Bound Souls

Sadness Looming

Isabella's Point of View
A few days later...

I sit quietly in the library as I read a book. I break my gaze from the words on the pages to glance out the window to the clouds lazily floating in the sky. I inwardly thought of how beautiful it was outside and how it would be a great day for a walk in the gardens. My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a polite clearing of the throat. I turned to find my servant Melanie approaching me while hiding something behind her back. I giggled before asking with a grin, "My dear Melanie, what are you hiding behind your back? Is it what I think it is?"

Once she got close enough, she held out a letter, and just as I thought, it was from Marcus. I gently took the letter from Melanie and carefully opened the parchment. My smile faded as I continued to read, and my heart shattered before anger settled on my features. Hot, stinging tears streamed down my cheeks as I crumbled up the letter and ran from the library to my chambers, all the while ignoring Melanie's concerned voice. I reached the safety of my chambers and shut the doors before climbing into my bed and tightly clutching one of my pillows.

As I sobbed my shoulders shaking, all I could think of was how my father had prevented me from experiencing one last shred of happiness before my loveless marriage began. As my tears started to dry, I held myself in a colder resolve. I sat up in bed as I wiped away my tears, and from that moment on, I became a prisoner to my own sadness. I exited my chambers and began to aimlessly walk around my family's estate, my depressed mood exuding from deep within my tattered and broken heart. As I walked aimlessly through the halls, courtesans and servants glanced at me with frowns tugging at their lips, almost as if they knew why I was sad. Soft whispers sounded behind me as I continued on, for I cared not for what they thought was true about me.

In my aimless wanderings, I arrived in the gardens and unknowingly walked past my mother. I could not hear her call to me as my sadness had all but consumed me. I entered the hedge maze and purposefully got lost, and eventually came to one of the stone benches and sat down, blankly staring down at the grass. After a few moments, I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. The scent of lavender and honeysuckle filled my senses, and I knew immediately that my mother sat next to me. Without noticing, a tear slithered down one of my rosy cheeks.

My mother asked softly with a hint of concern in her voice, "Isabella, my darling. What is the matter?" I wiped my tears away before looking at my mother and answering, "I don't want to marry Jacque. I do not love him. Father and you both know it is true. Yet I am forced into paying a debt that isn't mine to repay. Every day that draws nearer to my birthday, I die more with each passing second." My mother's expression saddened, she said no further words. She didn't have to. The look she gave me said everything. My mother brushed a lock of hair gently behind my ear before she wrapped her arms around me in a comforting hug.

After a moment, we unwrapped our arms from around each other, and a pause of silence fell between us. My mother held my hand in hers as she inquired, "You love Marcus Allendale, don't you, my dear?" I wasn't surprised that she knew all I could muster as I looked to my feet was a soft, "How did you know?" Mother placed her hooked finger under my chin and gently directed my gaze to hers before she answered, "I saw the way he and you looked at each other that night. It was clear from then on that you fell in love with him. Not only that, but the letters." Before she could say another word, I angrily grunted as I jerked my chin away from her finger and rose from my seat on the bench. With fury in my eyes and venom in my voice, I spat, "You snooped in my room?! How dare you!"

She shook her head as she released a deep sigh, and she retorted, "Isabella, please. I had to. Do you want this family's name tarnished throughout the court? For not paying our debts, for not keeping our promises?" My blood boiled as I clenched my fists, my knuckles turning white as I snarled, "You told father about everything." My mother raised her eyebrow in a cocky manner, but her expression changed as I shouted, "I hate you both! Conniving and cruel. You both revel in my unhappiness. All because you want to only think of yourselves!" I ran off through the maze before my mother could stop me. Hot tears stung my eyes as I continued to run and made my way out of the maze and back into the manor. As I arrived back in the manor, I swiftly walked back to my chambers.

Jacque walked in my direction, and as our eyes met, I glared at him. I wanted him to know just from my look alone that I hated him and everything he stood for. I heard my father yell my name in the distance as I approached my chamber doors. Melanie was coming out of my chambers and said, shocked at my appearance, "My lady! Are you alright? You don't look well." I grasped her hand and gently pulled her inside of my room before shutting and locking my chamber doors. I walked deeper into my chambers as I kicked off my heels before plopping into an armchair that faced toward the fireplace.

I gazed blankly at the unlit logs and ashes from the fire before. Tears collected in my eyes once more as Melanie carefully approached from behind. I whimpered as I felt Melanie's hand on my shoulder. Melanie dropped to her knees in front of me and asked, "My lady, what's the matter? What happened?" Sobs wracked through my body, and I didn't have the resolve to answer as her kind, almond shaped eyes looked to me with rising concern. A pounding knock came to my chamber doors before my father's angry voice sounded behind the door, "Isabella! You little spoiled brat! Come out and face your father right now."

Melanie rose quickly and answered the door. "Let me by, Melanie. I need to chastise my daughter," my father said in a soft rage. Melanie replied coolly, "I'm sorry, my lord. Lady Isabella isn't feeling well. She's running a high fever and is in a minor delirium. I must insist that she get some rest before any punishment is given." My father let out a grunt of frustration before hissing through gritted teeth, "So be it. Once she is well, see to it that she is sent to my study immediately." Melanie curstied before shutting the door and locking it once more. I exhaled shakily, and my bottom lip quivered as I said, "Thank you, Melanie." She stood in front of me as she pulled me up from the armchair and took my hands in hers. Melanie looked into my eyes and softly demanded, "Tell me what happened, Isabella. Please."

I nodded my head as I answered, "I promise to tell you everything, but," I paused. Melanie placed her hands on my shoulders before pleading, "It's alright, my lady. Anything you need, I will do for you." I sighed, "I'd like a bath while I tell you everything." She softly smiled at me as she released my shoulders and walked toward my bathing chambers. I followed her and began to undress as Melanie ran the bath. I asked politely, "No lavender oil in the bath today, Melanie. I'm not quite in the mood for it." She turned her gaze to me and replied, "As you wish, my lady."

Once in the hot water of my bath, I took a deep breath before telling Melanie everything that had happened since she last saw me in the library.