Elizabeth woke up the next day to the overwhelming fuss of her father and the maids, as she tried to convince them she was well. In fact, she was feeling incredibly refreshed after finally getting to sleep through the night.

"You look like you lost ten pounds, Miss! Those brutes!" Estrella lamented once more, as she put another piece of bread on her plate and insisted she ate more. She and the other maids had spent all morning worrying over her wellbeing, and as appreciative as she was over their care, it was becoming irritating.

But she knew all the servants had been frightened by those soldiers when they invaded the Mansion and took her away, especially because it had only been months since Barbossa's men had raided the entire city.

So instead of saying anything unkind, she sighed internally and assured her for the tenth time "I am fine" while taking a bite of her breakfast and letting out a hum of pleasure.

As annoying as they were being, she was famished and their food was delicious.

After the maids finally retreated, her attention shifted to her father.

"I wish to visit Fort Charles today, Father" she said casually. The surprise on his face could not be ignored.

"Elizabeth…" he started cautiously "You need not to worry about what happened yesterday"

She frowned at that. Why would she be worried?

"Beckett has now left Port Royal Elizabeth, and the Commodore assured me he would take care of everything. that man will not be able to implicate you any further. There is no need for you to get involved" he tried to mollify her.

Her frown deepened "I want to go to the Fort"

But her father continued in a conciliatorily manner "I know you have some concerns about the Commodore´s findings during his trip but I…" she interrupted him then.

"I just want to see the Commodore, Father" she clarified.

Instead of settling her father´s concerns as she had intended, he sighed heavily. Then with a reproachful tone and disapproval shining in his eyes he scolded her seriously "Elizabeth I know what you want and I not will try to stop you, but the Commodore just returned from a long expedition and he was of great help to us yesterday"

What was he talking about?

"Don't you think it would be a cruel way to repay his kindness by delivering the news to him with such haste? At least allow him the time to get settled back, then you can go talk to him" he suggested more appeasingly "Surely you can wait a couple of days before you talk to him."

At last, she understood what her Father was trying to say. His assumption made her shrink in on herself for a moment as heat rose in her cheeks.

Was this the reason why her father had been quiet for all these months? Did he think her so brutal as to run to the Commodores station -the day after he saved her from an accusation of piracy- just to be able to swiftly end their engagement? Was that why he would not make even a mention of the Commodore while in he had been away?

She was mortified but also determined to set him right "Commodore Norrington saved me yesterday, and it would be in poor manners not to welcome back my fiancé properly after that" as she stood up

The baffled expression on her father's face did nothing to make her feel better.

"I will be back after lunch," she added, before turning on her heel and leaving the room.

…

As she stepped through the main gates of the fort, Elizabeth was relieved to see that everything was back to normal. The soldiers under Beckett's command had vanished, replaced once again by James´ men. She made her way through the halls of the fort, her heart beating a little faster with each step.

When she eventually reached the Commodore´s office, she took a deep breath before pushing the door open and stepping inside. James was standing behind his desk, his eyes fixed over some navigational charts spread open on his desk.

As soon as he heard the door open, his head lifted up, eyes widening slightly at the sight of her standing in his doorway.

"Miss Swann, welcome" he greeted her as he stood from his chair and made his way towards her.

"Good morning, Commodore" she greeted while looking up at him with a coquettish smile.

James seemed confused by her amity for a moment, before offering her a mellow smile back "Good morning, Miss Swann" making a gesture with his hand to invite her to sit on one of the upholstered armchairs in his office.

He sat down on the armchair next to hers, although his posture remained stiff.

Then with some bewilderment he inquired "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

"I came to thank you once more, properly this time"

"I´m only glad at least this time I was able to do something to help you" there was sadness in his voice and she was sure he was thinking about her kidnapping by Barbossa and his men.

"It was quite a gallant rescue" she commented playfully, trying to divert him from those memories.

One of the corners of his mouth pulled up "I feel truly honoured my Lady," but contrary to his words he was acting distant.

