Isabella's quill danced across the parchment, leaving a trail of ink in its wake. She was so engrossed in her writing that she didn't notice or hear the door to the chamber creak open, nor see Leofric's tall armoured frame fill the entrance. Her entire focus was on the words flowing from her quill.
Leofric was amused by the sight of his new wife so focused on her writing. A small smile played on his lips as he watched her, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he observed her with interest. He didn't know what she was writing but he could tell that she was pouring her heart and soul into the it.
His eyes suddenly narrowed as a bulb went off in his head. His lips tilted upwards, forming a mischievous smile. Finally, when he couldn't resist any longer, he held his helmet slightly above his head before dropping it and allowing it to crash to the ground. The loud clang echoed through the room, making Isabella jump.
Isabella's chair scrapped against the floor as she leapt to her feet, her quill flying out of her hand. Upon hearing the deep rumble from the entrance of the room, she turned around to face the culprit. Her fright soon turned to furry as her gaze landed on Leofric.
"What in the name of all that is holy…!" She exclaimed, her voice trailing off as she glared at Leofric.
Leofric chuckled, his broad smile spreading across his face, "Ah, sorry to startle you, dear wife." He said.
Isabella's fists clenched on her sides. The grin on his face told her he wasn't sorry at all, and he did a bad job at keeping the amusement away from his voice. Her glare deepened, her eyes narrowing as she watched him approach. "What exactly was that for?"
Leofric shrugged, not the least bothered about the glare she sent his way. "I was just wondering what had you so engrossed," His eyes flickered to the parchment on the table, "You were so engrossed in your writing you didn't even notice your husband walk in."
"I didn't know I was supposed to notice you." She spat angrily, hoping it would wipe the grin off his face.
"What are you writing about? How to take over the world with your unusual way of thinking?"
"Haha, very funny. How about how to kill my husband?" She flashed him a tight smile.
Chuckling, he said. "Great, I can't wait for you to join the queue. On a more serious note, what had you so engrossed?"
Isabella bit the corner of her lower lip, "I am writing to my friend in the west, Catherine."
"You have a friend? That's quite surprising." He shook his head in fake disbelief.
"Damn you. I do have friends! They are just a few though. I am sure we would have been friends if you hadn't lost a few nuts and married me."
His grin returned, "I am glad we are not friends then. I hate letters." His eyes lit up with a new interest, " What news do you have for this our friend? Are you telling her about how you can't get enough of your new husband?" He asked as he walked over and peered at the parchment with furrowed brows.
She rolled her eyes and picked up the parchment, "Why are you back so early?" She changed the topic.
"I was missing my wife." he replied teasingly. Upon seeing her displeased look, he said, "Help me undress."
"You have a squire, don't you?" She turned away from him and gently placed the parchment in an envelope.
"He is on an errand." He replied, smile still intact.
"And your men? Call one of them to help you."
"They are busy."
"And so am I, Sir Leofric."
"You don't need to be stubborn all the time. It's not everything that requires stubbornness, my dear wife."
"We shall see." She said in a sing-song tone as she made her way to the bed.
"Ah, come now, dear wife." He said, his voice teasing. "It is not beneath you to help your husband, is it?"
Isabella's face flushed with anger, "You can't be serious!" She exclaimed, "I am not going to help you. Go ahead and ask one of the servants to assist you."
Leofric's smile was quick to falter, "I don't want one of the servants, is you I want," He said, his voice low and husky, gone was the playful smile.
Isabella patted herself on the back for finally wiping off that annoying smile from his face. "Well, too bad you can't have me," She said, her voice icy, "As far as I am concerned, you do not have a wife, Sir Leofric."
Leofric's face darkened, "Look, we are already in this together, the best we can do is to try and make it work." He spoke softly as he made his way to the bed.
"I have no interest in doing such,"
"You are my wife," He declared, his voice firm, "And as my wife, you will do as I say or else—"
"Or else what?" With renewed anger, Isabella shot up from the bed, "What will you do, Sir Leofric? Beat me? Go ahead and show the whole world how much of a weaklin you are!"
Leofric's anger knew no bounds as he raised his hand to strike her, but then he seemed to think better of it as his hand quickly dropped to his side.
Isabella waited for the hit with her eyes shut close in painful anticipation. When it didn't come, she slowly opened her eyes to see him watching her, the thunderous look still present.
"My father never hit my mother for one day no matter how much she ran her mouth. He said it is a sign of weakness for a man to flaunt his strength on a woman. That is a belief I have held in high esteem, therefore, I beg you, Isabella, don't make me lose it."
Isabella's eyes flashed with fear, but she stood her ground. "My decision still stands. I won't help you. You can't force me to do something I don't want to do."
"You are a stubborn little thing, aren't you?" He said, his voice cold. He took a step closer to her but turned and strode out of the room, leaving Isabella shaken. She let out a heavy breath as the door slammed shut behind Leofric.
She felt a wave of relief wash over her, followed by a surge of anger. Blast the man to hell! How dare he try to command her like that? She sat back down on the bed, trying to calm her racing heart. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered inside her. She remembered her close call to being slapped. A part of her couldn't help but be grateful that he didn't hit her. It would have been embarrassing and heartbreaking for her.
Just as she was starting to collect her thoughts, the door burst open again and Leorfric strode back in. This time, he was followed by one of the servants, who looked nervous and out of place.
"Undress me quickly," He barked at the servant, who jumped back in fear. "What are you waiting for? Waste another second, I will have your fingers detached from your hands, young lady."
Isabella felt like she would burst out of anger. She couldn't believe the man would stoop so low to involve an innocent person in their matter. The girl looked like she would wet her skirt or worse, pass out any minute. Her eyes widened in alarm as the young girl stumbled forward, eyes fixed on Leofric's armour. Hell, the girl was visibly shaking!
"What are you doing?" Isabella asked, her eyes fixed on Leofric.
Brows raised quizzically, Leofric asked, "And what does it look like I am doing, my dearest wife? I have brought someone to assist me as you insisted, remember?"
Isabella's eyes flashed with resentment, "You can't expect her to do it!" She exclaimed, "She is going to faint."
Leofric shrugged, "She will manage," he said, voice unconcerned.
Unable to take it anymore, Isabella said, "Get her out of here,"
The corner of his lips quirked up but he quickly concealed it. "Why should I do that?" He asked.
"I will do it. I will help you." She replied, her fists clenched together as they ached to throttle the bloody idiot!
Leofric raised an eyebrow, but he nodded and said, "Very well, I will take your offer." he gestured to the servant, "You may go. I believe my wife has a better plan of helping me undress." Without waiting to be told twice the servant stumbled out of their chamber, looking relieved.