Chapter 13 – Bellamy
BELLAMY
Despite the confidence that surged through me moments ago, a shadow of unease creeps into me as I continue to adjust my gown over my stomach.
The fabric feels smooth and luxurious between my fingers, but I can’t help fidgeting with it, my actions betraying the nerves simmering beneath the surface.
My lower lip finds its way between my teeth, and I bite down gently, hoping to steady my racing heart.
“My queen,” Sebastian’s voice comes from behind me, startling me out of my thoughts. “You look absolutely stunning tonight.”
I turn and nearly pass out on the floor, because holy hell, my husband is hot.
He’s wearing a classic black tuxedo complete with a bowtie, the suit fitting so perfectly over his tall frame, broad shoulders, muscular arms, and trim waist that it’s obvious the thing was created just for him.
He shaved, making his strong, square jawline and dimpled chin look nothing short of edible.
Plus, he smells good. Like seriously freaking good.
I would take a bath in his cologne if I could.
“You’re staring and now starting to drool.”
My jaw snaps shut, but I can’t fight my giggle. “Stop looking so hot or drooling might be something I do regularly on this trip. Incidentally, can you see my bump?”
He peers down, his gaze sweeping over every line and curve I’m comprised of. “A little, maybe, but I don’t think it’s anything that anyone would notice let alone comment on. At some point, we will have to let the world know.”
“After my ultrasound next week.”
“That sounds reasonable.”
I nod. “Okay. Let’s go meet all these people. Yay. I’m so excited.”
He raises an eyebrow at my sardonic tone but reaches out and takes my hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.
“You’ve shown time and time again that you’re strong, capable, and deserving of respect.
And besides,” he leans in, his lips brushing against my ear, “I seem to remember a woman who came into my palace uninvited, broke a priceless bust, and then stood up to the king when he challenged her on it.”
“God, that feels like a lifetime ago.”
“Remember who you are, Bellamy. You’re still that same woman who never fails to give me shit. We’ll navigate this high society dinner together.”
I’m being a wimp. I know I am. I straighten my posture and take a deep breath, allowing his reassurance to fill my lungs.
“You’re right,” I say, determination making my voice steady. “I’m ready.”
Sebastian’s smile dazzles and he offers me his arm. As I take it, my heart swells with gratitude for the man who has become not only my king but my partner in every sense of the word. With him by my side I know I will face whatever challenges come at us—starting with tonight’s dinner.
Althea greets us just outside of our suite looking beautiful in a crimson gown.
“Oh, Bellamy. You are radiant.”
I air-kiss her cheeks so we don’t swap lipstick rings. “Thank you. Same to you. I love that color on you.”
“Same as the color on your lips.” She gives me a grin, and Sebastian offers her his other arm, and the three of us along with the royal attendants we have for security go down the elevator and climb into the waiting limo before we race out into the icy, dark night.
Ten minutes later the door is opened for us, and we step out, once again escorted by Sebastian. My heart pounds against my chest like a caged animal, desperate to escape. I can feel the clamminess of my palms as I clutch my gown, trying to keep it from dragging on the polished marble floor.
“Remember to smile, Bellamy,” Sebastian whispers tauntingly into my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.
“That’s sort of the pot calling the kettle black, Your Majesty,” I retort, making him nip at my ear.
“No one expects me to smile. I’m an asshole.”
I cackle out a laugh, drawing the eyes of a few people, and I quickly get my shit back together. “You can’t do that to me again. You know how it amuses me to no end when you call yourself an asshole.”
“My apologies.”
He doesn’t mean it. I know he doesn’t.
Opulent chandeliers cast a warm aura over the room, and the murmur of polite small talk fills the air as I glance around at the various attendees.
A string quartet plays background classical music and there are enough diamonds, designer digs, and fake smiles to make this feel like the seventh ring of hell.
“Everyone is staring,” I murmur, and I move my hand over the front of my body. My baby bump is barely noticeable under the flowing gown, but I still feel as if it’s on full display for everyone to see. Or maybe that’s just me.