"I… want to talk to you" she said cautiously, unsure of the best way to approach the subject, it had been months now. But really, what else would be more important than this when it came to the two of them?

The Commodore briefly glanced at the ground as his smile faded "I imagined you would" without any prompting, he continued "About two months ago The Dauntless caught up with…"

"Not about that" Elizabeth interrupted him.

His eyebrows met before he asked with confusion "Then…?"

There was a brief silence as she stared at him just as perplexed. Did he really not know?

"I thought about it" she tried to guide him to the conversation they left off three months ago on the docks.

"Ah" was the only thing he said as his posture went rigid. He stood up in one swift motion and his hands locked tightly behind his back. His eyes were completely unreadable as stared straight for a moment.

His body turned towards the balcony of his office, walking to stare at the outside through one of the windows.

"I…" He took a deep breath and released it slowly as his shoulders slumped.

She could only see his back now, but her heart was thudding uncomfortably at the sight.

James took a moment to clear his throat and started once more. His voice was steadier, but his tone was incredibly heartbroken as he continued resignedly "I understand. I will talk to your father, our engagement was never officially concreted, so it will not be difficult to cancel it"

She was out of her seat and walking towards him by then, hesitating for just a second before her hand reached out to take a hold of his. But his hands were tightly holding onto each other and she had to wait patiently for him to finally relax them enough that she could pull them apart.

"James" calling out to him gently, she pulled on his hand with enough force to make her wish clear.

He finally acquiesced to her request and turned back to face her… She was so tired of seeing the pain and disappointment etched deep in his eyes whenever he looked at her.

"I'll marry you" Elizabeth proclaimed, suddenly and with confidence.

"Pardon?"

"I'm not trying to cancel our engagement" she smiled with reassurance "I came to tell you that I will marry you" she repeated stubbornly.

But instead of happy, or at least relieved, James´ expression was troubled "Miss Swann" he began with a weary sigh "You just said you had thought about it"

"I did, properly this time" She really had "and I decided to marry you"

His gaze dropped to stare at their still connected hands, his hand tightened around hers just a little "If your father insisted that you…" he started with despondence.

She cut in before he could continue that thought "My Father has nothing to do with this" she insisted. His nescience was starting to annoy her.

But his gaze was still stuck, looking longingly at their interlocked hands. Still, his mouth continued "Beckett left Port Royal already, I will not allow him to…"

Elizabeth squeezed his hand firmly, she needed him to listen to her.

"Commodore" she called once more.

When his eyes returned to hers, she finally understood why he was refusing to.

"...you have been anticipating my rejection" and that realization wounded her.

Just like her father, he thought she had rushed here to dispose of him swiftly. He thought her that cruel and manipulative? Was his opinion of her truly that low?

James remained silent, but his eyes were all the confirmation she needed.

Her confidence evaporated.

Why would he protect her like he did yesterday, then? Why was he looking at her like that? Why did he want her?

"Then why did you ask?" she questioned, hurt seeping from her voice. She let go of his hand and took a small step back.

"If you consider me to be such a cruel harpy, why did you ask me to think it over before you left!?" she demanded while her eyes misted.

"I don't think you cruel," he refuted her gently. "I have the highest of regards for you, Elizabeth" he assured her with nothing but warmth in his voice and affection on his face.

"Then why are you… Before you left, you…" she was reluctant to say it, It was pitiful but she said it anyway "I thought you held affection for me" she couldn't look at him anymore, maybe she had been too presumptuous.

He had yet to say a word but she felt him take a step forward and bridge the distance between them.

Then, to her surprise, his hand reached up and cupped the side of her face. His thumb exerted a little bit of pressure against her chin, trying to make her look up at him.

She hesitated but eventually caved. What she found was his face leaning down over hers, he was really close. So close she could feel his warm breath hit her face, she thought distractedly.

James´ steady green eyes took hold of hers and wouldn't let go.

"I do" he offered softly, almost reverently. His gaze held so much sincerity that she couldn't doubt him. "But I do not wish to force my affections upon you any longer and I cannot allow you to marry me out of duty either... I want you to be happy."

