"Then I will hold you to your promise," Belle replied firmly, adding, "And I am going to the banquet."
Chuckling, Hezekiah shook his head. "It’s never a no with you, huh?" He teased, earning a smile from her in return.
Belle had decided she was done letting others dictate what was best for her. It was ti to carve her own path. Revenge was no longer her goal, instead, she wanted to build a future where no one could ever trample on her again.
Even if it ant pushing herself to her limits, she was determined to train until she could transform into her wolf and defend herself. Relying on others was no longer an option. She refused to remain the weak one.
Motivated, Belle approached her training with fierce determination. Her sessions with her new trainer, soone she didn’t know personally, progressed smoothly. Her archery skills improved significantly, though her defense techniques were still a work in progress. Yet, she believed that with persistence and practice, she would excel.
"You have lost weight in just two days. Anyone would think you are preparing for war," Mia remarked dramatically, scrubbing Belle’s back as she soaked in the tub. Belle wanted to look flawless for the banquet she was attending that day.
Rolling her eyes at Mia’s dramatic comnt, Belle replied, "It’s only been two days. Don’t exaggerate." Then, she turned to face Mia, locking eyes with her. "I accepted the king’s offer," she announced, her tone steady.
The sponge in Mia’s hand slipped to the floor as her mouth fell open. "You what?!" She exclaid, utterly stunned. How could Belle, who seed so conflicted just days ago, suddenly accept? The Belle she had been with recently still appeared deeply affected by that Alpha, yet now she was pledging herself to the king?
Turning away, Belle leaned back in the tub and continued, "What? Isn’t this what you have always wanted? So, I decided to give it a try... maybe even be his Queen."
"I an, yes, I wanted it," Mia stamred, picking up the fallen sponge and tossing it into the bin. Grabbing a fresh one, she added, "But I only said those things to make you see sense. I never thought you would actually go through with it. This is so shocking."
Belle lifted her hands and gestured as she spoke, her expression a mix of confusion and conviction. "I don’t know what ca over , but I... I was suddenly drawn to the future he promised. I wanted to try trusting soone again. He made want to believe that people could change."
Mia remained silent, processing Belle’s words as she scrubbed absentmindedly.
Finally, Mia said, "I will always support whatever decision you make... except giving the Duke a second chance."
Belle didn’t respond to that comnt, choosing instead to shift the conversation. "So, what do you think of my decision?" She asked.
"I have always supported it," Mia replied. "But does this an our mission has changed? No more revenge?"
"No, we are not seeking revenge. We are pursuing transformation, creating my own path so no one can ever hurt again. I am sure my father will rise against once the king introduces to his ministers, but I won’t waver," Belle declared firmly, her conviction resonating in every word. Mia, overco with emotion, bead at the new Belle sitting before her.
"I don’t know what suddenly ca over you, but I am loving this version of you. I am all in on this plan!" Mia exclaid with excitent, her joy contagious enough to make Belle burst into laughter.
Suddenly, Belle asked, "Are you still holding out for your mate, or are you thinking about finding a good husband?" The question wiped the joy off Mia’s face almost instantly.
"No, thank you. I... I have soone I like. Maybe not deeply just yet, but I want to see if there’s sothing there—if we could be mates," Mia admitted, her voice softer than usual, causing Belle to whip her head toward her.
"Who is this lucky guy?" Belle teased, a playful glint in her eye as a shy blush crept onto Mia’s face.
"I wouldn’t call him lucky. Nothing is certain yet, not until I figure out how we both feel. Honestly, I don’t even care if we are not mates, as long as he likes too," Mia confessed. Belle nodded in understanding, drawing from her own experience. A mate didn’t always guarantee a happy ending. If this man truly loved Mia, that was more than enough reason to pursue him.
"When do you plan on telling him?" Belle asked curiously.
"I am scared," Mia admitted, her voice almost a whisper, and Belle’s eyes widened in surprise. It was rare, practically unheard of for Mia to admit to fear.
"There’s actually sothing that could scare you? Oh, I am going to enjoy teasing you about this," Belle said with a grin, only to be rewarded with a playful smack on the arm from Mia.
"I am not scared of him. I am scared of things not going the way I hope. What if he doesn’t like ? What if we are mates but he still doesn’t like ? Or what if he likes but already has a mate? What if I am not his mate but he likes , and his family won’t approve? What if..."
Belle gently took Mia’s hands, cutting her off mid-ramble. "Mia, you have always been the one comforting , guiding , and pulling back when I lost my way. You have never been afraid to move forward or face the unknown, and that courage will never change about you," Belle said softly, her words laced with reassurance. Mia’s eyes glistened as Belle’s words sank in deeply.
"You are right," Mia muttered, lowering her head with a sigh. Belle’s encouragent touched her deeply, settling the storm of doubts swirling in her mind.
"So go out there and tell him how you feel. Look at , I survived, didn’t I? And if he hurts you, I will be the one protecting you this ti," Belle added with a grin, earning a hearty laugh from Mia. The two won dissolved into laughter, their bond stronger than ever.
With that, Mia finished washing Belle up and helped her prepare for the banquet.
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