Chapter 44: Chapter 44

"Miss Belinda, would you like to present your defense?" King Talos inquired, prompting Queen Marlena to hastily rise from her seat.

"Is it truly necessary?" Queen Marlena retorted, her voice laced with skepticism. "The evidence is already in your possession. Any words she speaks would surely be falsehoods. Why would anyone concoct such a fabrication?" Isla nodded in agreement, feigning intense discomfort.

Belinda came to the realization that Isla had betrayed her, and her previous attempt at an apology was insincere.

"She only befriended me to destroy me," Belinda realized, recalling how Isla had taken the necklace from her during their embrace. She was fully aware that the necklace had been in her possession before leaving her chambers.

Princess Megan, still bewildered by the situation, rose from her seat.

"Father, I believe this accusation is unfounded. Miss Belinda was in my company from yesterday until this morning," Princess Megan asserted, her words drawing Belinda's attention.

Belinda didn't need any reassurance that Princess Megan would defend her at any time and in any place.

"Be quiet, Megan! Everyone knows you'd say or do anything to protect this monster!" Queen Marlena retorted, her voice filled with anger.

"Enough!" King Talos intervened firmly, restoring order to the room. As he stood up from his throne, both Megan and her mother took their seats.

The king turned his gaze toward Damon, noticing his silence throughout the proceedings. "What are your thoughts on this matter, Damon?" he inquired.

"I have no thoughts on the matter, father. I was in my chamber attending to other urgent affairs," Damon replied coldly, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Belinda.

Belinda felt hurt by Damon's words but comforted herself with the realization that Prince Damon had to maintain an indifferent facade.

King Talos acknowledged Damon’s response and shifted his attention back to her. "Is it indeed true that you spent yesterday in the company of Princess Megan, without any interaction with Isla?" he inquired.

Belinda lifted her gaze once more to meet Megan's eyes, witnessing a slow nod of confirmation. "Yes, Your Majesty. I never encountered Isla yesterday. I was in the presence of Princess Megan throughout."

"What? She's lying! My king, she's lying! If she truly spent time with Princess Megan, how did I end up with her necklace?" Isla interjected, her voice filled with frustration.

Belinda swiftly countered, her voice firm. "You could have easily entered my chamber and taken it. I don't lock my door." Her retort caused Isla's eyes to widen in disbelief.

"Why would I risk my own safety by entering your chambers?" Isla retorted, hoping that the king would soon render his judgment so she could remove herself from their presence.

"Enough, Isla! I sense deceit in this matter, and before I pass my judgment, I must ascertain the truth of what truly transpired," King Talos declared firmly, his voice resolute. "Until the facts are established, Belinda will be confined to a separate space within the kingdom."

Immediately, two guards approached Belinda, gripping her arms tightly, and escorted her out of the throne room.

"Is that all? You're just going to lock her up? She nearly killed Isla!" Marlena exclaimed, voicing her protest as King Talos proceeded towards his chamber.

"We have yet to ascertain whether she is truly responsible for the alleged incident," the king responded without turning back, his tone indicating his decision was final.

"Why do you need more, Talos? Everything discussed in that throne room points to Belinda as the guilty party. If you're hesitating because of what Megan said..."

"Marlena, I understand your concerns about this girl being a threat, but I have the situation under control. You didn't have to voice it out that way in front of everyone. Tell me, why are you so determined to drive her away?" King Talos interjected, interrupting her.

"Can't you see what's unfolding, Talos?!"

"Until I verify that she actually harmed Isla, I won't jump to conclusions. I'll speak with Mr. Theron about..."

"Mr. Theron? Every time he says something, you simply comply, acting as if you have no mind of your own!" Marlena exclaimed in frustration.

Before King Talos could formulate a response to his furious wife, Marlena turned and departed, leaving him to contemplate the situation on his own.

***

Megan and Damon stood a few meters away from her chamber, engaged in a discussion about the recent events.

"I can't believe Isla would go to such extreme lengths to frame Belinda. I swear, the next time we encounter her, I'll exact revenge," Damon exclaimed angrily and disgustedly.

