Long May We Reign

[isax]

Bella knew absolutely nothing of what was to occur. Jasper asked her to leave so quickly that the events taking place weren't processing just yet. She merely hugged him tightly as she made it out of her chambers and felt the tears leave her eyes. "Long may you reign, King of France." She whispered even if she knew that isn't what he wanted to hear. She slowly pulled away and followed Vera to their carriage that would be taking them to the lively destination of Scotland. She missed home and her mother. She missed being surrounded by people that truly care. There was nothing but lies and back stabbing at French court but through the ride home, she spoke to no one, even when she gained knowledge of what was to happen. She believed in Jasper, she truly did, but it was not going to work. 

 

[Lexus]

"Have faith in him, Bella, he loves you," Vera whispered quietly as she comforted her friend the rest of their journey back to Scotland. Vera knew what they were pulling was strongly forbidden, but it would have never came down to this if Henry wasn't so set on how he wanted his only son to rule France long after his father passed down the thrown. The couple was promised a forever, and Vera would do anything to help Jasper make it happen, because she knew him to be a sincere man who would take great care of her dear friend. She only hoped he would make the commitment to Bella sooner rather than later, they were on a race against time and this was their only opportunity to make certain the couple would rule their countries together in a peaceful harmony everyone hoped for. 

 

[isax]

While Vera held a vast amount of hope for the couple, Bella was slowly beginning to give up the thought of having a forever with Jasper. It was a silly dream to have and she needed to focus on Scotland. A few nights after the arrival back to France, Bella was in her chambers reading a book as she enjoyed the peace and quiet. She knew someone people within her land were out to get her, like the protastants that lived in her country. They feared having a catholic ruler and they was a group of men determined to ruin her and they would do so but in a way a woman could truly be ruined.


the night  was peaceful for Bella until her door opened and some "guards" walked in. "Can I help you?" She asked softly before she stood up but when the men stayed quiet, she blinked in confusion. "I am your queen. Speak freely." She said but the next thing to happen she wasn't expecting. She was pushed against her bed and her head hit the post. She groaned as she fell to the ground and when the man pinned her to the ground, she tried to scream but felt his mouth cover her. "Catholic's don't deserve to rule over us any longer!" The male said with a laugh and Bella continued to struggle. "You will understand that you are not fit to rule." Soon after, she felt her sleepwear rise and she cried. That was a night she would never forget and it was a night that would truly ruin her. It ruined her pride and her confidence. It ruined her chances of being wed. She was impure and after the events, she hugged the leg of her bed and cried silently. She would no longer be the same 

 

[Lexus]

Unknowingly to her mother and Vera, they continued to plan the wedding, expecting Jasper to arrive soon. When he did a few months later, already establishing Iris as his match. Luckily, his parents approved of this decision  even though both him and Iris knew, one day, Bella would return to France to take the throne that was rightfully promised to her. Telling his parents he was to travel to Ireland to discuss affair matters he found his way to Scotland and once he arrived, he found Vera and greeted her happily but was soon perplexed when she seemed to be oddly quiet. "What is the matter?" Jasper asked concerned. Had Bella changed her mind? He hoped not, but it had been months since he last saw her and he knew he promised her he would see her sooner, but, he had to wait longer than he anticipated to build a believable relationship with Iris before he disappeared to wed his Bella. "Am I too late?" He asked on the verge of desperation. 

 

[isax]

Vera took a deep breath as she shook her head and looked at Jasper. "You are not too late. She has changed. Something happened a few day after our arrival back here." She said softly as she looked at him with a very worried expression. "Jasper?" Bella called out as she walked over from the corridor and saw Vera talking to him. She was in disbelief that he was here. She didn't understand why he was and when he stepped closer, she stepped back. "Don't." She said sternly before she sighed. "I'm sorry. Vera can you leave us to talk please?" She asked and when Vera left, Bella fought back tears yet when Jasper moved closer, she moved back again. "Jasper please, don't come closer. Please." She pleaded breathlessly as she began to shake. 

 

[Lexus]

"Okay, okay, I'll stay right here," Hasper whsiepred softly. "What is the matter my sweet Bella? Did you think I had forgotten about you? I owe an apology, I know I promised to be here sooner but I did nit want to move too quickly, I feared it would raise suspicion. Please don't be angry, I am here now." Hasper explained, keeping his voice soft and gentle. 

