My Treasure (Norman Reedus Pirate)

Twenty Six: Contemplation

"But Mother, he's royalty!" I protested. "Why can't I marry him?"

"Because I said so." She calmly said as she sorted through some papers. We were in her office, discussing why I couldn't marry Norman. He was royalty for crying out loud!

"That isn't a good excuse." I muttered.

"Isabelle, you can't just run off and marry a person that you think you're in love with. You have responsibilities." She said, organizing a stack of paper.

"Love filling out your paperwork?" I snapped.

"No Isabelle. I'm not going to live forever, and you're going to be in charge when I'm gone. Therefore, you need to be responsible for the kingdom. And you need to help me out more. I'm 41, dear. Your father died at 56." She stated.

"Why can't you have another child? Why didn't you have another child?" I demanded. My mother sighed, and set the papers away. "Just tell me why I can't marry him!"

"Because I said you can't!" She snapped, losing her patience with me very quickly.

"He's royalty-"

"I don't give a damn if he's the heir to the Irish throne! You have to marry a Spaniard!" She declared.

"But I don't love-"

"Do you think I loved your father? Do you? Because I sure as hell didn't! But I loved my parents and they told me to marry him!" She stated. "You have to marry a Spaniard like I say!" I glared at her, and she took a deep breath. "Isabelle, do you love your kingdom?"

"Of course." I muttered.

"Do you want to keep it safe?"

"Yes..." Where was she going with this?

"Then you'll marry a Spaniard." She said calmly. Then, she took out a large document, and reluctantly handed it over. I cautiously took it, and scanned it over. I gasped, and felt like I was being driven in two.

It was a declaration of war.

"Mother..." I mumbled.

"Do you see why you have to marry a Spaniard now? If you don't, then they'll be at war with us." She said, and for the first time ever, I heard the exhaustion in her voice. I glanced at her, and just now noticed the heavy bags under her eyes. She'd been dealing with so much stress, that she needed a break. "That's why you were supposed to marry Charles. His kingdom is the second largest, and if we allied, nothing could stop us. But unfortunately, due to his obscene acts, we have lost a valuable ally. Now, we are using our last resort."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I would've married him if you had told me!" I exclaimed. I probably would've, just because my kingdom is more important.

"I didn't want you to have that stress. Now, go to sleep. It is late, and we have guests in a few days." She said glumly. I nodded without protest, and turned away, leaving my poor mother with all the paperwork and stress of the kingdoms affairs.

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Finally, after several hours of tossing and turning, I had managed to fall asleep. And the dream I was having was beyond extraordinary.

I was kissing Norman beneath the stars on the old ship. His hands were on my hips, and his nose was brushing mine. I pulled away, smiling up at him. His hair was long again, and his stubble was soft. He was smiling down at me, and he leaned back down and planted another long, sweet kiss. I closed my eyes, and ran my fingers through his hair-

When I actually felt his hair, my eyes shot open, and I came face to face with him once again. To be honest, I needed this sort of stress relief. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down closer. I moaned into his mouth, running my tongue against his lips. He pulled away, though, and was still smiling down at me. We were both in the bed, Norman's hands on either side of me.

"Good evening, beautiful." He mumbled.

"Norman, what're you doing here?" I asked.

"Someone wants to see you." He murmured, before getting off of me. I sat up, and noticed a shadow in the corner.

"Good evening, Isabelle." My eyes widened at the sound of Jack's voice.

"Jack?" I whimpered, stunned beyond belief. He stepped out of the shadow, and a tear fell out of my eyes. I jumped off the bed, and raced to him, throwing my arms around his neck in shear joy that he was alive. After our brief hug, I let go and couldn't stop myself from bouncing a little. "How're you still alive? I saw your body!"

"That's still something we're trying to figure out." He said, smiling at me. "Glad you're safe."

"I am too." I mumbled, glancing back at Norman. He was walked over to us, and rested his hands on my waist. Jack nodded once, before heading over to the open window.

"I'll leave you two be." He said, before hopping out of the window. Norman turned to me, and before I could say anything, he planted a firm, loving kiss on my lips. I moaned into his mouth, and he leaned down, lifting me up bridal style while keeping his lips on mine. He walked over to the bed, and gently lowered me onto the soft mattress. I felt his tongue brush my lips, parting them with one swift movement. His soft, smooth tongue scraped the front of my teeth, while mine dipped into his mouth. He groaned, and I felt his hand caress my thigh. My breath hitched, and my heart started racing at his touch.

"N-Norman..." I moaned, clenching his short hair between my fingers.

"Come with me." He murmured. I paused, pulling away.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The ship is fine and in the harbor. We can leave tonight." He explained. I smiled, but soon that smile faded when I remembered what my mother said.

"Norman, I can't." I mumbled, gently pushing him away. He sat up, allowing me to sit up too.

"Why not?" He asked.

"I have to be married to a Spanish Prince." I murmured. I saw Norman stiffen.

"Why?" He mumbled, leaning forward and pressing his forehead against the top of my head.

"Or my kingdom will go to war." I whispered. Norman kissed my head, before wrapping me in his arms.

"I'll always love you." He murmured. "No matter who you're married to."

I didn't respond, just snuggled into his chest. I felt Norman and I being lowered onto the bed, and he covered us with the sheets. "The baby is yours." I mumbled. Norman glanced down at me. "I don't care. Your child is the only child I'll carry."

"I only want you carrying my child." He murmured, kissing my forehead.

"Hercules and Andromeda." I mumbled.

"Actually, I was thinking of a different name for the boy." Norman said, pulling away slightly. "How about Perseus? Percy for short."

I smiled. "I like that better." I whispered, using my index finger to doodle on his clothed chest.

"Percy and Andromeda." He stated, moving his hand to my stomach. I smiled, and rested my forehead against his collarbone. He sighed, and hugged me tighter, and slowly, we drifted off.