Chapter 20: Chapter 20

~ After A Month~

‘It’s over a month since Prince Damon told me to stay away from him. Even though I tried to keep to his words, I find myself drowning even more in his love. I keep wanting to see him everyday, even though we don’t talk anymore. He never tried to talk to me since he saw me with Reggie, he is with Miss Maisie now, but I still can’t forget about him and that dream I had on the tower. What should I do? He’d never love me back.’

“Belinda! Belinda! Are you preparing?” Megan's question was followed by her knock on Belinda’s chamber door.

Belinda snapped out of her thought and stared into the mirror that she sat in front of. “I’m also done, Princess Megan.” She answered.

She stood up and headed to the door. She opened the door, and Megan rushed in with a bag in her hand. She dropped the bag on the bed and took a close look at Belinda’s outfit.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to my father’s birthday feast dressed like that.” Megan muttered, showing disappointment and disgust.

Belinda looked down at herself again, wondering what was wrong with her dress. It was a white plain dress, long and straight.

“What’s wrong with it, Princess Megan? It’s one of my best dresses.” Belinda tried to defend herself.

“Oh please! You have worn this dress multiple times, and you still want to show up to my father’s feast in it? Over my dead body.”

Megan turned and picked up the bag she brought. She unzipped it and pulled out some royal blue clothing. She excitedly lifted the fabric in her hand and grinned.

“This is your outfit for tonight!” She exclaimed.

“Wow.” Belinda exclaimed as she saw the absolute beauty held up in front of her. “What is this dress?” She asked in awe of it.

“This is a Polonaise! Here is the corset, bodice, petticoat, and skirt adorned with beautiful embroideries! All in Royal blue! Isn’t this beautiful?!” Megan explained in excitement.

“Yes, it is beautiful, My Princess!”

“Great! So here is your outfit for tonight. Change out of that thing you call a dress and put this on.” I’ll help you out.” Megan added.

“But, Princess Megan. I shouldn’t wear this. This is a dress for Upper-Class women. I am just a slave. I should pretend to be who I am not, Princess Megan. I can’t accept this.” Belinda uttered and moved back.

Megan sighed and shook her head. “Belinda, I have always told you… you are my younger sister. You’re part of the family, and you’re no slave…”

“Only you take me as part of the family, Princess Megan. I’m not worthy of these treatments. I’m a commoner, please let me appear as one.”

“No, Belinda! I told my mother to get two dresses. One for me, and one for you! Do you want the effort of the queen to be a waste?” Megan was offended.

“No, but…”

“No buts, Belinda! I’m not pleading with you. I am ordering you to wear this for tonight.”

Belinda gulped hard and slowly bounced her head. She let out a smile and stepped closer to Megan. “Thank you so much, Princess Megan.”

“Shhh! Don’t thank me.” She placed her finger on Belinda’s lips. “The event starts in an hour. Let’s get you dressed.”

“But what about you? Won’t you get dressed?” Belinda asked worriedly.

“I have maids, Belinda. You don’t. They will get me dressed in no time. Let’s focus on you so that I can get dressed too.”

Belinda nodded and hastily pulled off the white dress she wore, leaving her in her chemise.

“Remove that too. The bodice will be directly on your skin.” Megan told as she lifted the bodice and showed it to her.

After Belinda was naked, Megan began to clothe her with the dress she had prepared for her, and in no time, she was done.

“Now… look at yourself in the mirror!” Megan uttered excitedly. She was loving Belinda’s look already. Belinda eagerly stood in front of her mirror, and when she saw herself, her jaw dropped.

“Oh my… it’s so beautiful. The skirt is…” She was left speechless.

“Gorgeous, right? Gold embroideries on a royal blue dress is the best combination! And the Bertha neck-line fits you perfectly! You’re beautiful, Belinda.” Megan complimented.

Belinda’s cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head shyly. “Thank you, Princess Megan. You’re so sweet.”

“Yes, I am!” Megan boasted playfully, and made Belinda sit in front of the mirror. “Let’s do something about your beautiful hair. Do you know you have one of the most beautiful hair colors in the world?”

“Really?” Belinda asked and looked at Megan through the mirror.

“Yes!” Megan bobbed. “Your hair is brunette. I envy your hair color so much.”

“But yours seems perfect too.” Belinda asked, and Megan chuckled. “That’s true! Blonde is beautiful too!” Megan answered.

They kept chatting and chatting until she finished dressing her hair. She parted her hair in the middle and drew it into a bun. She also made curls that were allowed to fall loosely at the sides of her head.

