"How? When? We barely even spent time together in the year I have been here! So when?" Belle exclaimed, startled, her voice tinged with disbelief. She wracked her brain, trying to piece together when Hezekiah could have possibly developed feelings for her. From what she remembered, they had only spoken twice, both times strictly about her coronation. There had been no personal conversations, no shared moments of intimacy. How had he fallen for her so quickly?
"It didn't start when you came to the castle," he admitted, releasing her from his hold. "It started long before that."
She scoffed, her frustration boiling over. "And you didn't think to tell me before I signed the contract?" She demanded, hands dropping to her waist in exasperation. She had trusted him, convinced that their arrangement was purely transactional. Now she felt blindsided.
"For the same reason you would have never signed it if you had known," he confessed, his voice steady but filled with regret.
"All of this was a lie?!" She snapped, her anger rising. "You let me beg you not to fall in love with me, knowing full well you already had? You made me look like a fool!"
He didn't respond, his silence only infuriating her more. If he admitted the truth, it would enrage her further; if he denied it, it would sound like a lie. No words could diffuse the tension that hung heavy in the air.
"Belle," he finally said, taking a step closer to her. "If you tell me now, here, to stop loving you, I swear I will never bring it up again. I will adhere to the contract and keep my feelings buried. But if you don't, I will pursue you as a man should pursue a woman and vow to treat you as you deserve."
His words left her stunned, but she couldn't think clearly. Her emotions churned, leaving no room for reason.
"What are you even saying?" She cried, her voice trembling. "You think that's fair to me? Knowing you are in love with me while forcing yourself not to be for my sake? That doesn't make me better, it makes me look selfish! I wanted our deal to be fair and that was why I proposed to bear an heir in exchange for my revenge. How is this fair now?"
Her raised voice echoed in the room, and Hezekiah sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair.
"Belle," he said softly, "you don't have to repay every kindness you receive in life. Some things are given freely, without expectation. Your soft heart makes it easy for others to take advantage of you, but have you ever thought about using them too?"
His words struck a chord, leaving a heavy silence between them.
"I would never hurt others for my own benefit," she finally said, her voice steady with conviction. "I don't care if that makes me look soft. I will take my leave now."
Without waiting for his reply, she turned and left the room, her steps echoing down the corridor.
---
Meanwhile, some distance away from the King's quarters, Mia crossed paths with Quinn as she made her way to Belle's room.
Scoffing under her breath, she muttered, "The audacity!" It was absurd to her how brazen he was, showing no respect for Belle's boundaries. Then again, why wouldn't he be? He practically ruled the castle's security. Every guard bowed to him, unquestioningly obedient, giving him the confidence to approach Belle whenever, and wherever, he pleased.
"Judging by that expression, it seems our lady isn't in her room. Do send my regards to her," Quinn said with a smile, turning on his heels to leave.
"You are shameless and also stupid!" Mia's sharp retort stopped him in his tracks, her words striking a nerve.
"Don't push your luck," he warned, his voice low but carrying a dangerous undertone. Though his tone remained calm, the signal in his gaze was clear. Yet Mia, undeterred, stood her ground.
"Stay away from Belle. Haven't you caused enough damage already? Don't you even feel remorse for the child you both lost?" She shot back, stepping closer and daring to remind him of the painful past he wished to forget.
"You speak as though she was the only one who suffered," he replied coldly, his composure returning as he took her measure. "Might I ask you something, then?" His sudden shift in tone unnerved Mia, but she refused to falter.
"What is it?" She demanded, folding her arms across her chest in defiance.
His smirk deepened, a calculated gesture that planted unease in her heart. "Why did you cover up Belle's affair with Marcel? You knew she was seeing another man behind my back, yet you never thought to warn her?"
Mia's eyes widened in disbelief before she scoffed and dropped her arms. "What are you even talking about? Are you insane? Marcel was our childhood friend! Everyone knew he loved Belle, but she rejected him publicly." She threw her hands in the air, frustration spilling out in her words. How could Quinn believe such nonsense?
"Then explain their meeting at the Black Wolf Festival in town," he pressed, his interest piqued now that her words resembled Belle's past explanations.
Mia's laugh was bitter. "Your foster mother sure has you wrapped around her finger, doesn't she? That entire situation was orchestrated by her! She wrote Belle a letter saying you planned to gift her something at the festival. Then she sent another letter to Marcel, claiming Belle was suffering and wanted to see him. I suspected something was off, but I didn't pay enough attention, and we walked straight into her trap!" Her words stung, carrying both truth and insult as she continued.
Quinn's jaw tightened, but he couldn't suppress his lingering doubt. "But why didn't Belle ever tell me what truly happened?"
Mia's expression softened, though her frustration remained. "Because whenever she tried to explain, you would either raise your voice or leave for days. She was worn out from trying to get through to you. And I never told her who was behind the setup because by the time I found out, you had already left for war. I am sure you must have received letters from Marcel too—more of your foster mother's handiwork. How could you not see through it? Why would Belle cheat and leave so much evidence behind? For an Alpha werewolf, you are dumb!"
Her words hit like a whip, and the room fell silent, the weight of truth settling between them.
"I could kill you for that!"