the candlelight.
Dear Liam,
I wanted to let you know I made it safely to Avonlea. My aunt has been in high spirits ever since I returned home. I've decided to stay with her awhile, and help her out with the spinning. She's not as quick as she used to be, and I feel like I should help her out as much as possible. I hope things are falling into place nicely for you. I'm sorry it took me so long to write you, but I just wasn't ready to acknowledge the fact that I had to let you go. My heart aches for you every day, Liam, and I'm certain this ache will never go away. I pray you're doing well, and that Lady Milah treats you kindly. I wish you luck in all your endeavors.
My undying love,
Belle French
"What are you reading?" a feminine voice from behind him resounded scathingly. He turned to see his soon to be wife standing there with her arms crossed loosely over her chest. Milah was an exotic beauty with her long ebony locks and olive colored skin. The crimson dress she wore really brought out all of her natural beauty. William knew most men would fall at the feet of an exquisite beauty like Milah, but he wasn't one of them.
"Just a letter from someone you wouldn't care about," he eluded, and she scoffed, her mouth twisted with disdain.
"It's from that maid you pretended to be married to, isn't it? Rupert told me about her. He said she was far below your station, and too bookish. It's best if you forget about her, because in a month you'll be marrying me, and I'll tolerate no distractions," she chided before sauntering off. The retort he'd formulated on his tongue quickly died as she left his study.
He sighed, tucking the letter away in an obsolete drawer before running his fingers through his hair agitatedly. He walked outside onto the balcony, and gazed up at the clear starry night. The moon was full and peeked out over the mountains which sat across the sea where her village resided.
He closed his eyes, wishing he could go to her, but he knew the only contact he'd have with her would be in his dreams. He placed his fingers to his lips and kissed them, blowing it into the crisp night air, imagining it travelling across the distance to find her petal soft lips. He turned away from the darkness as he walked back inside, and headed for his chamber where he would blissfully dream of her all night long only to wake up and realize it was all a fantasy. He desperately clung to his dreams because he knew it was the only place they would truly be together. He smiled softly when he closed his eyes to see her arms outstretched towards him, and he knew that for now everything was right with the world.[a]
A/AN: In the next chapter Belle and Gaston rekindle their friendship while William and Milah walk down the aisle. I hope you all don't think I'm too evil for doing this. (Yes! You are an evil, dreadful girl! - Charlotte) I do promise a happy ending, and that William and Belle will ultimately be together in the end, but it's going to take awhile to get us there. Please review!