Change of Plans

*Belinda*

Once the party was dismissed, Belinda wasted no time to scurry her heels back to the sanctity of her room. Entering the immaculately feminine dwelling with its high ceilings and gold candelabras alone was enough to balm her tempest. 

But it did not completely beat the beast within. 

"Julia!" Belinda barked, stepping out of the white princess gown.

The young maid scrambled quickly to gather up in her arms. She dashed away as fast as a rabbit to hang it back up in the wardrobe just as the old woman with hair pulled into a severe bun came into sight. She nodded, folding her hands behind her back. Already expecting this. 

"Inform the servants to set up tables in the dance hall." Belinda began a list with a frustrated sigh.

"Sweep the floors, polish the statues, clean the mirrors-.Oh god." Belinda groaned, thinking on. There was just so much to do. And she already felt frazzled from the heat, feeling a drip of sweat plunk into her corset. 

It's all because of that bastard girl. Belinda had to find the blame. Otherwise, Alexander would never be so rash. To make an announcement right in front of all the noble's children. By fault forcing her hand. Giving work where she was already overwhelmed.

"And have the royal musicians start practicing now. They must tune and set up before dinner." Belinda noted, stepping feet first into the fresh dress before the girl pulled it over the metal crinoline. 

"Yes, Your Highness." Julia stiffly bowed, taking in the task without so much as a twitch before turning to head out with her objectives. 

But where both women expected that would be the end of the discussion, a sharp gasp followed the sound of the wooden creaking as someone stepped through her door.

"Husband?"Belinda greeted with a slight lift in her tone, turning halfway to jingle the drop earrings to clatter as she found the tall and sunkissed man enter.

"Belinda," He met her with a warm smile that betrayed his good nature.

"I thought you would like some help."He offered, stealing a look over her, but not before she saw his thick fingers flex nervously. A small sign revealing he wasn't here just to volunteer assistance. 

At least he knows THAT I'm upset. Belinda huffed but could already feel her temper slip back just a bit. It was hard to resent him, especially when he smiled.

"You're dismissed, Julia." Belinda waved her manicured hand to her and inadvertently signaled the other maids to do the same. Her grey eyes patiently waited until the last one scurried out before her eyes shifted back to the mirror.

Now alone, Belinda stared quietly after him. And the longer she watched, the more he began to sway on his feet. His smile shifted before he moved to scratch his beard absently.

"Belinda," 

"What exactly were you thinking?!" Belinda exploded, no longer needing to hold back. She clenched her hands into fists by her side, half tempted to start hitting him in the chest again. As much good as it'd do.

"You can't just announce something like this. It's not a man's hunt or a horse ride." Belinda shook her head to shake loose a swarthy curl to rest on her forehead.

"Saying we should have a ball for that bas – "But just as her painted lips were about to form the word, she caught herself in time and pressed in her lips.

"My dear husband. Balls are not a trivial thing. Balls take time. There is much planning involved." Belinda explained instead, trying to invoke reason.

Alexander only seemed to smile on one side of his face as if in a lazy smirk.

"And here I thought you enjoyed making plans. " His eyes became lively again. The shadow is gone, in place of his traditional oceanic blue. Enough so that Belinda let out a soft breath of relief. 

He didn't hear her little slip-up. It meant she had avoided an argument. And Belinda mentally patted herself on the back. It was good. 

She did not have time to argue. Not with the planning and all. Belinda didn't need to add another instance of having to walk on her tippy toes around him. 

Although none of this was my fault, Belinda quietly cursed, still finding blame where she could. If someone hadn't unexpectedly shown up, things would have run smoothly. 

And they still will. Belinda was determined. She already had her eyes on the prize. A blond giant, to be exact. She only needed to get her alone and they could start bargaining on- 

"Speaking of which, what were you two talking about? "

"Speaking to who? " Belinda moved to unclip the diamond earrings to drop onto the opal-colored vanity. 

Alexander smiled, but this one didn't meet his eyes. He paced to her side before reaching down to pick up the pearl earrings. 

"You and Lord Mykhol looked cozy back there."

"Cozy?" Belinda made to half smile.

"You mean play host?" That you've, yet again, forgotten to do?

"Then yes. I was considerate of my guests."

"I never saw you two speak before now." Alexander needled the earring stem through her ear. 

"That's because you never stay, dear husband." Belinda brushed his thick fingers away gently to get the clasp. She closed them without a thought before moving to string the matching choker to her neck. 

