Jacob's Disapproval

"Katherine, were you even going to clue me in on your plan to leave the castle?" Jacob's voice cut through the air.


I could tell that he was furious.


Meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve, I steadied myself before replying, "Jacob, I was actually going to make sure I had a ride sorted out before coming to find you."


The weight of his scrutiny bore down on me, but I refused to waver under its intensity. I owed him an explanation, and I would not shy away from the truth.


"I didn't want to bother you if I couldn't find a way to get there," I added, my voice softening with sincerity as I sought to convey the earnestness of my intentions.

Curiosity tinged Jacob's voice as he probed further, "How did your visit with Jake's sister go?"


A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, a flicker of warmth amidst the somber conversation.


"Esmerelda will actually be staying with us at the castle," I revealed, the anticipation evident in my tone.


Jacob's reaction was not what I had expected. His eyebrows furrowed in slight disapproval, a shadow passing over his features as he voiced his concerns.



"Katherine, you should have consulted me first," he admonished gently, his words laced with a hint of disappointment.


His words struck a chord within me, stirring a twinge of remorse in the depths of my heart.


"Do you realize what people will say?" he continued, his voice heavy with the weight of societal expectations.



Despite the weight of his words, I refused to yield to the pressures of convention.


"Jacob I take full responsibility for her brother's death."


The admission hung in the air between us, a solemn reminder of the burden I carried on my shoulders. Even as I spoke the words aloud, a quiet resolve settled over me like a comforting embrace.


"She will always be welcome in my home," I affirmed, the conviction ringing true in every syllable.


For in that moment, I knew that my loyalty to Jake's memory would guide me forward, regardless of the judgment of others.


Without warning, the words escaped my lips before I could even comprehend their impact.


“Imagine the scandal when they discover that Jake’s wife is your secret lover,” I blurted out.


The air crackled with tension as my impulsive words hung between us like a heavy fog, thick with the weight of betrayal and regret.

Jacob's expression shifted from shock to disbelief in an instant, his features contorting with a mixture of hurt and anger. Without warning, I felt the sting of his hand across my cheek, the sharp slap jolting me back to reality.

The pain radiated through me, both physical and emotional, as his words cut through the silence like a sharpened blade.

"I am not the one who betrayed our vows," he spat, his voice dripping with resentment.

"You were well aware that I could never seek solace in another's arms, while you freely indulged in your own desires."


I struggled to find my voice amidst the tumult of emotions swirling within me, the weight of his accusations pressing down upon me like a suffocating weight.

"We were together long before we even exchanged vows.”

“He was the love of my life."

Jacob's resolve remained unyielding, his gaze cold and unforgiving as he delivered the final blow.

"Congratulations, Katherine," he sneered, "you are carrying our child."


The revelation hung in the air like a heavy shroud, casting a pall over our already fractured relationship.


His words struck me like a physical blow, the realization of his true intentions leaving me reeling. Before I could respond, he seized my hand in a vice-like grip, his touch both possessive and commanding.


"Come with me," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument.

"It's time for you to learn your place."


With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I knew that I had no choice but to follow, resigned to the grim reality of my fate as his wife. Even as I acquiesced to his demands, a flicker of defiance burned within me, a silent vow to reclaim my autonomy in the face of his tyranny.

With a forceful yank, Jacob tore me away from the room, his grip like iron around my wrist, cutting off any chance of resistance. Panic surged within me as he dragged me through the labyrinthine corridors of the servant's quarters, each step taking me further from freedom and deeper into the heart of his tyranny.

Despite my frantic struggles, his hold remained unyielding, his determination to control me evident in every muscle of his being. The stench of desperation clung to me like a second skin as we approached the entrance to the dungeons, the oppressive weight of dread settling over me like a suffocating shroud.

In a last-ditch attempt to break free, I thrashed against his grasp, my cries for help echoing off the cold, stone walls. Jacob's grip only tightened, his fingers digging into my flesh with a cruel intensity, driving me down into the depths below.

With a final, brutal tug, he thrust me into a dimly lit cell, its meager comforts a stark contrast to the harsh reality of my confinement. The sight of the plush pillows and thick blankets offered little solace in the face of my imprisonment, their softness a cruel mockery of the chains that bound me.


My protests fell on deaf ears as he turned to leave, the sound of his departing footsteps echoing through the empty chamber like a death knell. With a click, the door slammed shut behind him, sealing me in darkness once more.

The reality of my captivity set in. A shiver of fear ran down my spine, a chilling reminder of the depths of Jacob's cruelty. Alone in the suffocating silence of my cell, I could only pray for deliverance from the clutches of the man who held my fate in his hands.


“You will remain here until our child is born,” Jacob declared, his voice tinged with possessiveness and a need to maintain appearances.

“I must uphold the illusion that this child is mine.”

“You cannot escape me down here.”



“I will release you only when your presence becomes necessary,” he coldly stated, his words dripping with a cruel sense of control.

“You cannot escape me down here.”

“I will freeze to death.”

“Consider yourself fortunate that I haven’t taken your life,” he sneered.


Jacob left me alone in the cold dungeon. I lay on the bed. I could not get comfortable. Despite the comfort the thick blanket provided, the bed itself was unforgivingly hard, its rigid surface offering little solace to my weary body, causing my muscles to protest with every movement, aching with the weight of the day's events.

