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Two

Married

Him

The world was dark, and everything in it. The sky, was dark and lonely, with bats flying occasionally. There, she sat with a smile he'd never seen her wear before. She stared blankly into the sky. He knew she'd changed, but not to this extent.

"You went again to the human world. Are you out of your mind?" He asked in a low tone, finally breaking the silence.

She sat still, watching the dark sky. The first time she saw the light was in the human world - a world that captivated her enough to want to stay there forever.

"Have you ever been in love?" She finally replied, almost in a whisper.

"Love is a whim. It's a feeling that makes one do and think irrationally, like you."

She was silent for some time. He wanted to leave her to her thoughts but she broke the silence,

"Aren't you tired of this?"

" Of what?"

"Of living with Demons and being a puppet? Aren't you tired of seeing darkness daily? Have you never wondered what it's like being in a different world? I started thriving when I found love. Nine centuries and Eighty Decades I have lived. Have you ever seen me this fulfilled? "

He kept quiet. This wasn't the sister he knew. She'd changed so much in a matter of a few years. He wanted her happiness, truly. But how could he make her understand that they are worlds apart and she may likely die trying to chase happiness?

" He is a human, Lucille. He has a wife already. Do not let Father find out about this. " He answered her, trying to hide his voice to not let the wandering ears hear.

" He makes me happy, Rainier..."

"It's Lucifer, " he cut her off.

"I need to be with him. I want to love and to live."

He closed his eyes, thinking of what else to say.

"He's human, Lucille, never forget. You'll watch your love grow old and die, while you stay and wait. "

"We don't age, but we still die. If he dies, I'll die with him. I can't imagine life without my love, Lucifer. Help me escape this prison. "

Her

The birds chirped and the sun came out, bringing warmth to relieve the cold of the night. Maids ran from one place to another, getting the palace ready. People occasionally tried to get a glimpse of the groom but he was kept in the VIP chamber.

She was almost going back into the dream world when a loud sound was heard. She tried to catch her sleep but the noise that followed was alarming.

"Greetings, Queen!"

"Where is she? Where is that brat of a daughter?"

She knew that voice. She jumped up from the bed with reflex, composing her mind. Standing up, Adrianna arranged her night dress. She hoped Queen Elena wasn't aware of her night escapade.

" Greetings, Queen is there..."

What Adrianna met was a loud slap, so loud that the maids shrieked. Then another, followed by another. Adrianna's cheeks were now red with pain.

"Mother..." She tried to say, but a tear dropped down her cheeks.

"How dare you try to escape the palace? Are you stupid? Do you know how much the king and I have put into this wedding preparations?"

"I didn't want to be forced to marry someone I barely know, " Adrianna voiced out. Her voice cracked because of the tears.

"You must be very stupid. Do you know many people would want to be in your situation now?"

"Then, maybe you should get them married instead of me. "

This made Queen Elena slap her again.

"Incompetent fool, ungrateful brat, insatiable nonentity! Your sisters didn't give me such a headache as you have done."

This time, Adrianna couldn't take any more insults again. Even the stranger understood her more than her own family.

"Did you even ask me if that was what I wanted? Did you care to know if I was happy with the marriage? I ran away because I was scared, Mum. Wouldn't you..."

"I don't have to ask you what you want. As a Princess, you don't get to decide who and who not to be with. Your father has fixed your marriage and that's it!"

"Did King Jerome even do a background check on my betrothed? You all are just blinded by money - so much so that you are willing to sell your hair. "

Queen Elena gasped, covering her mouth with her palms. If anyone would tell her her last daughter may revolt against her, she'd say it was false.

"Adrianna! How dare you speak those words to your father? Are you aware of the consequences of a Princess slandering her father? "

"I don't care! After all, I'm going to live in this prison in a few hours. Just get this straight, mother. If anything happens to me, if I die in my husband's hands, if I am nowhere to be found, you will be held accountable and guilty for the rest of your life. "

All the maids who were watching this gasped, too. For the first time, Adrianna had the nerve to talk back at her mother.

Queen Elena was dumbstruck. She looked as if a cat bit her tongue. Composing herself, she decided it was no use causing much of a scene.

"You have an hour to get dressed, Adrianna. You're lucky the palace guards only told me about your escape and not the king. Let this not repeat itself!"

Queen Elena turned and left Adrianna's chambers, still shocked by her daughter's sudden change. As the Queen left, Adrianna fell back to her bed and cried. She wished she had a normal life. A life without a title. Where she'd be allowed to be who she wanted to be, not just a princess.

As more tears flowed, she remembered the words of the stranger she'd met earlier,

"I wish you a happy married life, Princess Adrianna. You deserve to be loved and treated like a Queen."

She let out a half smile, wondering if she'd ever see him again. Maybe at her wedding, then never again. Her thoughts were interrupted by her maid

" My lady, It's time for you to prepare for the wedding."


