"What? In two days?" Jasper asked, who was sitting on his master chair busy with some paperwork, and was left stunned for a second by Sasha's words.

She rarely came around here and rarely demanded anything.

But now when she came to him and demanded that the wedding happen earlier than before, he didn't know what to do.

Leaning back against the master chair, he took a deep breath.

"May I know the reason for that?" He asked, looking at her. His eyes moved down to her body and paused on her chest which was abnormally moving up and down, indicating that she was running not long ago. He looked back up at her.

"Ahh, you see I'm afraid something might happen before that, it could delay the wedding. I'm just not having a good feeling about that." She said while fidgeting with her fingers. Her eyes moved up to his face and there were lots of questions hidden in his expressions. Before he could ask something, she immediately continued.

"I don't want any wedding present. I just want the wedding to happen in two days." She said and he lowered his gaze as if thinking hard. She thought he wouldn't agree but when he nodded his head, she felt a great sense of relief washing over her.

"Though, I didn't quite get your reason but I will fulfill this demand of yours." He said and a wide smile kissed her features making his eyes go double in size. She was smiling and it was a happy smile and a genuine smile. Something he had never witnessed in these whole two years.

All of a sudden he stood up and slowly walked up to her. Her smile dropped with each step he took closer to her. He paused in front of her and she just silently stared at him until he put his fingers under her chin, raising her face.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked nervously and he smiled at her. "Nothing, I liked the way you smile." He said and her pupils slightly dilated.

'I like the way you cry...so beautiful.'

His words rang in her head and something known as fear clutched her heart in its vicious grip until Jasper brought her back to the present by kissing her lips.

Her eyes widened when she felt his lips on hers. 

She stilled for a second and didn't know what to do or how to react. This was the first time they kissed. As a princess, she was always taught not to get intimate with a man before marriage. Not to fall in love with anyone unless he was a royal.

However, the things she learned were of no use and the man kissing her wasn't her first kiss either.

She was torn off from all of these the day the beast decided to show itself two years back.

The way he held her and did things to her all to his liking, she realized that all of those teachings were of no use against a man's desire.

He was a beast.

She still remembers how he held her and viciously kissed her, the feeling of helplessness, fear, and terror were marked over her six senses forever. 

She put her hands on Jasper's chest and shut her eyes when he licked her lips, asking for entrance. When she didn't open her lips, he harshly bit on her lower lip making her hiss as she abruptly stepped back from him while covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Oh, pardon me." He said, looking a bit surprised as he wasn't expecting this reaction from her. "I-Its fine." She said, lowering her hand and he noticed the little bruise on her lower lip caused by him.

"I will take my leave now." She said, turned around and immediately left. As soon as she left, his expression turned bitter. "How boring." He said with an eye roll.

If it wasn't for the great wealth of the fallen Kingdom she inherited, he wouldn't even look at her. 

.......

At night.

With a mirror in her hand, Sasha stared at the mark on her lower lip.

It made her remember the time he kissed her, and left her lips bruised and swollen. For some reason, every other thing these days makes her remember him and makes her feel that fear all over again.

Maybe she needed to continue on her medicine.

Keeping the mirror on the dressing table, she closed the window and the door, locking them before walking up to the bed. She doesn't lock her door usually but when his memories claw her senses, she locks herself away. 

Once she settled on the bed, she took her medicine. Though, this medicine doesn't help her with her nightmares but it may help her to stop hallucinating.

But, was she really hallucinating?

Because of him, she's fighting here. Pondering if she was mentally ill or not.

Lying on the bed and covering herself with a duvet, she closed her eyes and blocked her mind from thinking. Hoping not to get any nightmares just like every other night, she drifted off to sleep.

........

The room was warm when she drifted off to sleep but in the middle of the night when the castle was indulged in darkness and the paths were vacant, the rooms were locked and the warmth was there, but something was peculiar with her surroundings.

She felt extremely cold.

Her lips shivered as she curled her body in a ball and covered herself properly with the duvet. Her eyes were closed and she was half asleep. She didn't bother getting up because she remembered very well that she locked everything.

She tried to doze off until she felt a zap of current run down her spine like lightning, making her eyes snap open as those hazel orbs stared up in horror.