“What do you think? Perfect?!” Megan asked, and Belinda nodded.

“You’ve turned me into a goddess.” Belinda uttered, and Megan chuckled.

“You are a goddess. Now let’s touch your face a little. You have a beautiful natural look, but you can never go wrong with a blush and tinted lips.”

Megan reached for her bag again and touched Belinda’s face a little. When she was done, she stood akimbo behind Belinda and stared at her face through the mirror.

“The men are about to go crazy tonight, Belinda! Trust me!”

“Thank you, Princess Megan. But you should go and prepare too. I’ll wait for you at the feast.” Belinda hurried her up and Megan nodded.

“Right! She packed all she had used for Belinda into the bag she brought and headed to the door. “Keep your head up tonight, sister! And wear your shoes! I dropped them on the bed!” She added before finally leaving.

‘She loves me so much.’ Belinda thought, staring at her beautiful self again and smiling.

***

Belinda got to where the feast was being celebrated. It was in a very large hall that had been locked since she got there.

She was told the hall was opened only for big events and celebrations like the King and Queen’s Birthday.

Belinda could notice that people that passed by kept staring at her. She knew she was going to pull attention to herself with how she dressed, but she didn’t have a choice.

Princess Megan wanted it that way, she had to comply. She walked into the hall from the main entrance, and when she stepped in, her jaw dropped… again.

The interior of the hall was highly decorated with flowers and beautiful fluorescent lights. She moved to her right and began to take note of every detail in the hall.

‘I must say this is the most beautiful gathering I have ever been to. The presence of people with great caliber and statutes dancing and chatting even adds more beauty to the feast. Such a great life to yearn for. If only I was born into a Royal family…’

“Belinda?” Reggie called as she sighted her from where she stood. He was so shocked and surprised to see her looking so beautiful and expensive.

“Reggie.” She answered and let out a large smile.

“You look… absolutely stunning!” Reggie complimented, checking her out in awe.

“Thank you. You look very handsome too.” She replied, and Reggie chuckled.

“Don’t flatter me. Before you start pulling the attention of the suitors present tonight, can I please have this dance?” Reggie asked, and bowed to her.

“Dance? Reggie, I can’t dance. I’ve never done it before.” She answered, looking around uncomfortably.

“Then, let me be your teacher. I’ll teach you. Please don’t say no.” Reggie pouted and looked at her with pleading eyes.

“Okay.” Belinda nodded, and he nodded.

“Beautiful.”

He held her hand and pulled her to the dance floor. Belinda looked around nervously and realized people were staring at her.

“This was a bad idea.” She whispered.

“Ignore them, and focus on me.” Reggie uttered and began to move slowly, helping her move with him.

“See? You’re doing it.” Reggie said, and Belinda chuckled. She looked up and her eyes fell on Prince Damon. He was on the dance floor with Maisie too.

Belinda clenched her jaw and swallowed hard. ‘When did he get here?’

“You see? It’s not that hard. All you need is to follow my lead.” Maisie said to Damon in excitement, and Damon nodded slowly. His eyes were on Belinda.

‘She looks so pretty tonight. Why is she with Reggie again? Are they a thing? Why does he keep going to her? Isn’t he supposed to be with Isla?’

Damon stopped paying attention to Maisie and the dance. Instead, all his attention was on Belinda. He couldn’t stop staring at her.

He saw Reggie move his mouth closer to her ears to whisper something to her… this made him more furious.

‘Get your hands off her, you thwart!’ He yelled in his head. “I can’t take this anymore! I’m going to kill Reggie!”

Maisie noticed Damon wasn’t paying attention to her anymore, so she leaned closer and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Belinda saw her do this, and she gulped hard and hastily looked away.

“Why did you do that?” Damon asked within gritted teeth. He looked at Maisie with anger and disgust.

“Reggie, I need some fresh air.” Belinda said to him, and before he could question her, she let go of him, lifted her dress and ran out of the hall.

“I did it because you seemed lost. I wanted to pull you back.” Maisie uttered.

Damon clenched his jaw and let go of her. “I’ll be back soon. Mingle with others.” He uttered and hurried out of the hall before Maisie could get a hold of him.

‘What is wrong with him? Why was he staring at that lady?’ Maisie thought in fury.

“Belinda!” Damon called as he ran after her, and she took an abrupt halt. She looked back and saw him running towards her.

She cleaned her teary face with the glove on her hand and tried to keep a straight face.

“Prince Damon, do you need anything?” She asked as soon as he got closer.

“Yes, I need something... I need you.” He muttered. He grabbed her hand and pulled her with him.