The Medieval Marine - Cauldron Simmering
Copyright© 2025 by somethin fishy
Chapter 26: The False Father
“Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.” – Aristotle.
York, Great Britain. June 1079
Mackenzie now knew how her mum felt at the end of every workday. Marion had decided to take a day off, knowing there was nothing significant on the docket. It would also give Mackenzie the opportunity to experience being in charge. If anything serious came up, Marion was on the roof, enjoying the sun on her naked skin.
At 32 years old, Marion was still a beautiful woman but couldn’t be mistaken for a young one. Marion was beginning to see wrinkles around her eyes, and her breasts were beginning to sag. There were stretch marks across her stomach from her multiple pregnancies, but none of these bothered Marion much. She was still alive and healthy, surrounded by people who loved her.
At Marion’s side, Gabriella had joined her in sunning herself. Between them, they had a bucket with ice and bottles of beer. The warm sun and breeze made it the perfect day to catch some rays and enjoy a brew.
While Marion and Gabriella were sunning themselves, Mackenzie was in the office, trying to avoid pulling her hair out. She really didn’t know how her mother put up with all the stuff that landed on her desk.
Mackenzie’s aggravation began with the spy report. While Gretchen was a very capable spymistress, she took some getting used to as she tended to have a know-it-all attitude. Gretchen’s attitude was something Mackenzie wasn’t going to put up with.
“Gretchen, I know my mother loves having you here, but I do not. If you are still employed by the British government when I become queen and have not lost your attitude, I will remove you as leading spymistress.”
“Then it’s a good thing your mother is queen and not you because there is no replacement for me.”
“So, if you were to die tomorrow, our intelligence capacity will be destroyed?” Mackenzie asked with a raised eyebrow.
“You know, I hate when your mum does that.”
“Who do you think taught it to her?” Mackenzie asked with a smirk.
“That would be your father.” Mackenzie’s smile disappeared.
“Is there any news of him?”
“Nothing specifically.”
“Then you do have news, spill.”
“It seems there is a new town in Italy named Le Donne di Luca by the inhabitants. In case your Italian sucks, that means Luke’s town.” Mackenzie stuck her tongue out at Gretchen.
“Do you think there is a connection?”
“Maybe. It seems the town is run by women, and men are only allowed in after they have been searched.”
“What do you think about that?”
“Think about what?”
“Women running things.”
“We are no better or worse than men. Look at Brunhild. She is going to destroy the Holy Roman Empire with her bloodlust. Your mother only became the exceptional leader she is today because your father showed her how to lead. Remember, dearie, having power is one thing; using it properly is another.”
“You missed my point. Do you think women can do better at leading a nation than men?”
“I know what you meant, and to answer you. No, I do not. From my experience, to lead a nation, one must be tough, cold, and calculating because even a minor mistake can cost thousands of people their lives. I have heard of very few women who meet those requirements, as we tend to be more emotional, and you cannot rule with emotions. If you try, you will fail.” Mackenzie paled.
“Do you think I can do it?” she asked in a small voice.
“Only you can answer that for sure Mac, but what I do know is the heads of Europe all fear the day when you take over the throne. By the time you are old enough, I think the world will tremble if you continue to improve like you have been doing. Just remember, the more you improve, the more energy it will take to improve further.”
“Thanks, Gretchen. That helps some.”
“Sure thing. See you tomorrow?”
“As far as I know. I know Mum will be in tomorrow because there are several important meetings she needs to attend.” Gretchen nodded and let herself out.
Mackenzie picked up the report that detailed what seemed to have happened in Italy and stared at it as if she could magically see where her father was. Eventually, she put the report down and resumed her work. Unlike when her mother did work, Mackenzie’s tasks were put to the side for Marion to review before becoming official. However, when it did become official, Mackenzie’s name would appear above Marion’s.
Just after lunch, the replacement secretary stuck her head into Mackenzie’s office and informed her that a man was waiting to see her. Marion’s regular secretary was on maternity leave and wasn’t expected back until August. Mackenzie hadn’t started her afternoon work yet, so she told the secretary to admit the man. Before the man came in, Mackenzie looked to her guard and silently signaled to be ready.
“Hello,” Mackenzie chirped. She noticed the large man before her looked familiar. “Who are you?”
“I’m your father, pumpkin.” Mackenzie was as confused as she was hopeful. This man knew her father’s pet name for her. Still, she was cautious.
“How do I know you are my father?”
“You were born in February 1065 when your mother and I were on the run from her sister. You were not moved to York immediately, which probably saved your life when Cecilia escaped and revolted. Thankfully, I got back to York in time to save your mother. When your mother banned me from the palace, she made me sad, but what angered me was not being able to see you. I love you, Kenzie.” Mackenzie’s eyes lit up as she ran around the desk and jumped into her father’s arms.
“I love you, Daddy! Come on, let’s go see everyone.”
Mackenzie pulled on her father’s hand and led him to the family chambers. There, she led him around to see the other children. Although he didn’t seem to know which children were which, Mackenzie figured it was because he hadn’t seen them for years. The children were almost as excited as Mackenzie that their Daddy was home. He sat with the children and read to them when Makayla brought him a book.
After several hours with the children, Mackenzie led her father to where Marion and Gabriella were taking advantage of being alone. When Mackenzie came through the door, Gabriella was on top of Marion, facing the opposite direction, and both women had their faces in the other’s crotch.
