Two days later, Belle was preparing to depart for the town square, with Mia assisting her despite her reservations. Mia was deeply uneasy, knowing how furious Quinn would be if he discovered Belle’s secret eting with the King.
"Are you certain about this?" Mia asked, her voice laced with worry as she gazed at Belle. She dreaded seeing her mistress suffer once more, especially now that they were so close to leaving the Duke’s mansion. Tomorrow was the day Belle was to receive the divorce papers, and it seed unwise to risk provoking Quinn’s wrath.
"Everything will be fine, I assure you," Belle replied firmly. "I will manage it all. That’s why you must also leave the mansion for the day. It will draw less suspicion." It had taken imnse courage to summon the King, and with the final step at hand, she was willing to take the risk. By this ti tomorrow, with the divorce finalized, she planned to leave for the castle and focus on her recovery. Her journey to regain her strength and health would begin, and she was resolute about the future.
The doctor had cautioned against pregnancy for at least three months until her body was fully healed. A year would be more than enough ti to recover entirely.
"Very well. I shall pack all of our belongings before your return. Please, do take care," Mia finally conceded, her concern evident, though she could not deny Belle’s determination.
"You be careful as well," Belle replied with a nod, her smile warm as they embraced in a heartfelt hug.
...
Far from the Duke’s estate, in the dim and shadowed expanse of the town square, stood Belle, waiting patiently for the King. Over thirty minutes had passed since her arrival, and there was still no sign of him. Could he have reconsidered their agreent? Or perhaps so unforeseen duty had delayed him?
Unease began to coil in her thoughts. If the King backed out on their arrangent, all her plans would be shattered. He was the fastest and most effective path to her revenge. To achieve such goals through her own ans would take years, years during which Quinn might father children with another. If only she hadn’t lost her child, she thought bitterly, she would have been content to secure the divorce, retreat sowhere remote, and raise her little one in peace.
Her gaze drifted downward to her stomach, and a tear escaped absentmindedly, trailing down her cheek. A shadow of sorrow passed over her face as she thought of the dreams she had imagined for the child she lost. She had always wished for a baby boy, fearing for a girl who might endure the sa hardships as she did. The world was unkind, especially to won like her, weak, poor, and powerless.
"Is our lady so eager to bear my heir?" A familiar voice spoke, startling her and sending a shiver down her spine. It was smooth yet commanding, laced with satisfaction.
"Your Majesty!" She exclaid, her lips curving into a smile as she turned to behold him. His regal bearing was unmistakable, and for the first ti that day, relief washed over her.
"Were you worried I might have abandoned you?" The King asked, as though reading her thoughts. Belle quickly lowered her head, embarrassed at being so transparent. She resolved to master her emotions, for it had taken him only a mont to discern her unease.
"I was, for a mont," she admitted, regaining her composure, "but now that you are here, it no longer matters." She took a cautious step closer to him.
"My apologies if I alard you. I had an unexpected matter to attend to," he explained with a gentlemanly tone. "It was not my intention to cause you distress." His words, spoken with such sincerity, sent a spark through her heart. No man had ever apologized to her in such a manner, and the feeling it evoked was entirely unfamiliar. It stirred sothing deep within her, a faint glimpse of life she had thought extinguished. Suddenly, the notion of ending her own life seed foolish. If n like him existed, why had she considered suicide over soone as unworthy as Quinn?
Quinn had accustod her to accepting so little that she had foolishly believed all n to be the sa.
"Are you well?" The King asked, waving a hand before her face, concerned by her sudden silence.
"Ye...yes! Of course," she stamred, snapping out of her thoughts. Clearing her throat, she added, "Let us proceed with the contract."
"What is the rush? It’s not as though anyone will accuse you of infidelity," he teased, unaware of the impact of his words. eting a man at such a late hour could indeed be perceived as cheating, and her heart began to race with panic.
Realizing his jest had unsettled her, the King quickly reassured her. "It was only a joke. There is no need for alarm." He smiled gently. "Shall we proceed?"
"I would prefer to sign it now," she replied, her voice more urgent than intended.
"As you wish." He relented easily, signaling for one of his attendants to step forward with the scroll. "Are you entirely sure you do not wish to reconsider?" He asked, withdrawing the scroll. His raised brows suggested he was testing her resolve, curious if her determination might falter.
Her expression hardened. "As long as you do not waver in your promise, I will have my revenge." Her steadfast reply drew a smile from him, impressed by her courage.
"Once you sign, there is no turning back," he warned, handing her the scroll. "You will beco the mother of my heir and, in ti, my Queen."
Belle accepted the scroll without hesitation. For a mont, as she read through it, doubt flickered in her mind, but she swiftly suppressed it. There was no room for fear now. Whatever sches Quinn might attempt, she was no longer alone, she now had the King’s protection.
Once she had signed in the designated spaces, she returned the scroll to him. His eyes glinted as he declared, "You are mine now, Belle."
His words, spoken with a possessive allure, sent a shiver through her, and her confusion was evident. The way he said it made her pulse quicken.
"Y-Yes, of course," she stamred, blinking rapidly and trying to steady herself.
"Then," he said, stepping closer, his voice low and intent, "may I kiss you?"
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