Her orbs dilated and hazel looked like an outline, it was all due to sheer fear that engulfed her whole upon witnessing the man on top of her.

His face, she couldn't see it but his huge body on top of her, she could see it. Her orbs throbbed in terror when she noticed those big pale hands holding her waist down.

She couldn't see his face, but she could see his huge body hovering over her, feel his extreme aura, and feel his touch. She realized that she wasn't in a ball, she was lying straight with no duvet covering her. His one hand was holding her waist while his other hand had her wrists easily locked above her head.

Her orbs continued to throb in terror as tears began to roll down her temple. 

It was him.

Her terror.

Her nightmare.

She couldn't move...she tried to but she couldn't.

It was obviously just one of the worst nightmares.

Fortunately, she couldn't see his face otherwise she would've died from a heart attack.

She had never seen his face in her dreams. It was just those evil eyes and his words that haunted her.

This one felt too realistic to be a nightmare but it was one.

She knew no medicine could cure her. His fear was permanently imprinted on all of her six senses.

He had corrupted her whole.

It was as if she was hypnotized.

His hand that was on her waist slowly started to travel up, a soundless gasp escaped her lips when that big huge hand of his cupped her right Bosom twice before moving up. She wanted to scream for help but words were sealed in her mouth, she could only hear her muffled cries. 

She flinched badly and her heart lurked up to her mouth when she heard his all too familiar voice. It was deep and held excitement in the tone, a menacingly calm excitement. 

"He kissed you?" He asked, his cold thumb caressing her lightly bruised lower lip. She felt like her heart would come out of her mouth anytime soon. 

He knew it.

He knows everything.

There was no way she could hide from him.

"You dare let him touch you? Have you already forgotten who your master is?" He asked, his thumb pad roughly caressing her lower lip, bruising her already bruised lip even more.

"What did I tell you last time?" He asked, she wanted to close her eyes shut but she couldn't even do that. Tears were continuously rolling down her temple even when all he did was talk.

What did he tell her last time?

'I will destroy the one you seek for in order to get away from me.' 

She put Jasper and his kingdom at stake just to get away from this monster when she knew very well that there was no way out.

"How disobedient you are." He said, she jolted when she felt his hand in her hair, he was caressing her silky hair strands ever so slowly.

"But don't worry, even my most ruthless demon can't afford to harm you. My butterfly is so fragile, I'm afraid I'll break it." Her eyes widened when she heard him whispering all of this right next to her ear, she could even feel his hot breath hitting her ear.

It was just too realistic to be a dream.

Her heart was wildly slamming against her ribcage and her body was trembling like a leaf.

He was a sharp vicious knife dipped in honey for her.

"Remember one thing, even if you get married as early as possible, nothing can really take you away from me. Not even you and not even your God." 

"Because I am your Master."

Sasha's breath was knocked out of her system when she felt something cold on her lips. 

And just like that everything went blurry and her eyes snapped open. 

Drenched in sweat, and gasping for air, the duvet, bedsheet, and the robe she was wearing were all in disheveled condition. Her wide eyes stared up at the fancy stone-carved ceiling as her chest heaved up and down aggressively. She was stiff like a board and her whole body was aching painfully.

A light was peeking through the slick of the curtain indicating that it was morning already.

Though she was sleeping all this time it felt like she didn't sleep a blink. 

It was another nightmare.

Worse than ever.

She slowly sat up straight and frowned soon after when she realized that her face was wet. Even the pillow was drenched because of her tears. She raised her hand and wiped the tears away. She could still feel his touch, his breath, and the fear for him.

While she was wiping her tears, she noticed something on her wrist and it was as if the world stilled around her. Her horrified gaze was fixated on her bruised wrist.

The heartbeat that calmed down eventually fastened again in fear.

She looked at her other wrist and it was also bruised. His hold wasn't tight but it left such bruises...no why does she have them? Wasn't she having a nightmare? 

Her lower lip also felt weird.

Slowly getting off the bed, she stood up on her shaky legs and walked up to the dressing table, almost losing her balance on the way. With her trembling hands, she grabbed the mirror and focused it on her lips. 

And the next moment, the mirror fell down from her hand and on the cold floor, shattering into tiny pieces. Sasha stumbled back and fell on the floor, harshly landing on her butt as a sob raked through her body. 

