𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐁𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐓

𝕹𝖊𝖜𝖑𝖞 𝖂𝖊𝖉

When I was younger, before Theo, before nobility, I remember dreaming of marrying a man from distant lands. I dreamt of a garden we'd share, the horses we'd raise. I dreamt of a future where everyday was full of love and fresh roses. I dreamt of a love like my mother and fathers, a love like the King and Queen. I dreamt of a love as deep as my love for strawberries.

I always thought my marriage would be built on love. That I could escape the path of political marriage, that I could marry with my heart and not my head. To marry a friend, someone I could rely on and laugh with.

Well today marks the end of those dreams. The death of childhood and rise of reality. As soon as these doors open, I'll be Lady Luneth, Wife of Sirus Luneth. A man who i met once in the woods, a man who my path became entangled with.

Shutting my eyes, I took a deep breathe. Erasing any thought of running away, I opened my eyes and rose my head up high. Practicing my smile, I readied myself to enter. Nodding at the knights, the doors swung open and thousands of eyes met mine.

Walking past them, I tried to keep my legs from tripping over themselves. I seemed to have underestimated how I'd feel. My eyes began to sting and my legs were growing weaker with each step. However, through the grace of the sun and moon I made it.

My mind was racing, I could barely hear the priest. Thought after thoughts, flung through my mind left and right. Wondering of my decisions in life, and the fact I'd be living with this man. This man that I knew barely anything about.

My heart was practically bursting out my rib cage begging to be let free as my palms were drenched in sweat. Biting my lip, I painfully smiled through it all. My head was beginning to pound by the tightness of all the clips and pins in my hair. I could feel myself getting lighter and lighter through the whole ordeal.

A pair of cold, large hands slipped over mine. Gazing into my eyes, I could feel a sense of serenity wash over me the longer I looked into those honey eyes.

"And Miss Malory, do you take Mister Luneth to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," my voice cracked. If I could I'd run out and hide under a blanket. My voice sounded like young boy in the midst of puberty.

"Then Mr Luneth you may kiss the Bride," he clasped his hands together.

Gently taking the bouquet with one hand, he cupped my cheek. Sliding his hand around my waist, he gently tugged me closer. My eyes automatically shut, I could feel his breathing tickling my skin as he moved closer. His lips softer than I ever imagined. Like soft pillows are lips merged.Electricity went through my veins, a strange euphoria. Our eyes slowly peeking open, greeting each other once again. In a complete daze, if felt like a dream. As if it was just us alone and nobody else, our lips met again. This time the kiss was deeper. I could feel the strength of his arms as they desperately hugged tighter. How my body heated up against his icy skin. My body craved more, it demanded it.

Abruptly he ripped his lips away, I felt a cold chill. I once again was brought to reality, the cheers of the crowd, the disgusted face of Ophelia and my teary parents. My maid of honour, Cecile was probably the loudest person in the crowd.

The king gave his congratulatory speech leaving immediately afterwards. Everyone was dancing and eating. Kids raced around and under tables as the older ladies gossiped in the corner and others caught up. I, on the other hand still couldn't believe what had happened. It was as if he did a complete 360, not that I was complaining or anything.

Everything he did was perfect, from the way he seamlessly held conversation, to the light touches he did in front of the camera. To the naked eye we looked like the perfect, ideal marriage. And I thought it wouldn't be so bad,until the second week of marriage.

It seemed his perfect husband act had an expiration date, since as soon as I was whisked away into the manor it all ended. For two weeks, I did not see him. Not at Breakfast, lunch or dinner, not even at night. It was as if I had married a ghost.

That was all until one night. The rain battered the walls of the manor mercilessly, as the howls of the wind circled.I was busily finishing of the last bits of replies to a few letters in the bedroom, when all of a sudden I heard a strange yelp.

Grabbing a lantern, I peeked my head out the door scanning the pitch black halls. Nothing. Carefully, shutting the door, I stepped out into the hallway. The manor was much more different in night compared to the morning. There was more of an slight edge to it. 

Emerald curtains draped over large,slim, uniform windows. Candles placed every few minutes away in between. The skinny hallway was barely decorated, compared to most typical homes in nobility. A few little sculptures here and there,but not a single painting in sight.

Wandering past the rooms, I tried to take in every little detail. From the vine pattern on the carpet to the golden tassel rope tying the curtains. I wasn't exactly given a tour of the manor after all. On my first night I was brought to my room and changed out of my dress. I was then thoroughly prepared for a deed we didn't even commit. Why? My husband disappeared of course.

I waited and waited, but he didn't appear. I couldn't dare ask the maids as they'd become suspicious. It was well known in nobility a gossiping maid always lead to most of the biggest rumours. So I stayed silent. 

Just as I had made it to the end of the hall, a loud groan echoed throughout the manor. It was best to run back to my room, but these past days have been quite boring. So what did I do? I did the thing anyone curious would do, go and explore.

Loosely following the direction of the groan, I began to hear little whimpers and whispers the closer I got. Hiding behind a pillar, two maids walked out of the dungeons holding a basket of bandages. The door behind them wafting a strong scent of that familiar coin like scent. Blood.

"Goodnight Master."

The door swung open again, the scent hitting stronger than before. It was Stanford. The butler of the manor. As soon as I couldn't hear the click of his shoes, I made my way towards the door. Pushing up and onto my tiptoes, I snuck a peek through the little bars of the door.

Hands and feet shackled, his head hung low. Scars scattered his body, varying in size. Despite the pungent smell, despite the peculiar scene, I couldn't help but watch. Struggling against the chains, sweat dripped from his whole body. Only a mere torch lit up the cell, highlighting all the features of his body.

Did he do this every night? Was this one of his secrets? I stepped away from the door wondering what to do with this new found knowledge. However, I wasn't given much time as my eyes soon met not the usual pools of honey I was used to, but eyes the colour of blood. Instinctively, I ran. And I guess his instincts told him too do so also,  as he somehow broke out of the chains.