The Colonial Heart ✓ (Editing)

Chapter 44

                          W I L L I A M

I stood at the weathered dock awaiting the ship which was meant to take me back home, my heart heavy with uncertainty. I turned to Henry who looked just as burdened as I was.
The tension between us was palpable, a lingering residue of our unresolved argument.

I took deep breaths of the salty sea, trying to calm the turmoil that surged within me.

"This doesn't feel right," Henry's voice broke the silence.

"We cannot just leave them behind, it isn't right," Henry continued, his brows furrowed in concern.

"What do you expect we do?, take them with us?" I responded, frustration creeping into my voice. "it would further complicate the matter can't you see?"

Henry's gaze narrowed, his eyes flashing with growing frustration. "We cannot just abandon them, it is perilous, I won't leave,"

My heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean you won't go, you cannot stay."

"She is pregnant, William" Henry's voice cracked. "What kind of man would I be to leave her amidst the chaos, bearing my child?"

I pressed my lips in a thin line, not quite sure how to respond.

"I will not go," Henry reiterated, his jaw set. "Goodbye, William." He turned to leave, and I stood there my chest constricting with anguish.

The sound of gunshots filled the air and I swiftly turned to see Henry clutching his chest, his hand slowly staining with blood. My eyes widened as I stared at Reginald, pistol still pointed at Henry.

My heart plummeted as I rushed to Henry's side, his laboured breaths a sign of life fading. Tears streamed down my cheeks, my voice caught in my throat.

"He is a traitor to the throne, therefore, he must die," Reginald declared, his voice laced with bitterness and ice.

I wondered how someone could be so cruel?

"B-breath Henry, it's alright, you're alright," I said to Henry as I watched him close his eyes. My words sounded as though I was trying to convince myself that he was alright.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered as I watched his breaths become more and more laboured.

"It isn't your fault, everything is just above us, but promise me you will make things right," Henry whispered and I shook my head.

I shook my head, my voice trembling "I cannot do it, I can't,"

"Promise me William," he urged, his voice faint.

I took his hand, mine trembling uncontrollably as I tried to compose myself.

"I promise you," I finally said.

Henry smiled weakly before taking his last breath. His body went limp, and I hugged him, unmindful of the blood staining my clothes. The warmth from his body slowly faded, leaving behind a cold corpse.

Reginald's voice cut through my grief. "Your ship is ready to depart, you better hurry and get on board, William,"

"You killed him," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"It was necessary, he impregnated a commoner, a local woman beneath us-"

"They aren't beneath us!, because of you his child will grow up fatherless, have you no shame!?" I retrieved my pistol, my finger trembling in the trigger.

"You deserve to die for the crime you have committed."

Reginald sneered. "You wouldn't dare fire," His eyes daring me to pull the trigger. He thought I couldn't do it, he thought I wouldn't do it. Perhaps he was right, in any other situation it would just be an empty threat but after everything that has happened, I did not have anything to lose.

"I hope you burn in hell,"

I pulled the trigger, the bullet pierced  his head. He gasped before toppling off the dock and into the sea, the satisfying splash echoed through the dock.

I put the pistol back in my pocket before dragging Henry's lifeless corpse onto the ship destined for his homeland. After all that has transpired, he deserves to be buried in his mother land. Exhaustion and grief overwhelmed me as I slumped against the floor. I ran trembling fingers through my hair, attempting to calm myself. My breaths shallowed as tears streamed down my cheeks. Aching headaches and heartache consumed me. Despair clawing my soul.

I pulled out the pistol. It's weight heavy in my hand. Sinful thoughts swirled in my mind, tempting me to bring an end to my bitter suffering.

"What is the purpose?" I whispered to myself. " I am nothing but a disappointment to my parents, Henry is gone, I couldn't save him. The woman my heart beats for hates me."

I placed the pistol to my head, my finger trembling on the trigger. Taking deep breaths as I tried to convince myself to pull the trigger. My palms became sweaty as my heart thumped within me.

My mind swirled with all the happy memories Henry and I had shared. Laughter , adventures and quiet moments. A faint smile crosses my lips.

I thought of my mother. Her love scarce during my childhood. Would she care if I were gone? My father's face filled my mind. His expectations of me weighed my heart down even more. Would he mourn my loss?

But...would she care? Did she truly love me?, did I truly love her? These questions swirled in my mind but one thing was certain- She constantly occupied my mind, her voice, her laugh, her smile. It warmed my broken heart. I wondered how just the thought of someone could make you feel a bit better.

My gaze landed on the alexandrite ring I was wearing. I wondered if she still wore the necklace I gave her. I kissed the ring, a promise forming on my lips.

"I will fix this my darling, I promise," I whispered, determination rising within me. I tossed the pistol onto the floor. The clang echoing in the silence. The deadly weight felt as if it were lifted off my shoulders, replaced by a sense of new found determination to bring an end to this disaster I had started.
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It's been a little while since I have written in Williams pov and I hope you guys enjoyed it!. Anyhoo have a lovely day)night!
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