"Why are you here?" Cordelia asks in an angry voice as she demands an explanation from Bernard. She gets cautious even more from his lack of response.

Bernard continues to stare at Cordelia with a smirk on his face after he shuts the door behind him. Still, he stays silent.

"What do you want?" Cordelia impatiently shouts at Bernard with her emotions already running high. She can feel herself beginning to hyperventilate. She feels panic rising in her heart. She is getting alarmed in her worry about her husband's intention of barging into her room just like this. It is making her uneasy that she is alone in this room with him. She is angry about Bernard's mocking expression and refusal to reply to her inquiry. At the same time, she is starting to blush from her other thought earlier on her responsibilities as the Prince's wife. She might have been forced to marry him but she cannot deny the attractiveness of her husband. She is a grown woman and her natural desire to appreciate a man this handsome and sexy cannot be denied. She takes extra efforts to ignore this brewing attraction by concentrating on her irritation.

Bernard stands by the door, still in his wedding suit and looking as handsome as ever. His clothing emphasizes his attractive body which invites flirtatious imaginations to any woman who gazes upon him. It will also seem that Bernard is very much aware of it which is why he keeps his wife in suspense longer with his silence.

Cordelia can feel the heat rushing to her face already and she intentionally hides it with anger. She does not like to give any hint to her husband about any attraction she might have for him. She intends to stay opposed to her being his wife and not give him the satisfaction that she might be interested in him.

"Don't panic dear wife." Bernard finally replies. He has decided to end Cordelia's worried state as he notices the reddening of his wife's face. Teasing Cordelia has somewhat become a game for him.

"I have no dirty plans for you. In fact, I do not even have any ounce of attraction towards you. I have someone more interesting in mind that requires my affection more than a silly woman like you. I think you have met her, rather accidentally already. I only agreed to marry you for the kingdom's sake." Bernard says with an annoyed tone.

Cordelia sighs in relief from what she heard but at the same time wound up for such insults coming from the man she is supposed to be married to all her life. Wait, is she even disappointed in the Prince's confession of his lack of attraction towards her? She shakes her head to remove the thought.

"I only came here to check on you." Bernard adds to clarify his presence in her bedroom.

"Good! I am fine here." She replies matching Bernard's tone.

"That is good to know! You can sleep here for now. I apologize for the room's inadequacy. I will have another room arranged for your convenience soon. This is just temporary for the sudden wedding we had. You will have one befitting a Royal wife. But that is all you can have from me. Nothing else!" Bernard explains further as he still lingers in the room with Cordelia.

Cordelia is continuing to get annoyed with Bernard and hopes that he will leave soon. Her emotions are running low from all the pretending she had to endure since her arrival at the palace up to the wedding events. Now, she is being insulted by her supposed husband. There is only so much that she can take. She is almost about to snap. All she wants is to be left alone to rest her mind and body. However, she cannot send him away after all since this is his place. She only wishes that he leaves soon unless he has something nicer to say than remind her of their false marriage.

Bernard stares around the room with his arms crossed in front as if inspecting the room for his wife. However, he remains standing by the closed door.

Cordelia observes him like a hawk because she still does not trust Bernard. In her impatience for her husband to leave, she is not able to control what she says next.

"If you must know, I was forced to marry you as well. I have no intentions of gaining your attention in any way!" Cordelia blurts out. She says this to get back at Bernard's insult to her a while ago.

Bernard looks straight at her with an expressionless face. He seems to hide his shock at what Cordelia has said.

Cordelia stares back in defiance. She intends to upset Bernard for barging into her room just to mock her and tell to her face what their real relationship is. She hopes that he will go away if she makes him angry too so they will be equal now.

"Besides, if I have my choice and it will be granted by his highness, I will divorce you immediately so as not to delay your happiness with your precious lover! You seem to enjoy each other's company very much so I will not get in your way! Are you satisfied with that?" She continues to babble on, as she loses control of herself from the anger rising from her again. She recalls the indecent manner of her discovery of Bernard and his lover since he mentions now her meeting that immoral woman named Freya. She wishes for him to leave this instantly because she might cry with so much resentment. She does not like him to see her that way.

