Chapter 198: 198 - the board
198
~Belinda’s POV
He shifted, glancing toward the shadows behind him, and before I could demand an answer, someone stepped out. My heart gave a jolt.
Fridolf. The triplets’ uncle. I hadn’t seen him in years, yet I knew that face the moment it appeared. His eyes still held that same dangerous glint, the one that never softened even when he smiled.
I straightened instantly, smoothing down my dress as if I hadn’t been raging against the walls moments ago. My voice slid into something light, almost welcoming.
"Well, well," I said, taking a step forward. "It’s been a while. I had no idea you were here, in the palace." His mouth curved faintly, but there was no warmth in it. "Belinda."
I smiled at him, sharp at the edges. "And here I thought I was forgotten. Seems I was wrong." Inside, though, my mind was already spinning. If Fridolf was here, then everything had just shifted. He wasn’t a man who moved without purpose. If he had come to me now, there had to be a reason.
"How did you get yourself into such a mess, Belinda?" he asked, his hands clasped behind his back as he studied me. "I always knew you to be clever. Calculating. And yet here you are, locked up like a fool."
My mouth parted slightly as I stared at him. He knows.
"You..." my voice wavered before I steadied it. "You know? You knew it was me?"
He tilted his head slowly, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Of course. Did you think your schemes so invisible? I know the way you move, Belinda. I’ve seen it before."
I blinked, heat rushing up my neck. For once, words felt heavy on my tongue. "Was I that obvious?"
"Yes," he said simply, without hesitation. The certainty in his tone made me want to claw at the walls again. He didn’t sugarcoat, didn’t soften, just stripped me bare with truth.
I took a shaky breath, trying to gather myself, trying to pull my mask back on. If he knew, then pretending was useless. But I could still play the game.
Fridolf stepped closer, the faint scrape of his boots echoing against the stone. His eyes didn’t waver from mine. "Now the question is..." His voice dropped lower, smooth and dangerous. "What do I get in return if I help you?"
My pulse jumped, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. This was it, the crack of light in the darkness. The possibility of enjoying my freedom.
But his words were also a trap.
I pressed my back against the wall, straightening, meeting his stare with every ounce of defiance I could gather. "What do you want, uncle?" I asked, my voice steady even though my heart hammered. "Because if you help me out of this, I can give you more than you imagine."
He smiled faintly, but it wasn’t a kind smile. It was the kind that promised danger.
Fridolf’s smirk lingered as he studied me, his sharp eyes glinting with something unreadable.
"I’ll tell you later what I need from you," he finally said, his voice calm, measured. "When the time comes, you’ll repay me. Until then, remember, you owe me."
Relief washed over me. "Thank you... thank you, Uncle. I swear, I’ll do whatever you ask when the time comes. You won’t regret this."
He lifted a hand, silencing me. "Save the gratitude for later. Just know this, I will help you. But don’t mistake this for kindness. I don’t do favors for free."
"I understand," I said breathlessly, my heart racing.
He tilted his head toward the guard by the door. "He’s mine. He answers to me. If you need anything, you ask him. Food, water, messages, it goes through him. He will be be by your door and not Damon’s guards. Do you understand?"
I followed his gaze, staring at the man who stood so straight and silent. He didn’t look like the average palace guard at all, too sharp, too polished. My chest tightened with something close to hope.
"Yes," I said quickly, my voice eager. "I understand."
"Good," Fridolf said smoothly. He took a step back, his expression softening into something almost mocking. "Now stop faking the crying. You’re a Luna, not a weak maid. Carry yourself like it. Or else, you’ll lose before the game even begins."
I sniffed, hastily wiping my cheeks, and straightened my spine.
I forced a small smile, tilting my chin upward. "You’re right," I whispered. "Thank you... for reminding me."
Fridolf gave me one last knowing look before turning toward the shadows. "I’ll be watching."
Then he was gone.
The silence felt heavy until I turned to the guard. He hadn’t moved, hadn’t spoken. But his presence was a comfort.
I licked my lips, then spoke with the steadiness Fridolf demanded of me. "I’ll need food. And wine. Bring it to me."
The guard bowed his head slightly. "At once, Luna."
Within minutes, he returned with a tray. The smell of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the the room, and there was a goblet of dark wine gleaming beside it.
As he set it down before me, I allowed myself a true smile for the first time all day. I picked up the goblet, swirling the liquid inside before taking a long sip.
"Much better," I murmured, leaning back with my head held high. "Now... let Damon think he have broken me. He will regret it soon enough. And he will dance to my tune at the end of the day,"
The guard came back not long after with clean beddings. He laid them neatly on my bed.
I watched him quietly as he fixed the mess in the room as well.
When he finished, he bowed slightly. "Rest well, Luna," he said, his voice steady. Then he stepped back to his place by the door, silent again like a shadow.
I lowered myself onto the bedding, my body relaxed. I pulled the blanket over me, the faint warmth of the food and wine still in my stomach.
Closing my eyes, I let out a slow breath. Fridolf will handle it, I told myself. He promised. And Fridolf always keeps his word when there’s something in it for him.
The anger and fear that had been twisting inside me slowly gave way to exhaustion. My last thought before sleep claimed me was simple and sharp: Lisa won’t win. She can’t. I’ll make sure of it.
And with that, I drifted into the deepest sleep I’d had in days, waiting for Fridolf to move his pieces on the board.