Her heart gave an excited jolt with an intensity she had never experienced before. His feelings were transparent on his face. But that just made his rejection all the more perplexing to her.

He was looking at her as if she was the one hurting him, but that was not fair.

"You say that, but you´re the one not even giving me a chance" she accused him. "...You said you wanted to marry me" she mumbled, further humiliated by the uncertainty in her voice.

"I did"

She could not ignore how his answer referred to the past. And maybe that was exactly what it was. He had wanted to marry her before but had changed his mind while away.

She had to be sure "Then… do you not want to marry me anymore?" she managed to rasp out.

How was it so difficult to persuade a man -who was engaged to her- to marry her? Or were they no longer engaged?

He had not raised any objections yesterday when she claimed him as her fiancé. Had that just been him protecting her as well?

Was this retribution for her mistakes? First Will had decided to just throw his feelings at her, then immediately sailed away to the horizon with a bunch of ragtag pirates… he hadn't even waited for her answer.

And now James was… he had even proposed to her! But now he didn't seem too taken with the idea of marrying her.

Interrupting her thoughts, James continued to ask with a look of unease "What about him ?"

She frowned with frustration "You are the one in front of me. The one I'm talking to. I´m asking you !" she almost growled.

"Miss Swann…" she hated him calling her that.

"Stop calling me Miss Swann already. It's foolish!" Elizabeth ordered him, exasperated by the polite way he kept addressing her.

"You keep calling me Commodore" he answered right back, sounding just as annoyed.

"James" she called defiantly as her chin set stubbornly.

He stared at her for a moment, looking slightly surprised. Before he conceded soothingly while one corner of his lips raised "Elizabeth then," his thumb settled against her cheek, caressing it softly.

She felt herself relax at his affection.

Letting out a slow breath, he tried once more "Elizabeth I… I don't want you to regret this" he admitted carefully "Marriage is a life commitment. Even if you may feel confident at the moment… for life is a long time to remain by the side of a man you hold no affection for"

"I don't dislike you. I never have" she told him hastily, grabbing onto the lapels of his coat.

It wasn't a lie, she had never disliked him, he was an admirable man: Loyal, honest, dutiful but far too serious for her taste. Duty above anything else, that was the perfect way to describe Commodore Norrington. For a long time, she had been certain they were much too different to make each other happy.

"That is not the same. You know that"

She did know that, and because she knew that, she was trying this hard to make him understand.

"But I do care for you!" she insisted loudly. He had to know that. She needed him to know that.

And looking at him, she could see how much he needed to believe her words.

"I can´t be a proper, perfect wife and I don't want you to treat me as a mere ornament for your arm." she blurted suddenly, desperate to make him understand.

What she had really feared most was to spend the rest of her life trapped in a marriage with a stiff, emotionless man that would restrict her freedom. But after all that had happened… She knew now, she knew she had been wrong about him. He was not emotionless, and he cared for her sincerely, he just had not been able to show it in a way she understood before.

His expression was appalled after hearing her words "Elizabeth…" he tried.

But she would finish what she had to say, she continued with determination "I don't want to be thought of as just the Governor's daughter, I don't want to be simply a smart match or a fine woman" She paused for a second and took an encouraging breath "I want to be Elizabeth, and… I want to be loved, James" she finished with a little apprehension.

Her hands had become tight fists on his coat. She was probably ruining his crisp uniform, but he did not seem to have the sightless interest in that as his eyes continued looking at her face.

"You are Elizabeth to me" he confessed, looking at her with so much adoration it made her feel vulnerable "You could never be anything else but Elizabeth to me" he said softly as his hand moved from her cheek to the side of her head, entwining in her hair "Stubborn, bold, daring, smart, beautiful Elizabeth"

His eyes remained solely on hers and he way he looked at her, with a mixture of tenderness and desire, made her feel like the most valuable treasure in the world. She did not understand how she could have possibly missed it before.