Bernard continues to stare at Cordelia but starts to move toward her. His eyes suddenly turn cold as he approaches her near the bed.

Cordelia steps a few paces backward as she becomes wary of Bernard's cold look. She starts to panic once more for not having a clue about what Bernard intends to do to her now after she utters her disgust towards Bernard and his beloved Freya.

Will Bernard hurt her? Is he capable of such violence for mere verbal insults she has said? Cordelia tries to collect her thoughts as she continues to step back without releasing her eye contact with Bernard. She fears he might make a move and she has to be ready.

Bernard takes his time to approach Cordelia in silence but also maintains his eye contact with her. Finally, Cordelia falls into a sitting position on the bed, having no more space left to step back away from him. She gasps in surprise but keeps her stare focused on the Prince. She clenched both her fist, ready to punch Bernard, if necessary.

Bernard glares at Cordelia like a hunter who has cornered his prey. He is now standing in front of her looking coldly back at her panicked face. He bends down and holds her on both shoulders without losing his gaze focused on her.

"So what will you do now? Are you going to hurt me for insulting your Freya?" Cordelia shouts at Bernard in defiance but with a mix of fear from not knowing what Bernard is planning to do to her.

Bernard holds Cordelia by her shoulders as he bends over her with a cold stare. He can see that panic in her eyes although she tries to put up an angry expression to mask her true emotions.

While she is struggling to be free from his touch, he feels the soft skin on her shoulders.

"What are you going to do? Are you planning to hurt me?" Cordelia repeats her question as Bernard remains quiet.

Bernard cannot utter a single word because he is having an inner struggle himself. He can sense that his wife is trying to keep a brave stance but he knows she is helpless against him. The Prince lost his mocking stance from the moment Cordelia told him that she is forced to be with him and she intends to get a divorce. He feels suddenly conflicted. He thought he should be relieved that this woman is letting him be free to be with someone else. Why is he upset hearing those words from her? Does he feel insulted that Cordelia might not be attracted to him but hates him instead? Why does he care what this woman thinks of him? He continues to stare coldly at his wife as he imprisons Cordelia on the bed as if she is glued to it. Something in him begins to awake again. He senses the same electricity he felt on his first encounter with her. He yearns to keep touching her, but he cannot decide on what to do next. He just feels the warm sensation spreading through his whole body. He can barely contain his urge to caress Cordelia's face, her soft hair, and her inviting curves.

Bernard's imagination is starting to run wild on the different sensual things he wants to do with this woman who keeps trying to bring out the animal inside of him without her even noticing. Why doesn't he feel this way with Freya? He barely knew this wife of his but he senses his need to be intimately close to her more than any other person he ever met. He desires to be connected to her in a very carnal manner.

Is he under a spell?

Cordelia still struggles in front of him but seems to be confused as well.

"What are you doing?" Cordelia shouts at him, not hiding her frightened expression from their proximity to each other and Bernard's continued silence. The fear is reflected in her eyes but there is a certain yearning too.

They both seem to have transformed into another place where everything heightens the temperature of their bodies like they are caught on fire that burns slowly but can only be extinguished by each other.

Suddenly, there is a knock at the door. This brought them back to reality.

Bernard abruptly regains his wits. He seems to snap out from his daze upon hearing the loud knock.

Cordelia finds her chance as well and pushes Bernard away from him.

Bernard loses his footing and falls to the floor with a loud thud. He stares in shock at Cordelia but does not say a word.

"Your highness, is everything alright?" The voice from outside sounds puzzled by the lack of response from within the room.

Both Bernard and Cordelia hear the female voice outside but cannot seem to say anything. It must be one of the maids.

Finally, Cordelia stands from the bed to open the door while Bernard recovers and quickly stands too from where he slumps.

