It was a day of great joy within the kingdom. There was loudness and celebration throughout the entire castle for the upcoming occasion happening in the next two hours. Maura was currently looking at herself in the mirror taking in her appearance. She was adorned in her white corset and holding up her dress as Elsa helped her put it on.
"Your highness, are you excited for today?" Elsa asked excitedly.
Maura gave a slight smile in return, "I am happy to have an addition to our family" she tried to convey but not giving anything away but that. There were many thoughts and emotions going through her head as she tried to piece everything together. It's not like this was a shock to the young woman. She knew after her talk with Constance and basically giving the woman her blessing that wedding bells would soon be ringing. Not even a full day past until her father came to her and wanted to have a discussion.
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Flashback:
Maura was trying to feed Bass some fruits before going to bed. After her discussion with Constance they made their separate ways for the rest of the day having much to think about. Maura's head had been flooding with questions of how she should feel and what she should do. The girl had known in the back of her mind that Constance's intention was to marry her father. It was probably Papa's intention as well. Even though she suspected it, hearing it created a variety of emotions that left Maura feeling ungrounded. It was an unnerving feeling of not being in control, especially of her thoughts and emotions. The night passed by quickly when Maura finally fell asleep after a long day. As predicted Paddy did not arrival until the wee hours of the morning of the following day. So when Maura saw her father he looked tired but happy to see her. The usual company was present at the dining room eating breakfast as both Paddy and William talked about their experience in town; especially William for it was his first time. Listening to them both was a good distraction for Maura not having to think about the results of what happened the day before. It was not surprising that Patrick did not know of what Constance and she discussed but she knew that the news would be revealed soon and she was going to have to talk to her father. So she was not surprised that her father ended up in her room that night.
Patrick looks at his daughter with a slight smile but nerves were present in his facial features. "Hello angel what are you doing?" He decides to take the slow approach.
Maura saw through this and even expected this but decided to play along anyway. "Oh just feeding Bass" she replied calmly.
Doyle looked at his daughter trying to come up with a reply. He looked conflicted trying to figure out what to say. Probably deciding how to approach this, the smart girl thought waiting for a response.
"You are bright Maura. You never miss a thing, did you know that?" Doyle smiled bigger when he sees his daughter's reaction.
Maura has a look of complete confusion on her face. She did not expect him to say that, at least out of nowhere. Hearing words like that reminded her of her mother. "No not really. You and mom would always say that to me."
Doyle's expression changed into sadness that was most noticeable in his eyes. "I am aware that you had an interesting conversation with Constance yesterday afternoon" he says slyly.
There it is. Maura looked at the inside of her book as she responded back. "Yes I'd say so. I was wondering when this conversation would happen. I was waiting for Constance to share the news with you."
Patrick was taken aback by her bluntness and the anger within her voice. He was not use to his daughter like this but it was understandable why. "I should have talk to you sooner but…" he started to say but was quickly cut off.
Finally looking him with her enormous hazel eyes, "Yes father you should have! I realize that you are my father and I respect you but it would have been considerate for my Papa to at least warn me of his intentions to wed!" Both Doyle's were shocked by the aggression in the girl's voice. Paddy was too shocked to even feel any anger for the way she was speaking to him. I suppose I deserve this he thought to himself.
Maura took a deep breathe trying to calm herself down. "Papa I'm sorry. I just feel upset because you didn't tell me. It just feels like you were trying to do this behind my back. It feels like my opinion doesn't matter to you" she said sadly looking down at her feet too ashamed to look at her father.
Paddy walked closer and lowered himself to her height to meet her gaze. "Maura…I am so sorry you feel that way. I was never trying to hide this, in fact a marriage wasn't even an opinion until I saw how you interacted with her" Doyle tried to speak to his daughter.
"Tell me how you know her."
Paddy looked at Maura and smiled. "Well Mrs. Fairfield introduced us and we started sending letters to each other. At first it was just friendly talk about what was happening in our lives and then I started feeling something for her. She was surprisingly sweet and kind and she wanted to meet you. So she came and I wanted to see your interaction before I considered anything. I saw how you both bonded and I haven't seen you this happy since your mother."
"She cannot be and will ever be my mother Papa. I'm sorry but no one can replace her no matter what" Maura stated adamantly.
"Oh Maura no one would dream to have Constance to take the place of your mother. Just because she might have become my wife wouldn't mean I would ever stop loving Hope. Your mother is a figure in our lives that will never be replaced, never be forgotten. I promise angel" Patrick said to his daughter, eyes full of sincerity.
Maura looked into his intense blue eyes and knew he was telling the truth. "Ok Papa. If it will make you happy" She replies simply.
"Maura if you are not comfortable with the idea or can't go through it then I will completely call it off. Both Isles' will return back to England. I don't want you to feel pressured sweetheart just tell me" Paddy replies quickly.
Maura smiles at her father's concern. "Yes father I am sure. Constance is a wonderful woman and she will make a great queen and a friend." She smiled to herself.
Paddy looked upon his child and saw that she was not so young anymore. At age sixteen she was more mature and wiser than those past her age. This made him feel proudness in the center of his chest and tears fell down his cheeks. He embraced his daughter tightly to show his gratitude and love. "You are the most precious thing to me angel. I am so blessed that you are the bright, beautiful young woman you are today. I love you so much."
This caused Maura to hug her father tighter not wiping the overflow of tears. "I love you too Papa."
