The King's Bride Chapter 8, an once upon a time fanfic

The King's Bride: Part Eight

Belle secured safe passage home to Avonlea on the back of a kind trader's wagon, all the while fearing William would follow. The road was bumpy, and she didn't arrive home until nightfall. All she wanted to do was climb into bed and sleep for a week once she reached the front door. She was physically and emotionally spent from her imprisonment and encounter with William. She rapped lightly on the hovel door which had been her home the last five years. Agnes answered, lines of worry creasing her face.

"Where in heavens have you been, child!? I've been worried sick! You've been gone for nearly three days! I was just about to call a search party! What is with the fancy garb?" she exclaimed assaulting her with queries.

"I'm fine, Aunt Agnes. Make us a cup of tea and I'll explain everything." she respired, her features drawn with exhaustion. The older woman nodded, leading her through the door. "Help me out of this first." she pleaded, loathing the lavender hued dress which only reminded her of what she'd left behind in Aginard.

"Of course, dearest," she acquiesced, loosening corsets and untying knots. Belle stepped out of the gown, petticoats, and stockings which bound her. She exchanged them for her comfortable night shift, and breathed a sigh of relief as she sat by the warm hearth. Agnes soon joined her with a piping cuppa tea.

"Now, child, tell me about everything that has happened," she commanded, stoking the fire.

Belle relinquished another sigh before recounting her tragic tale, "Three nights ago after work, I met Liam for the first time in five years. Our reunion was bittersweet, and we spent the night together," she admitted, blushing deeply.

Agnes gave her a disapproving glance, but she could see the half smile underneath, "And?" she coaxed her to continue, rising from the hearth to sit in the chair adjacent to her.

"I left the next morning - just before first light - without telling him because I didn't want him to find out about Baden. I know it was selfish, but I wanted to make sure he was safe." She dropped her head into her hands as a sob rose in her throat. "If any of his enemies found out he had a son, they would use him as leverage against us. As I was walking home, a burly man abducted me, and dragged me off to Aginard. The queen decided to hold me hostage because she wanted William to give her gold and supplies. William and his army arrived the next day with what she'd requested, but she tried to alter the deal, and he wasn't having it, and imprisoned him." she explained, purposely choosing not to disclose the fact that the queen had magic.

"A kind castle maid who attended me, heard about the queen's plot to assassinate me, and aided in my release. We scourged the castle's hidden passageways until we found the dungeons, where Liam was imprisoned. After we fled the castle, Liam's men closed in on Aginard. I'm not sure what transpired from there, but I do know the war is over." She sighed, leaning back in her chair before taking a long drink from her cup.

"And what of Liam? Did you tell him of his son?" Agnes pressed, and Belle looked away, running her fingers through her hair timorously.

"No … I told him I was married, and the night we spent together was nothing more than fleeting passion. I have to protect Baden, and he'll be far safer here in Avonlea than he would be in Albannach. I have to do what's best for him," she said, trying to make herself believe she hadn't just made the greatest mistake of her life.

Agnes shook her head disapprovingly. "You mean what's best for you? It's not good for a boy to be without his father, Belle. Gaston was a good man, and the arrangement was fitting for the time, but he's gone. There's absolutely nothing standing between you and your true love now. William deserves to know about his son, and be a part of his life even if you choose not to have that kind of relationship together. I know in your heart you'll do the right thing," Agnes admonished, standing up from her chair and placing a motherly kiss on Belle's brow.

"Goodnight Belle," she bid her goodnight, leaving Belle alone with her thoughts beside the roaring fire. Belle felt a wave of guilt assault her. She knew her aunt was right, but how could they ever be together now? It was to late, and William was probably already on his way back to Albannach. Things were simpler this way. One day she would tell her son about his father, but not now. The time wasn't right yet, but would it ever be right? What of the next greedy monarch who would want to take William's crown and kingdom? She would have to worry about losing Baeden as William's enemies struck against him. She sighed, retreating to the bedroom she shared with her son. He slept soundlessly on the left side of the bed. She tucked the covers over him before climbing in beside him.

