Lake of Sorrows

A Day on the Town

The trip into town was silent, to say the least. This morning was well awkward, I didn't realize I fell asleep curled up to Marcus. I thought I was in my bed with my pillows, it seems his cool skin just lulled me right to sleep. Adding further to the embarrassment, I decided in the middle of the night to just make myself extra comfortable in his bed by wrapping my leg around him, thinking he was my pillow. Ugh and that grin my lord that grin he gave me when I woke up lying across him, you could tell he was amused at the situation. The way he looked at me as I tried to untangle myself from him caused the butterflies to return to my stomach. Marcus baby blue eyes sparkled with mischief, I couldn't explain the feelings he was stirring up in me, but oh did those butterflies feel nice. Is it normal to feel something for your owner? I jumped out of bed, rushing to put some distance between us so I could get ready for the ride into town. Today would not be a good day for him to catch on to where my mind was slowly drifting to.

 Marcus clears his throat,” Bella, where would you like to go today? We can do anything you like to celebrate the belated birthday that you expertly hid from everyone. It should be fun to learn more about what you're into.” He let out a chuckle to let me know he was teasing me. “Marcus I wasn't trying to hide my birthday. I honestly just forgot about it between living with my Aunt, then being sold to the castle it was just a lot to handle. It was easier to just forget in the process you know? As far as what to do today, I'm not sure about that either. I don't even know what the town has other than the farmer's market.”

“Ohhhh Marcus can we please go to the farmers market that would make my day, to actually take my time walking around to look at every stale? It is funny you know even though my Aunt Margret was receiving money from the estate I wasn't allowed to have any of it. I was always told I was too selfish to receive any money. In her eyes, my parents spoiled me, so eventually, I learned to quit asking.” Marcus gently took my hand, “Well Bella I guess it is a good thing you found me, let us go to the market first to see what we can find, all you have to do is ask and I will gladly make my Lil pet's day.” I nodded in excitement and off we went.

A few hours go by of window shopping and my stomach begins to rumble. “Lil pet are you hungry Love?” I would be lying if I didn't admit that the pet names he gives me make my stomach do flips. They cause me to feel things I've never felt before. This man is beyond gentle with me, more than you would think a Master should be. “I am fine Marcus, I can wait till we get back to the castle, you have literally spent more on me today than anyone has cared to in a really long time. Literally, look at my poor arms. They are weighted down with so many bags. “I couldn't help but giggle. If I happened to stare at something just a little too long and Marcus happened to notice, he would scoop it up for me. 

“Marcus, I could be wrong, but I think you like to spoil me a little too much. My Aunt surely wouldn't approve.” I said sarcastically. Marcus came closer to me quickly wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me into him,” Isabella, when will you learn. You are my Pet, I will spoil you at every chance I get. I enjoy the company you give me, I enjoy the smell you leave in my room, honestly, I just enjoy the peace you bring to my mind. When I am with you, the rage I hold onto no longer exists at that moment. So is that a bad thing that I want to make you as happy as you make me? He bent down and kissed my forehead,” Come, let us find you something to snack on from Mr. Rodgers Bakery, then we can head home. 

We go to turn the corner before I can process what Marcus had just done. I was so focused thinking about Marcus kissing me that I ran smack into someone. The impact was hard. Marcus's reflexes were quick to catch me before I could even hit the ground, a deep growl started to come from his throat as he instantly knew who was in front of us. He slowly pushed me behind him to keep me from seeing who I ran into. “ Why don't you watch where you are going.” The voice snapped. It sounded so familiar I just couldn't place it.

 Marcus turned around enraged, “Have you not seen who you are speaking to Margaret do you really think it's wise to speak to the Prince in that manner? I see it didn't take you long to mourn and forget what your very own niece would look like? Has the child been gone so long that you would mistake her for a stranger?”  Aunt Margaret begins to shake and actually turns to look at me, her eyes growing bigger and bigger as she takes me in. Not able to recognize me in the royal outfits and collar. Marcus still growling it, becoming louder as the seconds tick away. Marcus wouldn't let her get any closer than she already was.