She walked to the hall, filled with nervousness. Everything the nice gentleman said when she tried to escape was now forgotten. She remembered Astella's words and her heart raced. The rows upon rows of gold jewelry she'd been adorned did nothing but make her look small - just a young child filled with jewelry to look beautiful. She saw her father waiting at the entrance of the grand double doors.

What if he was truly a demon?

What if he was a psychopath?

What if he was ugly and wretched?

Did he use his demon powers to force her parents to agree to the wedding?

Adrianna's nervousness increased with every step. Soon, she joined her father, who locked arms with her.

"Be a good wife, child. Don't disgrace the kingdom," he advised.

She could barely listen to him as nervousness had taken a toll on her. She suddenly felt the urge to urinate.

Was it too late to back out?

If she decides to run, would anyone catch her?

What if she begs her father to not go through with the wedding?

What if she faints or pees herself or falls or does something embarrassing?

What if her groom was too ugly?

What if his family hated her?

Her thoughts were interrupted when the doors opened wide. A few steps away was the most stunning creature she could ever see. Even with the veil, his features were unmistakable, unimaginable. His complexion was like a shiny bronze, his hair curly and thick, allowed to fall freely on his back. He was dressed elegantly, like Royalty. His jawline was perfectly sculpted like the creator took his time to measure them. He was... Adrianna thought of the right adjective to explain him.

Handsome was an understatement.

He was the most beautiful creature she'd ever seen. When she walked closer to him, she caught a hold of something,

His eyes.

It glowed like fireballs, like the stranger she met some hours ago. Her heart skipped a beat when she taught about the likely odds. His eyes were beautiful, so beautiful. His eyeballs flickered, submerging into a darker tint, a more human-like color.

If this was a demon, she'd be the luckiest human to be married to such a beautiful demon. Who would've thought she considered running away?

Her father proceeded to lock hands with her husband-to-be. She was too stunned by his features to even think of anything else. She just stared at his eyes. Then she noticed his fingers locked between hers. It was heavenly. Could a demon have such soft hands? Could a demon be so perfectly created?

Suddenly, the whole world seemed like a fairytale. It was too good to be true. Her anxieties once again began to get the best of her.

What if this beauty was just a mask to hide his dark heart?

What if...

"You're beautiful, Adrianna," The angel in front of her finally spoke, bringing out the most beautiful smile. His perfect dentures were pleasing - no fangs. She blushed, happier with every glance. Once again, it became a fairytale. The voice... The same voice she'd heard earlier today. The same soothing voice she doted upon.

What an irony! The only man who understood her was going to be her husband.

Her face flushed in embarrassment. She'd indirectly called him a demon. He did not seem offended. What planet was he from? Was it all a dream? Would she ever wake up from this dream? Maybe she was just paranoid about the whole demon issue.

"Thank you," she finally replied. He walked with her to meet the wedding priest.

"Before we start this wedding, we have to present the gifts from the groom's family to the king."

She turned around to find a member of his family. She found none. Did he come alone?

Some maids came in groups, each presenting the finest gifts.

Gold with so much quality she doubted the pieces of jewelry she wore. Silver and diamonds are brighter than the stars. They kept coming and coming, for a moment, Adrianna thought it'd take forever. She could see her greedy parents beam with smiles. Something about this was weird.

After the presentation of gifts, the priest didn't waste time to officiate the wedding.

"We are gathered here to witness the wedding of our very own Princess, Princess Adrianna of Lebington, and Prince Rainier of Austeria. "

So that was his name. It sounded weird and somehow sweet.

"If anyone has a reason to stop this wedding, speak now or forever hold your peace."

It was dead quiet. She pictured her mother saying, " I object, " and then proceeding to tell the priest she wasn't going to sell off her last daughter. However, nothing of that sort happened.

"Since no one objects, we shall go on with the wedding."

"Prince Rainier of Austeria, do you vow to take Princess Adrianna of Lebington as your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and in health, in richness and in poverty, in peace and at war? As long as you both shall live? "

" I Do. "

Her heart leaped. The priest turned to face her.

"Princess Adrianna of Lebington, do you vow to take Prince Rainier of Austeria as your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and in health, in richness and in poverty, in peace and at war? As long as you both shall live? "

Adrianna was silent. This was a difficult decision for her. If she says no, she'll be labeled as the bad princess. But, fear kept her silent. Fear of actually marrying a demon. A demon without a family or friends or anything whatsoever. A demon without a history - except for his beauty.

What will become of her if she says yes?

"Princess..."

"Yes!" She quickly spoke without thinking. No matter what, she'd prefer being with a demon stranger than her own family. A place where you can't decide what to do with your life. Maybe her life wouldn't be so hard with Rainier.

The priest smiled,

"In that case, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Rainier slowly removed her veil and she could see his features. It was more realistic. He picked up her left finger to his lips, kissing it delicately before lowering it down. He went closer to her neck and whispered directly into her ears,

"Congratulations, Princess. Welcome to hell."

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