Chapter 46: Chapter 46

Princess Megan rushed down to Damon's chambers after receiving unsettling news from her healer. Despite the information being plausible, she found it difficult to accept.

She was aware of her brother's intimate relationship with Belinda, leaving a strong likelihood that he was the father of her unborn child.

Witnessing Megan's distressed appearance as she approached Damon's chamber, the guards swiftly opened the door, granting her unhindered access.

"Damon!" she called out, causing Damon to startle awake, his eyes wide open in response to Megan's cry.

"What? What's the matter?" he asked, hastily throwing off the duvet and hurrying towards Megan, who was also nearing him.

"Something significant has occurred! It's not entirely negative, but the timing isn't ideal... I..." Megan stuttered, struggling to catch her breath.

"Megan, take a breath..." Damon gently grasped her shoulders, locking eyes with her.

Gradually, her restlessness subsided, and he nodded. "Now, please tell me what happened," he urged, still keeping his gaze fixed on her.

"Belinda... is pregnant," Megan uttered, tears welling up in her eyes the moment the words left her lips.

Damon was left stunned, his hands slipping off Megan's shoulders, his mind racing to process the information. A mix of emotions washed over him, ranging from shock to confusion, and a tinge of sadness.

"Pregnant?" Damon repeated, his voice barely a whisper. He struggled to find the right words to respond, his mind grappling with the implications of Megan's revelation.

He had shared an intimate relationship with Belinda, but the news of her pregnancy caught him off guard.

Megan could see the turmoil in Damon's eyes and reached out to hold his hands, her own trembling with a mix of concern and uncertainty.

“What are we going to do, Damon? This isn’t the right time! If father finds out about this, it’s over! Everything will be ruined.” Megan retorted, her voice still quivering as she spoke.

Damon took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. “Calm down, Megan. Stop raising your voice. Who else knows about this?”

“My healer, Yolanda and…”

“Yolanda? How did she find out?!”

“She went with me to check up on Belinda. She was there when my healer broke the news to us.”

"That's not a positive sign," Damon muttered, frustrated, as he brushed his hair back with his hands.

"Don't worry about Yolanda, Damon. I trust her to keep silent. She won't share this with anyone, and the same goes for my healer."

"We can't be certain, Megan. Remember what happened last time with Yolanda."

"She won't betray me again, Damon. She promised and apologized to both of us. She's not the issue here. We need to figure something out, a way to keep this a secret from our parents and the kingdom."

Damon's heart started pounding in his chest. He tried to come up with an idea, but his mind was blank at the moment. He couldn't think clearly.

"How is Belinda?" he asked.

"I couldn't stay to check because she was already fast asleep. I rushed here to inform you. What should we do?"

"I don't know, Megan! I can't think straight right now. It's so difficult to come up with anything," he muttered, pacing in front of her.

"You have to go see her, Damon. You both need to discuss this. Maybe you'll have to get her out of the kingdom before anyone finds out, or maybe you two should elope."

"Elope? I can't do that. We can't just leave..."

"Well, I'm not sure. I was just suggesting it. Please think of something quickly. I can't bear to lose Belinda."

"We won't. I just need time to think. I'll go to her tonight, and we'll talk about it."

Megan sighed and nodded. "I'm going back now. Yolanda and the healer are still in the cell with Belinda." As she turned to leave, Damon hurriedly grabbed her hand, stopping her.

"Please tell Belinda to stay strong for me. I'll visit her tonight," he said to her, and she nodded.

He released her hand and watched her leave his chamber. Sitting on his bed, he bowed his head, lost in thought, contemplating the next course of action.

Upon returning to the cell, Megan encountered Yolanda, her healer, and Belinda seated on the bed. The room was illuminated by two wooden lanterns hanging on the walls, creating an atmosphere of uneasy silence.

