"You do know you have unbelievably beautiful eyes," said John as he put a strand of Mary's hair behind her ear.
"So are you going to just stand there looking startled or respond to my compliment," John said as he shot Mary a roguish smile.
"You know your not that bad either, John" said Mary as she playfully gazed at him, with her cheeks completely flushed.
John surprised at her sudden playful gesture, he chuckled.
"You're wound. I'm-I'm sorry that you had to risk your life for me. Is there anything I can do to repay you?"
"Milady, there is no reason to apologize. However, there is one thing that you can do," said John with a smile so mischievous that it reminded Mary of a little boy who smiled at his own naughty intentions.
"And what is that, John?"
"Come to my home and live with Layla and myself"
"Why, Your Grace?"
"Because Layla can't stop talking about you"
"And Milady; I enjoy your company"
"But how could you possibly think that I will come? Why would you even think such a thing?" Mary replied defensively.
It wouldn't make sense for a girl to doubt the man that just rescued her. But Mary had seen too much of the world, and had experienced too much pain to not put up a fight. She had lived in a family where her father was king to the world, but for her was the man who would do anything for her and her mother. In Mary's eyes, her father would risk his life for his little pearl. He would buy her toys, gowns, jewels, and whenever he had some time to spare, he would hold her up at the very top of the castle and tell her how one day a prince will come for her and she will reside amongst the most exclusive luxuries. He would tell her how she was the most precious and most adorable girl of all of Europe and nothing could ever change that.
Her mother wasn't any less. Her mother's eyes marked the genuine love that she had for Mary and her father. She was always a little stricter than her father and at times, a lot gloomier. But now that Mary grew older, she understood that her strictness symbolized the strength of a mother. It was her way of preparing Mary for the painful realities of life, unlike her father who spoiled her during her childhood years and then simply left her in the harshest of all realities when she got older.
As Mary grew older, she finally realized the reasons for all of the nights when she had heard her mother sobbing. It was because her father would spend night after night with his mistresses; hurting the one woman that loves him above all for merely an emotion of lust. Mary had heard the stories of the love her mother and father had shared and learnt from what had become of it. Her father being the only man that she had ever known had set an awful example of men for her. He had taught her that men could give up anything for short-time lust and passion that would shamefully use the name of love. It taught her that looks can be deceiving and taught her to never trust easily ever again. After all if you cannot trust your very own father, then which man could you really trust?
But John always got what he wanted. He never gave up. Ever since he had seen Mary, there was nothing that his thoughts consisted of more than her and if it took a warrior to destroy the walls that Mary had put up, it was a warrior that she was going to get. No matter what kind of fight Mary would put up, John would most certainly have his way. John was always used to getting his way ever since he was little; always the first one to cross the finish line during races. He was neither arrogant nor over-confident about it. He played the game of life honestly, and fairly. But this proposal that he made just earlier was not only for his selfish reasons, but also of the concern that Mary was not protected under the King's authority. He wanted to set Mary free. He didn't want her to depend on a cruel man like the King himself. After what the King had done to Caroline, he just could not trust Mary working for the King. Mary would still be depending on somebody, if not the king, but he knew that no one could make Mary any happier or keep her any safer especially from the dangers that she faced today. He didn't want rogues to lust Mary and take advantage of her loneliness like how they did today. John wanted to look after Mary.
"What makes me think you'll come? After the dangers that you faced today, are you really asking me that question? Besides, I do not trust you under the authority of the King"
"I can take care of myself, John. And you need not question the authority of the King. You can get charged for treason, John"
As John stepped closer to Mary, she was trembling. John felt the warmth of Mary's cheek as he trailed his thumb gazing at the perfect structure of her face. Mary's heart was skipping a beat and for the first time in her life, Mary felt vulnerable. She no longer could put up the strong front that Princess Mary used to put up, the front that her mother had taught her to put up.
In a hushed, enticing voice with his lips only a few centimetres apart form Mary's, John said "Are you sure about that? Because from what happened right there, it didn't look like it. You clearly needed my help. Just so you know I can get charged for treason a million times if it was for you."
John put his arms on Mary's waist and Mary flinched from his grasp. One thing Mary hated feeling were the feelings of weakness; the feelings of vulnerability. John made her feel exactly that. He had a type of control over her that no man ever had before. It was a long-lasting battle between her heart and head. Her head sensed danger zone and her heart sensed pleasure. Being sensible as Mary was, she chose to listen to her head.
"Forgive me, milady, I didn't mean to bring you discomfort but do you really think that it is safe for you to be all alone without nobody to look after you; to protect you; to protect a beautiful girl like you"
"Look, I can look after myself. I do not know why you would want me to go and stay with you in your home or what you want in exchange, but let me make one thing clear, just because I am alone, doesn't mean I will become your mistress or fall prey to any of this nonsense," Mary replied angrily.
"Isabella, the reason why I wanted you to come and live with me was because I know how hard it is to be all alone, doing nothing but work to make a living. I thought you didn't deserve that type of lifestyle. I was only trying to help you but if you want to misinterpret my kindness for something else than go ahead."
