"My lady!" Mia's voice rang out as she rushed into the chamber, her expression dazed at the sight before her. Belle lay trembling on the floor, stripped of her dignity.
"Oh, my lady, I cannot bear that this torment should befall you again," Mia cried, kneeling beside her and wrapping her in a protective embrace. She gently patted Belle's back, her own heart breaking at the sight. The scene was painfully reminiscent of a darker time, a time when Belle's father had nearly defiled Belle had her late mother not intervened.
"Mia! I wish to leave this wretched place! I hate him, I hate it all!" Belle sobbed, her tears flowing freely as memories of the past clawed at her.
"We shall, my lady. I vow to see you free of this place," Mia promised with firm resolve, her arms tightening around Belle.
"Mia... he swore never to harm me," Belle whispered, her voice fragile and trembling. Mia could only continue to comfort her, knowing that words of reason would do little to ease the pain in her heart.
…
The days that followed brought an uneasy calm to the mansion. Belle performed her duties as the Duchess with quiet precision, avoiding all interactions with the Duke's mother, Izabella, and Sofia, the Duke's new lover. She trod carefully, knowing her freedom was but five days away. Quinn had promised to sign the divorce papers, and she clung to that hope with all her might. If enduring these last few days meant her release, she would tolerate it without complaint.
"My lady!" Mia burst into the room one afternoon, her face pale with panic.
"What is the matter, Mia?" Belle asked, a wave of dread washing over her. "Is it him? Is the Duke coming here now?" She added, bracing herself for another confrontation.
"No, my lady! It is the Duke's mother! She approaches with her entourage, and she means to accuse you of poisoning the Duke's new lover!" Mia exclaimed, rushing to Belle's side.
Belle's eyes widened in shock. "Poison? Sofia has been poisoned? But how is that possible? Quinn had maids taste her meals before she ever ate them. Why would Lady Izabella come here instead of questioning those responsible for serving her?"
"Why indeed," Mia said with a dry scoff. "Has Lady Izabella ever needed a reason to torment you? She seeks only to destroy you, and this is her chosen pretense. What matters now is how you might save yourself before she arrives."
Belle nodded, her mind racing. "We must go to the Duke. He will see reason." She rose to her feet, her determination rekindled. But before she could step out, the chamber doors swung open, and Lady Izabella swept in with her entourage in tow.
"And where do you think you are going, you wretched murderer?" Izabella's voice was sharp as steel, her gaze filled with disdain. She stood with her hands on her hips, sneering at Belle.
"Murderer?" Belle echoed, her tone calm though her fury simmered beneath the surface. "Why would you call me such, Mother?"
"You dare feign innocence? You sought to poison Sofia, thinking to rid yourself of her and claim the Duke's affections for yourself. But the Moon Goddess favors the chosen wife, and Sofia lives!" Izabella spat, her words, venomous. "You vile witch!"
Belle's composure cracked at the insult, her fists trembling at her sides. How much more was she expected to endure?
"Why would you so readily assume I sought to harm Lady Sofia? What grievance do I have against her, and what evidence do you possess to support such a claim? Do not accuse me falsely, Mother," Belle retorted, her voice firm despite the storm brewing within her. This was surely one of Izabella's schemes, but to what end? She had already requested a divorce and would be gone in five days, what more could Izabella want?
"You still have the audacity to speak back, do you? I shall ensure you do not escape unscathed this time. Guards!" Izabella called, signaling her men to seize Belle.
"Mother, I demand to speak with the Duke! You have no authority to imprison me while the master of the house resides here," Belle protested, struggling as the guards restrained her.
Izabella scoffed and stepped closer, leaning in with a wicked smile. "Do you truly think I would orchestrate such a beautiful scene so carelessly? The Duke is away and shall not return for three days. During his absence, the mistress of this house rules, and that, dear, is *me*," she whispered with a laugh that sent Belle's heart racing.
Now it was clear why Izabella dared to act so boldly, there was no one to intervene on Belle's behalf.
"Your son shall hand me the divorce papers in five days, and I will leave. Why must you persist in making me suffer?" Belle questioned, her voice faltering as she stared at Izabelle in disbelief.
"Ah, my dear, you are as naive as ever. Quinn never intended to grant you a divorce. He planned to stall you endlessly until you abandoned the notion altogether. My son may not love you, but he will never rid himself of you, which is why I shall do him this favor," Izabella revealed with cold satisfaction.
Belle's mouth fell open in disbelief. The realization hit her like a blow. She had been deceived! How foolish she had been to trust Quinn's sudden willingness to sign the papers. All the while, she had played the dutiful wife, believing in his word.
"You are lying," she muttered, her head bowing in anguish.
"I care not whether you believe me. What matters is removing you. Take her away," Izabella commanded.
The guards began dragging Belle away. Consumed by despair, she made no effort to resist. Mia, on the other hand, cried out in protest and fought to reach her lady, but her attempts were futile.
"Mother, I beg you, let my lady go! If you wish it, we shall leave the estate and trouble you no more. Just spare her!" Mia pleaded, rushing to Izabella and falling to her knees.
"Poor, foolish maid," Izabella mocked with a click of her tongue. "Had you chosen to serve me instead, you would not now find yourself groveling for the life of such a worthless woman."
Sighing dramatically, she continued, "Fear not, child. I cannot kill her, not until the Duke returns. But I assure you, I shall savor every moment of her suffering until then." Izabella laughed cruelly, her voice echoing down the corridor as she turned to leave.
"Wretched hag!" Mia hissed under her breath, clenching her fists in frustration as Izabella disappeared. Swearing vengeance against the tyrannical matron, Mia's thoughts raced. She had to act swiftly to save Belle. Then an idea struck her. She would write to the Duke. It was their only hope.