“Mummy!” squealed Mackenzie. “Guess what?!?!” she was so excited that she was vibrating. “Daddy’s home!!”
Marion and Gabriella looked up to see a man that looked like Luke. They sighed and untangled themselves before walking over. It always sucked when they were pussy blocked. Mackenzie had seen them naked and having sex so many times that it didn’t phase her.
“Hello, Marion,” the man said, although it was apparent that he was trying to hide his erection. Marion glanced at Mackenzie and noticed she was still bouncing excitedly.
“Where were you before coming to Britain?” Marion asked in a neutral voice. Now Mackenzie was confused. She couldn’t understand why her mother wasn’t more excited. The man smoothly answered.
“Traveling through Europe...” Marion interrupted.
“Stop talking. You are not Luke.”
“What?” Mackenzie squeaked. “What do you mean he is not my father?”
“Just that. This man is an imposter. Your father was not traveling through Europe before he came to Britain. Additionally, he would not have greeted me with my name but instead would have used his pet name for me. And finally, he would not have tried to hide his erection when he saw Gabriella and me just now.”
Mackenzie’s face turned purple when she saw that her mother wasn’t lying and that the man was becoming nervous.
“GUARDS!!” She yelled at the top of her lungs. The two guards on the door came running through. “Arrest this man! He is going to be executed, although I don’t know how yet.” The man paled and tried to run. Mackenzie was quicker than the guards and pulled the revolver Marion made her carry while filling in as queen. She shot the man in the knee, and he fell. Before the guards could get there, Mackenzie was there and had kicked the man onto his back. “Why?” she asked with tears running down her face. When the man didn’t answer, Mackenzie shot his other knee. He screamed in pain, but Marion had the guards stand back. “Again, why?” He still refused to answer, so Mackenzie shot his right shoulder. “I should let you know that I have three shots left. Why?” he finally answered.
“I wanted your mother. She’s so beautiful and always has been. I watched her grow up, but I had to leave when she was 17. I returned a few years later and found she had married some bumbling idiot ... AAAAHHHH!” Mackenzie had shot the man in the groin.
“NEVER SAY THAT ABOUT MY DADDY!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. “He’s more of a man in one of his fingers than you are in your whole body.” Mackenzie used her government-issue soldier boots she was wearing to deliver a swift kick to the man’s shattered testicles. Then she put the muzzle of her revolver against the man’s head. “Look at me, you scum! Look me in the eyes!” The man looked up at the fearsome blonde girl and saw the hatred in her eyes. “Goodbye, you lying bastard.”
Mackenzie pulled the trigger and blew the back of the man’s head off. She stood there, looking down at the man who claimed to be her father, when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Come on, Mac. Looking at him won’t change anything.”
“Why, Mummy? Why!?!?” Mackenzie wailed before turning to sob against her mother’s shoulder. Marion held her distressed daughter while Gabriella carefully took the revolver from Mackenzie so there wouldn’t be any accidents.
Eventually, Mackenzie calmed down, although her eyes were red and snot ran out of her nose. She looked up at her mother and sniffed before using her sleeve to wipe her nose. Marion put an arm around her daughter and guided her to the door. Gabriella grabbed their clothes while a couple of guards came in to clean up Mackenzie’s mess.
The guards were impressed with Mackenzie’s reaction to the man being exposed as a fraud. She had proven that she could do what was needed and had a hard enough heart to demand the man look at her in the eyes before she shot him between his. Stories of what Mackenzie had done would spread and be retold for the rest of her life.
When Mackenzie and Marion got to the family chambers, Mackenzie called all the children together and explained what had happened. They were stunned, and Makayla began crying. She wasn’t old enough when her father went to war to have a good memory of him. All Makayla remembered was sitting on a humongous man’s lap while he read to her. She also remembered feeling safe with his strong arms wrapped around her.
Mackenzie felt lower than dirt at being taken in by a large man claiming to be her father. She swore that would never happen again. Something else happened deep inside her; she accepted her Daddy was never coming back, and her heart was locked in the deepest, darkest recesses of her subconscious. The recesses were so deep and dark that an observer would say nothing would ever set it free again. Mackenzie realized the power that she would wield one day, and that power would attract all kinds of naysayers, soothsayers, master manipulators, charlatans, and all sorts of other riffraff. If she was going to defeat them, keep her throne, and guard her people, she would have to see through their cons and words to their real intentions.
The next day in the office, Mackenzie was like a different person. She asked Marion deep, probing questions about why she did what she did. Several of the questions made Marion think and impressed Gabriella. They also worried her. Eventually, Mackenzie would want to find a husband and raise a family, but with her new attitude, that could prove impossible.
Mackenzie also asked pointed questions during the meetings, which caught many of the presenters off guard. Several times, Marion gave Mackenzie questioning looks. Nobody had ever seen this side of Mackenzie; it was like all that made her a delightful young woman had been stripped away, and what was left was the hardened steel core of a future powerful ruler.
It was a change that Marion didn’t care for. She wanted her little girl back; she wanted her “Mac” back. By the end of the day, Mackenzie had made several people cry, but it was as if she didn’t feel anything. Just before they left for the day, Marion had Mackenzie hold back.
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