Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Belinda got to the tower a little bit late because of the distraction she met on her way there. She ran up the stairs as she couldn’t wait to see Prince Damon.

Getting to the top of the tower, she saw him staring at the sky, beautifully decorated with shining stars. A warm smile lit up her face as she quietly moved closer to him and embraced him from behind behind.

His eyes lit up with affection as his lips curled into a gentle, caring smile. “You’re late.” He whispered, turning to look at her.

“I’m sorry. I got delayed.” Belinda apologized, and Damon shook his head.

“You are elegant tonight.” He complimented. As he gazed into her eyes, his own became entranced, embarking on a journey of exploration across her face.

His eyes traversed her delicate features with an almost reverent curiosity, gently tracing the graceful curve of her jawline, the softness of her cheeks, and the subtle arch of her brows.

They lingered upon her inviting lips, imagining the taste of a stolen kiss, before returning to meet her gaze once again, as if silently conveying the depths of his affection and desire.

“I must look beautiful for you, Prince Damon.” Belinda said barely above whisper, loving how expressive his eyes were.

“You don’t even have to try, Belinda. You’re the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” Damon, once again, offered a compliment as his index finger delicately caressed her cheeks.

A soft breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, wrapping them in an embrace of nature's delicate perfume. Their eyes met, speaking volumes in the language of unspoken affection.

In that moment, time seemed to pause, allowing their hearts to synchronize in perfect harmony. Their souls danced to a melody only they could hear, creating a symphony of love that echoed in the depths of their beings.

With a tender smile, they leaned in, their lips meeting in a kiss that spoke of longing, tenderness, and a shared connection that transcended the boundaries of this world.

And then, in a moment of profound intimacy, they surrendered to the depths of their longing. Their mouths melded together, tongues dancing in a passionate rhythm, exploring each other with an intensity that ignited their very beings.

Breathing hard and moaning softly, Damon delicately broke the kiss and opened his eyes which was a pool of intensity, brimming with an overwhelming surge of emotions.

“I want to make love to you, Belinda.” Damon whispered as an unquenchable desire surges within him, igniting a longing to intertwine their bodies and souls.

“I want the same thing.” Belinda answered, extending her hand towards the buttons securing his trousers at the waist, she skillfully undid each one, gently releasing the hold they had on his garment.

Damon's hand gracefully trailed along the back of her dress, effortlessly gliding down the zipper, unveiling her with a gentle touch.

After Belinda shed her garments, she positioned herself before him, delicately guiding his hands to grasp her waist from behind. It was a silent invitation, an unspoken desire for him to enter her intimately while they remained standing.

With unwavering determination, fueled by an overwhelming fusion of longing and passion, Damon entered her, enveloping her fully with his throbbing hardness.

An unrestrained gasp escaped her parted lips as his initial thrust found its mark, awakening a surge of electrifying sensations.

“Uhm.” She moaned, throwing her head backward and grabbing his head with her right hand, pulling him closer to her.

Damon kept thrusting deeply into her, never letting go of her small waist, and Belinda leaned backwards to accommodate him.

After a few minutes, Damon arched and cried her name as he unintentionally exploded inside of her. He hugged her from behind as they both labored to breathe.

“I love you, Belinda.” As the words spilled from his lips, they carried an ethereal melody, a symphony of love and tenderness.

“I love you too, Prince Damon.”

She tilted her head slightly to plant a kiss on his cheek, before turning her head back.

“I want us to be like this forever, but I don’t see how this is going to happen.” Belinda added sadly.

Damon slowly withdrew from her and made her turn around to look at him.

“Listen, Belinda. You are my mate, and nothing is ever going to change that. We are going to be together forever someday, every soon, after we have proved to everyone you aren’t the person they think you are.”

“You are beautiful, kind, loving, confident, courageous, ambitious… You are everything you need to be. You are a role model to these ignorant people. When we make them realize this, then we can be together… forever.”

Damon's words had an enlightening effect on Belinda, causing tears to well up in her eyes without her even realizing it. She nodded, gently pressing her lips together, while she embraced him.

“It’s so sad it’s our last night together. I am going to miss you.” She mumbled as her face was buried in Damon’s chest.

“Don’t be sad about it. I’ll still be here, and I’ll still love you, the way I have always done.” He brushed her hair, planting a kiss on her head.

“Can we be like this for some time? I assure you, we'll depart before the first rooster heralds at dawn.” Belinda muttered.

“Yes, we can.” Damon answered, embracing her even tighter as he continued staring at the beautiful sky.

***

As Belinda lay peacefully in bed, the tranquility of her slumber was abruptly shattered by the sound of hushed voices echoing from just outside her room.

