The King's Bride: Part Four

A/AN: This story has consumed me, and I don't think I'll be able to stop writing it until it's complete. Thank you so much for your support and enthusiasm over this fic so far!

William had been married to Milah for seven agonizing months and there was still no sign that she was pregnant. His heart wrenched every time he saw her monthly blood, for he knew that it meant he would have to continue those despicable acts with her. Sex had been a beautiful aspect of his marriage to Belle, but with Milah it was a curse. He'd trained his body to perform the treacherous deed while his mind lingered elsewhere. Coquetting with Milah was like mating with a callous and unfeeling statue.

She was sitting on the bed, grumbling and complaining about starting her menstrual cycle. He knew she was just as frustrated as he was for not bearing an heir, but she continued to place all of the blame on him.

"I should have known you wouldn't be able to get me with child. You're a failure at that, just as you're a failure at everything else, husband." Milah sneered, spittle flying from her lips as she snarled the last word.

William sighed, leaning his forearm against the window as he looked down at the activity in the bailey below. "There is no guarantee my seed will take … no matter how many times we copulate, Milah. I was with Belle for three years without issue from our union." He regarded her through narrowed eyes as he glanced over his shoulder. "Believe me … I look forward to the day you bear my heir so I have no further reason to share your bed."

Milah glared glacially at him with her hardened onyx orbs. "Yeah, like it's a bloody thrill for me have you rut between my thighs," she sneered. He didn't even flinch when she slammed the door. He was just grateful she was gone and he'd been spared from more of her complaints. He turned away from the window, and made his way out of their chamber. He needed to have a word with his father about their arrangement. Milah wasn't getting pregnant, and he wanted to know why.

He walked to his father's quarters where two guards stood day and night. They greeted him with a formal bow, granting him entrance. Malcolm's condition had deteriorated over the past several months, leaving him bedridden and unable to perform his duties. He was so weak, he even needed assistance bathing.

Malcolm breathed laboriously, his chest rattling with each inhalation. "Hello, papa," William greeted his father coldly. He would never forgive him for sending his beloved away and making him marry that she demon.

"Hello, William … What brings you here?" he sputtered weakly, a violent cough shaking his emaciated frame.

"Milah still isn't pregnant, and I want to know why. I'm going to see the physician, and make him examine her. If she's infertile, then I'm divorcing her and sending her back to Astyn. A marriage without heirs is a pointless union. After you die, I'm bringing Belle back and making her my queen and there's nothing you can do to stop me!" he thundered before marching indignantly out of the former king's chamber.

William called for the royal physician to come to his study a few hours later. The royal physician was a man named Victor with sandy blond hair. He sat comfortably in a chair with his hands clasped in his lap awaiting the king to properly address him. William poured the doctor a small glass of scotch and handed it to him. "I guess you're wondering why you're here. I want to know why my wife hasn't conceived. We copulate almost every night, and she still isn't with child. I want you to examine her and find out if she's infertile," he commanded, and the doctor shot him a baffled look.

"Your highness, I'm afraid there's no formal examination to determine if one is infertile. The only reason I could give you - and it's just a guess - is to verbally declare her incapable of conceiving children. There's no scientific procedure I can perform on her to truly know for sure," Victor remarked throwing back his scotch.

"Then do it," William commanded, and the doctor shook his head in protest.

"I can't in my good conscience tell a woman she's-", but he changed his tune when William dropped a decent size bag of gold in his lap, his eyes growing as big as saucers. The doctor grinned snidely at him once he saw the amount. "What I meant was … it would be my pleasure, your majesty," he smirked.

"Do it tonight. I don't want to spend another moment in that vile woman's bed," he hissed, and Victor nodded compliantly,

"I'll get right to it, your majesty." And with that he left William alone to contemplate his thoughts. He couldn't help but genuinely smile for the first time in ages once he realized he was closer than ever to bringing Belle home.

~X~

William nursed the fine scotch whiskey in his glass, leaning a hip against the window sill as he took in a deep calming breath. His dark eyes followed MacGregor - his valet - as the man directed two others in removing the king's belongings from the room he shared with the queen. A duty he would no longer suffer. No more of her loathsome advances, her sharp nails against his skin or the demeaning manner in which she spoke to him during an act which should bring naught but pleasure. No longer would he feel dirty and unclean, violated. The tightness in his chest loosened and he was able to breathe a bit easier. He was one step closer to freedom, to Belle.

His eyes glittered unhappily a moment later as Milah entered the room, her ashen cheeks awash with tears. She paused just across the threshold, taking in the activity. "What is this?!"

William arched a condescending brow as he took a long draw on his drink, reveling in the burn from the finely aged alcohol. "I thought it would be obvious to you, dearie. I'm no longer required to share space with you."

