Divorce The Duke, Marry The King!
Chapter 91: A demon

Chapter 91: A demon

"You certainly do, Your Majesty. We would never speak falsely against our king. But please, consider the greater future of this kingdom," Minister Gregory implored, still kneeling alongside the others.

Belle’s father flicked his gaze toward her, a wicked smirk curling his lips, malice gleaming in his eyes.

"So, you suggest I abandon the child in her womb and forsake them both? What wise men you are!" Hezekiah sneered, stepping down from his throne and advancing toward the ministers. At his approach, they instinctively crawled backward, fear tightening their expressions.

"Your Majesty, please, calm yourself," Minister Gregory urged, his tone careful. He knew all too well that Hezekiah’s patience was thin, and the closer he drew, the greater the danger. Though the ministers held power, it had its limits, and only fools tested Hezekiah’s restraint. After the Duke of the North, Hezekiah was the most feared man in the kingdom. Those who had dared to rebel against his father had met gruesome ends, and Hezekiah was no gentler, if anything, he was worse.

"Should we yield for now?" One of the ministers beside Gregory whispered, sweat tracing down his temples.

Gregory shot him a withering glare. "Coward. We must negotiate, or our words will lose their weight entirely," he hissed, shoving him slightly. Even if one among them was sacrificed today, he would ensure they did not leave this battle empty-handed.

"Normally, I wouldn’t entertain counsel on my marriage from a group of old, useless ministers," Hezekiah remarked, now standing directly before them. "But for the sake of the kingdom’s peace, I will hear your proposition." His voice was calm, too calm. Only a fool would believe it was genuine.

"Your Majesty, if you are truly determined to wed her and make her queen, then let us place the decision in the hands of the Twelve Elders. If you do not trust us, surely you can trust their judgment," Minister Gregory proposed.

Hezekiah remained silent for a moment before bending to Gregory’s level.

"And how am I to believe you will not sway them to your will?" He murmured into Gregory’s ear.

"They will be confined within the palace until a decision is reached." Lifting his head to meet the king’s gaze, Gregory assured him.

Hezekiah held his stare, eyes narrowing, searching for any sign of weakness. But Gregory did not waver. The moment stretched between them before Hezekiah finally smiled, tapping Gregory’s shoulder as he straightened.

Returning to his throne, he turned to the court and declared, "It is decided, the Twelve Elders shall deliver the final verdict. A decision I trust will be fair. Otherwise..." He paused, lowering his gaze upon the ministers, letting the weight of his unspoken threat settle over them. None failed to grasp its meaning.

"Your wish is their final say," Minister Gregory affirmed.

"I hope so," Hezekiah muttered before turning to Belle, extending his hand. "My lady, shall we?"

Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his, and together they descended from the throne.

"His Majesty, King Hezekiah, takes his leave," the announcer proclaimed, prompting the gathered nobles to bow in unison as they stepped forward.

As they passed through the hall, Belle’s gaze fell upon her father, who offered her a knowing smile. Her fists clenched at her sides, fury simmering beneath her skin. She longed to strike him down where he stood.

"Trust me, your moment will come," Hezekiah murmured, as though reading her very thoughts. Belle exhaled sharply, shifting her gaze forward, unwilling to let his words stir her further.

The moment they stepped beyond the hall’s entrance, she abruptly yanked her hand from his grip and strode away, not sparing him a single glance.

"Belle, we need to talk!" He called after her, but she did not falter, her steps carrying her farther from him. Even from where he stood, he could feel the anger radiating from her. He knew he deserved it. He had made decisions behind her back, thrusting her into humiliation before the court. Worse still, he had underestimated the ministers, foolishly believing they would not side with her father. Who would have thought that man held such influence, even over Minister Gregory, the very leader of the ministers?

"Investigate them," he ordered, his tone sharp. Steve, now standing at his side, inclined his head in acknowledgment.

"Your Majesty, there is a problem. The vampires have sent a message..." Steve produced a scroll and extended it toward him. "They have declared war."

Hezekiah’s head snapped toward him, eyes darkening. Snatching the scroll, he tore it open, scanning its contents. Realizing they were still in the open, he turned sharply on his heel and stalked toward his quarters, his fury mounting with each step.

Just when he had begun to set things right, another disaster arose. First, his ministers betrayed him. Now, the vampires waged war.

He was prepared for battle, but not now, when Belle’s chances of carrying his child had never been higher. It was the worst possible time. The vampires would not make such a declaration without confidence, and if they struck first, it meant they had a formidable advantage. Worse yet, their secret experiments on vamp-wolves had not gone unnoticed.

"What of Quinn? Has he seen this message?" He asked, his pace brisk.

"He is restricted from entering the castle under your orders. Ray sent the message across," Steve reminded him.

Hezekiah halted, his gaze snapping to Steve. "I do not need a reminder of my own orders," he growled, his fists clenching.

Steve immediately lowered his head in submission.

"Fetch me the fastest horse, one that is not my own. We ride to the Duke’s estate," he commanded, striding away.

Steve bowed before swiftly departing to make preparations.

As Hezekiah neared his quarters, Belle’s face surfaced in his mind. His fists tightened further.

His mating night with her was set for tomorrow. He could not leave her seething in anger, not now. What good would come of it if she resented him when the time arrived? He had denied her the freedom to choose, but he still wanted her to come to him willingly.

Without another thought, he veered off course, heading straight for her chambers.

Reaching her chamber, Hezekiah knocked once, but no response came. Just as he lifted his hand to knock again, the door creaked open. Exhaling, he stepped inside.

"Belle, I have wronged you, but I do not regret it. I am sorry you were humiliated today, I swear it was never my intention. I did not expect the ministers to align themselves with your father," he admitted, wasting no time on pleasantries.

"I do not need an apology, I demand explanations." Her back remained turned to him as she spoke, her voice calm but resolute. "Why did you do it? Why did you move the date forward? Why did you announce my pregnancy? Why do you keep making decisions behind my back despite our agreement? I do not want an apology, I want answers."

"I will explain everything once I return. I must leave now for an urgent matter," he urged, hoping she would grant him patience.

At last, she turned to face him, her gaze landing on the scroll in his grasp. Her brow furrowed. "Is it the vampires?"

"Yes. That is all I can tell you for now." He knew she would press for more if he did not answer directly.

"I have trained diligently, and my instructor can vouch for my progress, especially in archery. I hope you keep your word soon." Her confidence was unwavering, a quiet reminder of the promise he had made.

"I will...once I return," he assured her. She exhaled, nodding.

"Come back safe and with your tongue intact," she added.

A faint smile touched his lips. Her anger had eased, and with it, so had the guilt weighing on his conscience. Had things not unraveled as they had, he would have abided by his rule of avoiding her until their mating night. But who would have thought his own ministers would stand against her for such a petty reason?

Stepping closer, he reached out, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. "I will," he promised.

Then he leaned in, his lips mere breaths from hers. But just as he was about to claim them, she flinched, breaking the moment.

"Ah! I am sorry," she blurted, stepping back. "I am just... tense."

"It is fine. I caused this, and for that, I am sorry. Wait for me." Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, he then turned and left.

The moment he was gone, Belle sank to the floor, inhaling deeply as if steadying herself. The confrontation in the hall had been overwhelming, and had Hezekiah not left when he did, she might have lost control in front of them all, especially before her father.

That man did not deserve the title of a father. He was a beast. No, worse than a beast. A demon.

But this time, she would not let him win. No matter how long it took.

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