"Momma, is that you?" he inquired sleepily, stifling back a yawn.

"Yes … it's me," she replied, wrapping her arms around his torso.

"Where have you been? You were gone a long time," he stated, snuggling closer to her.

"It doesn't matter, Baden. Your momma is here now, and all is well," she told him, trying to hide the tears which spilled unbidden from her lashes. William should be there with them. Why did life have to be so bloody cruel. How was she ever to find the strength to let him go again?

"But, momma, you're crying," he said, reaching up to touch her wet cheeks. "Why?"

Her lip trembled as a sob tore from her throat. "I-I'm just so happy to see you, sweetling. That's all. I promise. Now rest, my lamb. All will be well in the morning."

He muttered an "okay" sleepily, too tired to prod her with more questions, but she was certain they would all come in the morning. She closed her eyes, sleep effortlessly overtaking her and whisking her away into a deep slumber.

~X~

Regina Mills, Queen Cora's daughter, was the complete opposite of her nefarious mother. She was timid and shy, but William could sense she had a strong will to do what was ethical and just for her kingdom. She wasn't hesitant to sign the peace treaties quickly drawn up for them, or to forge an alliance between their kingdoms, one that hadn't existed for over a hundred years. William wanted to do nothing more than race back to Avonlea and confront Belle, but his men needed to rest and so did he, so they stayed in Aginard for three extra days.

While he was there, he assisted Regina in forming a strong council of loyal members, and burying her dead, including the former queen … or what was left of her. He also encouraged her to marry the man she loved despite their station, because a kingdom couldn't be ruled by wealth and power alone. The mightiest kingdoms were sealed together by true love.

After counseling the unversed queen, he set off to Avonlea one last time. David and Eva accompanied him while the rest of his men returned to Albannach. The captain quickly learned she was his wife's long lost mother, and they were excitedly planning a reunion. He was grateful for the servant who'd betrayed her queen's loyalty. If it wasn't for her, they would have all perished, and he planned to give her a comfortable life the rest of her days.

When they reached Avonlea, it didn't take him long to locate Belle's residence. It was right in the middle of the village, a modest hovel that he couldn't imagine anyone living in. Who was this other lover she'd spoke of? Was he devilishly handsome? It was obvious he didn't have a decent trade. What about all of that gold he'd gifted her with? Had she already squandered it? He felt himself begin to seethe with anger as he pounded upon the door.

He was flummoxed when a young boy with sable eyes and tawny curls answered the door. He peered up at William with childlike curiosity, "Are you a knight sir? I've always wanted to be a knight when I get older. My momma says I can be anything I want," he remarked proudly, locking gazes with the king.

The cogs in William's mind began to turn as he gazed down at the child, and that's when he realized the truth. He was staring into the eyes of his very own son. He felt betrayal take root deep in his heart as he realized the tremendous secret she'd kept from him. He choked back a sob, overwhelmed by the myriad emotions rioting through his body. He had a son! And his beloved Belle, the woman he cherished above all had sought to keep the knowledge from him forever.

"Mister, are you alright? Would you like to come in? My momma told me to answer the door because she's cooking and couldn't leave the stew unattended. We don't have much, but I'm sure we could spare you a bowl," he offered generously, and William couldn't help but smile at his young lad's benevolence.

"I would like that very much, but are you sure your mother wouldn't mind?" he inquired, feigning ignorance.

"Of course not!" the young boy smiled. William entered the hovel, drinking in its meager furnishings. He'd left Eva and David outside to converse. This was something he would have to do on his own.

"Baeden, who was at the doo-" he looked up to meet Belle's gaze, the query immediately dying on her lips. Grease stained her white apron while chestnut curls fell carelessly in her face. "Baden, go upstairs for a few minutes please." she commanded.

"But, momma -" he objected.

"Go!" she ordered in a stern tone, pointing to the staircase. The young boy grumbled under his breath as he trudged involuntarily up the stairs.

"Is he mine?" William interjected before she could say anything. Still she continued to stare at him, and he quickly lost what small thread of patience which remained. "IS HE MINE?!"