"If you had, you would have seen we've spoken before." Belinda motioned to him to help with the clasp.

Alexander obediently assisted with the clasp. But his fingers were never the best for such small things, and he struggled a bit longer than necessary. However, when the lobster claw did click, a smile of achievement pushed up his cheeks. Making his face as handsome as before. 

It made it hard to resist when he looked like that. So focused. Belinda could feel the warmth of his chest on her back and nearly closed her eyes right there. She was tempted so deliciously to just lean back and have his arms wrap around her.

"Husband-" Belinda half turned with her lips parted. Her eyes shifted down to his full lips, ready to taste them. To feel them on her. 

But Alexander turned down to pull together the back of her dress. His hands pulled and tucked at the buttons as if missing her clear invitation. Something dark curtained his eyes once more.

"Keep your distance from him." 

Belinda had to laugh at the sudden flare of anger in his tone. 

"Is my husband jealous?" It made her cheeks flush with pleasure at the idea he would be. How gallant of him.

"We will." Belinda went easily, moving to adjust her bodice to show just the whisper of cleavage. "Though, I can ensure the likes of a vampire would never sway me-"

"I don't trust him." 

Belinda only sighed. "How would that look if I did? He's a noble." Belinda moved to pull a pin out of her hair for another. 

"I can't ignore him." As much as that is tempting. Belinda tucked the wild curl back into her updo. 

"So I smile and bear it." Like many things. Belinda could recall just as Alexander's hands finished the last button.

Alexander nodded curtly in the mirror, but not before pinching his lip.

"I don't see you so cold toward Hildenberg." 

"Hidi is an exception." Belinda defended with a gentle smile. " She is my dearest friend's daughter. That makes her practically family." And she lifted her brow in the mirror as to give a hint.

The man scuffed behind but half-heartedly."So you weren't joking."

"Very well. But don't forget about your son's feelings." He moved those big, warm hands to rest on her shoulders.

Belinda only smiled and reached to take up one to turn its palm up. She kissed it reverently. 

"Their feelings will grow." She assured. "They always do. One way or another." 

"You are a devil of a woman."

"You are the devil!" And Belinda playfully hit his arm.

"You are the one putting these girls in such a predicament. They did not bring dresses for any ball. So you put them at a disadvantage."

"I'm sure you will manage, my dove," Alexander murmured, dragging the fingertips from her skin, making Belinda whimper at a loss. But again, this was not the time.

"I know I can. I am more than capable." And Belinda waved her hand.

"Yes, sometimes I do overlook how capable you are. " Alexander grew oddly quiet, looking at her in the mirror.

"Of many things." 

"Husband?" Belinda straightened at his silence in the reflection. But just as she turned, curious to see what was wrong, he brushed a kiss on her cheek. And then he left, just the sound of boots creaking the wood floor as he went.

Belinda felt an odd pull at the bottom of her stomach as she turned to watch his frame disappear into the hall. Leaving her wondering just what he meant by that. Why did he look at her…so sadly?

Does he know? Belinda furrowed her brows, looking on with that pull twisting in her stomach. But before she could do anything, the familiar footsteps of another had retracted her face back into that mask of perfection.

"Everything is done?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, it is," Julia replied steadfastly, as always. But of course, she would. There was a reason Belinda kept the old woman this long. Julia was her right hand more times than she could count. Even now.

"I think we should have a costume party." Belinda curled a strand of hair with her finger. 

In the mirror, she could see Julia stiffen. But if she was startled by the sudden decisions, she hid it well behind that weathered face.

"I will inform our guests right away," Julia replied, turning to do so. But Belinda stopped her with a hand.

"No, have Doxy do that work."

"Doxy?" Julia scrunched her nose as if smelling something dead. "But Doxy is too informal, my lady. She will-"

"I have another task for you." 

Belinda stood back to admire herself in the mirror. The dress, of course, would need to change again. This was to be a costume party now. So Belinda had to think of an entirely new concept. 

But that was something to put off till later. Right now, she had something more impending to battle. 

"Find her majesty Hildenberg." Belinda toned, moving to roll her neck and feel the pearls dance on her skin. The creamy orbs glided in a cool relief against the otherwise hot air. Almost as good as his fingers felt. 

But perhaps that would be another time. Because now there was a proposition she needed to make before anything else.

"And tell her to come alone."