The sensation he was provoking made her fear her entire body might burn down all the way from the inside.

James was the one begging her to believe him now, and she wanted nothing more than to do it.

Maybe she was being hasty, but she didn't care about any of that. The adoration in his eyes, in his gestures, in the way he said her name… she felt an irrational need to have it all, to have him for herself.

"Prove it to me" she demanded. Because she desperately needed him to. She could not lose this. She could not lose him .

The determination on his face was undeniable "Tell me how" he begged.

"I am not the Royal Navy, I don't need Commodore Norrington" taking a deep breath, her hands moved up to his jaw "I want James" she told him earnestly "I want to know you "

He opened his mouth, then gulped, before finally asking "Is that truly what you want?"

This time she knew what she wanted to answer, "It is" she asserted with certainty.

"And.. Do you believe you could be happy with me?" His voice was so low it was close to a whisper, but there was so much hope in it.

She smiled at him before answering with a genuine "I do."

His eyes were sparkling with true happiness at her answer, but his mouth kept insisting "If we marry, you´ll be my wife" He wanted to know she understood that. He needed her to be sure of what she wanted.

One of her eyebrows raised. "Is that how it works?" she replied and while there was sarcasm on her voice there was nothing but amusement on her face.

"You know what I'm trying to say, Elizabeth. Are you willing to be my wife… with all that it entails?" he asked pointedly.

She felt herself flush at his implication, but was grateful he wasn't refusing her anymore. "Stop treating me like a child when it suits you. I know what I'm agreeing to!" she complained with a small scowl.

His other hand raised to rest at her hip, bringing her close enough that the small space between their bodies completely disappeared.

"I'm not sure you do" he said hoarsely, but there was no hint of anger in his voice, it was something different, something more… ardent.

Which gave her the courage to move her hands up and seize his neck, bringing herself closer still to his face. Their lips were only an inch apart now, they were so close that she could feel the gentle puff of his breath against her lips. "So then…" she started but her mouth felt dry and she had to gulp a little to continue.

What was she so nervous about? He wanted to, she knew he did.

"Why don't I prove it to you?" she finished in a whisper.

He appeared to be considering what to do, but now that she was properly paying attention, it was easy to realize how incredibly expressive his eyes were. And, at the moment, they were solely focused on her mouth. He was without a doubt a difficult man.

"I…" he tried, but she found herself growing too impatient to let him finish. She had been nervously anticipating this for weeks and she wanted it now.

So Elizabeth closed her eyes, rose on the tip of her toes and covered the non-existent distance between their mouths…

His lips are soft, was the first thing that registered on her brain as she pressed against them. Neither reacted for a moment, but when she began to move her lips slowly, he responded in kind. The sensation was novel: tingly and a little wet, but not at all unpleasant.

It felt good, really good in fact, she realized with slight surprise.

His lips moved gently against hers, but didn´t go further than that, she was sure he was trying to let her decide what happened next.

Curious to see what he would do, she tried pressing more insistently. Which prompted James to move the hand that had been resting on the side of her head, to her nape, grabbing firm hold of it and tilting her head further back. It brought them closer and deepened the kiss.

The intensity was dizzying, yet she couldn´t bring herself to pull away, so instead she let herself sink into him further.

At first, the only thing she could focus on was the sensation of his lips on hers, but slowly she started noticing other things as well. Like the alluring warmth radiating from his entire body, the firmness of his shoulders as she moved her palms to rest on them, the way the hand that was holding her spanned the width of her entire lower back and how it was pressing her tightly to his body. The only sound she could register was that of their lips moving together.

She had to admit, she was really quite enjoying it.

Unfortunately, her need for air became too great, and she had to make herself stop.

As she used her open palms to press lightly against his chest, James understood right away and carefully withdrew from her mouth. Although he made no other effort to distance himself from her.

When their eyes met, Elizabeth saw nothing but love in James's gaze, love for her.

Her chest heaved a little as she slowly caught her breath back, realizing that his was laboured as well. "Did you like it?" she asked with a little more cheek than she truly felt.

