"I see you let your intrusive thoughts win," My breath caught in my throat and I paused mid-air, heart banging on the walls of my chest.
I was doomed and I had an endless list of ways I would be executed after this, but if killing my husband on our nuptial night would avenge my father and rid me of this golden prison — Death looked like a pretty option.
"You look like a deer in headlights—"
"How are you awake?" I quipped with a straight face and tightened my grip on the dagger that was inches from his heart.
"I don't drink things from strangers, Anastasia." The dark-haired man deadpanned.
"Oh no," I leaned in and we locked eyes. "I thought I was your wife," I offered in mock offense and straddled him on our silk-coated bed.
"You are, only my wife could live as long as you have after trying to kill me—"
I slammed the knife into the chest but instead, it broke, shattered before my eyes and it was at that moment I realized; This arrogant man wasn't just drop-dead gorgeous, he also slept with a freaking vest.
"Who sleeps with a vest? A guilt-ridden murderer like you, I presume?"
"Are you saying this because I murdered your father or because I plucked out that bodyguard's eyes — Oh yes, lean closer, you smell heavenly my dear,"
Our eyes locked for a moment before I rolled off the bed. "Why did you kill my father? Huh?! Answer me! He was loyal to you and he trusted you!" I snapped and tears filled my eyes.
If I was going to die, I deserved to speak my mind.
"You kill the father and marry the daughter, what do you wish to gain from this marriage anyway?" I spat and grabbed a fist full of my dress— which I was sure weighed more than I did. "I have nothing to offer you, I am a commoner, a good-for-nothing girl who would only ruin your life and reputation," I huffed and ran my hands through my brown curly hair.
"That is your problem, you think everyone wants something from you..." The sturdy man stood on his knees, Our eyes locked, "You pretty little thing."
"Don't call me a thing." I gritted out.
"Sorry, You pretty little woman—"
"I am not little—"
"You pretty big woman then—"
"I am not big—"
"Sorry, my bad," He hopped off the bed and towered over my petite stature. "My pretty woman."
I stumbled and collided with the wall, "And as long as I have you, I don't need anything..." He reached forward and trailed my cheeks.
"You are going to pay for murdering my father, I promise you!" I sobbed and tried to push him off me, "I promise you on my sister's life, George—"
"Her life is hanging by a thread so I would not be keen on betting it." He informed me casually.
It took me a few seconds to register his words and my eyes widened to twice their size
"W-What did you do to my sister?" The words rolled out of my mouth and my knees almost buckled.
"I think the real question is," George leaned and locked me into a kiss, "What will I do to your sister if you keep throwing these tantrums..."
"Where is she? She has nothing to do with this!" I raised my voice and hit his chiseled chest, desperate to do damage, but he held my waist and cupped my cheeks.
"I like how you know, you can't overpower me, yet you still try, I love that— I love everything about you —"
"Is that why you murdered my father? For Love?" I choked on my words.
"You're one to talk, you married your father's murderer willingly," George whispered, I turned and we locked eyes.
"This marriage will be your worst nightmare," I promised.
"Goldilocks is pretty, I would hate for her to get hurt —"
"Don't call her that, you sicko!" I roared and pointed my hairpin at his neck.
"But she has blonde hair..."He trailed off and stared at me as if I had grown two heads. "How am I a sicko if I just—"
"I am sorry to interrupt Your Highness, but the Queen wishes to speak with everyone," I spun around to see a petite, obviously traumatized maid standing at the door.
"Great, just what I needed, to be called in the middle of the night!" I huffed and threw the hairpin at the door.
The maid shrieked and raced out of the room.
"You turned out to be worse than I expected," George commented and sat on the bed.
"I should strangle you right now," I seethed and sucked in a deep breath to calm myself. "Where is my sister?"
"We should get down to have breakfast," He brushed my words off and offered his hand.
"In the middle of the night?" I hissed and raised an eyebrow at him.
"This is four in the morning—"
"It is still the middle of the night, who wakes up this early—"
"The women of this household," George's husky tone sent shivers down my spine. "Although you can take all the time you need..."A small smile placed on his lips, "There's a dress in the dressing room, I made it just for you with my bare hands," He took a step toward me and I glared into his soul.
"Please, wear it." His voice was sickeningly sweet, drawing me in like a soothing melody. "For your sister's sake." The threat at the end cleared the mist in my head and I brushed past him into what I assumed was the dressing room.
"We shall wait for you downstairs, please do not keep us waiting," The sturdy man called after me but I locked the door of the Grand dressing room and slid down it.
Until a few hours ago, I was my father's fierce daughter, now, I was the King's wife — The Queen in waiting who was more helpless than a Damsel in distress.
Sobs racked through my body and I curled into myself. "I'll make you pay for this George..." My bottom lip trembled and my stomach twisted. " I will make your entire kingdom crumble under my grasp..." I promised and stood up in the room that was adorned with mirrors.
"You are waiting for your wife downstairs, but I will come as a storm and sweep you off your feet, After all, I am not my father's daughter."