I woke up with a start, my heart racing and sweat beading on my forehead. It took me a moment to realize that it was just a nightmare. I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. It was just a dream, I repeated to myself.
But the lingering fear and unease wouldn't go away. I looked around and noticed that I was in a dilapidated hut, with dirt and cobwebs covering every surface. The musty smell filled my nostrils, making me feel even more uneasy.
And then I noticed the black coat covering me. It wasn't mine. I looked closer and saw that it was made of dark, thick fabric with intricate designs. It looked expensive and quite something like a royal people would use.
Confused and disoriented, I couldn't help but wonder who had brought me here. And why. I shook my head, trying to clear the fog that clouded my mind. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this was no ordinary nightmare. Someone had brought me here, to this remote hut, and covered me with a luxurious coat.
A shiver ran down my spine as I sat up, my eyes scanning the room for any signs of the mysterious person who had brought me here. But the hut was silent. There was no one here.
My mind raced as I tried to piece together the events of the previous night. I remembered running through the forest, trying to escape from those guards.
Then, I remember being saved by someone, a man.... no, it wasn't a man.
He was something else, something different. His black eyes were piercing, and it felt like he could see deep into my soul. The way he used his long nails to kill those men sent chills down my spine. His long hair flowed down his back, giving him an almost otherworldly appearance. He looked like a dangerous creature, a devil in human form. The memory of his voice was haunting; it echoed in my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling of fear it gave me.
I gulped.
Was I saved by that devil? But why did he save me?
I had no time to think about this any longer. I was losing time, and I had to complete the task given by the mysterious man in the black cloak. Thinking of her younger brother, who was kidnapped by that evil man, tears brimmed in the corner of her eyes.
After I agreed to marry Lord Damien, my Master then gave me another instruction – to dress beautifully at night because Lord Damien was coming to visit me and asked me to please him. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
How could he ask me to please this man, to put on a show for him?
But once again, I had no choice but to agree. My Master held all the power, and he was threatening my younger brother's life.
As the day went on, my Master sent a few maidservants to my room to help me get ready. Some of them were my friends, and I could see the distress in their eyes as they helped me put on my finest clothes and jewelry. They knew how much I dreaded this marriage, and their sympathy only made me feel worse.
But there were also some servants who hated me, and they took pleasure in my misfortune. They knew that I, a lowly servant, would now be marrying a powerful lord who was known for his cruel ways.
I stood in front of the mirror, my hands trembling as I adjusted my dress. The silk fabric clung to my body, accentuating my curves and making me feel exposed and vulnerable. I hardly recognized myself. The maidservants had worked tirelessly to make me look presentable for Lord Damien's pleasure, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that filled my entire being.
From a young age, I was always told I was a beauty. But as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I saw a woman who looked inhumanly beautiful. It was almost as if I was a different person, someone who was not meant to exist in this world.
Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I couldn't believe that this was me, the same girl who used to play in the dust and laugh with her friends.
Now, I was nothing but a lamb being led to slaughter.
As I walked towards the door, my legs felt like lead. Every step felt heavier than the last as if my body was trying to resist the inevitable. I could hear his evil chuckles from behind the closed door, sending shivers down my spine. I knew what was waiting for me on the other side, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of fear and disgust.
With a trembling hand, I pushed open the door and stepped inside. The room was dark and musty, with a large bed dominating the center. And there he was, Lord Damien himself, sitting on the edge of the bed with a sinister smile on his face.
He looked me up and down, his eyes lingering on my body. I could feel his gaze piercing through me, stripping me of any remaining dignity. I wanted to run, to escape this nightmare, but I knew it was futile.
I was at his mercy, a mere servant who was soon about to be his bride. I had no power, no control over my own fate.
"Come closer, my dear Amara," he purred, gesturing for me to step towards him.
I followed his command, my feet feeling heavy as if they were rooted to the ground.
"Such a delicate flower, yet so full of fire," he chuckled, his eyes roaming over my body with a predatory hunger. I could feel his lustful gaze on my every curve, and I wanted to run, to escape from this nightmare.
But I was trapped, a mere plaything for this wicked man.