"I still can't comprehend how she ended up with those bruises. Did she inflict them upon herself? It's unbelievable... she must be losing her sanity," Megan responded with disbelief.

"I'm devastated that I had to act so cold towards Belinda in front of everyone. She doesn't deserve any of this," Damon added sadly.

Suddenly, Megan's attention shifted away from Damon's face to someone approaching from behind him— their mother storming toward them.

"Mom is here," Megan whispered to Damon and instinctively took a few steps backward.

"I despise you, Damon! I thought we both cared about her! Why couldn't you defend our friend during such a vulnerable time?! You knew she was in my chambers, so why didn't you speak up?!" Megan exclaimed, her voice trembling as if holding back tears.

"I've already told you, Megan, and I'll say it again! I've come to my senses and realized that someone like her doesn't deserve my sympathy or attention! I've shown weakness, and I loathe myself for it! I am Damon! I feel no remorse for anyone. I don't care what happens to her. It's best for you to stay away from her," Damon replied angrily, turning to leave and walking past his mother as if he hadn't noticed her.

Just as Marlena was about to reach Megan, Megan swiftly made her way to her chamber, taking purposeful steps, and firmly closing the door behind her to ensure her mother wouldn't disturb her.

~At Night~

Curled up on the bed within the spacious, vacant room where they had confined her, Belinda felt a stark contrast to the luxurious comfort of her own chamber.

The room exuded a chilling atmosphere, accompanied by dry air and an array of unfamiliar odors that tickled her nose. The sole presence in the room was a modest-sized bed.

With a door reminiscent of a prison cell, Belinda had a clear view of the activities occurring outside.

Simultaneously enveloped by both sadness and anger, she mourned the fact that everyone perceived her as a monster while seething with frustration over her own vulnerability towards Isla.

"I should have realized she would never be genuine," she recollected bitterly.

Lost in contemplation, Belinda was startled by a voice calling her name from beyond the door. "Belinda! Are you okay?"

Instantly snapping out of her reverie, Belinda recognized Megan's voice. "Princess Megan!" she exclaimed, rushing to the door and clutching onto the bars.

"Hey," Megan uttered, her smile faint yet tinged with both sadness and pity. “I’m sorry.”

Belinda shook her head and mustered a weak smile. "There's no need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. Isla is the one responsible for all of this."

"I know, Belinda, and we'll ensure she faces the consequences," Megan replied, and Belinda nodded. "Damon sends his greetings. He asked me to apologize for his behavior in the throne room and to express his regret that he may not be able to visit you during your stay. I believe everyone now thinks that nothing is going on between you two.”

Belinda nodded, her lips forming a faint, contented smile. "I understand," she responded.

"Good. I have to leave now, Belinda. Please stay strong. Damon and I will find a way to get you out of here," Megan promised, gently squeezing Belinda's hand.

"Hmm," Belinda murmured, reluctantly nodding as she watched Megan depart.

Overwhelmed by sadness, Belinda dragged her feet back to the bed and lay down, curling up once again. She truly understood why Damon had to keep his distance, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of loneliness.

After an hour of Belinda's melancholic presence on the bed, the embrace of sleep seemed imminent. However, an unexpected disquietude gently descended upon her stomach, disrupting the peaceful rhythm within, akin to a graceful ballet of butterflies gone astray.

She cautiously lifted herself from the bed, yearning to dispel this unsettling feeling, yet it stubbornly clung to her like an unyielding shadow.

A turmoil stirred within her stomach, birthing an overwhelming urge to puke. With a sense of urgency, she swiftly abandoned the comfort of her bed, rushing towards a secluded corner as a surge of nausea consumed her.

In a swift and desperate motion, she expelled the contents of her stomach, emptying herself of the dinner she had consumed.

Overwhelmed by profound weakness and accompanied by a lingering dizziness, she gingerly wiped her mouth with her hand, reclaiming a semblance of composure.

Navigating her way back to the bed, she succumbed to its familiar embrace, seeking solace in its comforting presence.

“Why do I feel sick all of a sudden?” She muttered, holding her head in discomfort.