Divorce The Duke, Marry The King!
Chapter 73: A bad boy

Chapter 73: A bad boy

As Quinn made his way to the dungeon, the murmurs of the castle staff followed him like a whispering wind. Everyone seemed to have their own theories about the situation, though few knew the full truth.

Ray appeared beside him, his expression grim as he reported, "We have subdued them, and they are now secured in the central dungeon. What are your orders?"

"Wait," Quinn replied, his tone clipped. The answer confused Ray, but he merely nodded, trusting his superior’s judgment.

"And get me some proper clothes," Quinn added, a smirk curling his lips. "We wouldn’t want your king losing his temper every time he sees me like this."

Ray frowned but obeyed, though he couldn’t help but note Quinn’s amusement. Quinn relished in Hezekiah’s simmering anger, fully aware that the king had glimpsed the scene in the bathroom. He likely believed Quinn had been entirely naked. The sight of him in torn, half-ruined trousers might have softened that fury slightly, but Quinn knew how to play the long game. By willingly accepting his time in the dungeon, he killed two birds with one stone, protecting Belle’s reputation and ensuring the rumors didn’t spiral out of control.

---

Two days passed since the incident, and Quinn remained confined in the dungeon. This could only mean Belle had yet to awaken. He wasn’t overly concerned about her survival, he knew she was strong, but he couldn’t shake the worry that she might suffer lingering effects from the venom.

The familiar scent reached him before the footsteps did, and Quinn smirked, already knowing who his guest was.

"Has she finally woken up?" He asked, his voice calm as his gaze landed on Hezekiah’s steady, unreadable eyes.

"Not yet," Hezekiah replied, his tone composed. "I am here for another matter."

Quinn shifted his stance, removing his hands from his pockets. "The floor is yours," he said, watching as Hezekiah stepped closer to the bars.

"Were you being honest when you said you wouldn’t chase after her again?" Hezekiah asked, his voice cutting through the silence.

Quinn chuckled softly, already predicting the question. "Yes, I was serious," he said, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "But it seems I might have been wrong to make that promise. You can’t protect her."

The accusation didn’t faze Hezekiah, who stood firm, his expression calm. "I would agree if you hadn’t broken her heart and driven her to me in the first place. You could have protected her back then, but you chose not to. Now you are stepping back in because you can’t stand the thought of another man loving her?" His words were laced with venom, a deliberate jab at Quinn’s past failures.

Quinn’s smirk faded briefly, but his composure held. "We all make mistakes," he said, his voice quieter but no less firm. "And I intend to correct mine."

Hezekiah scoffed, his lips curling in disdain. "She doesn’t want you anymore, not as a partner, at least. Why do you keep insisting on a relationship that’s already failed?"

Quinn took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. "You may have lived with her longer than I did, but you don’t know her like I do. I know she wants revenge, that she wants to make me pay. I am not chasing her to change her mind. I am chasing her because I want her to have the happy ending she deserves."

Hezekiah clenched his fists, the words striking a nerve. One of his deepest regrets was not understanding Belle fully during their time together. He had given her space in the name of healing, but now he questioned whether that had been the right choice after all.

"If you truly knew her, you wouldn’t have believed words that weren’t hers. You wouldn’t have abandoned her when she needed you most, nor would you have allowed her to miscarry your child, Quinn. Can’t you see? You are the unwanted person here," Hezekiah retorted, his voice cutting deep, pushing Quinn’s composure to the edge.

"Would you have been any different in my shoes?" Quinn asked, his tone sharp yet low.

"I might not have been," Hezekiah admitted. "But I wouldn’t have hurt her so cruelly, all in the name of vengeance for falsehoods you never even confirmed. You weren’t even remorseful when she lost your child. And now? Now you want to die for her? Doesn’t that reek of hypocrisy?"

"It does," Quinn admitted, his jaw tightening. "But I don’t think, I act. If she truly wants you, I will help her. But if you ever hurt her the way I did, I won’t hesitate to avenge her."

Hezekiah shook his head, his voice laced with scorn. "Just remember, she wouldn’t even be alive today if I hadn’t saved her that day. You have no right to claim responsibility for her life now. You are nothing but bad luck for her."

Quinn clenched his fists but forced himself to remain calm. "Fine. I will step back for a few days and see how well you protect her. If you fail, I will resume my responsibility for her."

"I don’t need your deal, Quinn. I will. protect her without you looming in the shadows. And when she forgets you so fast it breaks you, remember it was you who drove her away," Hezekiah spat before turning and leaving the dungeon.

Quinn exhaled deeply, watching him go. "I hope you keep your word, Kia. I have no intention of gambling with her life again," he muttered to himself, his voice heavy with regret, before retreating into silence.

---

Hezekiah left the dungeon and made his way to Belle’s room. Inside, Mia sat beside her, her eyes heavy with exhaustion as she fought to stay awake.

"You can leave now. I will take over," Hezekiah said softly, tapping Mia on the shoulder.

Startled, she woke with a start, hurriedly wiping the corners of her mouth. "You don’t have to. I am not tired yet," she protested, her voice groggy but determined.

"If Belle wakes today, I don’t want her crying when she sees you in this state. Go rest. Come back tomorrow, you will need your strength, especially since I will be leaving the castle soon and will need you to watch over her in my stead," he reasoned.

Mia hesitated but eventually conceded, bowing before she left.

Hezekiah took her place at Belle’s bedside, his gaze softening as he looked at her peaceful but unconscious form. Picking up the towel, he gently dabbed at her forehead, then took her hand in his, patting it with a tenderness he rarely displayed.

"Do you truly want him or me?" He murmured, his voice tinged with a rare vulnerability. "I am growing impatient, Belle. You need to choose."

His chest rose and fell with a sigh, the weight of his helplessness bearing down on him. He had countless opportunities to claim her heart, yet he had waited, wanting to be the gentleman. But it seemed Belle’s heart leaned toward the fire and recklessness of the "bad boy."

"Is that what you want, Belle? A bad boy?" He whispered, his voice cracking faintly as he searched her serene face for answers she couldn’t yet give.