The maid enters and bows to both Cordelia and Bernard, without noticing anything unusual that happened between the two.

"Pardon me Prince Bernard, Princess Cordelia...your father, King Rob has arrived and wishes your presence." The maid announces politely to both of them.

"Thank you for telling us. We shall welcome my father in a while. Go ahead and inform him of our response." Bernard commands the maid.

The maid bows once more and leaves afterward, shutting the door.

Cordelia moves away from the door and keeps a safe distance from Bernard. She is still wary of him.

"You go ahead and welcome your father. I shall stay here." Cordelia says bravely as she regains her composure from the scare just a few moments ago.

"What did you just say? My father asks for our presence and we shall go and see him together. You are my wife and you should follow what I tell you to do." Bernard says in anger as he reminds Cordelia of her status in the palace from now on.

"Why will I follow what you tell me to do?" Cordelia asks as if to challenge Bernard's authority.

Bernard approaches Cordelia once more, clearly with anger on his face. He dwells on this emotion so as to control his instincts from a while back. He allows his fury to grow so that he will not have any other emotions stronger than this anger.

"You will do as I say. You will be my obedient wife and Princess here or I will make your life in this palace a living hell! Do you understand me?" Bernard replies in a very stern voice. He is now standing in front of Cordelia staring at her with flaming fury in his eyes. He looks straight at her but unlike before, he never comes any closer. He does not even attempt to touch her again.

Cordelia stares back at the Prince with the same furious expression but does not say any word in response. She is debating on what she will do next. Her mind comes back to the reality of her position at present. She has nothing and nowhere else to go. She cannot change this fate of hers for now but she can make her life here easier if she just stays away from Prince Bernard's anger. For now, she will be the obedient Princess and wife that Bernard expects of her. In time, she will find a way to escape. That is the best plan for her. Cordelia breathes deeply in defeat.

Bernard seems to take her silence as acceptance.

"Well then, let us not keep the King waiting. Come along my Princess." Bernard opens the door and waits for Cordelia to step out of the room first before he shuts the door behind them.

Cordelia allows Bernard to walk beside her. The Prince does not make any move to touch her again as he keeps a safe distance from her while they walk towards the King's chamber.

Prince Bernard stays silent and does not even glance at her at all.

Cordelia remains quiet too. She prefers to be on unspeaking terms with him than continue arguing again with things they cannot change anymore. She is just too exhausted from all of that for now.

The Prince and Princess walk onto the palace absorbed in their own thoughts. Both might be better off this way if they have to be civil enough when they face King Rob. Finally, they reach the entrance to the King's chamber. They stare at each other as if calculating their readiness to face the King.

"Your Highness, Prince Bernard and his wife Princess Cordelia at your presence." The royal guard announces their arrival.

Bernard takes Cordelia's hand to his without saying a word. Cordelia allows him. It is time for their royal duties to begin.

King Rob smiles appreciatively at the couple whom he notices holding each other by the hand.

"Welcome my son and Cordelia. Congratulations and best wishes to you."

"I apologize for not being able to attend your Royal Wedding. I have some very important matters to deal with immediately. However, your mother was there with you so I think everything went tremendously well." King Rob summarizes everything in one speech.

Prince Bernard remains silent as if he is still in a bad mood. He seems to dislike his father's warm greetings for Cordelia. He is all the more reminded of this forced marriage thing.

"Thank you, King Rob. Welcome back too." Cordelia replies politely to the King as a courtesy, since she notices that Bernard has no intention to say anything at all. She feels obligated to be nice to the King.

"I have requested both your presence here to tell you that I intend to hold a Royal Banquet to welcome Cordelia as a Princess into our family. This will signify her legitimacy as your wife and formally introduce her to our kingdom." King Rob excitedly explains to the newlyweds.

Both Bernard and Cordelia cannot hide their surprise but try hard to control their personal protest against this announcement.

"Cordelia is a strong addition to our Royal family. Besides, our people love her already." The King continues happily without noticing the reactions of Bernard and Cordelia.