Her lips were swollen and the bruise on her lower lip was even worse. It was as if he was here to remove Jasper's touch from her. But why? How? She locked everything. How did he get in? Or perhaps, he was already hiding in here but his huge presence couldn't be hidden anywhere here.

Everything that happened was real.

He was here.

He was watching her.

He was also planning something.

He could clearly stop the wedding before it happened but he was waiting for something. What? Could it be that he was here to destroy Jasper's kingdom?

She had so many things on her mind.

Tears wouldn't stop rolling down her eyes.

She stood up on her trembling legs but fell down again, so she took the support of the bed and stood up while crying. She checked the door and it was still locked but the window that she clearly remembers locking was unlocked and there was nothing beneath there to land on, just rugged ground that was so far, a normal person wouldn't survive if he jumped out of here.

How did he manage to get in? 

Was he already inside? Watching her all the time? 

A shudder ran down her spine and she covered her mouth to stop the loud sobs that were escaping her lips.

She couldn't digest the fact that he was actually here.

He was here...to get her.

He was here to destroy humanity once again.

He was here to cage her forever.

What could she even do to escape him?

His intentions felt like he was here to destroy Jasper's kingdom so even if she didn't marry Jasper, that monster would destroy it.

She rubbed a hand down her face.

There was no way she could escape that monster.

But where was he at the moment?

"What suddenly got into you? You asked for the marriage to happen earlier than before and you look like you've been sick for years when tomorrow is your wedding." The old granny started to rant once she stepped inside the room.

Sasha who was sitting on the couch, nicely dressed like always by the maids, had a dull look on her face. The makeup couldn't hide the dull and void look in her eyes. The helplessness and fear she felt was beyond her control.

She hated him.

She always would.

"Gosh, look at you." The old granny said in a stressful tone and settled down beside Sasha on the sofa.

Sasha, who had her hands on the sofa on either side of her thighs with her head hanging low, took a deep heavy breath before raising her head and turning to look at the old granny right in the eyes.

The old lady stared at her face stunned. 

Her lips were bruised and swollen. 

Before she could ask something, Sasha raised both of her bruised wrists in front of her. 

Her eyes widened even more as she grabbed both of Sasha's wrists and stared at them in shock.

"He did it."

"Luan..."

"H-He's here granny b-but he's wa-waiting to destroy." Sasha stuttered and pulled both of her wrists out of her hold. She stood up on her weak legs and began to pace around the room. She told the old lady everything that happened except the part where he harassed her.

The old granny was left speechless.

Fear could be seen on her face as well.

She couldn't even deny it anymore because the marks on Sasha's body screamed his presence around.

"What should I do?" Sasha asked.

"Should I let Jasper know?" Just as this question left Sasha's lips, the granny abruptly stood up while shaking her head. "Have you lost your mind? He will not marry you and what if he throws us and our people out? What would you do?" The granny asked and Sasha took a deep breath.

"We will go back to our land," Sasha said and the old lady slowly shook her head. "Our land has been taken over by those blood-sucking monsters." The old lady said and Sasha felt a hard and painful thug on her chest.

"Does Jasper know that? Nobody knows the real cause of our kingdom's fall. Shouldn't we let others know? Shouldn't we let Jasper know so they can be cautious?" Sasha asked desperately and the old granny shook her head with a stern look on her face.

"If they come to know, they will kick us out or even worse, execute us. Can't you be a little selfish for your people?" The granny asked and Sasha frowned.

"If that monster attacks this kingdom, our people will die too," Sasha said before adding. "What's gotten into you?" She asked, not liking the behavior of her old granny.

"Jasper won't let that happen." The old granny said.

"My father wasn't weak either." Sasha retorted.

"I never said that." The granny let out.

"They destroyed us for something bad your father did to them that we don't know. Why would he do the same with Jasper? You're thinking too much." The old lady said.

"That monster was lying. My father never wronged someone." Sasha said and turned her back towards the old lady. "I don't know why he's behind Jasper's kingdom. Maybe, he's not behind his kingdom, this time he's behind me and he is onto something in order to get me." Sasha said, slowly relaxing herself after having a little heated conversation with the old granny.

"Whatever it is, you're getting married to Jasper tomorrow. It's too late to back off now. Walton kingdom might have fallen but it still upholds its great respect." The old granny said, her tone was soft but Stern at the same time. Just as she said this, she left the room leaving an even more perplexed Sasha behind.

