Chapter 64: Saw everything
"You are only making it more awkward this way," Quinn said, now comfortably seated in the carriage. But Belle didn’t respond, her body language frozen and her gaze steadfastly fixed out the window.
"I know you saw everything," he added after a moment of silence. Belle’s head whipped around as she snapped defensively, "I didn’t see anything! I left the moment your eyes met mine."
A slow smirk crept onto his lips. "Ah, now you want to talk."
Belle’s eyes widened, realizing her mistake. That devil! He baited her on purpose, knowing her instinct to defend herself would draw her out.
"Don’t talk to me again!" She warned, huffing in anger as she turned back to the window.
Why was he acting so shameless after being caught in such a scandalous act? Had he no sense of decency? What kind of man was he? It seemed like a curse, always cheating on his wives once they were married. How would Sofia have felt if she had been the one to catch him? Then again, Belle thought bitterly, perhaps Sofia deserved it. After all, she had slept with a married man herself. Everyone in the kingdom had known the Duke was married, so ignorance couldn’t have been an excuse. She had likely seduced him, and this was simply karma at work. What goes around comes around. A woman who snatched another’s husband couldn’t reasonably expect a happily ever after.
"Since we still have a few hours until evening, I will let you rest before we begin training," Quinn announced, but Belle stayed silent. Amused by her stubbornness, he smiled and knocked on the carriage wall, signaling for it to stop.
"See you later," he said with a smirk before stepping out of the carriage and leaving her alone.
Belle exhaled deeply, finally allowing herself to relax now that he was gone. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could have endured sharing the confined space with him.
When the carriage reached the castle, Belle wasted no time finding Mia, and the two quickly delved into their usual chatter. Belle recounted the wedding and everything that had happened, except for the humiliating scene of catching her ex-husband with the maid.
"Hmm. I have a feeling your wedding is next, truly," Mia said thoughtfully, rubbing her chin. She seemed to be mulling over Penelope’s comment but hesitated to say more.