The Window Left Open

Chapter Two: The First Unfairness

Enchanted Forest - Past

Isabel ran as fast as she could home. Her father had just received some fantastic news, and she needed to tell Killian immediately. Throwing the door open, she looked around the room. Nowhere so she trudged upstairs to his room. She knocked on the door before opening it. He sat on his bed with a book in hand. He seemed so lost in what he was reading because he didn't look up at her at first. She bounced onto the bed and poked his side.

"Hey!" she beamed.

He set the book down slowly, smiling over at her. "Hello to you."

"Guess what," she giggled.

"You've eaten another basket full of sweet rolls?" he teased.

"No...just half. Anyways, the king is in the village," she told him.

"Isabel, I'm a pirate. I have to stay away from kings," he chuckled.

Rolling her eyes, she settled beside him and leaned against the headboard. "Not that. King Ferdinand has commissioned father to arm all his knights with knew swords."

"And that is a good thing?" he asked, still teasing Isabel.

"Yes! King Ferdinand has the largest army of knights that only the ogres are stupid enough to attack his people." She squealed and threw her arms around him. "He's getting paid enough that he could retire if he wanted to."

"Which you know he doesn't want to." His arms went around her as well, pulling her close.

"Why aren't you more excited?" she whined.

"I am excited, Isabel. I am very happy for you two," he smiled, kissing her cheek. "It's incredibly good news that your father is getting such a big job, but he's just one man. It's a very tall order to fill. Literally."

"Well yes, but I told him that I would help as much as I can," she shrugged.

"Isabel, you know he is too proud to accept help from you. You are his daughter. He's not going to make you learn a trade just to fulfill an order," he said.

"Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't contribute. Besides, I would feel really guilty living off that money when I didn't lift a finger to help. I can't just cook and keep his home up for him. That's not enough," she pouted.

"He'll find a way for you to help." He turned her chin up to look at him. He kissed her quickly to stop her pouting. "I just don't think your father will allow you to do any hard labor." He looked her over. "Did you run all the way here? You're flushed."

She nodded finally taking a deep breath. "I did. I ran as soon as the king left father's shop."

"You ran in front of the king?" he asked in amusement.

"Out of the back. I ran out of the back," she corrected.

Killian shook his head as he pulled her closer to him. Isabel smiled up at him, kissing him softly before resting her head on his shoulder. Her excitement for her father still buzzed through her body. It really was the best news they could have ever gotten. Maybe after this one job he would slow down. William worked too hard in her opinion, but it wasn't as if he had much of a choice. They had to survive. Isabel would rather he not work himself too hard. He wasn't getting any younger. Soon he would need to take on an apprentice if he wanted to keep the shop going. She wondered if Killian would take up the trade. He'd mentioned a couple of times that he would have to give up piracy once they were married. Isabel never said anything. As much as she would like for him to give it up, she was not about to say anything. She never wanted him to regret the decision. Should he ever regret it, she certainly didn't want him to resent her for forcing his hand. It was all his decision, but it would be nice if he would help her father in the shop. The idea of it made her smile. It was as Killian said. She wouldn't be able to take over the shop when her father retired. He wouldn't allow it, but keeping it in the family was a good idea.