Not being able to breathe, Sasha left the room and trekked towards the garden of the castle for some fresh air. She had so much on her mind so she decided to filter it out for a while to relax otherwise she'd turn into a dead body in no time.

She sat down on the soft grass and took a deep breath, upon inhaling the fresh scent of flowers her tensed shoulders instantly relaxed. 

She stared up at the sky.

Since she wasn't thinking about the present and the future, her mind took her to the past and she remembered how happy and fortunate she was.

In those memories, she had a family, she had her people, they all had a glorious kingdom, and they had their culture which they used to follow with no hindrance or nothing holding them back.

But now nothing was left.

Sometimes she blames herself for that.

A soft giggle of a woman coming from nearby brought her back to the present. Her ears perked up and her eyes began to search for the source of that laughter until she heard it again. 

Her head snapped to the left and what she saw next had her pupils slightly dilating.

Jasper and Fiona were standing on the top terrace of the castle. They looked so busy talking and laughing that they weren't even aware of their surroundings.

Look at them.

They look like they are getting married tomorrow instead of the real couple.

She knew Jasper didn't love her but she also didn't expect him to flip this early. He knew she'd never demand anything from him, he knew what kind of a woman she was and that's why he chose her. 

Marry her.

Make her the queen.

And then keep her aside forever.

Well, this was much better than being in the arms of a monster.

She found something really weird about this situation. Sasha knew Jasper but why was Fiona talking to him like that? No princess talks to a king like that who is about to get married tomorrow.

Same goes for him but Sasha knew he didn't love her.

But then also Fiona knows nothing.

While she was pondering on this, she felt an intense gaze on her. Her shoulders instantly tensed and her eyes slightly widened. It was the same feeling as before, the feeling of being watched. She looked around but found no one, just guards walking here and there. This area of the castle was the most peaceful one in these wedding days.

Her breath quickened as she looked back at the castle. Those two were busy with their conversation. Just as she was about to get up, her eyes went slightly down towards the right and it was as if the world stilled around her. 

King Ragnar, standing near the window of his guest room, was staring right at her.

His eyes, she could feel them on her.

Why was he staring at her?

Why did his gaze bring a familiar yet terrifying sensation to her?

His gaze made her go still for a good while.

She would have thought of him as a ghost if she wasn't aware of his true identity.

Goosebumps started to rise on her skin.

She couldn't look away.

She was terrified.

Her thoughts that she was blocking came flooding in with more assumptions.

First thing first...she needed to stay away from him.

None of them moved.

Her heartbeat was a mess, the more she sat there staring at him the more terrified she felt.

With much difficulty, she lashed her gaze away from him, grabbed her dress, stood up on her trembling legs, and started to walk away from him. She could still feel his gaze on her back.

Why would a king stare at her like that?

Both of these siblings were radiating a weird energy and Sasha knew she needed to stay away from them.

Watching her back like a hawk, Ragnar stayed rooted to his spot. His gaze eyeing her solely. His room was indulged in darkness and the morning light that was coming through the window was blocked by his huge figure.

His one hand was on the wall and the other one behind his back. He poked his cheek from inside with his tongue as he watched her completely disappear from his sight.

"I see, you have begun denying me."

"Seems like, I gotta move even faster."

Last night memories flashed in his mind and an evil smirk soon appeared on his face with two dimples that added fuel to that devilish smirk.

"My little Sasha," He whispered under his breath and closed his eyes upon remembering her beneath him last night.

"I can't wait to put my claim on you...once again."

The wedding day was knocking on the door in no time.

The kingdom was bustling with happiness, every other person was out on the streets, most of them were dressed nicely and a few were dressed normally, like any other day. People were gossiping and dancing in groups on every other street, enjoying themselves to the fullest.

The atmosphere in the castle was no different. A low violin was playing in the hall of the castle. Every other guest was nicely dressed in royalty. Maids and servants were walking around with trays in their hands that held juice and wine glasses.

Everyone was busy gossiping until the groom arrived. 

Sasha took a deep heavy breath. A deep crease of a frown settled on her forehead. She wasn't feeling good or happy at all. Instead, she felt like crying. She was dearly missing her family and was on the verge of tears.