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While Maura was thinking about that night, she was struggling with the conflicting feelings she had been experiencing as the date of the wedding came closer. She wanted to be happy for both her father and Constance. She loved her father dearly and wished him the best and she really liked Constance as well but she had this nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. She was confused by her feelings of happiness and dread. She had not seen her father so happy since before her mother's death but it felt like they were being dishonest to her memory. Even Maura liked Constance for she was both good to her and her father. It was just difficult to see someone be with her father that wasn't her mother. As these thoughts ran through her head she finished up putting on her dress. She finally took a good look at herself. She was adorning a dress of deep green like the grassland of her mother country. In the middle of the front of the dress had beautiful floral design and the sides were full of gems that sparkled. The collar reached the corners of her shoulders leaving the tops of her shoulder's bare. The sleeves were a thin loose cloth that created ventilation. The elegant gown reached to the floor. She was admiring herself in the mirror as the color contrasted well with her light skin along with the chain hanging around her neck of the lady bug pendant her mother gave her a long time ago. She wanted the feeling of her mother's presence close to her during this day giving her piece of mind. She took a deep breath and looked at her eyes within the reflection. Here we go.
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The castle was full of happiness and disarray trying to get the preparations in order for the big event that would commence shortly. Maura had been walking down the corridor and viewing all the staff trying to get everything together like the decorations, food, and guests in order. Maura began to make her way to the parlor where she was to meet Willam and Constance before the ceremony. It was all planned out. Maura would walk down first then stand next to her father and then William would walk with Constance, give her away to Patrick and would stand beside his sister. Both Patty and Constance agreed it was important to have the most important people stand by them rather than the traditional bridesmaids and groomsmen. Maura had been getting prepped by Constance of how the proccession would go for a couple weeks now. Maura had also been assisting with helping out Constance with wedding plans. The young girl would listen to the older woman and give some words of advice occasionally. Though she was not as receptive as usual. Maura had seemed to be distancing herself from Constance and limiting their amount of interaction and conversations that both ladies noticed. Constance though, did not press the issue because she understood the conflicting feelings the young girl was experiencing with excepting her as her new step-mother. She continued to walk into the room that would soon change her life.
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The wedding went just as it was planned. Perfect. The great hall in which the wedding took place was filled with beautiful decorations that hung all over the place. While she walked down the aisle toward her father who looked very handsome. The guests faces were filled with happy smiles for the day of joy had arrived. When she finally reached her father she saw his face and he was smiling happily. He took her into an embraced and kissed her head and then she stood beside him. William and Constance walked down and they looked completely stunning. Constance was wearing a long, off the shoulder white dress that reached floor length. Constance looked exquiste as she made her way to the alter with a beaming smile. William had been holding his sister's arm and actually had a smile on his face which was uncommon. When she finally reached the alter she took Patrick's hand while William stood on her side and the ceremony began. It went quickly for Maura as she zoned out throughout the ceremony getting lost in thought. By the time she realized the ceremony was over, the beginning of her new life had just began.
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Two weeks later:
HERE FOLWETH THE PROLOGE OF THE PARDONERS TALE
'Lordings,' quod he, 'in chirches whan I preche,
I peyne me to han an hauteyn speche,
And ringe it out as round as gooth a belle,
For I can al by rote that I telle.
My theme is alwey oon, and ever was—
"Radix malorum est Cupiditas.
Maura had been obessed with the Geoffrey Chaucer's Catebury Tales because she hadn't come across stories like this anywhere else. The last quote which spoke out to her greatly. "Radix malorum est Cupiditas" meaning the love of money is the root of all evil. The Pardon's Tale is where she found herself today as she tried to morph herself away from her own world. It had been two weeks since she had seen her father or Constance because of their honeymoon. Maura had missed them, particularly her father so much but they were coming home tomorrow. It had not been all bad since they had left, just more quiet and less exciting. The wedding had been wonderful and they seemed to all enjoy the reception. Maura saw a real smile on her father's face for the first time in a long time. It had been worth seeing that happiness glowing from his face. If anyone deserved happiness it was her father. Even though she accepted their marriage she still suffered from her conflicting feelings but she chose to ignore them. The last two weeks have mostly consisted of extra reading, interacting with Bass, and bonding with William.
It had been surprising to Maura also that William would spend any time with her because he seemed more like a private person. Of course they would see each other at dinner but she didn't think he would interact with her besides then. Then one day Maura had been with Bass outside and William had stumbled by them. She assumed he would wave and just continue on his way but it surprised Maura that he came up to them that day. He motioned his hand toward the ground. Maura understood his request to sit down and accepted his request. They sat there a little while together in complete silence and no way of communication. Suddenly he reached in his cloak pocket and pulled out a pen and parchment and began to write on it. He must need that wherever he goes to communicate with others. He had begun to asked about how she liked Bass and how he was and she replied back and explained all she knew about the reptitle's kind. He smiled at her and she looked and observed he had a handsome face. He looked very much like his sister. Symmetrical face, stunning white teeth, dark brown hair, and intense blue eyes. It was easy to see the resemblence, especially the light in his eyes. It must be hard to not be able to speak with others. I bet he is very sweet. They stayed outside until dinner was ready and they walked in together. They enjoyed their meal and Maura mostly talked about her books and what she was currently interested in and he would listen attentively and was fully engaged. It was sweet for this man to do this, not simply out of obligation but of interest of who she was and what she had to say. Dinner went by quickly as they continually talked (or at least Maura did). They were finally leaving to bed but Maura wished to go to the library to get a book and he escored her. Once she picked out the book she showed William its contents. William looked facinated with the book and has a sincere smile on his face. He motions to the book and to her lips. She asked if he wanted her to read it to him and he nodded his head in agreement. Maura smiled and continued the story she had left off on.
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Ok guys here is chapter 11! I tried to get this out faster than the last chapter so I hope this was better. Alright I hope you like this weeks update and please review because I love it when you review because it makes me feel awesome and that I am doing right by you guys. I want to thank all of you who are reading this story, it just makes me feel proud! Ok well thanks again and have a good night!