She flinched. "Then you've heard."

"Oh yes," he said with smug satisfaction. "You are unable to bear children, and therefore, I am free of you."

Milah advanced on him, her fingers curled into claws. "This is your fault! I refuse to believe my womb is barren."

"Viktor is a highly respected physician and has served the kingdom for years with great success. His word is enough for me."

The queen screeched in fury, startling the servants at their tasks. One poor lass cowered behind a large wingback chair. "I am your wife, William. You will never be free of me."

William set his empty glass down on the bedside table and made his way towards the door. He paused in passing, a chuckle escaping his thin lips as he leaned close to her. "We shall see."

~X~

Milah stormed out of the room in a heated rage. William respired deeply, relieved to be free of her menacing presence. He had his belongings delivered to his former chamber he'd shared with Belle. He made his way into his old quarters. The rouge duvet was neatly made, the curtains he'd torn mended. He fingered the fringe lightly, his mind conjuring up her beautiful face, and in that moment he wondered what she was doing. He closed his eyes, exhaling the breath he was holding in. He fingered the fringe again agitatedly when he realized the process of bringing her home would take time. He would have to wait until his father's passing before he was allowed to annul his marriage with Milah. Truthfully, he knew she was as eager to end this insufferable arrangement as he was.

"I'll bring you home soon, Belle. I promise," he silently vowed before turning away from the window. He instructed the valet where to place his things, reminding himself that his victory wasn't out of reach. He would see her again.

*X*

Agnes wiped sweat from Belle's brow who took in heavy deep breaths. She'd been in labor for the past fourteen hours, and she could hardly take another minute of it. Gaston stood by her side, holding onto her hand tightly for moral support. The village midwife whom everyone affectionately referred to as 'Granny' stood between her parted legs, ready to receive the babe she would soon deliver.

"Alright, Belle, I can see the head! I just need you to push for me one more time," Granny instructed. Belle felt like she couldn't take another breath, overwhelmed by exhaustion, but she had to do this for Liam and her child. She pushed with all her might, her mind focusing solely on him until she heard her newborn's cries.

"It's a boy!" Granny announced exuberantly, picking up the squalling babe and swaddling him. She handed the tiny fussing infant to its mother who couldn't focus on anything but her pain just moments prior. Yet when she saw her bundle of joy, all of her misery melted away. She was overcome with emotion when he opened his eyes to reveal rich ocher irises. For a moment, she felt as if Liam was staring back at her.

Tears washed unbidden over her ashen cheeks as joy swelled in her heart. "You're so beautiful," she gushed to the tiny infant who affectionately grabbed her finger with his wee hand, his cries ceasing for the time being.

"He's such a handsome lad," Agnes cooed at her new nephew. Gaston kissed his wife's temple affectionately as he admired his new stepson. "He's adorable Belle. You did amazing, darling," he commended.

"What shall his name be?" Granny inquired. Belle fixated her gaze on the elder woman and beamed proudly. "His name is Baeden," she declared before returning her gaze to her son. In that moment everything was right in the world, and she couldn't have been happier. She realized that even if she and William couldn't be together, she would always have a part of him.

*X*

Malcolm passed away three months later from pneumonia. Viktor said he'd drowned from the excess fluid in his lungs. William didn't mourn for the ruthless monarch who'd made his family's life a living hell. He'd never forgiven him for his mother's death or Belle's banishment. The hardened king had no conscience and enjoyed making others miserable and no tears were shed for him. William could hear the lively celebrations in the streets, and he knew that his father would have hanged every one of them if he were still alive. He let them have their fun because on the inside he was rejoicing too.

He walked into his study, smirking triumphantly when he saw Milah's signature scrawled across the bottom of their divorce papers. She'd departed for Astyn early that morning before the ink had even had time to dry. He planned to give them to his adviser, and send a ship for his beloved by the end of the month. He pulled out his quill to pen her a letter about coming home until he heard a knock at the door. He swore agitatedly under his breath, ready to give the occupant on the other side a piece of his mind. He called out, granting his permission to enter, surprised to see his younger sister, Rheul, her cheeks ruddy and stained with the salt tracks of her tears.

William, I've done something horrible!" she cried, pulling at the lapels of his shirt, bawling into the silk. He'd never seen his sister so distressed, except maybe after their mother's passing. He led her to a chair and commanded her to sit. She wrung her hands on her cerulean skirts nervously. He handed her a handkerchief to dry her eyes, and she dabbed at them before composing herself.

"Rhuel, what's the matter?" William inquired, full of concern.

