Chapter 16: Chapter 16

“Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!” On the window next to Belinda, a bird perched and chirped.

“Uhmm.” Belinda moaned softly in reaction to the sound that disturbed her sleep.

The noise of the bird’s wing flapping as if it flew away finally made her open her eyes. The morning brightness seemed too much for her eyes, so she quickly shut it again.

She held onto the chair and sat up properly. She slightly opened her eyes and kept it slightly open until she could adjust to the brightness.

She looked around her and remembered that she was guarding the boundaries and that was why she fell asleep in the tower.

She looked directly in front of her and she also recalled that Prince Damon was standing on that exact spot the previous night.

In a flash, she saw the prince’s face very close to hers. She creased her brows and slowly caressed her lips.

‘Did that truly happen? Did he…’

She sprang to her feet and shook her head. “It was just a stupid dream.” She uttered, and looked down the tower again to behold the beauty of the kingdom.

The morning dew covered most of the houses and trees, making it look extremely beautiful.

“Wow.” She uttered with a smile.

‘I should go back to the palace. Princess Megan must have been looking for me.’

She climbed down the stairs and out of the tower and hit the road back to the palace. As she walked, she couldn’t stop thinking about the Prince.

‘When did he leave? What if he stayed till morning? I should have been the one watching, not him. I let him do all the work alone and I was busy having a stupid dream.’

She got to the palace shortly and as she headed into the palace through the gate, she bumped into someone.

“I’m so sorry.” She uttered, as the papers in the hands of the young man she hit fell to the ground.

“It’s nothing.” He answered softly and a beam lit up his face. He squatted to pick the papers and so did Belinda.

As they both picked the papers, the young man kept stealing glances of her “I finally got the chance to meet you in person.” He said, and Belinda looked at him.

“What?” She asked as they both stood up. She gave him the papers and he collected them from her.

“I have always been seeing you in the palace, but I never knew how to approach you. You’re Belinda, right?”

“How do you know my name?” She asked in surprise.

He chuckled and looked at her. “You’re way more famous than you think. The strange girl in the place. Who wouldn’t hear about you?” He teased, and Belinda faintly smiled.

She wasn’t sure how to respond to that.

“Well, I am Reggie, the first Beta of the Moonlove Pack.” He added and stretched his hand to her. She shook it and gave a slight bow.

“I’m Belinda…”

“I know. And I must say, you are very beautiful.” He complimented, and Belinda let out a warm smile.

Her cheeks and her ear reddened very fast. It was the first time a man was going to call her beautiful.

“Thank you.” She responded shyly.

Megan was taking a walk with Yolanda and one other Beta when she sighted Belinda chatting with Reggie.

“Belinda, you’re back!” Megan called from where they were, and Belinda looked at them and smiled.

“Yes!” She looked at Reggie and said; “Sorry, I have to go.”

“See you later.” Reggie answered and watched her walk away.

“I was going to come to your chamber.” Belinda added and stopped walking when she got to them.

“Good morning Yolanda. Good morning.” She greeted the other Beta. She had no idea what her name was. Yolanda ignored her greeting, and so did the Beta.

“Really? Well, it seemed to me like you were enjoying your conversation with Reggie.” Megan teased, and Belinda grinned and shook her head.

“No, I bumped into him and had to help him pick the papers that fell.” She explained.

“Hmm, it’s all good, okay? I was just joking. This is Isla. One of Blue Moon Pack’s Betas, one of the five packs in our kingdom. Soon, you’ll get to know everyone in our pack, and later, everyone in the Moonlove Kingdom. If that is possible.” Megan uttered, and they both chuckled.

“There won’t be a need for that. She’ll be leaving soon anyway, right?” Isla rudely asked.

Belinda gulped hard and looked away.

“No, she wouldn’t. My father is totally fine with her staying here.” Megan answered and looked at Belinda again.

“You should go and clean up. We are headed somewhere, but I’ll be back soon.” She said to her.

“No, you wouldn’t. You’ll be coming with me to my room.” Yolanda whispered in Megan’s ear, and Megan chuckled.

“I may not come back soon though.” She added, and Belinda smiled feebly.

“Okay, my Princess. I’ll leave now.” She answered and began to walk away.

Isla rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Why do I feel she’s so fake? She acts like she’s innocent and respectful, but she isn’t!”

“I thought I was the only one feeling that way about it. It’s like she has brainwashed Megan.” Yolanda added.

“No, Yolanda. No one brainwashed me. And for you Isla, you’re meeting her for the first time, you can’t just judge her.”

“Of course, I can, Princess Megan. I have heard a lot of things about her. She better stay away from Reggie. He is mine.” Isla added.

“Yours? Are you dating now?” Megan asked.