Once she was married to Jasper, she was bound to him for life.

Only if things went the right way.

She prayed to God to give her patience to deal with Jasper if he treats her like she doesn't exist.

Sasha was dressed in a white floral wedding dress. It was perfectly kissing her upper body, and it had a large floral from down. She had a thin white veil covering her face. Her hair was nicely slicked back in a puffy bun and a little makeup was applied on her face that gave her even more of a softer look.

While she was sitting on the couch of her room, busy biting her nails while feeling extremely sad and nervous, the door of her room opened and the old granny walked in.

The old granny was also dressed nicely in a baby pink color dress. She paused and stared at Sasha for a good while before settling down beside her on the couch.

"What's with that face?" The old granny asked and Sasha huffed a sigh, looking away.

"Isn't it obvious?" Sasha asked ever so slowly. 

"You're sad." The old granny let out and heaved a sigh.

"I know, you don't have any feelings for Jasper but we're doing this for your own good." The old granny said and Sasha scoffed.

"You and I are both delusional. If I marry and that monster still comes at us, things will get even worse because of this marriage and I think he's exactly waiting for that before showing up." Sasha said and the granny shook her head while clicking her tongue.

"Let's forget about him. Everyone is waiting for you, let's go." The granny said, cutting the topic and immediately getting up. She helped Sasha up and helped her walk out of the room while grabbing her floral from behind.

Before they stepped out of the room.

"Remember, not to give them any excuse to talk to you," Granny said, indirectly telling Sasha to smile and act happy even though she wasn't feeling like it.

Sasha stepped out of the room and she was handed a bouquet of white roses. 

Upon reaching the entrance gates of the hall, the granny let go of her dress, fixed the floral of the dress, and stepped back. Sasha took a deep breath, getting herself ready when she heard the guard yelling in the hall that Princess Sasha was about to enter. 

With that, the huge gates of the hall were opened and she began to walk on the red carpet that was leading to the aisle. The guests started to clap ever so slowly and elegantly. Every pair of eyes were fixed on her.

A soft smile was kissing her features.

She slowly raised her eyes and looked at Jasper who was standing on the aisle with a faint smile on his face. He looked handsome as always but her eyes were searching for someone else as they roamed around the hall.

She saw Fiona but his extraordinary presence was nowhere.

Where was King Ragnar?

Once she reached Jasper, he forwarded his hand towards her and she took it. He smiled at her and she passed him a smile as well. The ceremony began and they took their vows. Sasha tried her best not to be hesitant because the decision was made and there was no going back.

"You may kiss the bride." The priest said and Jasper stepped forward. Sasha swallowed thickly, praying inside that he didn't kiss her on the lips. He raised her veil, smiled at her, and leaned in. Just as she feared, he kissed her right on her lips.

It was a deep peck.

Everyone started to clap once the priest officially announced them as husband and wife. The king and queen of the logon kingdom. Everyone was happy except the bride herself but she continued to smile the brightest because that's what she gotta do from now onwards.

The celebration began and the guests started to greet them one by one. Wishing the new couple a happy and blessed life. Fiona also walked up to them with a huge yet elegant smile on her face. She happily congratulated them and Sasha noticed how the light in Jasper's eyes changed.

Sure, she was not dumb.

She could see the change in his gaze.

Already? Was the thing that crossed her mind.

"Where is our main guest, King Ragnar?" Jasper asked and Sasha's ears immediately perked up. Fiona looked back at the guest and turned back to face the couple.

"He must be here, somewhere. He'll surely come and congratulate you both." Fiona said and Jasper nodded. "He came to our wedding, it's a huge blessing in itself," Jasper said and Sasha almost raised a brow.

So, this man knew he was not the only blessing.

Sasha roamed her eyes around and still found him nowhere. He was a huge man who could be spotted from afar. She didn't understand why she was looking for him and didn't feel quite right about it because deep down she knew exactly why she was looking for him and the thought alone scared her. 

And the feeling of being watched was continuously haunting her.

She couldn't see him, so she gave herself an excuse that she was the bride and everyone would obviously look at her.

She lowered her gaze, shook his thoughts away, and continued to meet the guest, completely unaware that the devil was actually watching her like a hawk.

Dare he pulled his eyes away from her even for a second.