The Commoner's Princess

11

Miranda often looked at the moon after she stole away from the palace and rode to Ben's cottage. It gave her plenty of time to think about everything. She just wished that she could be free with the person she loved. She was tired of this but no matter what her heart raced with anticipation to see her husband. She had grown accustomed to her nightly rendezvous with him. 

They have been married for almost a month and they were very much still in their honeymoon phase.

At least she thought they were. Reaching Ben's cottage she froze in her tracks, her heart sinking.

There in the doorway of his house was Elizabeth leaving out. Quickly, Miranda moved off of the path and into the trees. She wanted to show herself and let her know that this man was her husband but she couldn't, it was too dangerous. 

She watched as the woman rode past and her mind began to race with so many emotions -jealousy, insecurity, and betrayal.

Miranda walked up to his house and didn't bother knocking, the door flung open and she looked at Ben who turned around surprised.

Her eyes burned with anger looking at him shirtless.

"Miranda...you okay?"

"I saw her Ben. That woman was just now leaving your home at this ungodly hour."

"Miranda," Ben said softly. "It's not what you are thinking. She just came to talk, nothing more."

"To talk at 12 in the morning. What was so important that she couldn't wait until the daylight? Are you taking me for a fool? You don't have a shirt on...I trusted you, Ben, with my heart and my love and I understand that our relationship is not conventional and yet here you are sneaking around behind my back."

"I would never cheat on my wife," Ben retorted now upset for being accused.

"So when do you see her? During the day because I don't come during the light hours anymore."

"Miranda, will you stop and listen to yourself? I am not cheating on you. I would never commit adultery. While I know our marriage is not legal in the eyes of the law but it's real by God's judgment. I said my vows to you and I would not break them. I have my ring on and never take it off. You're the one who can't fully commit, who can't be one hundred percent in, because legally, you're married to someone else. But don't try to make me out to be a bad guy in this."

Tears welled in her eyes as she rubbed her head.

"I can not do this anymore, Ben," she said, her voice breaking with emotion, "I cannot continue to live this lie, to pretend that everything is alright when it's not. I deserve better than this, Ben. We both do. You deserve better than what I am giving you. I have signed you up to be in this mess with me. You should be with someone like Elizabeth. You can walk freely. Have babies, have a home, and a good life. I am a selfish woman."

Ben watched as she turned to walk away, wiping her tears, his hand closed around her arm, halting her in her tracks. His touch was gentle yet firm, his eyes searching hers with an angry expression.

"Miranda," he said sternly, "you are not walking away from me, not now, not ever. Do you understand me?"

Miranda's heart clenched at the demand in his words. "So I'm going to tell you how this is going to go. You are going to be in this relationship and marriage with me forever. I don't give a dam if you can't give 100 percent but you're not leaving me. I would rather spend my whole life in limbo than a day without you by my side. You are my wife and there is no going back. So stop the tears and nonsense you are speaking and go get in my bed."

Ben walked away from her and rubbed his hand across his head. He went to place her horse in the stable. Miranda looked over her shoulder as he grabbed her horse. She bit her lip and wiped her face before walking into his house.