Divorce The Duke, Marry The King!
Chapter 47: More than Quinn ever could

Chapter 47: More than Quinn ever could

Upon returning to the castle, Hezekiah’s frustration was palpable. Without a word to Belle, he dismounted the horse and walked away, leaving her standing alone.

Belle felt a pang of guilt that gnawed at her. She stood frozen, helpless, berating herself for her choices. She should have left the cabin before things escalated. If their roles were reversed, and she caught her man with another woman, her reaction would mirror Hezekiah’s. She sighed bitterly as this was exactly how Quinn had treated her in the past. The only difference was, she hadn’t had the courage to say *no.*

"Belle!" Mia’s familiar voice broke through her thoughts.

"Mia!" Belle cried, her emotions unraveling as she rushed forward, throwing her arms around her friend. Tears streamed freely as she clung to Mia, her comfort the only solace she could find.

"Oh, Belle! Why can’t you let go of him? He’s not worth betraying Hezekiah for. Have you forgotten why we are here?" Mia’s voice was both stern and soothing as she patted Belle’s back, torn between scolding and consoling her.

Belle laughed softly through her tears, recognizing Mia’s inner struggle. "Are you scolding me or comforting me?" She teased weakly.

"How can I scold you when you are like this? You know I have a soft spot for you," Mia replied, her gentle words earning a chuckle from both of them as the tension eased.

After a moment, Mia continued, her tone more serious. "Aurora hasn’t recovered from the forest incident, so Maddie decided she should stay with their cousin for a while. With her gone, I don’t have much to do, so I will be with you every moment now."

Belle stepped back, startled by the revelation. Though she hadn’t spent much time with Aurora since the incident, she assumed the girl was fine. Her smiles seemed genuine. But now Belle realized Aurora must have been masking her pain.

"Is it really that bad?" Belle asked, her concern deepening.

Mia nodded gravely. "Yes. I tried to get her to stop pretending, but she wouldn’t listen. It all caught up with her. One day, she locked herself in her room, and when we finally got in, we found her wrist bleeding. She’d cut herself."

Hearing this, Belle’s heart sank. Aurora, so delicate and sheltered, had been unprepared for the horrors of the outside world. Belle could empathize, remembering her own first experience with such terror. She’d spent days in bed, unable to eat, her mother’s comforting presence the only thing that had helped her heal.

"Poor Aurora," Belle murmured. "Should we visit her? Maybe seeing familiar faces will help."

Mia shook her head. "Maddie forbade it. She thinks Aurora needs to learn to rely on herself to heal. That’s why I stayed behind, otherwise, I would have gone with her."

Belle sighed in understanding. Maddie’s approach made sense. Despite being a princess, Maddie had always carried herself with humility and wisdom. It made people question if she was truly born a princess and not an adopted child of the royals. Her firm but loving guidance had shaped Aurora into a kind-hearted girl, despite the privilege that could have spoiled her.

Hezekiah’s respect for women was also a testament to her good parenting; it must have been hard taking care of them alone after the former King’s death. But both of them grew up well, a big achievement for Maddie.

"Then we will wait for her return," Belle said softly, and Mia nodded.

"Now, back to you...we need to talk," Mia said, her tone light but determined.

Belle chuckled nervously, already guessing the topic. "I promise we will talk as much as you want, but I need to see Hezekiah now. This might be my best chance to apologize before things get worse."

Mia gave her a scrutinizing look, clearly skeptical, but didn’t protest.

"I am not a fool, Belle. It’s about him again, isn’t it?" Mia said, shaking her head in exasperation at Belle’s naivety. She had hoped that over time Belle would grow stronger, bold enough to resist Quinn’s advances. Yet, it seemed Belle’s softness persisted, and Mia feared things would worsen if she didn’t step in. If only she hadn’t left Belle’s side a year ago, perhaps Belle wouldn’t still be this vulnerable.

"I don’t want to be the cause of a rift between two close friends. That’s why I didn’t ask the king to seek my revenge. I asked him to give me the strength so I could claim it myself," Belle said firmly, her voice carrying a quiet confidence that managed to reassure Mia, albeit partially.

Mia sighed, finding some logic in Belle’s reasoning. She could only hope that Belle’s actions were truly driven by a desire for justice and not by lingering emotions.

"Fine, I will wait for you in your room. Make sure you apologize properly," Mia said, adding a playful wink that made Belle’s cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"Stop it!" Belle exclaimed, lightly smacking Mia’s hand before hurrying off.

Mia burst into laughter, watching Belle retreat. She prayed silently for her friend, knowing Belle’s softness wasn’t entirely her fault. After all, Belle’s mother had been just as gentle-hearted, a trait that had led to her downfall.

No one knew the full story of how Belle’s parents met, as neither had ever shared it. But it was clear Belle’s mother had fallen for her father without realizing his true nature. By the time she did, it was too late, he had already brought her into his home, where she was rejected by his family. His wife tormented Belle’s mother mercilessly, and her father, ever the coward, turned a blind eye. The maltreatment got so serious that Belle’s mother became crippled from having endured so many beatings, yet, her father turned a blind eye to the abuse.

Belle’s mother had considered running away many times, but for Belle’s sake, she stayed, enduring the abuse until it eventually took her life. If only she had the strength to leave, she might have survived. Now, Mia feared Belle was walking the same perilous path, her gentle heart leaving her vulnerable. Belle’s mother will be unable to rest well if she sees her child suffering the same fate, so she would do everything she could to avoid that.

"I will never let you go back to him," Mia murmured to herself, turning and heading in the opposite direction.

---

Reaching Hezekiah’s quarters, Belle hesitated outside the door, taking a deep breath before knocking. She had barely raised her hand for a second knock when the door creaked open.

Relief flooded her, at least he wasn’t so angry that he refused to see her. But as she stepped inside, she was caught off guard. A firm hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her close to a strong, unyielding body.

Gasping, she looked up, her breath catching as her eyes met Hezekiah’s. His sudden proximity, so unlike him, left her wondering what had prompted such a gesture. Hezekiah had always maintained a careful distance, respecting her boundaries because of her past. Deep down, she had appreciated his restraint.

"Hezeki..." she began, but he silenced her with a finger pressed gently to her lips.

"Is this it? What makes him so irresistible?" He asked, his voice low, almost accusing. His words left Belle reeling. Was he speaking of Quinn?

"Hezekiah, I know you are angry, and I deserve it, but don’t say something you will regret," she said softly. "I am sorry for disrespecting you. I truly am." Her gaze met his, the sincerity in her eyes striking something deep within him.

His expression carried a restrained fury, but beneath it, there was something else...fear. She could see it in his eyes, though she couldn’t understand its source.

"Belle, do you know how much you drive me mad? From the moment I first saw you, all I have ever wanted was to make you mine, to treat you as you deserve. And now that I finally have the chance, you are giving another man the power to destroy it," he confessed, his voice tinged with anguish. His vulnerability caught her off guard.

"Are you afraid?" The question slipped out unbidden, but something told her it was the right one to ask.

"Yes," he admitted, dropping his head against her neck. His breath was warm against her skin, sending a shiver through her. "I am afraid of losing you, Belle. I regret agreeing to that deal. Every time he tries to sway you, I feel you slipping further away. Tell me, what can I do to keep you?"

Belle’s heart clenched at his words, her voice trembling as she asked, "Hezekiah, have you fallen in love with me?" She hoped it was just her imagination and it was a simple concern not love.

He lifted his head, his gaze locking with hers as he answered, "More than Quinn ever could."

Her breath hitched, the weight of his confession striking her deeply. Her greatest fear was now staring her in the face.