James let out a surprised little laugh at her question. Which made her smile too.

Both his hands were still holding her waist which he used to bring her closer before his mouth drew near her ear "I enjoyed that much more than what is proper, my Lady" he answered with a low joking tone, kissed the side of her hair and withdrew his hands.

There was a soft, endearing smile displayed on his face. He really was handsome when he smiled like that.

"Good," she said with a little too much pride. But after a moment she had to ask "So?"

"What?" James looked completely confused by the question.

"Are you going to marry me?" Elizabeth asked in a light tone. As much as she had enjoyed that, he still had not given her an answer.

His eyebrows raised up in surprise. "I did not think you would question my feelings after all that"

"I'm not" she laughed "I just want to make sure you haven´t changed your mind" she teased.

Instead of answering her, James took a step back as he held one of her hands in his. His other one went to rest at his back.

With eyes reflecting complete certainty, he asked simply "Miss Elizabeth Swann. Would you do me the honour of your hand?"

He didn´t use embellished words, he made no mention of her worth or the benefits of their union. Just an honest question… she liked that much better.

"Are you promising me your love?"

As his eyes stared unwaveringly at her, he avowed "I'm promising you my life and my devotion Elizabeth"

This time there was no trace of reluctance in her when she answered "Then, I would be happy to"

The expression he offered her in return as he kissed the knuckles of her hand and offered her a soft "Thank you," was dazzling.

He lowered her hand but did not let it go, instead his thumb began caressing her knuckles in circles "I will talk to the Governor and inform him of your decision"

She shook her head lightly "No need. I will let him know"

James frowned a little "I think your Father will be surprised, I should…" she silenced him with the pads of her fingers.

The sensation of his lips on her fingers was different from how they felt against her mouth and couldn't help herself as she curiously traced his bottom lip with a finger.

"I will talk to him, this is something I should explain to him myself"

They stared at each other, until he finally gave a nod on acquiescence. She nodded back with satisfaction and finally let her hand drop from his mouth.

She let herself enjoying her triumph for a moment, before she decided to continue her interrogatory with renewed energy.

"Now"

James' eyebrows raised, surprised there was more.

"I want to know what happened while you were gone" she continued undeterred.

He sighed, closed his eyes and let his head lean to the side. Whatever had happened, he was not very keen to talk about it.

"Come here" she pulled on their clasped hands and guided him back to sit on the armchairs.

"Did you find them?" she asked him without preamble as soon as they sat. Her entire torso twisted in order to maintain eye contact with him.

He eventually relented, "I did" but he did not give further explanation.

"But you did not capture them" she pointed obviously. His eye twitched but he remained silent.

She was scared to ask, but she had to know "Did you… hurt them?"

"I would have told you that straight away, Elizabeth" He defended with a small frown, but she just stared at him, waiting.

James got tired of the staring competition and leaned his head back on the armchair, letting it hang from the back as he closed his eyes. A moment later he finally revealed "After a couple of weeks, we finally caught up to them, that idiot made me follow him all over the North Pacific" he complained in annoyance "I nearly had them in Tripoli…"

Elizabeth was holding her breath now "But then a damn hurricane stood in my way!" he lamented, aggravated. She let go of her breath.

"That pirate has more luck than any one person has the right to" James continued, eyes still closed.

"At least you did not try to chase them through a hurricane, that would have been foolish" and when he flinched, her eyebrows climbed to her hair "You did!?" She really was surprised by that, he was not a man given to reckless behaviour.

He lifted his head and opened his eyes "I nearly did" he corrected with a huff "I could feel him taunting me to… That man has humiliated me more times than I can count" he growled.

"James" she started seriously, reaching out to take hold of his hands while they rested on his lap "They will not be coming back here. Can you let them go, please?" she beseeched in her most conciliatory tone.

"Elizabeth, they are pirates"

"They are good men. And they saved my life from Barbossa and his crew. Don´t you think that should have earned them your benevolence?" he maintained a look that denoted he wanted to argue so she added sadly -if a little feigned- "Am I not worth at least that much to you?"

