Bound Souls

Love Letters

Marcus' Point of View

In the coming months, Isabella and I have written many letters to each other. Every day, I find myself anxious to receive the next letter from my beloved. As I get ready for the day, a soft knock comes to my chamber door, and a soft smile comes to my lips as my manservant answers the door. I hear the doors to my chambers shut, and my servants' soft footsteps approach behind me as I ask, "Who was it at the door, Philip?" He answers with a smile plastered to his features, "It is another letter, my lord. From Isabella. But I think you already knew that."

A soft chuckle emits from between my lips as I respond, "Very clever you are, Philip. May I please have the letter?" Philip gently hands me the letter with a nod of silent confirmation, and before I could say another word, Philip politely dismissed himself from my chambers. My smile only widens as I sigh softly. Philip knows all too well of how I would like to be left alone with my letters, and I greatly appreciate that of him. I look at the neatly folded letter and look at the wax seal of my beloved's family crest.

I am giddy with excitement as I open the letter and unfold the parchment. The smell of her perfume floods my senses as I begin to read the letters' contents. Her voice comes to my mind as I read.

Marcus,

Oh, how I have missed you so. I grow nervous every day that draws nearer to my birthday. For I fear that shortly after it I will be married to my betrothed. I'm frightened. I do not wish to marry a man whom I do not love. I want to run back to you with every breath I take. Being by your side is where I wish to be, wrapped within your secure and comforting embrace. I do love you so. And as much as it would pain me, I would very much like to see you on my birthday. One last moment in time to see you, hold you, and speak soft words of love to one another. I would love nothing more. I deeply hope that I will see you, for that shall be the best gift on my birthday to see you, the man I deeply treasure and love.

Always yours,
Isabella Andréas

I feel like I am soaring to the skies above. She wishes to see me. On her birthday of all days, and although it saddens me that she is to be married to her betrothed shortly after, I fret not over such a detail. To see Isabella again would mean everything to me. A memory of her comes to my vision, the first time I caught her gaze. Oh, to have her gorgeous brown orbs look upon me once more would be more than enough.

I softly kissed the parchment before neatly refolding it and placing it in my bedside table drawer with all of the other letters I had received from Isabella. Once the newly received letter is safely stashed away, I finish getting ready for the day ahead and take a deep breath as I look into the mirror. I mentally prepared myself to inform my parents of Isabella's invitation to attend her birthday celebration and ask if we could make our way to France in a short period of time. I exit my chambers and walk briskly down the stairs as I make my way to the banquet hall. Once there, I sit in my seat, and after I serve myself some breakfast, I turn to my parents and state in a soft, polite tone, "Mother, Father. I received another letter from Isabella today, and she has extended an invitation for us to join her and her family for the celebration of her birthday." My father looks to me kindly and asks, "Are you perhaps about to ask if we could make our way to France in time for this celebration?"

I chuckle nervously, "Yes, I certainly am asking if we could go to celebrate Isabella's birthday and make our way to France, perhaps sometime soon." My father replies after releasing a defeated sigh, "Marcus. I have received word from Isabella's father, and he fears that you are a hindrance to Isabella's betrothal. As much as I would love for us to go, Jonathan has politely asked that we not attend." A feeling of sadness washes over me as I hear my father's words, I suppose Isabella didn't know of her father sending word to my parents. My father asks with his eyebrow raised, "Marcus, have you given Jonathan a reason to think this way?" I respond with shock thickly laced in my voice, "No, father. When Isabella and her family visited us, I danced with her two separate times, and in between those times I had danced with her, I showed her the gardens. I wouldn't even dare damage Isabella's reputation in such a manner. I would never want her to be disgraced, father. You must know this."

My father's expression relaxes as he replies, "I believe you, Marcus. I just had to be sure, for I only wish you the best and to protect you." I nod in acknowledgment at his words before eating my breakfast and losing myself within my thoughts. One of those thoughts is that after I am finished with my duties, I must write to Isabella this evening and unfortunately inform her that I won't be able to attend. I hate to break her heart in such a manner, but I don't wish to disrespect her father's commands, and I certainly do not wish for him to retaliate in any way towards Isabella for my actions. I shake my head slightly and focus on finishing my breakfast before heading off to complete my daily duties.

Later on that evening...

I enter my chambers and exhale as I quietly shut the doors behind me. I stride toward my writing desk and feel my heart painfully ache the closer I get to it. A frown tugs on my lips as I sit at the desk and begin to pull out my parchment along with my ink well and quill. I write on the parchment:

Isabella,

I regret to inform you that I, unfortunately, can not attend the celebration of your birthday. Your father has written my parents and requested that we not attend. I desperately hoped that I would be able to join you on such a joyous occasion, but I do not wish to anger your father. My heart aches as I write this to you and feel deeply disappointed knowing that I won't be able to dance with you or gaze into your beautiful eyes one last time before you are married. I do love you and treasure you so, but it seems that there are forces and people working against us. I wish I could free us from our fear and run away with you, but I am too much of a coward to do so. For that, I am truly sorry and hope that you can one day forgive me. I love you with all my heart, Isabella. It shall always be yours.

Sincerely,
Marcus Allendale

I fold the parchment neatly before dripping hot wax to seal the most heartbreaking letter I shall ever write. I truly hope that she can forgive me for such a response, but I have no choice. I love and respect Isabella too much to ever even think of disgracing her by disregarding her father's request and more than likely doing more damage than it's worth. After sealing the letter with the stamp of my family crest on the hot wax, I gently handed the letter off to Philip. As Philip exited my chambers, I could feel his worried gaze upon me before he soflty closed the door.

I prepare for bed, all the while feeling tears threaten to fall from my eyes. As I slide under the covers of my bed, I feel the tears roll down my cheeks and have not the heart to try and stop them. My dear Isabella is doomed to be heartbroken forever. The thought itself is too much to bear as pain sits on my chest. My falling tears became so harsh that I grew tired and could not fight slumber any longer, letting a dreamless sleep engulf me.