"Yes, I found out I was pregnant shortly after you sent me away. I had no idea what to do, Liam. You were marrying someone else, and I know how bloodthirsty your brothers and sister were towards their half siblings. I didn't want my son subjected to that kind of life. He didn't deserve to live under that scrutiny. I had to do what was best for him," she confessed. "He is more important than what we had together, Liam." Tears welled in her cerulean eyes, but he felt no desire to comfort her. She had lied to him and betrayed him.

"What about now, Belle? The war is over, and you have no excuse to keep my son from me anymore!

"Don't I? What about the next time one of your enemies comes knocking at the castle gates?" she spat, trying to remain strong. "I won't allow anything to harm my son, Liam. I can't."

"He's mine, and the rightful heir to my throne! Everyone in my life has betrayed me, but I never thought it would be you! Do you know how it felt to fight my way back to you only to realize that you didn't love me anymore? The worst part of this travesty is that you kept my boy from me! What kind of woman does that? Rheul's son will grow up as a bastard because his father is dead, but my son will not!" he snarled angrily bursting through the door.

"Liam NO! Please don't take him away from me!" she begged, trailing after him. She grabbed his breeches, sobbing uncontrollably.

David approached them apprehensively. "What's going on your majesty?" he inquired gazing between them.

"Belle has committed the highest act of treason! Arrest her!" he commanded indignantly, his eyes dark and cold.

"But your highness-" David objected bewilderingly until William pressed a firm finger against his lips,

"Do you dare question the authority of your king? Arrest her, and seize the rest of the occupants in the house!" he seethed.

"Liam! Please! You can't take him away from me!" she protested, immense grief overtaking her. "I'm his mother!"

He turned to her with all of the rage coursing through him, "Don't worry, dearie, I wouldn't ever take Baden away from his mother. You'll be in his life but so will I!" He asserted, tearing his gaze away from her, unable to look upon the woman who'd deceived him any longer. They had been apart too long and maybe it was time for him to realize what they had was irreparable.

He tuned out her wailing as David ripped her away from him and bound her hands with ties. The rest of the village occupants had stopped to stare, but an imperious look from William sent them cowering on their way. The cries of his young son, and the objections of Belle's elderly aunt caused him to turn away. He never wanted for any of this to happen, but he wasn't getting on any ship without his son. They would all accompany him whether they agreed or not.

~X~

Baeden had often watched the ships passing back and forth in the harbor when he accompanied his great aunt to sell her fabrics at market, but he'd never dreamed he'd actually get to sail on one. He wasn't sure what to think of the whole debacle. One minute his mother was cooking warm stew over the hearth and the next, they were being forced out of their home with a few belongings and aboard a ship.

All he wanted was his momma, but the knight wouldn't allow him to see her. He'd taken her to another part of the vessel, and he was currently alone in a big cabin. The knight told him they would speak shortly, but all he wanted to do was go back home. What did the knight want with him anyway? Baden was pulled from his rampant imaginings when the cabin door flew open. There in the doorway stood the peculiar knight. Baden focused his childish gaze on the man's brandished sword, gulping back the bile in his throat fearfully.

"What do you want?" he scowled at the older man, putting on his bravest face.

William smiled awkwardly at the boy, approaching him cautiously. "My name is William, and I thought we might talk and get to know each other," he introduced himself, but Baden glowered at him,

"I don't care what your name is, or where you're from! I want to see my momma!" he blustered, sauntering towards the king and kicking him hard in the shin.

William winced in agony, but the most painful part of this experience was the disapproving look in his boy's sable eyes. He was a fool for thinking Baden would open up to a stranger. He didn't know any other parent but Belle, and he realized that none of this was going to work without her.

"How would you like to see your mother?" he inquired, and the boy nodded fiercely, his countenance softening. William showed him out of the cabin, and to another chamber aboard the ship.

Belle clasped her hands tightly in her lap, startled when the door opened to reveal Baden and William standing in the doorway.

"Momma!" Baden cried, running towards her and jumping into her lap,

"Oh my sweet boy!" she gushed, ruffling his tawny curls. She got so caught up in the moment,she barely heard William awkwardly clear his throat.

