Chapter 3

I held on to the King's arm as he walked me in to the court room.

Because it was well known that I had a bad reaction to staying out for too long and the rumors circling around me, the King wanted to wedding to be an in doors affair.

He'd mentioned, in passing, that the garden he took his wife was the most magical day of his life. The gates were wide open and the King had welcomed the people of his Kingdom to witness his marriage to the queen.

King Viper said that he always wanted to marry off his children in the same garden. But he was willing to make compromises for me.

Even though I wanted to tell him as long as I have my mask on, I would be fine for a few hours but I didn't want to disregard the King's kindness.

The image King Viper had painted of the garden in my mind was beautiful. But the large court room looked more beautiful that I thought it would be.

White chairs were placed facing the direction where the priest would be officiating us. White curtains are draped over the ceiling and a white carpet is laid on the floor, making way for the King and I to walk down the aisle.

People stood up as soon as the guard in front of the door announced that we are ready to start the ceremony. King Viper slowly started leading me towards Prince Barlion Great.

The colorful and exotic flowers I saw leading to the castle are making a beautiful circle around my future husband. 

I made the mistake of looking around at the people attending the wedding. Because as soon as they land their eyes on me, I could see the judgment.

They take one look at my masked face and they think they know everything about me. I can see it in their eyes that they believe the tales they head about me.

"Stay strong, my dear. Keep you chin up and don't let them get to you." My mother's words rang in my ears.

Taking a deep breath, I looked away from the crowed and stared at my future husband.

Prince Barlion Great stood tall in front of the high priest. wearing all black as if he's attending a funeral. His long hair is half tied back while the rest falls down his shoulders. He looks breath taking.

But what surprised me the most is the fact that I don't see the same judgment and disgust in his eyes as I did the first day I met him.

He doesn't have a scowl or a sneer on his face. Instead, he looked unaffected by the cloth covering half of my face. 

He might look genuine, but I knew that it was all an act. You don't just change your perspective on a person with in two days. I know what he's doing.

He's trying to show his father- the king- that he can take a wife and be a responsible man.

"Be strong, Child. Don't give up on him." The king whispered, confusing me.

I was about to turn my head to the side and ask him what he meant or why he said it. But I didn't get a chance.

Once we are in front of Prince Barlion and the priest, King Viper offered my hand to Barlion and gave his son a stern look before he walked away.

Barlion pulled me closer and we turned to the high priest. 

The next few minutes, the priest went on to read out the norms of marriage and a bond that is created between a man and a woman. Then he made us say our promises and presented us with the bands.

Both rings are golden and beautiful. It's sad that they are wasted on a fake marriage.

Barlion slipped the ring into my finger and I did the same with his. Once the rings were in our fingers, the priest announced us as man and wife.

The crowed, some what, gently clapped their hands. But as soon as the priest said that Barlion can now kiss his bride, he room fail in to silence.

I could hear some nasty comments and whispers from the crowed and I stole a glance to see that some where whispering behind their palms while others where smirking.

I didn't want to let the simplest things upset me. But it did.

I bit my lower lip as hard as I can to contain my emotions and planted my eyes on Barlion's chest. 

Of course, this would bring another joke. 

How would a prince kiss the Sorrowest creature and expose himself to the deadliest illness? Why would he even be this close to a woman who is meant to be locked away behind closed doors?

I didn't like the insecurity that was clawing at my chest. My mother said to keep my chin up but at times, it's hard.

I've already be painted as a creature meant to be kept away. But I have desires to live as a normal person too.

I saw Barlion's hand raise to touch my covered chin. He lifted my face up, forcing me to look at him.

He slid his left arm around my waist and pulled me close. His right hand was still holding my face up.

He then slowly leaned in and pressed his lips against my forehead so gently that it made my stomach flutter.

He stayed pressed up to me for a few more seconds before he pulled away and looked down at me. 

There was a twinkle in his eyes. I have no idea if this too is a show for his father but, it warmed my heart. But I could feel his hand twitch, as if he's stopping himself from reaching up and wiping his lips.

The court room once again silenced and one look at the crowed and I knew they were shocked to see the arrogant Prince kiss the sick faceless woman. 

***

Barlion still had my arm locked around his as he led me away from the dining room. 

The wedding was shockingly beautiful and the feast after that was long and loud. But it was still quite alright.  

The King had given a great speech and the feast had carried on for a few more hours. The glances and the snarky comments didn't stop. 

But one glare from Barlion and they would shot us a fake smile and turn around.

Barlion had surprised everyone, including myself when he reached out for my hand and locked our fingers.

I'm sure it was all to show a strong front but I would once in a while, feel his thumb brushing against my knuckles so gently.

When I was getting tired and the crowned was started to gesture that it was time for the groom to claim his bride, Barlion had smirked before he pulled my hand and led me away from the crowned.

Once we reached the chambers that was prepared for us, Barlion immediately snatched his arm away from me and stormed in to the restroom.  

I silently waited for him to come back.

It takes Prince Barlion a few minutes to appear. As soon as I saw him, I knew he'd roughly washed his lips and his hands at how red his skin looked.

I had to bite the bile rising from my throat and the tears burning my eyes back. 

Barlion ripped the jacket and leather vest off of his body and dropped it on the bed, revealing his tone lean body.

"Well, my bride..." He sneered. "It's our wedding night. It's time for me to have fun. don't you think." He commented before he looked at me.

The gentle cool expression when he kissed my forehead was no longer visible.

That disgusted look was back in his eyes, along with a feral gaze. I watched as he took a step closer to me and then another.

Fear slowly started to crawl it's way up my spin so I slowly took a step back.

An evil smirk made it's way to his lips when he saw the fear in my eyes. So he took another step closer.

I walked backwards until my back is pressed flat against the wooden door. 

Barlion didn't stop approaching me until he was right in front of me. He leaned in, lowering his eyes to mine and getting as close as he could get.

He slowly raised his and I could feel my breath turning labored.

Barlion reached out and slid his hand around my waist before he grabbed the door knob and pulled it open.  I was pushed aside as the door opened and a woman walked in, followed by another and another.

Beautiful and young woman filled the chamber as Barlion stared at me with a satisfied grin. 

The fact that he brought a crowed of girl in to the room on our wedding night was one thing. But the fact that each of the woman had covered half of their faces with a white cloth was another.

I watched in horror as the woman mocked me, taking off their masks and slowly approach  Barlion. A woman placed her hand on his chest before she circled him. Another followed as she too took her mask off and approached him.

"You are more than welcome to stay and watch." He commented when he saw the emotional conflict in me.

I felt my insides twist and tears slid out of my eyes as I turned around and rushed out of the room.

The tears blurred my eyes and I was trying to wipe them away with my palm. I silently sobbed as I tried to find the direction to my chambers.

I have never felt this humiliated and disgusting in my entire life. I've seen a lot of difficulties because of my illness but that right there, is definitely going to be the one that breaks me forever.

I turned around a corner and slammed against someone. I didn't stop to see who is was. I just apologized and rushed away form the person, not knowing that I had slammed into prince Victor Great.