A guy standing there with blood on his armor and some on his face. His appearance...black charcoal hair, tall figure, huge, red eyes and scary face.
Not that kind of monster face. But he looks so strict and could kill any people who make a wrong move. Maybe because of that blood makes him even scarier.
"My lord, welcome to our palace." my father bowed.
I follow his actions.
He throws something on the ground. When I see it, my eyes widen. It was someone's head.
Everyone in the room couldn't help but make a horror expression. My mother ran towards my father, hiding behind him. While me standing there, couldn't move any muscle.
"You should remind your guards to stop questioning too much." he slides his swords back.
"I--I'm sorry, my lord. I will tell them to be more focused next time." my father apologized.
The man scoffs.
"As if I will come back here." he rolls his eyes.
Suddenly, his eyes met mine. I can't help but flinch as he stares at me. My father glares at me. I know because I flinch.
That's not what I'm worried about right now.
But...
HE WALKS TOWARDS ME, FATHER!!!
I couldn't move. If I move, he probably might kill me with that sword of his. His huge figure standing right in front of me. I could smell blood and it almost made me gag.
"This is my wife?" he raises a question.
"Y--Yes, my lord. This is my daughter. Her name is Maya." my father said.
"Hm." he just stared at me.
My eyes keep on him. He probably rejected me since I was not up to his standard. Everything about me can be described as ugly. Because that is what people told me since I was born.
His eyes didn't move at all.
Suddenly, his expression changed to anger. He grabbed my face and titled it to the right. What?
"What happened to my wife? Who hurt her?" he firmly asks.
"W--What do you mean, my lord." my mother asks.
He shows the red mark on my jaw that is from my father. I glance at my father and he already has that fearful expression.
My mother looks at my father knowing it because of him. "Y--You see, my lord. Maya is a clumsy girl," she said.
Of course. The blame will go to me. Always.
The man just stared at her. Then, he looks at me back. His eyes went from my head until down. But stops at my wrist.
He grabs it and slides my dress to see the bruise my mother made. How could he see it? My mother gasps.
"Even this?" he slowly asks.
"T--That..." she gulps.
"Who did this to you?" he asks.
Wait. He asked me.
I didn't answer but just looked at him. He leans forward, "I ask, who did this to you, my wife?" he asks again but this time he presses the word.
"Um..." I don't know why but I'm too scared to answer. I glance at my parents who already looking at me with those eyes.
"I...It's my f--fault..." I whisper.
He sighs. The man leans backward. Oh no. I should have told the truth. He is probably annoyed with me already.
"Looks like my wife seems to be afraid of telling the truth." he voice out.
Huh?
"M--My lord, our daughter is a troublemaker. That's why we married her with you knowing that you can discipline her." my father states.
I'm not.
"Is it true what are they saying?" he asks me again.
I just nod. It's my fault.
The man didn't say anything. There's a long pause from him. I know he is probably annoyed with a weak woman like me. This is too much. It is overwhelming.
My hands clenching my dress as I bite my lips. Then, he pulled out his sword as he walked toward my parents. He whispers something to them making them look at him with fear.
"Let's go, Maya. We're going home." he slides his sword back.
I follow his order and walk after him. Before I step out of the room, I glance back at my parents but they just stand there with that horrific expression.
I wonder what that man told them?
As I step out of the palace, I feel breezes hitting my skin. Is this what it feels like to be outside? I close my eyes feeling the gentle breezes.
"You look like you haven't come out for years." the man voices out.
I look at him and then clear my throat. "N--Not really."
"Hm. Let's go."
As I look in front, there's a group of horses and guards. They talked and laughed.
"We don't have time to bring a carriage since I go here right after my mission," he said.
"I--I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" he arches his eyebrows.
"You don't even rest after your 3 years mission. You come here straight to get me." I fiddle with my dress.
"You are my wife. I can't let you live with those scumbags." he scowls.
I didn't say anything. Instead, I feel like I'm a burden. I don't know why his words don't even put me at ease.
"Hey, Duke. Are you done?" a guy asks.
"Yes. We're going back," he said.
"Oh, may we know who is this beautiful girl?" another guy asks.
My husband holds my waist and lifts me up to his horse. He gets on it behind me and holds the rope. His two muscular arms caged me so that I wouldn't fall.
"This is my wife. Maya," he answers.
"Oh my, greetings, my lady." they bowed their head.
I move my gaze. No one ever bowed to me respectfully and willingly without any scowls on their face.
I just nod.
They look at me with confusion. But when they look at my husband they seem to understand something.
"This is my right an left-hand man. This is Sean, the other is Blaze." he introduced.
"It's nice to meet you, my lady." they smile.
Smile.
They smile.
"My lady, do you know who your husband is?" Blaze grins.
Honestly, I don't even think to ask. Maybe because I'm afraid of him. I feel guilty for not asking.
I shake my head.
"Hey, Duke. Why don't you introduce yourself to your wife? Poor my lady. She might want to know who is her handsome husband." Sean jokes.
The other guard chuckles at his statement. They look so lively.
I look behind. He already staring at me.
"I'm Ian. Ian Croford."