Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Belinda slowly opened her eyes as the sun's hot rays touched her face. She winced, feeling a throbbing pain at the back of her head as she tried to shield herself from the sun. Using her hand to block the rays, she fully opened her eyes and surveyed her surroundings as she sat up.

She found herself in an isolated place, far away from civilization. The events of the previous night rushed back to her instantly—the night she was forcefully expelled from the palace, treated like an unwanted stray.

Her eyes welled up with tears, and a surge of emotions overcame her. She held the back of her aching head and struggled to stand up, leaning against the tree beside her for support.

As she rose to her feet, she instinctively placed her palm over her belly, feeling through the fabric of her garment. Through tearful eyes, she murmured, "I won't give up on you, my love. No matter what they try, I'll protect you. We'll be reunited with your father, and we'll find happiness once again."

Beside her, the bag they had given her lay on the ground. She reached for it, opening it to find some clothes, a small portion of cooked rice, and a bottle of water. Frustration filled her as she muttered, "These people are cruel! How am I supposed to survive with just this? It will only last me a day."

Overwhelmed with grief, she cried out, "Why didn't you do anything, Damon? Why? Why did you let them do this to me? I don't deserve this. You made promises to me." Tears streamed down her face as she walked through the woods, seeking a way out and hoping to find help from others. However, all she could see were towering trees that would become eerie at night.

"Where do we go from here?" she asked, placing her hand on her belly again, determined to keep moving forward.

***

Megan was unable to stop crying in her chamber, and even Yolanda's presence couldn't console her. She had no idea who had informed her parents about Belinda's pregnancy.

She longed for someone to confide in, to learn the truth, but there was no one. Everyone seemed to keep their own secrets, as if it were the norm.

Suddenly, she sprang from the bed and hastily grabbed one of her garments. Yolanda sat up, observing her as she got dressed.

"Where are you going?" Yolanda inquired.

"I need answers to the questions that have tormented me since midnight. I need to know what they did to my brother, how my parents discovered the pregnancy, and most importantly, where Belinda is right now! She's carrying a child, for God's sake!" Megan yelled, her tears flowing once more.

"Hey... Hey..." Yolanda called out, getting up from the bed and approaching her.

"You will find your answers, alright? Please calm down. Who are you planning to meet?" Yolanda asked, as Megan distanced herself.

"I think it's best if I handle this alone. I'll seek out the answers myself, without involving anyone else. No one needs to know," she stated firmly, walking towards the door.

"Megan... what do you mean? Don't you trust me?" Yolanda asked, causing Megan to abruptly pause.

"No! I don't trust you, okay?! Both times I entrusted you with Belinda, you betrayed me! First, you assisted Isla and Maisie, and now my parents have banished her because they discovered her pregnancy!" Megan exclaimed.

"But I have no knowledge of the second incident!" Yolanda yelled in response.

"Of course you don't! But every time you do know something, it always ruins everything! Right now, Yolanda, I don't think I can trust anyone," Megan added, her voice quivering with emotion.

"I'm sorry," Megan uttered, turning towards the door.

"Megan! Megan!" Yolanda called out, attempting to reach her, but Megan slammed the door shut in her face.

Megan hurriedly ran down the hallway, making her way straight to the library. "I need to talk to Mr. Theron. He must know something," she thought, running without stopping.

She didn't halt until she reached the library, where she called out his name, breathing heavily. "Mr. Theron! Mr. Theron!" she called out urgently.

"Princess Megan," Mr. Theron responded, emerging from behind one of the numerous large shelves.

"What happened yesterday? What happened to my brother?" she asked, closing the distance between them, her desperation evident.

"Good morning to you too, Princess Megan," he replied, walking past her and placing the books he held on the central table. He dusted off his hands and turned to face her.

"Please, Mr. Theron, please tell me what happened to Damon. It's as if he doesn't care about Belinda at all. It's as if he doesn't even know her," Megan pleaded.

"Well... perhaps he realized what was best for him," he responded, avoiding eye contact.

Megan's eyes widened in disbelief, and she shook her head. "That's a lie, and we both know it! Damon is madly in love with Belinda. He was thrilled about becoming a father, and you know this," she mumbled, her voice quivering as tears welled up.

Mr. Theron sighed, throwing his head back. "You know something, don't you?" Megan further pressed, and he threw his hands in the air.

"I had to obey your father. I owe him my loyalty," he answered, and Megan rushed towards him, grabbing his hand.

"Please, Mr. Theron, tell me what you did to him," she begged, staring into his eyes with teary eyes of her own.

"The king wanted me to make him reject her and erase every memory of their time together," he said, regret evident in his tone.

"What? Mr. Theron!" Megan muttered, feeling her heart shatter into pieces.

"I had no choice, okay? I despise myself for doing it. You don't need to remind me," he responded, brushing back his gray hair with one hand.

"Please tell me there's a way to undo it. There must be a loophole, right?" Megan asked eagerly, nodding her head.

"It involves dark magic. There is likely a loophole, but I haven't figured it out yet," he answered.

"I don't believe you, Mr. Theron. You always conduct research before performing any magic. You know everything. Why are you keeping this from me?" Megan responded in frustration.

"Perhaps I'm not as good and intelligent as you believe, Princess Megan. It's best if you just leave," he uttered, walking away from her.

Megan clenched her jaws and fists, her anger intensifying after hearing Mr. Theron's revelation. The resentment towards her parents multiplied.

"They're attempting to alter fate. They will undoubtedly suffer for this," she muttered as she ran to a secluded corner, letting her heartbreak pour out in tears.

As she wept, she raised her head and noticed Damon approaching with Maisie by his side, wearing a wide grin.

Filled with rage, Megan swiftly emerged from her hiding spot and rushed towards them.

"Do you think you've won?!" she yelled, causing both of them to halt.

"What's wrong with you, Megan?" Damon questioned, looking at her as if she had lost her mind. However, Megan ignored him and kept her gaze fixed on Maisie.

"I promise you, once I find Belinda and bring her back, I'll give her the honor of killing you!" she declared with a smack before turning to leave.

"What's gotten into her?" Damon wondered, staring at her until she disappeared from sight.