That did it. James let out an exasperated sigh, pinched his nose, closed his eyes and assented "I will let them be then"

"Do you promise me?" bounding him with an oath would work better than anything else

He looked at her in a way that let her know he knew exactly what she was trying to do, although he still swore to her "I promise you. I won't continue hunting for Sparrow"

Her eyes narrowed at him until he added with a sigh "...or Turner"

She beamed triumphantly at that and squeezed his hands in comfort.

Then he added a little more seriously "I can promise not to look for them, but I do not have the power to grant them amnesty" he warned "Our deal only holds as long as they stay away from Port Royal and its surroundings Elizabeth. If they come back, I won't have another choice"

She nodded her agreement, she already knew that anyway "I understand"

"And the deal is limited to Sparrow and Turner. I will not neglect my obligations, I will still continue fighting other pirates. I need to protect Port Royal and its people, especially you"

That was fair, and she knew it but still couldn´t be completely satisfied with his indiscriminate hunt of every pirate he crossed paths with "You drive a hard bargain, Sir"

His face contorted with dissatisfaction. "I seriously will never be able to comprehend your fascination with pirates" he said with little humour.

She caressed his knuckles reassuringly.

"You are just as obsessed as me, just… in a more aggressive way" she pointed out.

His honest, unrestrained laugh at her words delighted her immensely.

Having the power to make him laugh like that, was truly enjoyable. She hadn't even known he was capable of such happiness. It made her feel proud of herself.

"I suppose you might be right in that" he conceded, looking at her with a happy glint in his eyes.

"I am" she agreed petulantly.

His head went back to leaning on the backrest of the armchair, closing his eyes and relaxing into it.

She just took the time to stare at his profile as he rested. Examining him more closely, she could see the impact his long expedition had on him. He had lost some weight, there were shadows under his eyes -although she suspected those had become permanent,- and he might have been paler than before he left. How did he manage that while being out at sea, she had no idea.

Just then, she realized something "You said Portugal"

"Pardon?" his eyes opened and turned her way with confusion.

"You told Beckett Portugal" she said, smiling like a naughty child.

He returned her smile and shrugged "It's close enough"

"You helped, Jack" she pointed out.

His expression soured childishly "I assure you that was never my intention"

"You just promised me"

"I only promised not to try to kill them, if at all possible" he answered with exaggerated arrogance.

Ignoring his silly attempt at acting like a perfect officer, she told him instead "Promises need to be sealed" while lifting her eyebrows at him expectantly.

Before he could ask what she was referring to, Elizabeth let go of his hand and used one of hers to pull on his cravat, while pushing herself enough to tilt her head up and reach his lips. The kiss she gave him this time was shorter than the one from earlier, but it felt just as good. She took a moment to move her lips against his a little and then pulled back.

When she opened her eyes, she noticed James´ were still closed. When he opened them, he mumbled a pleased "I can get accustomed to that"

She had to agree with him.

...

When she eventually left James´ office and made her way to the Mansion, the sun was already starting to set. They decided to set the wedding date a couple of months from now, that should give her enough time to get everything ready. But first, she had to let her Father know she would be marrying James.

When she arrived at the front of King's Mansion it was late enough that the lights had been lit. There was not much activity happening downstairs and the Butler was the only servant she encountered as she made her way to her father's study.

She did not want to delay this conversation with him for any longer. So when she found him resting against his favourite recliner with a glass of wine in hand, she called out to him "Good evening, Father"

He turned around with a soft smile on his face "Elizabeth, welcome back Dear"

She nodded and added gently "I would like to have a word with you, please"

He made a motion with his hand to invite her in, she took a seat on the sofa in front of him. She had always had an appreciation for this room, it was spacious and quiet and the smell reminded her of him. It had been a long time since the last time they spend a moment of quiet together like this, which was what gave her the nerve to said what she had intended

"Father, I'm going to marry Commodore Norrington" she informed him without preamble, while keeping her eyes on him

His look turned to one of concern, her father hesitated for a moment but then he kindly said "Elizabeth, I know I have been insistent on your marriage to the Commodore. I recognize now that, at times, I have been guilty of being too persistent in fact. That does not mean I would like to see you force yourself into a marriage that you do not want. So I apologize if it felt like you had no other choice but to accept the Commodore´s proposal."

