My Treasure (Norman Reedus Pirate)

Twenty: Welcome Home

I stood at the head of the ship, gazing at the familiar castle walls I thought I'd never see again. The breeze tossed my hair back, and I tried making the most of it. Because knowing my mother, within the next hour I'd be covered in makeup and my hair will be pulled up into a painful, tight bun and the dress would be constricting me. Behind me, I heard Norman being shoved out of the cells. I heard him struggling against his restraints, and the harsh voices of the English soldiers.

"Get to moving, you filthy rat." They barked insults at him, and I felt my heart being torn. I couldn't bare to turn around and watch him being treated horribly.

"Welcome back, love." Charles murmured as he walked up behind me. I felt I'm place a hand on my hip, and I quickly removed it.

"Don't touch me." I growled. "And stop calling me that."

"Isabelle, you know I must call you that. You are my love, and I am yours." I scoffed and laughed at his remark.

"You'll be my love when I have your children." I retorted, knowing that it would never happen.

"Well, then we'll work on that." He stated, once again grabbing me by the waist. His lips met my neck, and I shivered at his wrinkled mouth. Norman's mouth was firm, and perfect. Charles' was wrinkled and disgusting. I ripped away from him, whipping around and glaring at him.

"Don't you dare touch me like that again!" I hissed, wiping his kiss off my neck.

"Isabelle, in order to keep order in the kingdom, we must have children at some point." He stated.

"What about my child?" I demanded. Chances were that I was pregnant with Norman's child. Which I didn't mind in the least.

"It's not of royal blood line. We'll simply give it to a farmer, and we'll have our own-" I immediately hated his idea. To the point where I lost my temper, and struck him across the mouth. Once I slapped him, the ship went silent. Norman and the guard's were staring at us; the guards having a horrified expression while Norman had a proud look.

"I will keep my child. You don't have to marry me." I pointed out. Charles glared at me, and I could tell that he was fuming by this point. He reached forward, and roughly grabbed my wrist. Before I could do anything, he brought his hand back and struck me across the cheek.

"Hey!" I heard Norman shout, and he started struggling against the guards. Unfortunately, the guards kept a firm grip on him. He watched helplessly as Charles let me go, and stalked away to the captains quarters. I clutched my cheek, tears welling up in my eyes. I had never been hit before. I glanced at Norman, and saw anger and longing in his face.

"It's ok." I mouthed, hoping he'd understand.

Norman shook his head, though. "I'll kill that fucker." He mouthed back. I shook my head again, knowing it was a bad idea, and turned to face the looming castle walls.

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"Isabelle!" My mother cried. She wrapped me in a tight hug, and I weakly wrapped my arms around her. We were in the throne room, where many of my guards and Charles' were standing at attention. Charles had his arm wrapped around my waist. Norman was behind us, still bound, and soon to be in the dungeon. "Thank the lord that you're safe!" When she pulled away, she stared in horror at my hair and face. "Mary! Get my beautiful daughter dressed!" She ordered. Mary hustled out of nowhere towards me. "Tonight, we celebrate the return of my daughter!"

I was led out of the throne room and hustled towards my bedroom. As soon as the door was shut, I was stripped bare. My dress was tossed to the side, and Mary grabbed an emerald green dress from my closet. Then she quickly pulled on an underdress and makeup. While I was getting ready, Mary decided to be chatty.