“Let them stare,” Sebastian says softly, squeezing my hand reassuringly. “You are the most beautiful woman in this room. Besides, after Nora’s death, our whirlwind romance, and the double assassination attempt, they’re going to talk about us.”
“Fair. That’s fair. I’d be staring too.”
“Ah, King Sebastian. Finally in the flesh.” A jovial voice draws my attention away from the mass of eyes boring into me as a portly man with a bushy mustache approaches, his eyes twinkling with warmth.
“President Laurent.” Sebastian reaches out and shakes his hand. “It’s nice to see you. It’s been a while.”
“Oui. Unfortunately, not since your late queen’s funeral.” His expression grows somber, and I remember that Nora was French by birth. “But now I see a new love has brought you back to us.”
“Yes. President Laurent of France, may I have the pleasure of introducing you to my wife, Queen Bellamy.”
“Your Majesty.” He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“President Laurent,” I reply in French. “The pleasure is all mine.”
We exchange light conversation and I’m thrilled I’m able to keep up in French.
“Your Majesty,” a woman’s voice interrupts, causing me to turn toward her while Sebastian continues speaking to the French president.
Her regal features and pretty green eyes seem familiar, though her name escapes me for a moment.
“I’ve heard so much about you. Congratulations on your wedding.
Becoming queen and being married to King Sebastian must be quite the adjustment. ”
I hold my smile at her backhanded comments. “Thank you. It has been a whirlwind, but I’m learning to navigate both pretty well.”
“Ah yes, such a steep learning curve from where you started,” she agrees, her tone dripping with condescension, and I stand here, smiling sweetly despite it. “Well, if you ever need advice, don’t hesitate to reach out. After all, we queens must stick together.”
“Oh, thank you. How kind of you to offer. Bless your heart.”
She blinks at me in confusion, and I inwardly high-five myself. As any American Southerner will tell you, bless your heart phrased this way isn’t the least bit as kind or sweet as it sounds.
The woman gives me a withering glare and turns on her heels and stalks off.
“Bless your heart?” Althea leans in to question.
“It was a polite way of saying go fuck yourself in American.”
Althea bursts out laughing. “Oh, that is a good one. I’ll have to remember that.”
“Everything okay?” Sebastian asks now that the French president has continued on. He hands me a glass of water and not champagne from a passing tray. Boo. Of all the nights I could really use a drink, this is one of them.
“Yes. Just wading through the sharks while searching for the fish.”
The corner of his mouth curls into a wicked grin. “It’s going to be a long night, my queen. But I promise I’ll make it worth the wait.”
“You better,” I grumble.
He leans in and kisses the corner of my lips before he’s called away by someone anxious for his attention.
I inwardly sigh. “How long is this cocktail hour going to last?”
“An hour.”
I raise an eyebrow at Althea. “Did you really just answer my rhetorical question by stating the obvious?”
She smirks as the two of us make our way over to the meager spread of food.
“Does no one eat at these things? There’s like three pieces of cheese here.”
“No. They don’t eat. And dinner will be small as well.”
Now my sigh is audible. “It’s moments like these when I really miss delivery pizza.”
“Queen Bellamy,” A woman in a blinding white skintight gown with a plunging neckline drawls as she approaches me, extending her hand for a cold, limp handshake. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you since I heard you and King Sebastian were attending.”
“Wonderful,” I say, waiting for her to tell me her name.
“Your Majesty, this is Margret Awal of Wales.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Only it’s not, because now that Althea says her name, I realize I’ve heard of her. She’s the heiress to the Awal fortune and has been known to sleep her way from billionaire to billionaire, even breaking up a few marriages here and there.
“I must say, it’s quite fascinating to see someone like you ascend to the throne.”
“Someone like me?” I parrot, trying to keep my voice steady despite the sudden rage boiling within me.
“From nanny to queen. Who would’ve thought? Especially when you’re so much younger than the king,” she continues, smirking as she twirls a lock of platinum hair around her finger. “It’s like one of those rags-to-riches stories you Americans are so fond of.”
