A Complicated Arrangement

Chapter 19

Everything was going so well with Lionel. I enjoyed his home, he took me on tours on parts of his castle and town everyday. Friends visited to welcome the new bride-well his friends. And well, we just couldn't keep our hands off of each other. I smirked at the thought.

But I can't help but feel a bit lonely. I mean I love his home, his family and his friends here, they are all really good people, but, I miss mine. I miss my parents and most of all, I miss Elizabeth.

I wrote to her once after the wedding. And although she sent a reply it is still not the same as seeing her. I worry about her, she is alone there with her servants. And a part of me still feel a bit guilty for taking her love. We settled it and I mean I know she helped us back but was she still broken after our wedding?

I sat there by the window pondering about her. I didn't even notice Lionel waving at me from the fountain downstairs as he dismounts from his horse. It was like he was conpletely invisible.

He knew something was bothering his wife. Why he have been noticing her long lost gazes these past few days and she always dismissed his questions with a smile. I guess he knew his wife too well to know when she is trouble.

He entered the room and hugged his wife from behind, the  gave her a playful pinch. I jumped. "Ahh! Do not do that Lionel! Oh you, you, you.."

He smirked. "I what? Tell me, my dear wife, why should I not punish you right now?"

I blinked. "What? What did I do? It was you scaring people half to death. It should be you being punished, not I. Hmmph!"

He chuckled. "Do not feign innocence woman. I stood right there" he said pointing to the fountain downstairs, "right there waving at my you. And you did not even look at me, didn't even blink an eye at me. Like I was not even there. You know how humiliating it is for a man to wave like a little fool at a woman? Men don't do that, we wave swords at our enemies. And worse yet, you don't even bat an eye at me. How humiliating."

I giggled. "Sorry love. Did anyone see that? I could imagine the shameful look on your face."

"You dare to laugh at me woman? Come here, let me give you something to laugh about."

I screamed and laughed whilst his fingers poked my sides. I tried my best to free myself from his grasp but he was too strong for me. I breathed and wiped a joyful tear after our play, panting.

He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. "What bothers you Bella?"

I tried my best to mask my frown. "Nothing Lionel, whatever makes you think that-"

"I know you Bella. You cannot lie to me. Tell me, and tell me the truth thus time."

I sighed. "I miss my family. I want to see them."

He nodded. "I understand. This must be the first time being away from them for so long." He held my face in his warm hands and kissed it.

"Something else is bothering you." I began to shake my head. "Don't you go shaking that little head of yours. Tell me, what is the matter" he said.

I finally opened up about my concerns with Elizabeth to him.

"I know I must sound foolish but she is still an innocent girl with innocent feelings. I worry that I still hurt her with you."

He hugged me. "I can assure you that she loves you more than she ever loved me. You know, that night at the balcony when she convinced you to marry me, I saw love in her eyes. She was full of love for the friendship you both have. I cannot deny that she may still think that she could have been with men, but one thing that J know for sure is that she does not regret making you happy."