Back at the castle, the servants hurried in every direction, scrambling to prepare for the sudden eting with the kingdom’s most esteed figures. anwhile, Belle remained confined to her room, her repeated attempts to escape proving futile.
She had knocked countless tis, asking the guards stationed outside whether Mia had returned, but the answer was always the sa—no.
Now seated in a chair, her body slumped with exhaustion, she was beginning to resign herself to fate. Perhaps it was easier to simply go along with everything. It wasn’t as though she objected to the preparations, she would have had to face them in seven days regardless. But what irked her was Hezekiah’s audacity to make such a drastic decision without consulting her.
Had he taken her words to heart? The ones about him needing to bed her before fully trusting her?
Frustration welled within her, and just as she was about to sweep everything off her desk in a fit of rage, the door clicked open.
Mia.
"Oh no," Mia gasped, taking in Belle’s disheveled state. She rushed forward, arms outstretched in concern.
"Mia, I need to see the king. We must find a way to get out of this room," Belle said, wasting no ti on pleasantries.
Mia hesitated before responding, her expression conflicted. "Belle, though I do not approve of you being locked away, this might be the best decision for both of you. Perhaps it is ti to sever ties with the Duke," she reasoned, taking Belle’s hands in hers.
The king’s n had intercepted her the mont she arrived at the castle, and she had spoken to Hezekiah before coming here. Though she had chastised him for imprisoning Belle, she understood that this was the only way he saw to win this battle. So she didn’t push further.
Belle scowled. "I am not opposed to any of this, I am furious because he acted without consulting . We are in an agreent, not a master-servant relationship. Why should I be forced to abide by his decisions?"
Mia sighed, understanding Belle’s frustration. She, too, would be enraged if a man tried to control her this way. But given the circumstances, Hezekiah likely saw no other choice.
"You leave him no choice, Belle. That is why he is using his power. Have you considered that you are the one making decisions without asking how he feels? No one is fine watching their beloved in another man’s arms," Mia countered, her voice gentle but firm.
Belle fell silent, going over Mia’s words. It was true that she had been unfair to Hezekiah these past weeks, though it was never her intention. But Quinn had forced himself upon her ti and again, and no matter how hard she tried, she could not seem to resist him.
"As long as the bond remains, I will always be shaken," she murmured. "But there are better ways to handle this. I must speak with him."
Rising abruptly, she strode toward the door, only to halt when she realized Mia wasn’t following.
"Mia?" She called, turning slightly to glance back, her brow furrowed in question.
"No, I want to help him see this through. I am on his side. He has done nothing but treat you well, he deserves more than you realize," Mia said firmly.
Belle sighed, lowering her head. "You have spoken with him, haven’t you?" She asked.
"Yes," Mia admitted.
"Alright. If you believe this is the best course, then so be it." Her voice was quiet, resigned. But Mia could hear the absence of joy, the lack of conviction in her tone. She wasn’t sure how to respond.
"Belle, this was your choice. Do not paint as the villain," Mia said, her voice sharpening as though she were concealing sothing deeper. "We could have run away, built a different life. But you wanted this, and I had no choice but to stay. This ti, I am giving you no choice either. I will call for the maids to prepare you."
"Okay," Belle murmured, retreating to sit on her bed, her gaze averted.
Mia lingered for a mont before turning away. "Be good," she said before stepping outside.
As soon as the door shut behind her, she collapsed against it, pressing a hand to her forehead. She would loathe herself forever for forcing Belle into this, but she knew, no, she had to believe that it was the right decision. Once Belle conceived, once she regained the child she had lost, she would understand.
Convincing herself that she was the villain in Belle’s story, Mia forced herself to her feet. Casting one last glance at the door, she walked away.
....
The maids dressed Belle in exquisite attire, ensuring every detail was perfect before escorting her to the receiving hall. There, ministers, nobles, and aristocrats eagerly awaited the announcent. While so had already guessed what was to co, others remained unaware.
Upon arriving at the entrance, Belle halted, inhaling deeply to steady herself. Then, lifting her chin, she stepped forward.
She moved with asured grace, her shoulders squared, her strides poised. The whispers among the crowd did not deter her and she kept her gaze fixed on the throne, shutting out the murmurs.
"I know her."
"I can’t believe she is to be our future queen."
"She exudes confidence, I have no doubt in her ability to lead."
The murmurs rippled through the hall. So faces remained unreadable, while others were intrigued. The ministers, however, exchanged uncertain glances. They had long sought a queen for Hezekiah, yet not under these circumstances. Unlike the oblivious nobles, they recognized Lady Belle, Duke Quinn’s forr wife.
"What do we do about this?" One minister muttered, shaking his head at the unexpected turn of events.
"Oppose it. We cannot accept a divorced woman as our queen," another responded, stroking his jaw in contemplation.
As Belle reached the throne, Hezekiah extended his hand. Without hesitation, she placed hers in his, allowing him to guide her to the seat beside him.
"You are breathtaking," he murmured, his gaze lingering upon her.
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