With a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes, seeking refuge in the embrace of sleep, the passage of time becoming a distant concern in the darkness of my cell. Just as the tendrils of slumber began to entwine around my consciousness, a whisper shattered the silence like a pebble disturbing the surface of a tranquil pond.


"Your Majesty."

Startled, I jolted upright, my heart pounding against my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I strained to see through the dimness that cloaked my surroundings. I rubbed my eyes trying to adjust to the darkness. The figure at the door of my cell remained obscured, a shadowy presence in the gloom.


"Who's there?" I called out.


It was Jasper, his face illuminated by the flickering flame of a lantern he held aloft, casting dancing shadows across the walls of my confinement.


"Jasper, what brings you here?" I asked, relief washing over me.


"I came to check on you, my lady," he replied.

"Jake assigned me to keep you safe."


A surge of gratitude welled within me, mingling with the lingering traces of sorrow for the loss of my dear friend.


"Do you have any idea what Jacob is planning?" I inquired, my words tinged with urgency.


"All I know is that he's furious," Jasper confessed, his gaze unwavering.

“I'll keep you posted if he decides to take action."

I nodded, a knot of apprehension tightening in the pit of my stomach, yet finding solace in Jasper's unwavering loyalty.


"Jasper, I can't thank you enough for your kindness," I murmured, my voice laced with emotion.

"Jake was my dear friend, and I'll make sure to honor his final wishes."

"He knew the risks, just like I do," Jasper declared, his tone resolute.

"I'd risk my life for you, my queen."


Touched by his steadfast devotion, I offered him a grateful smile, the weight of my burdens momentarily lifted by his unwavering support.


"Rest now, I'll keep watch tonight," Jasper reassured me, his words a promise of protection amidst the uncertainty that loomed on the horizon.

While I settled back into bed, the warmth of gratitude cocooned me like a comforting embrace. I couldn't shake the feeling that Jake was still with me, his presence lingering in the shadows, guiding me through the darkness.


Sleep claimed me once more. I was not relieved when morning came.


“Get up,” Jacob ordered, pulling me out of bed.

“We need to move quickly.”


He rushed me upstairs.


“Get dressed quickly.”

“Yes, my lord,” I replied.


I hurriedly got dressed, only to realize that Macy, my usual attendant, was nowhere to be found. I confronted one of the maids in attendance.


“Where is Macy?”

“I believe she has been dismissed from the castle.”


Fuming with anger, I stormed out of the room, unable to contain my frustration. I turned around to face the person responsible for Macy’s dismissal.


“You fired Macy?” I demanded, my voice dripping with indignation.

Jacob, seemingly unfazed by my anger, replied, “I did what I had to do.”

“She was a valuable asset,” I retorted, my frustration mounting.

“I need loyal servants who will keep me informed,” he justified his decision.


“Where have you sent her?” I inquired, hoping that Macy had been reassigned somewhere nearby.

“She has been sent across the sea,” Jacob responded coldly.

“She shall never step foot in our kingdom again, unless she wishes to face dire consequences.”


“You can’t do that!” I protested, my voice filled with disbelief.

“Katherine, I am the king,” he asserted, his tone unwavering.

“I can do whatever I please with my staff.”


I stood there, stunned by Jacob’s callousness. It was clear that his power knew no bounds, and I was helpless in the face of his authority.

With a sudden jerk, he yanked my wrist, his grip like iron, and dragged me into the dining hall.

Without any warning, he pushed me down onto my chair, the force of his actions leaving me momentarily stunned as I struggled to regain my composure amidst the silent scrutiny of the onlookers.

Despite his aggressive behavior, no one seemed to bat an eye, their indifference a chilling testament to the normalized dysfunction that permeated our reality. To them, it was merely another scene in the theater of our lives, brushed off with the casual nonchalance reserved for a mundane domestic squabble.

Amidst the sea of indifferent faces, I noticed the conspicuous absence of Vivian, her usual presence a comforting anchor in the tumultuous sea of my existence. Not that I cared for her opinion or company at that moment, the bitter taste of resentment lingering on my tongue like a poison.

I began to mechanically eat, my movements robotic in their execution, Jacob interrupted my meal.

“Darling please hand me my drink.”


With a resigned sigh, I obliged, my hand trembling ever so slightly as I reached for the crystal glass, the weight of his expectations heavy upon my shoulders.

"Your highness," I muttered under my breath, the words dripping with sarcasm, a small act of defiance in the face of his dominance.

Before I could even register his reaction, he pulled me in with a sudden fervor, his lips crashing against mine in a possessive embrace that left me breathless, my protestations silenced by the overwhelming force of his desire.

I had no choice but to comply, my body betraying me in its submission to his will, the taste of powerlessness bitter on my tongue as I surrendered to the inevitable.

He pulled away, a smug smirk playing at the corners of his lips, he whispered in my ear, his words a cruel reminder of my role in this twisted charade.

"That's a good wife," he murmured, his tone dripping with condescension, before releasing me with a dismissive wave of his hand, allowing me to sink back into the confines of my seat, my spirit battered but unbroken.