“Not yet. But I have this huge crush on him. I’ll tell him about it soon. I think he likes me too.” She answered shyly.

“Go girl!” Megan and Yolanda chorused, making them burst into laughter.

***

“My Queen, Maisie Baron is here to see you. She said you gave her the permission to come over anytime she wants.”

Marlena’s guards spoke from outside her chamber’s door.

“Oh, I know her. Let her in.” Marlena answered from where she laid.

The door opened, and Maisie walked in. She saw Queen Marlena lying on the bed and her maids were busy giving her a massage.

“Queen Marlena.” Maisie called happily.

Marlena looked at her and smiled widely. “Hey darling. How are you today?” She inquired.

“I am very fine, My Queen. I’m excited to be here today. Not just here, but inside your chamber. I have never been happier.” Maisie uttered, and Marlena chuckled.

“That’s enough. You can go now.” She said to her maids. They got off her bed and headed out of the chamber.

“Come closer, dear.” She said to Maisie, and she excitedly moved closer to her bed. She bowed and smiled happily.

“Sit, dear. Thank you so much for the necklace. I love it so much.” Marlena stated, and Maisie shook her head.

“You don’t have to thank me, My Queen. I’m so glad you love it. I promise to bring more beautiful things for you, because I love you so much. I’ve always wanted to talk to you. You’re so beautiful, kind and caring. And you don’t have to ask how I know this, everyone knows this.”

Marlena chuckled and shook her head. “You sure know how to make one’s heart flutter. She answered, and Maisie grinned.

“I don’t think so, My Queen. If only I can make the Prince’s heart flutter. Then I can accept that compliment.” She answered, and sadness washed off the excitement on her face.

Marlena sighed and held Maisie’s hand. “I know how tough it is to be rejected by someone you really like, but if you have the chance to fight for it, won’t you do it?”

“Of course, I will, my queen. But I don’t have that chance. Prince Damon never gives any woman a chance. Many people and maidens have told me this.”

“But have you tried finding that out yourself? As his mother, I want the best for him, Maisie. I know my son well too. Damon knows how to bottle whatever feelings he has for reasons best known to him. You can never know who he likes until he decides to show you. I want you to try moving close to him. You are a good woman, and he deserves a good woman.”

Maisie lowered her head shyly and her cheeks flushed. “Thank you for the compliment, My Queen. I’ll try my best to get closer to him. But can I ask if he has any woman in mind?”

“Damon? A woman? I don’t think so. If he has one, I’d know. He is pretty difficult to deal with, but if you’re patient enough. Maybe he will let you in. I want him in good hands, and your hands are pretty good. Make him love you. I’ll help you anyway I can. Out of all the maidens that have ever shown up here, you succeeded in stealing my heart. So I’ll help you.”

Maisie bobbed and hugged the queen out of nowhere. “I’m so happy right now. Thank you so much, Queen Marlena. Thank you.”

Tears of joy rolled down Maisie’s eyes as she embraced Marlena. Marlena chuckled and embraced her too.

“Now, do me a favor.” Marlena uttered, and Maisie broke the hug and looked at her face.

“Go to Damon’s chamber and ask him out on a walk. Tell him I asked you to come to him. He wouldn’t want to refuse if he knew I sent you.”

“My Queen, I don’t think…”

“Trust me, Maisie. Go.” Marlena uttered, and Maisie bobbed happily. She stood up from the bed and said; “I’ll be back with good news.”

***

Belinda headed to Damon’s chamber after freshening up. ‘I need to put up an excuse to see him. I can tell him I need him to teach me more sword fighting skills.’

‘I need to be sure that kiss was just a dream, because it seemed too real to me. Maybe seeing him will help me know.’

‘Or maybe you just miss him and want to see him again.’ Her inner self spoke, and she sighed.

“Whatever.”

She drew closer to his chamber, and took an abrupt stop when she saw a young beautiful woman talking to him in front of his chamber.

“Who is that?” She moved closer to take a better look, just to check if she looked familiar. As she moved closer, Damon saw her.

He clenched his jaw as their eyes locked.

“…I can tell her you are not in the mood to go on a walk. It’s pretty understandable.” Maisie uttered, and turned to leave.

“Wait!” Damon grabbed her hand, making her stop. “Let’s go.”

Belinda’s breath ceased as she watched him hold her. She blinked severally and stared at the both of them. The lady held his hand and they both walked away.

Tears unconsciously heated Belinda’s eyes as she watched them hold hands and leave. It was as if her heart was pierced with a spear.

‘What was I even thinking, coming here in the first place?’ She thought, cleaning her tears with her hand. She turned and began to walk away.

‘The way she looked at him… It hurts.’