"Lord Walsh and I have been entangled in an affair for months, and I'm pregnant. My monthly blood hasn't come for two months, and I feel ill all of the time. His wife Zelena caught us and now her conniving mother Cora knows. She's a tyrant, William. I know she'll try and come after me!" she sobbed, and he felt his blood run cold at her confession.

William knew Queen Cora ruled the kingdom of Aginard with an iron fist and showed no mercy. She would go to war with Albannach for this, and there would be nothing he could do to stop it. Though there was little love lost between her and her daughter, she would see it as a slight, a blemish on her family name. She'd retaliate with the hopes of bringing 'the little homewrecker' to her knees. He turned to his sister seething with rage, "Rheul, what you've done cannot be undone! You've probably started a war with your imbecilic decisions! Why did you go after another woman's husband? Mother taught us both better than that!" he scolded.

"Zelena is just horrible to him, William! She doesn't love him as I do. Theirs was not a love match, and who better than you could understand how painful it is to be separated from the one you love? Please offer him residence in Albannach! If you don't then Cora will murder him! I love him, and I can't be without him!" she begged, groveling at his feet as she dropped to her knees before him.

"No! You'll be sent into hiding for your treachery, but I won't spare your lover for an entire kingdom! I will offer him no protection. He's at Queen Cora's mercy as well as all of Albannach thanks to you!" he remarked glacially before personally escorting her to her chambers, capturing her upper arm in a cruel grip to prevent her escape from his wrath. "I'm setting a guard outside your door for now. You better hope you haven't started a war or our family may pay for it with our blood."

William sympathized with her … he truly did. He knew the outright despair of being parted from his true love, but she'd put an entire kingdom - perhaps two! - in peril with her foolishness.

After he'd barricaded his sister in her chamber, and posted a guard at her door, he stalked angrily back to his study. He poured a glass of brandy and threw it back, the liquid burning his throat, and fueling his anger. He threw the glass against the wall furiously, hundreds of tiny shards flying in all directions. He looked at the blank parchment lying on his writing desk, silently mocking him with his dilemma and unfulfilled desires. His reunion with Belle would be delayed because of his sister's fallacy. He wouldn't send for her when they may be on the brink of war. He would have to wait until this all blew over before he could provide her safe passage home.

The following morning, William was awoken to a guard banging loudly on his door. He hurriedly answered it, hurriedly tying the sash of his dressing robe over his nightclothes, to reveal his captain of the guard, David Nolan, standing at attention.

"Your highness, I beg your pardon for the intrusion, but we're under attack! Aginard fired upon two of our ships this morning as they were returning to port. We returned fire and held them at bay, but I'm not sure for how long," he wavered in an unsettled voice. "I'm afraid they are attempting a blockade of our waterways, sire."

The king blanched before anger colored his cheeks. How long had his sister kept the news of her affair from him? Long enough to give Aginard the advantage, apparently. Damnit! Now the barbarians were at the gate, so to speak, and he'd need to respond quickly to resolve this matter without bloodshed … if that were even possible.

His eyes were steely and menacing as he leveled his gaze on the captain of the guard, refusing to show any sign of fear or trepidation. "Summon the council. There is much to discuss if we are to avoid a war."

~X~

Belle sat in the rocking chair with three month old Baden nursing contently at her breast. She was startled when she heard the door slam open, her husband rushing frantically into the room. He held a piece of paper in his hand. She stood up, sauntering towards him with concern in her eyes.

"Gaston, what's the matter?" she inquired holding Baden securely to her bosom. A knot formed in her stomach when he thrust the paper into her free hand. She held it up to see the Gold family crest at the bottom. She carefully read it, her face becoming pale as she perused the contents.

"A mandatory draft has been issued for all the surrounding provinces in Albannach. We're going to war with Aginard. Does this mean you have to fight?" she inquired of her husband.

"Yes, I was given this letter today at the shop. I have to register for the draft first thing in the morning, and leave for Albannach the following day." he sighed, running his fingers through his hair agitatedly.

"I don't understand … Why are we going to war with Aginard?" she probed, her mind swimming with queries.

"The rumor is that Aginard has attacked several of Albannach's trading vessels. They have hostages and are threatening a land invasion soon," he informed her. Belle let out an exasperated sigh as she put Baden in his crib.

She walked towards her husband, and he immediately wrapped her in his secure embrace. He kissed her forehead affectionately, leaning into her petite frame. "I'm sorry, Belle. All I ever wanted was to take care of you and Bae, and now all of this. I don't know what to do," he lamented.

She pulled away from him, gazing deeply into his eyes, "This is just a temporary setback. You'll come home to us and life will go on. I'm sure of it," she assured him with a broken smile, stifling back her tears.

"I will come home to you, Belle. I promise," he vowed, unbeknownst to him that he would never return home to them. He would be one of the first to die in battle, and she would find herself alone again.