Divorce The Duke, Marry The King!
Chapter 49: Play hard to get

Chapter 49: Play hard to get

It was then that Quinn began piecing it all together. The evidence had been glaringly obvious, almost too perfect as if someone had orchestrated it all, ensuring he would see and believe every detail. But his foster mother? Why would she do that? She had always appeared to advocate for Belle. Unless...

"My foster mother hates Belle?" He asked aloud, the realization dawning on him.

"Obviously! Honestly, you are even more naive than Belle. You two are a perfect match—except not anymore," Mia noted, sighing as she crossed her arms. She couldn’t help but feel bad for them. One was gullible, the other too soft. How could their relationship have ever stood a chance?

"What about her sneaking out? Was that also a setup?" Quinn inquired further, his mind racing.

"She did sneak out, but only because she wanted to surprise you. She felt bad for not giving you anything since your marriage. I warned her it could lead to misunderstandings, but Belle is ridiculously softhearted. As for what the surprise was, you will have to ask her yourself. I am not spilling that secret," Mia explained, her tone a mix of irritation and pity.

Quinn felt a knot tightening in his chest. Everything he had believed, all the accusations he had thrown at Belle, it could all have been lies. His foster mother had known him too well, understood his vulnerabilities and traumas. Could she have weaponized them against him? But why? She had taken him in after the death of his biological mother, offering to be his parent. Why destroy his happiness now?

"If this turns out to be a lie, you will pay with your life," Quinn growled and threatened, clenching his fists before turning to leave.

"Do yourself a favor and interrogate her subordinates, not her. Let’s not have you getting duped again, huh?" Mia quipped with a mocking laugh, watching him storm away.

Just as Quinn disappeared down the corridor, Belle emerged from the path leading to the King’s quarters, her expression strained and sorrowful.

Mia rushed to her side, grabbing her hands as soon as she reached her. "What happened? Did he lay a hand on you?! That bastard! I will kill him!" She released Belle’s hands and started to march off toward Hezekiah, but Belle quickly pulled her back.

"No! He didn’t touch me," Belle assured her, her voice trembling. "There’s... there’s something you should know. Let’s go to my room."

Without waiting for further explanation, Mia began dragging Belle toward her quarters, determined to get to the bottom of whatever had happened.

Once they arrived, Mia made Belle sit on a chair while she perched herself on the desk, towering over her friend. "Tell me everything. What happened?" She demanded, her eyes boring into Belle with unrelenting curiosity.

Belle sighed, realizing there was no use in hiding the truth. "It’s Hezekiah. He’s fallen in love with me," she confessed, lowering her head as though bracing for Mia’s disappointment.

Instead, Mia’s response left her stunned. "So? Did he touch you?" She asked nonchalantly, as though the revelation of Hezekiah’s feelings was nothing out of the ordinary.

"No! I am saying he’s in love with me. That’s a big problem," Belle clarified, her frustration evident.

At that, Mia burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as she doubled over. Belle furrowed her brows, wondering which part of her words sounded funny.

"You..." Mia began, only to dissolve into laughter once more. She struggled to compose herself before continuing, "You are upset because he’s in love with you? And here I thought he had the audacity to lay a hand on you. You really had me going there." Her laughter grew even louder, filling the room.

"Mia, don’t you understand?" Belle countered, exasperated. "I *can’t* fall in love with him. Our goal is revenge, and we can’t achieve that if emotions get in the way. I would feel awful knowing he loves me while I am only using him."

But Mia’s laughter only grew more irritating, pushing Belle to her limits.

"Nothing about this is funny!" She snapped, pouting her lips as she folded her arms, her frustration evident in her furrowed brow and the way she turned away from Mia in a huff.

"Alright, I am sorry," Mia said, finally reigning in her laughter. "But you are just so adorable—and, forgive me for saying, completely stupid. Why on earth would you feel guilty over someone else’s feelings? Belle, I really wish my mother had raised you. You don’t seem to understand how life works. It’s perfectly fine not to reciprocate someone’s love. You are entitled to choose who you give your heart to." Taking Belle’s hands, Mia softened her tone, hoping her words would resonate.

Sometimes she wished Belle had been raised with more discipline. Though Mia occasionally envied the gentleness of Belle’s late mother, she certainly didn’t envy the sheltered ignorance that came with it. Belle had been so protected from the world’s harsher realities that, without her tragic experiences, she might have remained entirely oblivious to the way people operated.

"I understand," Belle said quietly, though her face remained troubled. "But think about it, wouldn’t that make me just like the people I am seeking revenge against? Using him for my benefit and then leaving him behind? It would destroy him, just like it destroyed me. I can’t let him suffer like that."

Mia’s expression softened as she considered Belle’s perspective. Though she appreciated her friend’s kind heart, she knew there were more practical ways to handle the situation.

"Yes, it might hurt him," Mia admitted. "But Belle, remember you told him from the beginning that you would never love him. That’s the difference. You cared enough to be honest about your intentions. The people who hurt you didn’t. Besides, if he’s willingly allowing himself to be used, the fault lies with him, not you."

Mia’s reasoning seemed to ease Belle’s conscience slightly.

"So... what should I do?" Belle asked, her voice hesitant but hopeful.

A mischievous grin spread across Mia’s face as an idea struck her. "I have always wanted to play hard to get with a man, but it seems I will have to pass that opportunity on to you. First, did he say anything specific about choices? Options he gave you, perhaps?"

Belle nodded, recalling the conversation. "Yes, he said if I choose the second option, he will treat me as a woman should be treated and walk the path with me. Otherwise, he promised to never bring it up again and pretend he doesn’t love me."

Mia’s smile turned devilish. "We will choose the first option, of course. You are unmarried, aren’t you? But here’s the catch, you will need to make someone suffer for it. No more guilt or pity. Quinn needs to feel the same pain you did, even if he’s realized his mistakes."

Belle’s confusion deepened. "What makes you think he has?" She asked, thinking back to their heated argument earlier that morning. He had seemed furious, like he might strangle her if given the chance.

Mia smirked knowingly. "Because I told him everything."

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