"Megan!" she called out, rushing towards Belinda and embracing her tightly. "How are you?" she asked, expressing genuine concern. Stepping back, Megan gazed into Belinda's eyes, noticing the tears streaming down her face.

"I'm frightened, Princess Megan," Belinda murmured, causing Megan's own tears to well up once more. Overwhelmed with emotion, Megan enveloped Belinda in another comforting hug.

"You're not alone, Belinda. We're here for you. We'll figure something out, alright?" Megan whispered, glancing at Yolanda, who gently patted her back, offering solace.

After consoling Belinda for a while, Megan turned her attention to her nurse. "This must remain confidential. Nobody can know about this, not even your family. Whatever happened here stays within these walls," Megan spoke firmly, and her nurse nodded in understanding.

"Yes, Princess Megan. May I be excused now? I don't want to raise any suspicion among others, especially the guards," the nurse requested, receiving agreement from Megan.

"Yes, you may leave," she replied, and the nurse made her way out of the cell.

"Belinda, listen..." Megan spoke again, focusing her gaze on Belinda. "Damon is aware of your situation, okay? He will visit you tonight, and you two will have a chance to talk. He asked me to tell you to stay strong for him, and he still loves you deeply."

Amidst the fear and terror surrounding her predicament, Belinda found a glimmer of hope. "Okay. I'll be waiting for him," she responded, filled with anticipation that he would take care of her.

"Yolanda and I will be leaving now, alright? We have to resume our daily activities as if nothing happened. I'll instruct my maids to prepare some delicious meals for you and help you freshen up, so you can change your clothes. You're not alone, Belinda. We're here for you—Yolanda, Damon, and myself."

Belinda felt loved as she listened to Megan's words, never doubting the sincerity behind them. She trusted Megan to care for her, just as she always had.

~At Night~

Damon discreetly navigated his way to the cell, ensuring that he remained unnoticed. With a stern expression, he approached the guard and demanded the keys to the gate, compelling them to hand them over without questioning his authority.

Unlocking the gate, Damon entered the cell, where the gentle glow of the wooden lanterns provided ample illumination.

"Prince Damon!" Belinda exclaimed with joy, leaping from the bed and rushing towards him. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he held her securely by the waist, lifting her gently off the ground.

"I've missed you so much, Bel," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her neck while embracing her tightly.

"I missed you too," she replied, feeling a flutter of excitement in her stomach upon hearing him call her 'Bel.' "I like the name," she added as they released each other.

"'Bel'? Well, it just slipped out. I didn't think before saying it," he responded, and they both shared a chuckle.

"I like it," she affirmed.

Gradually, the smile faded from his face as he reached out to caress her cheek with his thumb.

"I want you to know that I'm overjoyed at the thought of you becoming the mother of my children. I have no regrets whatsoever, and if it were up to me, I'd shout about our love to the world... but now isn't the right time, Belinda. We still need to prove your innocence against Isla's accusations. My parents have yet to make their final decisions about your presence here... I'm at a loss, Belinda. For the first time in my life, I'm terrified.

He let out a sigh and continued, "I'm terrified, Belinda. I don't want any harm to come your way. I've been grappling with this situation, trying to come up with a solution, but..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Belinda silenced him by pressing her lips against his, planting a tender and lingering kiss, cutting off his words.

"I understand, Prince Damon," she murmured, her lips barely grazing his. "I know this is unexpected, but I want to keep it, Damon. I love you, and I already love this baby. Please, tell me you want to keep it."

Damon took a deep breath, his tongue gently brushing against her lips. The bond they shared had intensified, and he never wanted to be separated from her, even for a single moment.

Their foreheads lightly touched, his voice a whisper, "I love you so much, Belinda. I want to be with you forever. I want to embrace this child as well..."

"Damon!" a loud voice suddenly called out, causing them to startle and quickly distance themselves from one another. Their eyes shifted towards the entrance, where, to their utmost surprise, Queen Marlena stood, staring at them with a mix of disbelief and disgust.