 

[isax]

Bella took in a deep breath as she bit her lip and closed her eyes as she tried to calm down and when a maid came to offer the two tea, Bella jumped from fright and cursed under her breath. "Please do not do that again, Hailey." She pleaded to the maid who nodded and ran off. Bella was so on edge now and soon, she couldn't fight back the tears. She collapsed to the floor and began to cry as she hugged herself. She was ruined and she didn't know if she could ever go back to being herself. "There were four of them dressed in my knights armor." She began as she continued to keep her eyes closed. "One was their leader. He threatened me, pinned me to the crown and..." she said but cut herself off. "And did something that would completely ruin a woman." She whispered breathlessly. 

 

[Lexus]

Jasper undoubtedly was furious at the confession of this information. He wanted nothing more to hold her and reassure her he wouldn't let anything like that happen again. Inching towards her he crouched down in front of her and offered her his hand to take. "Bella, you are not ruined, it was not your fault and the crown will still look beautiful on you, if you want it. I promise no.harm will come to you any longer of you just take my hand. Please. I came here to honor my commitment to you. I'm here, no one is going to hurt you." 

 

[isax]

Bella continued to cry as she listened to Jasper and when she looked up and met his gaze, she bit her lip and took his hand shakily. She slowly stood up and smiled. "I love you." She whispered before she leaned over to kiss his cheek. "I am ruined though. What Queen let's some men treat her like that." She said as she cried silently again. "What queen is not of purity when she is to wed?" She added as she gripped his hand tightly. "I'm sorry, Jasper." 

 

[Lexus]

"There is no time for you to be sorry, you are still mine and I came here to prove it to you."With a smirk, he kissed her cheek, hoping his closeness wasn't too much for her. "I love you, Bella, and that doesn't change."

 

[isax]

Bella looked at her beloved as she sighed softly and nodded. "I know and I love you." She said with a bright smile. "Can we get married in the vineyard? It's in full bloom right now and I promise it looks dashing." She said with an excited smile and kissed his cheek gently. "Can we take things slowly after please? I feel so dirty after the event that occurred." 

 

[Lexus]

"My love, we can wed wherever you please," Taking her hands, he kissed her finger tips gently and smiled, he was thrilled to see his fiancee' aftter being apart for so long. Every time he looked at Iris he couldn't help but remember just how much he missed Arabella and how much he wanted to be with her. Looking down at her, he nodded gently at her request, "Love, your return to your throne is entirely up to you as to when you wish to claim it. I will wait for you as long as it takes." 

 

[isax]

Bella took a deep breath as she looked at her fiancé and smiled gently. "I love want to be at the top of my throne now, with you." She whispered softly before she bit her lip. "I have missed you greatly. I feel terrible about Iris but she wrote me often speaking of how she was doing this for me." She added as she held his hands in her own and looked at him. "Where do we go from here, my king?" She asked him softly. She wanted to rule with him. She wanted to make him Scotland's king and she be France's queen. It would work out it she knew their harsh endeavors were not over. 

 

[Lexus]

"Don't feel terrible, she is a sweet lady, but she is not you," Hugging her gently, he twirled her elegantly with a laugh. "Well, I'm sorry my love, but I cannot stay for too long, I am in Ireland." He replied with a wink. 

 

[isax]

Bella laughed softly at her beloved as she nodded. "Then our marriage must be a quick one before you set off back to France." She said before she kissed him lovingly and gently before she pulled away and rested her forehead against him when her mother and Vera came out to watch the beautiful couple. "Shall we be married tonight?" She asked him as she took his hand and lead him over to Vera and her mother as they all entered the castle. 

 

[Lexus]

"Yes, I am afraid it has to be, unfortunately," Jasper replied with a sigh before he returned her kiss and nodded. "Yes, tonight, you shall become my wife," At those words, the sparkle in his eye was present. "I only wish I didn't have to leave you here, but it is what is best for now." Taking her hands, he followed her towards her mother where he bowed at her presence. "It is a pleasure, your majesty. I am sure you are delighted to have Bella back in these quarters." 

 

[isax]

Arabella's mother smiled at the dashing young man before she nodded. "I am but I am even more delighted about the wedding between you two." She said with a soft, gentle voice. "We shall keep the secret for as long as needed but you sure are the perfect suitor for my daughter." She said and Bella smiled happily before she looked at her fiancé. "Thank you, mother." She said softly as the Queen smile. "Of course, now go along. Get ready for you wedding." She said as Bella nodded and looked at Jasper. "Are you ready?" 