With that remark, John turned around and began pacing the other direction.
"Wait, John, I apologise. I'm really sorry"
John turned around giving Mary a chance to explain herself.
"It's just that I'm not used to this kind of kindness from anybody. I'm sorry John. Please forgive me."
"So Milady is that a yes I hear?"
"I'll think about it," Mary replied smiling. She was intrigued by his foolishness. One moment, he was serious, and just as Mary apologized, the goofiness in his voice returned.
"You're so foolish"
"I'm foolish, Milady?" John chuckled.
"Yes, you're foolish"
"If chasing after you means that I am foolish, then yes I'm foolish"
Mary turned red at his reply and speechless.
"Looks like I make you blush quite often Milady," said John as he trailed his thumb against Mary's cheek. Mary avoided his gaze and she felt as if her heart would bounce off her chest. She never felt like this in her life. Mary knew that John had a way to get under her skin; leave her hesitant; leave her speechless.
"You have such soft skin"
"Stop this"
"Stop what Milady"
"Stop calling me Milady"
Amused at her reply, John chuckled.
"Alright, Stop what Isabella?"
"Stop trying to flatter me, it isn't going to work"
"Are you sure about that, because you look pretty flattered to me"
"Whatever, where is Layla?"
"I left her with a friend at a shop. I didn't want her to get hurt"
"To be honest, you are such a great father. John, never ever put anyone before her. She's such a wonderful child"
John gave her a confused look. "She's pretty great, isn't she? She's just like her mother. We should go get her"
As John and Mary headed towards the shop, Mary asked "What happened to her mother, if you don't mind me asking?"
"My sister, she passed away. She was all I had. She's the one who raised me. When I was only sixteen, she met this man. She fell in love with him. Then he just disappeared. The bastard left her with child. I remember her staying up crying for hours after he left. She wasn't fit enough to have a baby. She died at child birth and all she left in this world was Layla. At first I couldn't even look at the infant responsible for my sister's death. But then I realized that none of this was her fault. She was innocent. I took one look at her and noticed how much she resembled my sister. She was my blood. I couldn't neglect her. She was the only family I had. Then a year later, I saw the same man walking with his wife and kids. I couldn't help it. I ended up putting my hands on him and then I ran away and came to this town where Layla and I started a new life. I never saw him again and I hope Layla never sees him in her life either. I never want her to think for one second that I'm not her real father. I want to give her all the love that I possibly can"
"I'm so sorry"
"It's not your fault. That's how wealthy people always are. Once they get what they want, they just use you and throw you away. All they care about is money and power. They don't realize other people's pain and sufferings. They're not grateful for the little things in life like we are. They don't realize the value of what they have. They just strive for more money, more power"
Mary was speechless. Mary didn't know what to feel. She felt happy that John wasn't like any man that she had ever met. His story really touched her. The way he was so strong and how he handled his sister's death gained her trust. He had all of the values that she wanted a man to have. But Mary also felt fear; fear over how he would react when he finds out that she was the daughter of the richest man in all of England. Would he accept her despite that fact? Would he agree to fight for her and stick by her no matter what? Would he be furious over the fact that Mary had hidden that piece of information from him or will he simply not want her because he cannot handle the lifestyle that comes with being with a princess or a royal bastard, whatever she was? She couldn't have another man enter her heart and just break it. Mary couldn't afford it. She knew it would ruin her.
As they entered the shop, Layla at the sight of her father, ran to him screaming out "Papa, Papa."
Layla's father picked her up as he looked at her and grinned. "Hello Isabella. Where have you been Papa? I was worried."
"Hello sweetie," replied Mary.
"I went to chase the bad guys away, sweetheart," said John.
"I wanna chase the bad guys away too, Papa"
Mary and John both laughed at the little girl's remark.
"They ran away. There's no need to chase them away anymore."
Mary gazed at the little girl and realized how lucky she was. Mary was genuinely happy for her. Just by simply being born a girl, in this country you are treated awfully, and Layla, being merely an illegitimate niece was loved; cared for; and was protected by her uncle. Where Mary's father is trying his best to illegitimatize her, this man is not only making sure that Layla never finds out that she is not his daughter, but he is also trying to make sure that she never finds out that she is illegitimate. He never had a problem that Layla was only but a girl. Where Mary's father didn't even know how to love his own child, John loved a child that wasn't his with all that he had. Being with the two of them, Mary realized one thing; not all men are the same.
As they stepped outside, Layla said "Isabella, will you have dinner with us today. You know, I missed you."
John and Mary exchanged glances. "Um, I"
"Have dinner with us. I'll drop you to Hatfield afterwards."
"I suppose I could. I would love to have dinner with you, Layla."
"Yay. Papa, I-I am sòo happy that Isabella's going to have dinner with us."
"Yes, I'm also thrilled to have dinner with Isabella, Layla," John replied giving Mary, one of his roguish smiles.