The distant murmur gradually grew louder, pulling her from the depths of sleep into a state of groggy consciousness.

Her eyes fluttered open, and a sense of bewilderment washed over her as the unfamiliar voices pierced through the silence of her room from the front of her door.

"What is going on?" she pondered, her mind racing with a mix of curiosity and concern. Sensing an urgency in the voices that had jolted her awake, she swiftly yanked off the sheets that covered her lower body, the cool air of the room caressing her skin and heightening her senses.

The floor felt cool beneath her bare feet as she moved toward the bedroom door, propelled by an insatiable curiosity to uncover the source of the disturbance. Her heart pounded in her chest, the rhythmic thumping echoing the uncertainty that gripped her mind.

"Miss Belinda, your attention is needed before the king right now. We are here to escort you there," one of the voices uttered, the words hanging in the air like a command.

The weight of the message sank into her consciousness, mingling with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"Before the king?" Belinda asked no one in particular, her voice laced with a mixture of surprise and intrigue. As she swung open her door, her eyes widened at the sight that greeted her.

Standing before her were about ten guards, each one donned in formidable armor and armed as though preparing for a battle of great magnitude.

"Please come with us, Miss Belinda," Ayman, who happened to have led the other guards, ordered with a respectful tone.

"Okay. Let me grab my robe," Belinda replied, realizing the need to present herself appropriately before the king. The realization washed over her that her current attire—a delicate silk nightgown—was inadequate for such a momentous occasion.

“You have a minute to do so, Miss Belinda.” Ayman added, and Belinda nodded slowly and walked back into her chamber.

Questions and uncertainties cascaded through her consciousness, each one vying for her attention. She racked her memory, trying to pinpoint any actions or events that could have led to this urgent summoning by the king.

After wearing a white, long dress over her nightgown, she shabbily brushed her hair, making them fall on her shoulders.

She stepped out of her chamber and signaled to Ayman to lead the way, which he did. She walked in the middle of Ayman and the other guardsmen that came with him.

As Belinda stepped into the throne room, she found herself confronted by a scene of both regality and unexpected distress.

Positioned atop their majestic thrones were the King and Queen, their countenances grave with concern. Prince Damon and Princess Megan stood nearby, their expressions reflecting a mix of worry and alarm.

However, what caught Belinda's attention most was Isla, whose appearance was marked by bloodstains and visible cuts adorning her face and arm.

A gasp escaped Belinda's lips as she took in the sight before her. The shock of seeing Isla in such a battered state sent waves of concern and empathy rushing through her.

"What happened?" The words slipped out of Belinda's mouth before she could filter her response, driven by her genuine concern for Isla's well-being and the urgency of the situation.

Isla's words echoed through the room, laced with anguish and tears. Her voice trembled as she confronted Belinda, her emotions pouring out in a torrent of pain and accusation.

"You dare ask what happened? Is your memory so conveniently limited that you fail to recall the harm you inflicted upon me?" Isla's voice quivered, her tears intermingling with her words.

Belinda recoiled, taken aback by Isla's outburst. The accusation struck her like a sudden blow, shattering the air of composure that had enveloped the room.

Belinda's voice carried a mix of confusion and genuine disbelief as she responded to Isla's accusation. Her brows furrowed, and her eyes searched Isla's face for answers, desperately trying to make sense of the situation.

Isla's words reverberated in the room, filled with desperation and anguish. Her accusation against Belinda seemed to be validated in her mind, as she sought the support and understanding of the royal family.

"Your Majesty!" Isla's voice cracked with emotion as she addressed the King, her distress palpable.

"You see, I wasn't wrong! She's trying to deny it, pretending to be innocent, all to make herself appear as the victim! That is why I had to get proof while she attacked me to expose the real her.”

As Belinda attempted to defend herself, her words faltered when the King interrupted her with a gesture.

His actions spoke louder than any words could as he lifted a familiar necklace, one that Belinda immediately recognized. It was her necklace, a piece she didn’t realize she had lost.

"My necklace," Belinda whispered, her voice filled with disbelief. As her eyes locked onto the precious piece of jewelry, a sudden surge of realization struck her with the force of a thunderbolt.

The room seemed to spin, and her heart clenched with a profound sense of betrayal.

The King's disappointment was palpable, casting a shadow over the room as Belinda struggled to find words to defend herself. His head shook slowly, an expression of disbelief and sorrow etched upon his face.

"You did it," the King muttered through gritted teeth, his voice filled with a mix of anger and sadness.

The King's words pierced through Belinda's heart like a dagger, causing it to plummet into the depths of her stomach. The weight of his disappointment and accusation settled heavily upon her, casting a dark cloud over the morning that had started with such promise.

She had never anticipated that her day would begin with such misfortune.