 

[Lexus]

"Of course I am ready dear, tonight you will be my wife, and one step closer to bringing you home, with me." Watching her run off with Vera, Jasper turned back to the Queen with a genuine smile."Your majesty, I would like to yhank you for your generous understanding in this undesirable situation. I am incredibly grateful for it. Thank you for your daughter." 

 

[isax]

The Queen smiled as she looked at the young man and nodded. "No need for formality when you speak with me. Call me Cathrine and it is with great pleasure that I allow my daughter to wed a man like you." She said with a gentle smile. "She will be shaken up for awhile due to the attack against her. I know what it must take to get her to France with you, but please, if she can not do so at this moment, don't force her." She added. "With time all the pieces will fall together and you two will be ruling side by side as a stronger unit than any country has seen. She is already queen of Scotland, so know upon this marriage, you will be Scotland's king." She stated as her gentle smile never faded. "Now, Vera and I had an attire made for you on this day. Follow me to your visiting chambers that you may use for now and whenever you travel to Ireland." She said with a wink before leading the boy towards his chambers that were merely down the corridor from Arabella. 

 

[Lexus]

"I would never wish for Bella to do anything she does not wish, Catherine, her duration in Scotland after the wedding is entirely up to her as promised. But you would be doing me a great pleasure if you coneyed to me the horrid men who did such a despicable thing so I can punish them accordingly. But thank you again for your generous efforts, they are greatly appreciated, as long as you can ensure her safety here after my departure." 

 

[isax]

Cathrine sighed softly as she looked at the young man and smiled gently. "The men fled and we have not seen them since. Bella did not deserve what occurred to her. I know not whether she is safest here than France." She said simply before she looked over when she saw Vera walk out. "The queen is ready, your majesties." She said as she curtsied and Cathrine nodded as she opened the chamber doors for Jasper to change. "She will be awaiting your arrival at the vineyard. Vera will stay and escort you there." The queen said with a smile before she went into the room with her daughter and smiled at the sight of her in her beautiful gown. "You look dashing, darling." She said softly and Bella smiled gently. "Thank you, mother." She said and hugged her tightly before they headed out to the vineyard and awaited the arrival of Jasper. 


Vera smiled as she waited for Jasper and sighed softly. "You are a kind man to her. A man all the women want." She said softly before she saw the other ladies run over to her as they all awaited for Jasper to finish for when he did, they made way out to the vineyard where Bella was sitting under a willow tree in a dashing white and silver gown with a red accent of roses on her head. 

 

[Lexus]

"Thank you, Vera, your compliment warms me. I expect you'll keep an eye on her for me in my absence?" He asked cheerfully as he rolled up his sleeves ans gave her a friendly hug before they made their way out towards the vineyard where his beautiful Bella was waiting so patiently. When he saw her, his expression brightened up instantly. In just a short while they would become officially united. 

 

[isax]

Bella admired the beautiful willow tree she sat under and looked over at her fiancé when she heard rustling and smiled brightly. She stood up and met him halfway as Vera and all the other ladies came over to witness this beautiful union. Cathrine joined as she as she nodded to the priest who smiled and nodded back as the ceremony began. It was a simple ceremony and after Bella placed the ring she had for him, she smiled as she admired it. "It was my fathers." She whispered softly and gave his hand a squeeze. "It suits you well." she added with a smile. 

 

[Lexus]

"I will cherish it," Jasper replied with a smile before he placed on her finger. He had it made just for her. The two stones in the center were the colors of both France and Scotland. He wanted her to have something meaningful to symbolize her rule. Jasper was excited that they successfully wed as they were promised they were going to. He didn't care what it took to make it this far, he was just grateful that Bella stayed by him through everything they had been put through. 

 

[isax]

When Bella saw the ring and all its beauty, she gasped softly as she admired the two stones and felt the tears roll down her face. "The colors France and Scotland. It is beautiful, Jasper." She said softly as she looked at the man she was rightfully wed to. They finally made it and after his departure she would leave soon to rule back at French court. She smiled before she leaned forward and kissing him lovingly, not waiting for him to do so. This was perfect for her and she continued kissing him. When she pulled away, she smiled at the cheers and sighed softly. "Long may we reign, my king." She whispered softly with a a bubbly personality that refuses to fade for this day on she finally could call Jasper her husband.