"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.

His gaze was dead set on her. He was sitting on a chair in the corner of the hall with a half-filled wine glass in his hand. It was a perfect spot to have a clear view of her. Nothing mattered to him other than the woman standing there in white.

Being patient wasn't his thing.

He so wanted to burn this castle down and drag her down this aisle with him.

What would she do?

What could she even do?

What could anyone else do?

Nothing.

But this wasn't the right moment for all of that. For a sweeter fruit one should be patient.

He really had made that poor little thing go insane but he was a lot more selfish than this.

He knew what he was very well and he held no guilt either, nor was he planning to change.

He was a monster and he gladly accepted it.

Others' fear and terror brought him extreme ecstasy.

For him, nothing really mattered other than his empire and his little wounded butterfly.

Oh, how unfortunate she was. Her kindness rattled her down and brought him to his knees for her.

Oh, how badly he wanted to kiss her, see her helpless struggle, and cry when nothing could get her away from him.

All she could do was cry beautifully for him.

She was someone that made him feel things after so long, he would only let her go when the day he didn't feel any of those feelings for her again.

He wondered if that day would even arrive because he was madly obsessed with that woman.

It all started when he was bored and his uncle gave him something to entertain and feast on.

What was it like when a bored yet malicious soul finds something new to feed on?

Catastrophic.

A powerful one could have the vision of conquering something.

It could either be a kingdom to rule on.

A thing to add to their possessions.

Or a person to prey on.

A single blow against them either had them rattling down on the floor or prowling for their enemies with intensity and madness that was never seen in them before.

Was it the pride that was hurt?

Or just revenge?

Nonetheless, once the enemies are under the claws, life becomes pretty boring and one becomes aimless.

A beast dying to hunt comes across a wounded butterfly, one blow from him and it'd be nothing. Yet it fluttered away with those broken wings and was so hard to hold onto.

A new adventure for him.

An escape attempt from her.

Raking a hand through his long dark silver hair, he gazed at her with his orbs that resembled the moon yet they weren't gentle or generous enough to shine upon you. Eyes of a predator gazing at its prey, prey of someone as disastrous as him.

He kept swirling the wine glass in his hand, his eyes moved with her every action of greeting.

That gentle smile that kissed her features.

The soft, silky, and white fabric that kissed her dainty figure.

Her eyes shined due to happiness but were unable to hide that fear that resides in them at the same time.

She was also unable to hide the love and respect that she had for that man beside her.

The one she was standing so close to.

The one who now owned her.

But...

She was his from the moment he set his eyes on her, no matter if she was in a wedding dress, no matter if she was happy with the one beside her.

Because only he could hold onto her.

Break her or fix her.

All onto his mercy.

Keeping the glass on the table beside him, he stood up straight to his mighty height and began to walk towards the so-called new couple. Every head turned in his direction as he made his way towards them. People on their own getting out of his way and he didn't even have to turn his steps to pass by someone. Men stared at him enviously and women on the other hand were drooling over him. Dreaming to sleep with him once when they were clearly royal females.

Yes, his power was something he was completely aware of.

His eyes zeroed on the hand on Sasha's waist and his jaw twitched, gaze hardening.

"Patience, Patience." He whispered to himself

Sasha smiled at the guests as they walked away after congratulating the couple. She turned to meet the guest who just came before them but as soon as her eyes met his, she paused.

Everything instantly stilled around her.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Upon seeing her reaction, his heart jolted up in sheer excitement as he peered down at her with a hooded gaze. He reminded her of her terror though she wasn't quite sure if it was him.

He knew everything all too well.

"Oh, King Ragnar." Jasper let go of her waist and stepped forward. "Congratulations...to you both." Sasha's heart almost lurched to her mouth upon hearing his voice. It was a deep voice, it had smoothness in it, and he said each word slowly.

Just like him...

Sasha stared at him.

Though she tried her best to act normal like she was being with everyone else but she just couldn't hide the fear that radiated in her eyes.

That aura, that voice...almost everything about this man reminded her of that monster.

He shook hands with Jasper and turned towards Sasha. Before her eyes could meet his again, she lowered her gaze and soon found his large hand in front of her gaze. With breath stuck midway in the throat, she hesitantly raised her hand and put it on his palm, feeling the roughness of his glove and coldness of his fingertips both at the same time. She swallowed thickly when he slowly bent down and raised her hand up to almost its full arm length even when he was bending down.

He was also as huge as that monster.

Every eye in the hall was watching them. Completely stunned by how huge he looked next to the bride.

Of course, he was a king from one of the biggest lineages. Having this kind of physique was considered nothing to him.

Sasha swallowed thickly when he pecked the back of her hand with his clothed lips. Male guests would usually just nod at her, it was not considered a really good thing to kiss the bride's hand on her wedding day which was considered normal on other days but people tried to avoid doing it on the wedding day because the groom wouldn't like it.

The people who did it for fun in some weddings were playfully shushed away by the groom but Jasper stood still on his spot, completely unbothered by it but the guests noticed every other little detail as they began to whisper things to each other.

But the problem was this man before her.

He didn't hesitate to kiss her hand. He didn't look like he would play around either. He looked serious even though only his eyes could be seen. Her eyes slowly widened when she felt his thumb deliberately caressing her soft skin before he let go of her hand.

He nodded once again at Jasper before walking away. Just as he turned around all the whispers instantly died. Sasha silently watched his back but her mind and heart were in chaos.

This man...she needed to avoid him no matter what.

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

At night time.

When a few guests had already left for their lands, some were resting in their rooms and some were just roaming around in the cold night, enjoying themselves to the fullest considering it their last night here.

Fiona peered at the young couple sitting on the fresh grass of the garden, in the cold night. She drew the curtain back and turned to look at Ragnar.

Ragnar was standing in the middle of the room, dressed in his signature black suit with a heavy black cloak over that suit of his. His dark gray and long hair was resting on his shoulders. Two swords were attached on either side of his sturdy waist, resting in their scabbards. He was wearing long black leather boots that ended just below his knee.

He looked everything but real with that majestic look.

Currently, the guest room he was standing in was indulged in darkness with only one dim lamp in the corner enlightening the room slightly.

His back was facing Fiona while he was facing four men standing before him. They were also wearing cloaks with half of their faces covered like Ragnar.

"My king, we should depart." One of the men said and Ragnar's gaze hardened.

"Yes, I need to teach that witch a little lesson." Ragnar declared and turned towards Fiona as he began to walk towards the window.

Fiona immediately turned towards the window, drew the curtains away, and opened the window before quickly stepping back.

Ragnar paused beside her while staring straight ahead.

"You know what to do." He said.

"Yes, Master. I will not let you down." She said and bowed at him. Without sparing her a single glance, Ragnar jumped out of the window followed by the other four men. Fiona moved forward and looked outside.

They were nowhere in sight.

She looked back at the couple.

A smirk kissed her face as she peered at them while licking her lips.

"Thanks for the food."