“Isabella, is that really you? You look I mean I'm just glad you are still alive, how are you? I mean, you look amazing child.” she stutters to get out trying to make small talk while hoping that Marcus wouldn't see her as a threat towards me. I don't know what came over me, but at that moment I saw her for whom she really was. She was no longer family to me.

 “Excuse me, do you think you honestly have any right to speak to me? You sold me! I spoke each word slowly so she could hear the pain behind my every word. “ You are no family to me, you didn't even think twice about getting rid of me, in your eyes, I was nothing but a burden. You valued your life above mine. When you Margret are the one who put yourself into that debt, not me.” My voice began to rise as a crowd began to form around us, curious about the commotion that I was making. “ I could have been out of here, Margret, I was counting down to turning 18 and disappearing from here. You thought it would be an easier option to make me suffer more! You enslaved me, you wicked ignorant woman. Do you F**king not realize I could have got away, do you not see that?”  My voice still growing louder as the anger built in me. “I swear the next time you see me I advise you to ignore me. This will be the one time I let you off to walk away from me because the next time you are presented before me, it will be to pay me back for the life you took from me.”

 The rage inside me had me in front of her, looking her square in the eyes with Marcus's attempting to hold me back by my waist. Not caring that people were watching. Margaret stared at me for only a moment before just turning and walking away, too scared to speak. The moment she was out of sight I began to crumble to the ground as the tears fell, forgetting that there was a crowd. Marcus had a grip around me, it began to tightened as he pulled me closer picking me completely up.” Shhhh Lil One I got you, we can't ruin that pretty dress you are wearing, can we? Now, you did very well. You let her know she could no longer continue to hurt you. You were so brave, Love. Let us get you back to the castle, I think you have had enough fresh air for the day.” 

Marcus POV

 As we began our journey back home, Isabella stayed curled up into my lap, little sniffles escaping her every few minutes. I didn't think about how much her running into Margret would cause her further pain. No, this wouldn't happen again. No one would get the opportunity to hurt her anymore. “Lil one we are home, I am going to carry you to our room ok?” I spoke softly, not trying to startle her. She turns more into me as she buries her face further into my neck. My poor pet Isabella is too upset to reply to me. Max quickly opens the front door to let us in an instant. Worry mixed with what looked to be anger showed on his face," Sir, is she ok? She didn't get attacked, did she?” 

Isabella hasn't been here long, but she already had several that cared for her deeply. “Follow me up to the room, she is fine, but I need your help.” It doesn't take long to get to my room and quickly turning to take her into her room, “Max stay here I am going to get her changed and settled. I will be back shortly to explain.” 

I didn't wait for him to reply. Right now, my only concern is to get Bella comfortable so I can go speak to my father about what happened.  “Bella, Love, I need to change you. This dress isn't going to be comfortable to sleep in, ok? I need to know, are you covered under the dress?” The last thing I wanted to do was make her feel uneasy around me, but I know these dresses are tight as hell. Getting out of it will help her sleep. Isabella just shook her head letting me know she was covered, she was still not wanting to talk. The thoughts going through her mind were met with confusion and pain. It has been days since she has put her guard down for me to even know what was going on in her mind. I would give anything to ease that pain just a bit. I walked to my room to grab one of my t-shirts, hoping that smelling like me would help calm her.

“Ok, Lil one let us get you into something better” I sat her on my lap to make the transfer of clothes easier on both of us. I unzipped her dress” Arms up Bella”, she didn't argue she just did as she was told, the look of defeat written all over her face. I tossed the dress to the side, taking a moment to notice how pale her skin was. Her long curly hair falling down her back, with the long gorgeous leg that sat on either side of me. Then there was the hourglass figure that she possessed. It all made me go speechless, “God you are perfect Lil one.” I whispered, just admiring her before me. I slipped my shirt over her head, knowing if I kept staring I wouldn't be able to stop myself from what I really wanted to do to her. “Bella Love I need to go speak to my father about something, Max will be right next door will you behave and stay right here in bed.” No reply came from her; she just scooted further into her covers, turned from me, and closed her eyes. With every beat of her heart, I heard it break just a little more. Hopefully, after the meeting with my father, something like this would never happen to her again.