"I think it's time you tell him Belle," he commanded with an ascetic glance.

"Momma what's he talking about?" Baden queried, glancing suspiciously between them.

Belle respired, cradling his cherub face in her hands, "Remember when I told you that your father died in the war?" she quizzed, and he nodded. "Gaston, wasn't your real father. He was only your stepfather which was like being a real rather when your birth father couldn't step in." She didn't dare look at William after she mentioned Gaston. She could only imagine him seething.

"Then who's my real father?" Baden quizzed, cutting right to the heart of the matter. "Your real father is William. He's the king of Albannach, but he's been fighting in the war these past five years, and he couldn't be with us. But he's back now. He wants to be a part of our lives again … How do you feel about that?" she asked, her gaze darting between her son and his stoic father.

Baeden shrugged. "I suppose I can get to know him if he promises not to hurt you." he supplied, glancing at William.

"I would never hurt your mother Baden...All I want is for us to be a family. How would you like that?" he propositioned, and Baden nodded,

"Does that mean I get to be a knight since you're a king?" he queried, his mind struck with childish wonder.

"Maybe one day when you're older … Right now your mother and I need to talk, but I promise to catch up with you later. I believe your aunt is in the galley. Why don't you go assist her?" William suggested, and Baden leapt from his mother's lap. He watched as the boy trudged towards the kitchen, and couldn't help but chuckle. Belle had probably made him assist her with the meals since he was old enough to walk. He turned to Belle, the melancholy evident in her eyes as he approached her.

"Who is Gaston?" he queried with distrust in his voice.

She glanced morosely at the floor, unable to look him in the eye, "He was just a childhood friend, but we wed after I found out I was pregnant. He was unable to sire any children, and suggested we marry to save me from the town's scorn. The relationship was completely platonic, and he never laid with me. He died when Baden was five months old, so he only knew him from the stories I told," she explained, and he scoffed, the ire evident in his tone.

"It's a shame he died, but if he hadn't, you and I wouldn't be having this conversation would we? If he were still alive, and I came to your door today, you would've pretended Baden was his son," he accused pacing back and forth indignantly.

"Do you think I asked for any of this? That I wanted to leave my husband and the life we were building together? You banished me! You told me to move on, to find love, and find happiness! I thought you and Milah would've been producing heirs, and I didn't want to endanger our son! I was giving him his best chance just as you told me you were giving me!" she bellowed, tears streaming down her face.

"If you had come back to me, I would've found a way," he whispered somberly, and she sighed.

"No … you didn't want that, Liam. You sent me away because you didn't want the kingdom to see me as your mistress. And I'm sure you didn't want anyone to see Bae as your bastard."

"Belle -"

She shook her head, realizing the futility of the conversation. They were both hurting, and most of all, he felt betrayed. "What are you going to do with me now Liam? Are we going to keep going back and forth like this? What is it that you want?" she quizzed, and he marched towards her. He pressed her firmly against the wall, his body pressed flush against her, causing heat to pool in her belly. His hot breath fanned against her face, making her shudder in delight.

"We're going to be a family despite your betrayal. We're going to make this work for our son, even if we never sire another child together. We're going to pretend that everything's okay between us even though it really isn't. I'm not sure if we will ever get past this, but we'll make our relationship believable. The whole world will think we're madly in love even though your deception hurts worse than any battle wound ever inflicted on me." he whispered huskily in her ear before pulling away. Her knees nearly buckled from his close proximity and her heart stung from his rejection.

"Wash up dearie … Dinner will be ready within the hour, and I want things to be perfect for our son," he instructed before leaving her alone. She should've felt fulfilled by having him at her side again, but his words left her hollow. Could things ever be righted between them or was it already too late? She sank to her knees, his renunciation penetrating her to the very recesses of her soul.

A/AN: Thank you for reading! I'm sorry for more heartbreak, but I promise that in the next two chapters, things will start to brighten up! I can't believe I only have two more chapters to write! Such an amazing feeling! :D