Chapter 18

Belle's POV.

The corridors are quiet now, the music from the ballroom completely distant and muffled behind the thick stone walls.

The celebration had ended hours ago, but some of the guests still stayed in the hall, drinking and eating, while some had retired to their respective rooms.

Her footsteps echo softly as she moves through the dimly lit passage, heart still racing.

From what she's heard.

The plan is to kill the prince...and the way they'd talked about it, like his life it is worthless appalled her.

Her grip on the edge of her maids dress tightens as she forces her legs to keep moving despite the slight, lingering ache of her injury.

Her mind is still spiraling, because the Prince had asked her to stay away from him. And now, she just so happens to overhear a planned attempt on his life.

How was she going to explain it without sounding crazy?

Without proof?

Would he just think she's jealous when she tells him that one of his potential mates is here just to kill him?

There's no telling how the Price would take it.

Yet, she still needs to see him.

Needs to to tell him now, before it's too late.

Lost in thought, she doesn't notice the person standing in the shadows, not until she nearly bumps into them.

"Oh I'm so sorry." She mutters apologetically quickly stepping back, lifting her eyes to meet hers.

She freezes.

Kayla.

The apologetic look fades almost immediately, and Kayla notices.

"Well...." she drawls mockingly, brow cocked. "if it isn't the little maid." She's leaning casually against one of the pillars, arms crossed, her wine-red gown still glowing in the dimly lit space.

Their eyes are locked.

Belle has to admit that Kayla is a very beautiful woman. But even more so dangerous. She has the kind of connection to ruin someone like her and no one would even question it.

She swallows.

Kayla's gaze in turn drags slowly over Belle, from her hair, to the uniform, down to her worn out shoes.

She scoffs loudly, clearly judging and assessing.

Belle straightens instinctively, forcing her hands not to tremble at her sides. "My lady..." She replies quietly, lowering her head like she's seen the other maids do around royals.

Anything to get away from her...

Kayla sees beneath the act though, chuckling, "interesting." She murmurs, pushing off the pillar and crowded ng Belle's space.

"You're very... interesting." She repeats.

But Belle doesn't respond. Just forces her eyes anywhere but at her as she circles her slowly.

"It's interesting how you managed to get the prince's attention l," she says lightly, "in the hall."

Belle is avoiding eye contact now. "I don't know what you're referring to, my lady."

Kayla lets out a sharp laugh. "Don't insult my maid." The way she places emphasis on the word 'maid' sends a shiver down Belle's spine.

She stops abruptly in front of her. "And I saw you in his chamber too. The other night " she leans closer, breath brushing the shell of Belle's ear.

"Do you have any idea how the queen would react if she finds out?"

"You would be punished." She continues, "Locked away. Sent far away." She smirks, "killed? There's a number of possibilities."

Belle's heart is pounding, not only because she knows Kayla is right...but because she's trying to decipher Kayla's goal.

Is she the maiden sent to kill the prince? Or did she just like the Prince?

What was she hoping to gain by trying this hard for the Prince's attention?

Belle however doesn't give her the satisfaction of a response. Just lowers her head, eyes pinned to the ground.

Because if Kayla is really the one, then she can't show that she knows anything.

Kayla steps closer and continues as Belle doesn't respond. "You should be careful." Her voice sounds almost kind, but there was no mistaking the warning undertone.

"Thank you, my lady. I understand..."

"Girls like you sometimes forget their place, when they're given a little...attention." Kayla cuts in, voice openly venomous now, her omega scent spiking with a territorial edge.

Belle inhales quietly. "I have not forgotten, my lady."

Kayla studies her for a bit, before nodding and stepping back slightly, pheromones easing a bit. "Good."

Her hand lifts suddenly, brushing an invisible speck of dust off Belle's shoulder. "Because I wouldn't want to repeat myself," she warns, "and next time maybe in a...more explicit way."

There's a lump forming in her throat. Of all the damn things she could be reborn as, it had to be a powerless maid?

If Kayla really decides to kill her right now, no one would really care. No one would fight for her.

Is the prince's attention really with her life?

Kayla studies her for a beat longer, before finally completely shifting to the side.

"You can leave now."

Belle nods, and is about to go, but her voice rings out once more. "And remember, no matter how much he looks at you..." She smirks,

"....you'll always just be a maid. You'll serve, wash my feet if I ask you to. And that's all you'll ever be!"

