bChapter /bb212 /b

    ra’s POV

    “You’re seriously going through with this?” I asked, brushing off invisible lint from Belle’s sleeve as she straightened her dress like she was heading into battle.

    Belle smirked. “Watch and learn.”

    Before I could respond, she squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, and strode toward the group of women in the garden like she owned the air they breathed.

    “Morning,” she said, polite but distant–like frost dressed in silk.

    All heads turned. A few gasps. One teacup nearly toppled over.

    Amara stiffened like she’d swallowed a bone. “P–Princess Belle?” she sputtered. “What are you doing here?”

    Belle shed a slow smile. “I heard there was a tea party. Thought I’d crash it.”

    One of the women blinked. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but… you weren’t invited-”

    38

    Belle’s brow arched like a de. “Is that so?” Her voice dipped, syrupy with threat. “Funny, considering this is my garden.

    That willow above your head? My parents nted it. Now you’re telling me I need a formal invite to enter my own backyard?”

    Silence.

    Then-“We’ve got uninvited guests, Belle,” Wells announced, suddenly at our side. He folded his arms and tilted his head with mock concern. “Remind me–what do we do with trespassers again?”

    Belle yed along, her tone light and airy. “We chase them out… or shoot them dead.”

    “Excellent. Shall I start, or would you like the honours?”

    i“/iWait!“-

    Amara leapt to her feet, her face losing all color. “You’re both more than wee,” she said too quickly, too tightly. “Of

    course you and Prince Wells–and Lady ra–may join us.”

    Belle squeezed my hand and led me to the table set beneath the willow. Only one cushion remained.

    “I’m good,” Wells said, cracking his knuckles. “Ground works for me.”

    “But we’re still short one cushion,” Belle noted, scanning the group beforending her gaze on Amara. “Amara, sweet thing. Why don’t you get up and make room for us?”

    The tension smothered the garden like a wet nket. The other women looked anywhere but at her.

    Amara tried for grace, but her voice was strained. “I can fetch another cushion-”

    65%

    Belle cut her off. “Oh, so now it’s okay to add a seat? That’s rich. Where was that energyst Christmas, when you took my seat next to Dorian and told me there was no room left? You told everyone I was crying over nothing. Called me a spoiled

    brat.”

    Belle mimicked her voice–gentle, soft, fake. A fewdies stifledughs. Amara red them into submission.

    Wells leaned forward. “You’re not a child, Lady Amara. Surely you don’t mind giving up your seat now… right?”

    Amara went stiff. Her knuckles whitened. Then came the handkerchief.

    “You hold such resentment toward me, Princess Belle,” she murmured, dabbing her eyes. “But it’s not my fault if… if your brother enjoyed mypany more than yours.”

    “What?” I whispered, stunned.

    Belle recoiled like she’d been pped. “Say that again.”

    Amara peeked through hershes. “He often said he wished for a break. From the constant presence of his siblings.”

    “Liar!” Belle shouted, cheeks ming.

    Wells snapped. “Our brother would never-”

    “But he did.“Amara sobbed. “He said it to me often.”

    I stepped forward, sharp and cold. “Are you suggesting you matter more to the King than his own blood?” My voice sliced through the tension.

    “I never said that-”

    “But you implied it. Remind me, Amara–what exactly are you to King Dorian? His mate? His fiancée? Oh wait, no… just his dead friend’s widow. So why do you act like royalty?”

    Her lips trembled, color draining from her face.

    “I’m his friend-”

    “Plenty of people are his friend, Doesn’t make them more important than family.” I tilted my head, a small smile ying on my lips. “Or are you implying something… improper?”

    “NO!” she gasped, leaping to her feet. “You can have my seat, Lady ra.”

    Belle beamed, Wells smirked and high–fived me behind her back. The petty victory tasted sweet.

    We all settled in, Amara now the only one standing.

    Belle’s smile sharpened. “Well, since you’re up, how about a song? y us the harp, Amara.”

    Amara froze,

    Someone pped. “What a great idea! Lady Amara is so talented.”

    10:20 Fri, 29 Aug

    bR /b

    More followed. Even Issa joined in.

    Amara stammered, “I–I hurt my fingers. I can’t y.”

    “Flute, then?” Wells offered.

    “… I don’t feel like-”

    Belle cut her off. “You parade around iming to be an expert in music. Can’t y a single instrument? That’s…

    suspicious.”

    The women whispered among themselves. Amara looked like she might crumble.

    Then came the tears again. “I see what’s happening. I’m a widow. Easy preyi.” /iShe sniffed. “Poor Nora… he’d be ashamed

    to see this.”

    “Yeah?” I said, voice ice cold. “What would Nora think, knowing you used his death to justify your lies?”

    Her back went rigid.

    Then she wailed–a raw, high–pitched sob–and fled the garden.

    “YES! Run off to Dorian!” Belle yelled after her. “See if we care!”

    An awkward silence settled.

    Issa rose slightly, uncertain, until Wells chimed in, “I brought cards. Anyone up for poker? I’m feeling lucky.”

    Gambling at court? Scandalous.

    Tempting.

    The girls giggled. Even Issa sank back into her seat.

    Wells shuffled the deck like a pro. “Winner takes gold.”

    Belle leaned in and whispered, “She was just amoner before marrying Nora. Always pretended she came from high

    birth.”

    Wells nodded, “We don’t care if you’re ipoor/i. Just don’t lie about it.”

    “I still don’t get what Dorian sees in her,” Belle muttered.

    The tea party continued, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t over.

    Later, the twins gave me a tour of the castle. I casually asked if they knew a way out of the mist forest.

    They didn’t. They’d never left the mountainsb. /b

    Still, it was a perfect day. Laughter, secrets, harmless trouble.

    When night fell, Belle tugged on my sleeve. “One more round of poker in your room? Please?”

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    10:20 Fri, 29 Aug

    bR /b

    I chuckled. “You’re on.”

    Back in my quarters, we walked into darkness.

    I reached for the light switch-

    A cold gust blew across my skin.

    Wait… did I leave the window open?

    I turned, eyes adjusting to the gloom-

    A glint of metal sliced the air.

    A de.

    Coming straight for me.

    “ELARA! WATCH OUT!” Belle screamed.