“I suppose it does have an element of that, and I’m sure I must seem so young compared to you.”
Althea looks away to hide her smile, but my barb triggers the woman who won’t be put down. “You must feel so out of place among all this grandeur and people of means and influence. My heart breaks for you.”
“You’re too kind to worry about me,” I reply icily, giving her a saccharine smile. “But honestly, I believe every person has the potential to rise above their circumstances. As you said, it’s a very American notion.”
“Yes, but to go from being a simple nanny to a queen?” She scrunches her nose.
I shrug dismissively. “I loved being the nanny to my stepchildren and found so much joy and pride in my work with them. My past does not define me, nor does it determine my worthiness as queen.” I give her my bless your heart face since that seems to be my new resting bitch face.
“But my heart breaks for you as well. It must be so lonely and isolating to feel that your only worth can be found in your wallet.”
Her eyes momentarily round before narrowing into a cruel smirk. “Oh, I’m never lonely.” Her gaze casts about the room and snags on Sebastian before turning back to me, her smirk transforming into a Cheshire grin.
The room seems to hold its breath as other guests look on with wide eyes, their curiosity and anticipation palpable in the air. I can feel the weight of their stares, silently urging me to react. If they’re looking for a catfight, they’ve got the wrong girl.
Instead, I laugh and then almost—almost—feel bad for her. How awful to be so insecure that you feel the need to bring others down.
“Is that your argument?” I question. “That you’re never lonely and that I’m unfit to be queen because of my past? Because I worked as a nanny?”
“Isn’t that enough?” the woman sneers, her gaze flicking across the room as if she were gathering support from our audience.
“Um. Not really. At least not for me or Sebastian. But thank you for your opinion. I’m sure there are people out there who are entertained by it.”
She gives me a long once-over, her expression shifting into something dark and predatory, until she snags on my lower stomach, and she lets out a derisive laugh. My pulse immediately spikes.
“Ah. Now it’s all making sense.”
My hands move in front of me, but it’s too late and I know it. Adrenaline prickles my skin, my need to flee taking over. “I don’t know what—”
“He married you because of that,” she cackles, her eyes filling with delight as they take in my baby bump. I can feel Althea’s hand on my arm, but it doesn’t matter now. There’s nothing she can do.
Time slows as I watch the woman’s hand shoot out toward my stomach, dread coiling within me when I realize what she’s about to do. Before I can react, she rubs her hand over my small bump and a gasp ripples through the crowd like a gust of cold wind, chilling me to the bone.
“Oh, how darling,” she exclaims loudly, her voice carrying as she beams triumphantly at me. “You’re pregnant!”
My face flushes with heat and humiliation while outrage courses through me like molten lava.
In the span of a few heartbeats, I’ve become the center of attention, more than I already was, and for all the wrong reasons.
Whispers and murmurs erupt around the ballroom like a sudden, fierce storm.
The news of my pregnancy spread through the room with the speed and ferocity of wildfire, fueled by the judgmental looks and pointed comments of those who had been waiting for just such an opportunity to gossip about me.
Awesome. But there’s nothing for me to do or say. The damage is done.
“Have a lovely rest of your evening, Your Majesty,” she purrs, oh so pleased with herself as she walks off, leaving me standing here with Althea. Sebastian is across the room and has no clue what just happened as he speaks to the Swiss president.
“Can you believe it? Pregnant already?” one woman hisses derisively.
“That’s clearly why he married her,” another agrees. “How vulgar to knock up your nanny and be forced to marry her.”
I stand here, my heart pounding in my chest, feeling as if I’m trapped in a cage made of glass with everyone staring at me from all sides.
The weight of their gazes bears down on me, suffocating me, making it hard to breathe.
And yet, despite the shock and discomfort that threaten to overwhelm me, I refuse to let them see me crumble.
“Bellamy,” Althea whispers urgently beside me, squeezing my forearm. “I’m so sorry. I should have intervened.”
“There was nothing you could do. She was out for blood, and she found it.”
“What do we do now?”
I suck in a breath and release it slowly. “I honestly have no idea.”