Take me as I am.

Chapter 2

This is it.

My wedding day.

I was standing still, with my arms stretched out like a bird's wings, while the king's maids helped me dress so I'd look like the picture of perfection.

When they were finally done I set off to look for my husband to be.

To think about it, he's been acting quite strange recently.

Very carefully lifting the front of my dress and walking down some few stairs, slowly and patiently, I was back on the first floor of the castle.

Martin said he thought it would be more suited to get married in the castles church other then the ones in the village.

He always seemed to look down on the poor, where I cared and helped them when I could.

Martin and eye were so different, but somehow, he made me happy.

I came to a halt down one of the castle's narrow hallways, with hundreds of doors on each side, as I heard lustful groans and moans.

I stopped breathing loud and concentrated on the sound, trying to figure out where it is coming from.

When I finally came towards the door that was hiding the hidden picture, I slowly reached out and turned the knob.

What I saw next made my heart stop and my blood run cold.

The dream. The nightmare. The picture in the mirror.

Infront of me layed Martin over a woman, kissing her,caressing her, loving her.

They were both bear naked.

"You arent enough for him. You'll never be."

"..you,my dear, belong to us. You belong to me."

"Who are you?" I thought as I heard the devil like voice in mind repeat itself from my dream.

I screamed, making them both jump in fright and surprise.

Martin's eyes widen as he stood up from the bed, pooling on his pants as he said,

"Melanie, I can explain."

I frowned at him in confution and frustration as I looked back at the woman on the bed, shielding het bear body with the covers.

This time my expression turned to rage.

Not only dit he sleep with another woman, but he slept with the qeeun.

"Oh! Really? Im sure the king would love to know about this."

I said turning around and running towards the staircase, which was hard with this dress on.

I could hear Martin coming after me.

Finally I reached the king's stay and knocked hard and fast.

If I knew, then he had the right to know as well.

When the guards let me in, I fell to the floor right infront of his highnesses feet and started crying drastically.

I told him the whole story ,but he took me aback when he didn't look surprised at all.

"Oh dear child. I thought Martin was going to tell you about his affair with my ex-wife?" He said sympathetically.

"Ex?" I asked confused.

Just then Martin bardged in making both our heads turn towards the doors.

I stood up.

"You...have an affair with the kings..e ..ex wife?" I said unbelievably.

"I so sorry Melanie, I wanted to tell you but I-" he started, walking towards me as I stepped back, pain present in my eyes.

"On our wedding day! Dont touch me you...you.. idiot!" I shouted tears still stream out of me eyes.

"Melanie, please. Let me expl-"

"No! Leave me alone!"

I said pushing past him aggressively.

I stopped in the door and looked at the king.

"You should be ashamed." I said sending daggers towards a now surprised and scared king.

Never mess with a woman.

And with that I ran towards the entrance of the castle as I heard Martin call behind me.

"Melanie!"

I was finally outside still running as the dirty streets of the village, ruined my once white dress.

Ugh! I cant run fast enough and they'll find me faster by horse.

Thats it.

I went in between two homes and got rid of my under dress that made my dress look like a fluffy cloud, as I also kicked out my expensive shoes.

And then I left of from where I started.

I was now in the poor area of our kingdom and there were lots of souls looking at me in confusion while I ran for the open fields.

I slumped down on the soft green grass, gasping for much needed air.

My lungs, my legs and ribs were so saw.

Suddenly my heartbeat got faster and louder as I heard the crys of running horses and the klipidy-klop sounds of their hooves.

I need to hide.

I looked around me desperately in search of a place to take cover.

The only thing that was available to take refuge in was...

The Forest of Dark Spirits.

Should I go in there or either be taken back to the man who broke my heart and be forced to see him and the king's ex wife?

Forest of Dark Spirits it is then.

I ran once more but this time, my life depended on it.

"There!"

I heard a man scream and I looked back to see at least ten soldiers, amongts them, Martin.

I was nearing the forest as one of the men screamed.

"No! What the hell are you thinking?!"

I knew it was Martin's voice but I dont think he would care less if I was harmed or better yet...dead.

And with that I jumped into the bushes of the forest running into it as deep as I could.

"For the..! What are we gonna tell the king?"

I stopped to hear them talk and not even attempting to enter the forest.

Fools!

"I dont know, but if she comes back?"

"We'll have to burn her."

"Yes. She would have probably been taken over by a dark spirit."

I scoffed.

Really, Im still alive you know!

"Enough!"

I jumped at the sound of Martin's angry voice.

"We shall not say a word. We shall just say we lost her over the rivers waterfall in the east when she tried to escape."

And with that they were off.

Fhew, oh wait. Im all alone in a forest...that no one dares to enter.

I turned around and for the first time, I caught a glimpse off the forest that has been described to me in stories since I was a small girl.

It was true.

Bark and leaves from the trees, as black as tar.

Same goes to the ash black snow.

It smelled of that of the dead and was completely dark like the night.