Bound Souls

The Truth

I sighed as I sat on the edge of my bed. Uneasiness rose in the pit of my stomach as I dreaded the fact of facing my father in his study. It only meant one thing. My mother rushed to tell my father what I said, not only that, but mother probably threw in a lie to get me in trouble. My father knows better than to lay a hand on me, though. The court would buzz with gossip if one blemish were to appear on me. It would ruin my parents' "perfect image."

I scoffed at the thought because it's all they ever think about. They only think of what would benefit them to save their own skin. They never think about how their decisions affect me. I planted my feet on the wood floor as I pushed up from my bed and began to walk to my father's study. As I drew nearer to the study, I saw my mother and Jacque giving me sour glances as I walked past, though I paid them no mind.

I stood in front of the grand oak doors to the study and rose my fist to knock on the door. Before my knuckles tapped the wood, my father's voice sounded behind the door, "Enter daughter." I sharply exhaled before opening the doors and entering my father's study. I shut the doors behind me and carefully walked toward my father, who sat in a leather chair behind his desk. He briefly looked up at me and set down his quill before seething, "Sit." I gulped down the lump in my throat before sitting down in the armchair across from my father. I quietly inhaled through my nose as I put on a bravado as I gazed at my father.

My father linked his fingers together before asking, unusually calm, "What would it take for you to understand the things your mother and I do for you?" My eyes widened before narrowing them and replying, "Are you joking right now? Both you and mother have done nothing for me. You bind me in a loveless marriage and shatter my heart when I find someone I do love." Father slammed his hand on the desk, and fury seeped into his voice, "Dammit Isabella! Why do you have to make this so difficult?" Through gritted teeth, I answered, "Then tell me. What have either of you done to make me happy?" My father released a saddened sigh before meeting my gaze again.

I had seen an unfamiliar regret in my father's eyes as he explained, "I want you to understand something, Isabella. I didn't want this marriage for you either. Though you may find that hard to believe. It hurts my heart to see you so truly unhappy. When I see you with Jacque, you look as if you have lost your soul. When I saw you with Marcus that night, I was happy to see you smile again. My heart also broke because I knew what I had to do to keep my promise for your imminent marriage." My heart stopped, and I froze before regaining my composure and asking, "Then, if you don't like this betrothal as much as I do, why do you continue to watch from the sidelines?" My father inhaled shakily as a single tear slipped down his left cheek, "Before you were born, I had accrued a massive gambling debt. With no way to pay back those crumbling debts, I surely would have died to satisfy the owners loss in what he was owed." I waited for my father to continue as he rose from his chair. My father approached me and knelt before me as he took one of my hands in his, "Tannis saved me from death by paying my debt. In return, I promised him anything in return," with tears flowing freely, he continued as his bottom lip quivered, "And that was my mistake. For now, you are dragged into my mess and paying for my sins. For that, I am deeply sorry. I want to take it back, for I have to look on and let my heart break at your unhappiness. I know your mother and I have not made this easy on you, but if we do not go through with this together, it is my head on the line. Literally."

My eyes widened in realization. I had taken all of my parents' words and twisted them to seem like villains when, truly, they held the deepest regret. I could no longer hold back my emotions as I rushed forth and hugged my father. My father returned the embrace as my tears flowed, "I'm so sorry, Father. I haven't made this easy either, for any of us." We pulled back from our embrace and looked deep into each other's eyes, "Thank you for sharing this information with me. I will make this easier for us from now on." Father rose from the floor and held my hands as he helped me up from the armchair. He gently held my face in his hands and kissed my forehead before looking into my eyes and replied, "Never doubt again that I love you, Isabella."

I smiled softly and answered, "Never again." My father smiled in return as he spoke gently, as a twinkle came to his eyes, "We mustn't let anyone catch on, yes? Jacque, the little fiend that he is, writes his father every day." I giggled softly before speaking, "Let's put on a show, shall we?" My father smiled devilishly and mouthed to me, "We shall." Moments later, my father began screaming, and I screamed back. To anyone outside, it would seem like we were about to kill and throttle each other, but inside, it was a different story.

My father and I held each other's gaze, which spoke that we didn't mean the nasty words that we spoke to each other. A defiant phrase sent my father toward me, and he smacked a leather bound journal on the desk, and I loudly gasped as I ran out of the study. As I ran past my mother and Jaqcue out of the corner of my eyes, I saw their shocked expressions. I smiled inwardly at the success of our little show. It had them convinced that Father and I truly hated each other.

Once I reached my chamber, I slammed the door. Melanie looked to my smiling face and appeared perplexed. I slipped off my heels and sauntered over to her as I whispered, "Don't look so worried, Melanie. I'll tell you everything, but once I tell you, you must swear to not tell another soul." She raised her eyebrow in suspicion, and I had to hold back a laugh as I opened a secret passage, one that led to the library. I entered the passage and gestured for Melanie to follow me.

Once we reached the library, specifically a secluded corner of it, Melanie and I sat down at a table. I took in a deep breath and began to tell Melanie what my father told me in his study. The more I told the more her jaw slacked. When I finished telling her, she cleared her throat and recomposed herself and said quietly, "My lady, no one would believe that even if I swore it on my mother's grave." I chuckled softly before replying, "I can hardly believe it myself, but all the same, I'm happy that my parents want my happiness just as much as I do. Although, that seems impossible at the moment."

Melanie placed her hand on top of my own and smiled, "When there is a will, there is a way, my lady." From that sentence alone, I knew what she meant. I kissed the top of her hand and rushed back to my chambers through the passageway, and gathered my ink, quill, and papers before writing a response letter to Marcus. I had to tell him what I now know, and I knew that he would keep it secret if I asked. I exhaled as I began to write, hoping and praying that Marcus would understand.