CHAPTER 71: 71- ISN’T RIGHT

71

~Belinda’s POV

I stormed out of the triplets’ room, slamming the door behind me with all the anger I could muster. My heart was pounding, my jaw was tight, but deep down, I was smiling. Not on the outside, of course. I had mastered the art of looking furious when inside I was plotting.

"Let’s see if they still choose that useless Lisa over me now," I muttered under my breath, letting out a small, bitter laugh. "Let them see who runs things here."

As I made my way down the corridor, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, I spotted Matilda, the head of the maids. She was holding a clipboard, as usual, scribbling something down.

"Matilda," I called out, stopping in front of her with a sickly sweet smile.

She looked up, clearly startled. "Yes, Lady Belinda?"

"Get Lisa to bring my linen to my room. Make sure she doesn’t delay."

"Right away, Lady Belinda."

I turned without another word and continued down the hall. That Lisa girl needed to be reminded of her place. She was too bold for a common maid. Too confident. And everyone in this palace needed to know whom they should respect.

As I approached the west wing of the palace, I walked past one of the new palace guards standing at attention near the garden entrance. Something about him made me stop.

He was tall, lean, and fresh-faced. His uniform was fitted neatly, and his skin was smooth like polished copper. His eyes were sharp, his lips full. And that jawline...

I took a step back, turning to get a proper look at him.

"You there," I said, my voice soft, flirtatious.

The guard turned and immediately bowed. "Good evening, my lady."

I tilted my head slightly. "What’s your name?"

"Richard, my lady."

"Richard," I repeated, testing the name on my tongue like it was a piece of fruit. Sweet. Dangerous. "You’re new, aren’t you?"

He nodded. "Yes, my lady. I started last week."

"Hmm. Well, you should know that being respectful and obedient to the palace residents is highly expected."

"Of course, my lady."

I stepped closer, watching the way his Adam’s apple moved when he swallowed.

"Good. Now, Richard... follow me."

He blinked, clearly unsure.

"Uhm... my duty post, my lady..."

I raised an eyebrow and took another step closer. "Is this how you respond when a superior gives you an order?"

"N-no, my lady," he said quickly, straightening up. "Forgive me."

"Good." I turned sharply and began walking back to my room, smiling to myself. I didn’t even look back to see if he followed. I knew he would.

When we got to my room, I opened the door and stepped inside, leaving it slightly ajar for him.

"Come in," I said simply.

Richard hesitated but eventually stepped inside, eyes quickly scanning the room before settling on me.

"Lock the door," I said, my voice low.

He obeyed, and the soft click of the lock echoed in the room.

"Now," I said, turning to face him fully, "are you going to be a good boy and listen to instructions?"

"Yes, my lady," he said, his voice quiet.

I walked closer, slowly, watching the tension in his body.

"You look nervous," I whispered.

"I’m just... surprised, my lady."

I laughed lightly, tracing my finger along the edge of his chest plate. "Don’t be. You’re handsome. And I like handsome things."

He didn’t respond, just stood there like a statue.

"Take that off," I said, nodding at his armor.

"My lady, I..."

"Now."

He obeyed.

"You said your name is Richard, right?" I asked, walking toward him slowly, letting my fingers trail across the table as I passed.

"Yes, my Lady," he said. Voice quiet, unsure.

"Relax, Richard. No need to be stiff," I smiled.

He didn’t respond.

I stopped in front of him. "Do you find me attractive?"

His eyes snapped up to mine, then quickly dropped again. "I... I don’t think I’m supposed to answer that, my Lady."

I laughed softly. "You’re sweet." Then, without warning, I stepped closer, brushing my hand gently down his chest.

He tensed.

I didn’t care.

I leaned in and pressed my lips against his. Just for a second.

The way he jerked back, shocked and confused, almost made me laugh again. His face was full of panic, and something else. Guilt? Disbelief?

"My Lady, please... I... I didn’t expect that," he stammered, taking a step back. "I’m just here to serve."

"And this is how you’ll serve," I snapped, the smile on my face gone instantly. "Don’t act like you’re better than what I’m offering. You think they care about you out there? You think they’ll protect you?"

He looked like he was about to bolt for the door, but he didn’t.

Good.

"Let me make this very clear, Richard," I said, voice now cold, almost whispering. "You do what I say. Or you’ll lose more than just your job. I’ll tell them you tried to touch me first. Who do you think they’ll believe?"

He froze.

Silence filled the room like a storm cloud.

"Now," I said, reaching for the belt around my waist and loosening it, "don’t make me repeat myself."

I kissed him again.

This time, he didn’t move, at first.

He was stiff beneath me, like a statue, unsure of what to do. I pulled him closer, wrapping my arms around his neck, guiding his mouth to move with mine. For a moment, I felt him soften. Just a little. Maybe it was fear... maybe curiosity. I didn’t care. I was in control.

But just as I deepened the kiss, we heard it...

Knock knock.

My whole body tensed. Richard jerked away like he’d been electrocuted.

"Who, who’s that?" he whispered, panic all over his face. His chest was rising and falling so fast.

"Relax," I muttered, reaching for him again.

But he stepped back, breathing hard. "My Lady, someone’s at the door."

"I heard," I hissed. "But I’m not opening it."

Knock knock knock.

A bit louder this time.

"Please," Richard said, backing up. He bent down quickly and began scrambling to put his shirt on. "Please, this... this isn’t right."

I frowned and grabbed his wrist. "You stop right there."

He looked at me like I’d lost my mind. "I can’t. I’ll be punished. If they find me here..."

"You think they’ll believe you over me?" I narrowed my eyes. "I can end you, Richard."

"I know," he whispered, not looking at me.

I hated that tone, like he was ashamed. Like he was trapped. It wasn’t supposed to feel like that. He was supposed to be grateful. Lucky, even.

He finally got his belt on and was already halfway to the door before I could stop him again.

I stormed after him and flung the door open, fire blazing in my chest.

And there she was.

Lisa.

Standing there with her stupid, calm face, holding a tray like she had every right to breathe the same air as me.