The words sting, but she forces her breath to even.

She's just a maid. Got it.

She shouldn't forget her place. Got it.

She doesn't say anything this time. She doesn't really have anything to say, just nods, letting Kayla have her condescending fill, before she finally turns and walks away leaving Belle standing there.

Belle doesn't waste another second.

The moment Kayla disappears, she turns and hurries down the opposite corridor.

Just this last time...just this once.

If she can warn the Prince, then she can finally focus on finding her way back home without any more distraction.

The entire palace has been in a frenzy with preparations for the coronation, and she barely has enough time to try and figure out what exactly happened to the real Isabella, and why she ended up here instead.

But if she gets this out of the way, then at least she can go back home with a clear conscience.

Yes, definitely not because she cares about the green eyed Alpha Prince.

Belle quickens her pace, nearly breaking into a run as she approaches the private wing. Ignoring the slight pounding in her head, she stops in front of the two guards standing outside.

She stops, catching her breath. "I..I need to see the prince." She says pleadingly.

The guards exchange a look.

"He's not to be disturbed."

Belle exhales in frustration, already expecting the rejection. But with Kayla's words and everything that's happened, her patience is fraying.

"I'm not going to be long!" She almost snaps, "just tell the Prince it's Isabella."

The guards exchange another look, and then burst out laughing. "H- who do you think you are." One of them asks in amusement.

The other one just scoffs, eyes trailing down her frame like she's ridiculous for even attempting to see him.

Before Belle snaps at them, the door slides open behind them. Her head snaps up to find him standing there... Darian.

He's dressed in lighter clothes now, a pale tunic and trousers. His green gaze slide from her, to the two guards standing there.

Belle hates how her heartbeat instantly picks up.

And when their eyes lock, for a moment it seems like nothing else matters.

Not Kayla's warning, not wanting to go home.

Not the assassination attempt.

Just the attractive man in front of her, who's staring like she's the best thing he's seen tonight.

She forces her throat to work, "your highness..." She starts, "I needed to see you. It's quite...."

Someone clears their throat from behind them, cutting her off.

She turns to find David standing there in a dark blue tunic. He looks between the both of them, not missing the tension between them.

But more than that, he can catch the way Darian is standing too still.

The way his scent is leaking too strong, he's surprised she's not affected yet.

And the way his eyes are fixed on her...

"What's going on?" He comes closer, already catching how Darian's finger twitches with restraint by his sides.

Darian finally looks away.

Meanwhile, David shifts between her and the Prince. "What's going on?" He asks again.

Belle isn't happy with the interruption.

"Sir, I just need to speak with the Prince.."

David hums, but doesn't move. "About?"

Belle is slightly taken aback by the way the Prince is letting his cousin take charge. The last time he'd 'interrupted' them, the prince had been quick to send him away.

But now...

Maybe he really doesn't want to see her anymore...

She hesitates. Could she really trust telling the Prince with David here? She didn't see the faces behind those voices, they could be anyone.

David cuts in again when she notices her hesitance. "It's clearly not that important if you can't say it." He raises a brow, "His highness has more pressing matters tonight. You should leave."

"It's not.. it IS important." She tries to insist, but it's frustrating that the Prince still hasn't tried to hear her out.

He isn't saying anything...

"It's nothing personal.." she tries again, but David raises a hand, cutting her off.

"That will be all."

Her eyes flicker to Darian's, he doesn't meet her gaze, jaw tightening, like he wantsbto say something....but he doesn't.

"B-but. It's important.."

David doesn't respond to her. Instead he exhales through his nose, turning slightly toward Darian.

"Your Highness," he says carefully, voice lower now, "you should rest."

The silence stretches between the group. Belle's frustration is palpable, and the way the Prince and David seem to be pushing her away makes it even worse.

He steps in closer, lowering his voice so only Darian can hear now, "Don't lose control. Not now..not this close to your coronation.”

Darian nods once, and then turns to go back into his chamber, leaving them there without saying a word.

"Your Highness.." She tries again, but David steps slightly in front of her, blocking her view as the Prince closes the huge oak doors behind him.

"Go."

She frowns and looks between the closed door and him one last time.

Fine then!

Belle looks away. "Yes, sir."