His eyes were full of assurance as he continued "Before the Commodore left Port Royal he and I had a conversation, we both agreed that it would be for the best to allow you some time before you came to a decision on what you would like to do. There will be no pressure on you to decide" he promised

She shook her head and insisted "It's not like that Father, at least not anymore. James and I spoke already and I agreed to his proposal."

He returned her smile with an understanding look "The only reason why I ever insisted was because I hold the Commodore in high regard, I am sure he would strive to make your happiness his priority" he asserted.

She stood up now, walked around the coffee table until she was in front of him and kneeled, grabbing his hands in hers "I believe you, and I believe him. I think I wasn't being completely fair either" she admitted.

"You really don't have to make a decision right now Elizabeth" he repeated, squeezing her hand back.

"Father I have already had enough time to think about what I want, my answer will not change now" she promised him with a smile

"But are you completely sure dear? And what about young Mr. Turner?" her father tried to inquire delicately.

Still, she tensed. Will was a sore point to her, and she didn't understand why both her father and James insisted on digging into her wound. What exactly was the point of talking about her feelings for him now? Her father had never wanted to hear about it before anyway.

Making a conscious effort to relax, she sighed "I must confess I don´t understand what it is exactly that you expect me to say about him" she looked at him frustratedly "Yes, I can admit that I harboured feelings for Will for some time and the way he left Port Royal still hurts me, but it doesn't matter anymore. He's gone"

"And what would happen if one day he was… not gone?" her father elaborated tactfully while raising an eyebrow at her meaningfully.

"Pardon?"

Her father sighed wearily before reluctantly continuing "Elizabeth, you know how much I love you and you are always going to be my priority but… I have the utmost respect and appreciation for James Norrington. He is a respectable man and he deserves happiness as much as you do."

He was looking at her in a way that reminded her of when she was young and he was trying to teach her something important.

"The day that Mr. Turner helped that pirate escape, we both saw what you tried to do" he reminded her, and she couldn't do anything besides look away uneasily.

Her father noticed her reaction and squeezed her hand in comfort. "I'm not trying to scold you, Dear" he told her kindly "But If by chance, one day, Mr. Turner returned and wanted to take you with him… if you were married to the Commodore and acted impulsively… that would be…"

She was out of her crouch and standing rigidly as soon as she understood the meaning of his words.

"Unforgivable, Father" she finished for him, she felt indignant at the implied accusation "I would never betray him like that" she rebuked him firmly.

"And William Turner is not my owner! He can't just one day decide that he does want me, come back here and try to fetch me as if I was a thing!" She continued while trying her best not to use a tone of offense against her father.

Instead her father just stood up, smiling indulgently "I tried to tell you this before, on The Dauntless, but I think you never did get to listen to my words. I hope this time you do"

"Elizabeth, even a good decision, if made for the wrong reasons, can be a wrong decision"

She felt herself frown in confusion "Are you saying marrying James is a bad decision?"

"I'm asking you if you are sincere on your feelings" Her father reached out to grab both her hands once more and gently told her "I just want you to be happy, Dear"

Her countenance softened completely at the sincerity behind his words.

Looking straight into his eyes she asked him genuinely "And what if I can be happy with him?"

Her father rewarded her with a true smile and held her cheek softly "Then nothing would make me happier"

Her hand covered his on her face as she looked up lovingly at him "I would be glad to marry James. Not because I feel pressured by either of you, but because I want him" she told him with a smile "I promise"

"Then I have nothing more to say, Dear. You have my blessings"

Elizabeth grinned "I will start preparing for the wedding then" she announced happily.