"Really father? That's really great!" Bernard says annoyingly but yet again unnoticed by King Rob.

"I have commissioned our royal seamstress to design a beautiful dress exclusively for Cordelia. It is the least I could do for my absence from your wedding. Consider it as a gift from your father." King Rob says proudly to Cordelia.

Cordelia notices Bernard's annoyance with all these and she decides to go along with King Rob's excitement to infuriate Bernard further.

"Oh, that is truly so thoughtful of you King Rob. I am very much thankful for your gift. I cannot wait to try out that dress. I am so excited." Cordelia exclaims in a very enthusiastic manner.

King Rob even claps his hands in delight at Cordelia's reaction to the dress.

This makes Bernard really disgusted. Bernard keeps imagining Cordelia in that exclusive dress. He is trying to picture her in his mind. He attempts to think of bad reactions like Cordelia will be unattractive and will still look so plain. He gets upset even more because his mind is debating with him too in disagreeing that his wife will not be pretty at all. Bernard just shakes his head with a sour expression on his face.

King Rob notices Bernard's actions and then says to him,

"Oh my son, I am sorry to take Cordelia away from you for a while. You will have her back after she tries the dress on." King Rob misreads his son's irritation as his refusal to be away from Cordelia.

Bernard just crosses his arms in response. He is unable to say anything anymore.

"My dear Cordelia, you can head on to the right-wing of the palace. You will pass the open park on your way there. The seamstress will be waiting for you there." King Rob instructs Cordelia where to go to try the dress on.

"Thank you, your highness." Cordelia says to the King as she curtseys. She turns around to leave.

Bernard attempts to follow Cordelia.

"My son, please let your wife go for a while. Stay here first and spend some time with your father." King Rob tells Bernard in an amused way, still implying that Bernard cannot seem to let Cordelia out of his sight.

Bernard shrugs his shoulders and stays with King Rob.

******************

Cordelia takes her time walking to where King Rob instructed her to meet the seamstress. She feels good a little for fulfilling her goal to upset Bernard. She feels satisfied with herself. At the same time, she is grateful for King Rob's warm acceptance of her. If she is honest with herself, she feels that being accepted here will not be so bad at all. She can always continue to annoy her husband anyway. As a girl from her simple foster family, she is also excited to see this dress that is specially made for her at the King's request. No one has ever given her anything special even when she was young. As she recalls, everything she had is handed down by her older stepsister Sofia. Cordelia stops these thoughts about her sad childhood. She is in a lighter mood now when she reaches the park that the King has mentioned earlier. She is near the place now.

As she passes the park, she cannot help but admire the abundance of flowers here. The beautiful flowers come in different colors and the fragrance makes her feel even more refreshed. Since she does not feel the need to hurriedly return to Bernard, she lingers in the park. The place is very tempting for her. Again, this is a wide area with lots of breathing space for her. This gives her a sense of freedom, even for just a few moments. Cordelia approaches the colorful flowers to smell them closely. She leisurely walks toward them with a bright smile on her face.

Maybe this will be one of her favorite places in the palace to visit, just like the garden she saw the other day when she tried to make her escape but was caught by the witch Zoe. She laughs to herself as she remembers how she planned to climb the vines to get over the palace walls. That was really one desperate moment for her.

As Cordelia reaches the thicker bunch of flowers, she is startled by a furry animal that sprang from the flowers.

"What the..." Cordelia exclaims in total shock as she backs up a safe distance away from the animal.

The furry creature suddenly made a strange howling sound. The howling sound gives a chill to Cordelia's nerves. It is undeniably a wolf, and a big one to be exact. This wolf seems out of place here. Presently, it seems focused on Cordelia who is staring at it with terrified eyes. The wolf starts to rush ferociously towards her.

Cordelia knows what is about to happen but she is paralyzed on the spot. She cannot even afford to scream from her surprise and fear to see such a creature on its way to attack her and definitely kill her. She closes her eyes in her panic and awaits her death with her nowhere else to run.