The Punishment

Anastasia felt as if her world was spinning uncontrollably. The news of being an illegitimate child was surprising but the truth of her birth mother was rather shocking.

She's never had a relationship with her mother in either world. Was this a sign? She thought. Her nerves were everywhere and she felt anxious all over.

Anastasia thought that she has already had two moms and they both were terrible. Could a third be better? As she rest her head on the pillow she fell asleep imagining what this mother would be like.

While Anastasia slept Wolf had other plans in mind. In the deepest, darkest part of the dungeon, Wolf had the royal family kneeling before him.

He could not control the anger he felt for his poor wife. She had lived with such vile people all this time? She suffered so much yet she still plastered a beautiful and bright smile.

The thought of someone taking advantage of her kindness did not sit well with him. How dare someone bully his wife.

"This look suits you better," Wolf said looking down at the pitiful royal family. They have gone from riches to rags.

"Spare me!" King James blurted out as he bent his back bowing deeply to Wolf.

Former Queen Alice and Princess Analeigh were still stubborn as can be. Former Crown Prince Armin drooled as he sat on his butt. His brain has completely betrayed him.

Seeing the disgusting things in front of him only made his anger rise. They should pay a hundred lifetimes worth of pain for the pain and suffering they have caused his beloved.

"Take them away," he ordered his knight.

The royal family was taken into a room designed for torture. Wolf knows Anastasia is not fond of violence but he could not let them go.

Under the strict guidelines of Wolf the royal family was tortured. Alice and Analeigh's snarky attitudes disappeared with the first whipping across their backs.

Having scars all over their body and face they completely went mad. King James was the worst of them all. He was supposed to protect and love his family yet he would betray any of them without hesitation.

His beating was more cruel and painful than the others.

"Leave them here for a while," Wolf said as he walked away from the bloody scene.

His focus could now fully be on Anastasia and how she was feeling. Wolf never met or had a mother so sympathizing with Anastasia was a bit difficult.

He did not know the words to say to comfort her. The only thing he could do was find her birth mother. Knowing she was in the countryside helped his search.

He ordered his knights to go retrieve Anastasia's mother and bring her to the palace. He made sure to express the fact that she's the Queen's mother and to treat her as such.

With things handled for the time being Wolf desperately needed to see Anastasia. The image of her crying silently in bed haunted him. If she shredded even one teardrop he'll return to the dungeon with haste.

"Greetings-," a servant wanted to greet Wolf as he approached Anastasia's bedside but she was stopped midway.

Wolf put his hand up indicating for the servant not to speak. He was not trying to be rude he did not want any loud noises to wake his beautiful wife.

He dismissed the servant and climbed into bed behind Anastasia. He cuddled her from behind inhaling her floral scent. The image of her taking a rose bath crossed his mind. As quickly as it came it went.

Now was not the time for such thoughts as she as just found out life-changing news. He hoped that bringing her mother to the palace would be a good thing.

If not and she turned out to be a person with ill intentions he'd see that she would regret it. Wolf had already realized that he would do anything and everything for Anastasia.

He could not believe how smitten he is over a woman. Never in his life has he felt these sorts of emotions. His only emotion since birth has been anger.

He took his anger out on his enemies while on the battlefield. Once the war was over he was seen as the mad emperor.

Though he is famous for being a beast on and off the field that did not bother him. The women sent to him for marriage before Anastasia did not tickle his fancy in any way.

Yet, when Anastasia walked into his office sporting a beautiful gown he could not take his eyes off her.

That was the very first time a woman piqued his interest. It was as if he was drawn to her and from that moment she was his.

After agreeing to marry, Wolf was afraid that she would not like him considering the circumstances.

He was a warhead and King, she was a pampered princess from a small country. He thought the difference between their personalities and life experiences would cause issues.

Surprisingly to him, Anastasia seemed to welcome him with open arms. As a King, he is naturally paranoid and suspicious of everything.

He could not fathom why such an angel-like woman would fancy him. He could tell that she was slightly afraid of him but she always treated him kindly.

He loved the way she would indulge in whatever she was doing letting her walls down. She fed him delicious food, spoke with him informally, and did things nobles didn't do.

It was almost like she was from another planet and invaded his heart. Rather she was a demon or angel he would let her devour his soul.

Wolf did not care what others thought or said about him. The only person who could cause him pain emotionally and physically is Anastasia.

Anastasia could stab a sword through his heart and he would still love and adore her wholeheartedly.

Wolf acknowledged his obsession with Anastasia and had no plans on changing. If one day Anastasia decided to leave him he would not be able to bare it.

He would have no choice but to lock her away and keep her close to his side. Of course, that is not something he wants to do but if a situation arises and such measures are needed then he would happily keep her by his side.

He watched her sleep in his arms knowing that his thoughts are perverse. He tried to wrap his head around what made her special.

He concluded that everything about her is special making it impossible not to love her. He thought about where he would be today had they not met.

He would most likely be conquering another country or training for battle. Since being married to Anastasia his days are different in a good way.

He now spent time drinking tea in the garden with Anastasia something he had never done before. He eats his meals happily with talking with someone.

All the small things he took for granted before are now things he can't live without. More like he can't live with his wife.

Anastasia began to twist and turn in his arms as she was waking up. Her beautiful yellow, goldish eyes shined brighter than the sun. Unlike his red and gloomy eyes, he hoped their children would inherit her warm eyes.

"Wolf," Anastasia said rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Sleep more," Wolf said seeing that she was still tired.

Without a second thought, Anastasia wrapped her body around his like a snake and fell back to sleep.

It's not the first time that Anastasia displayed her bad sleeping habits. Wolf thought it was cute how she slept wildly. Though others might think it's not befitting for a Queen he loved she defied all things.

She was unique, one of a kind, someone you don't run into every day. Wolf wanted to protect her uniqueness at all costs.

Anyone who dare to say anything about her manners or etiquette would not see the light of day.

Simply put many servants ignored Anastasia's unique personality. For one their ruler would have their heads, and two they also found Anastasia adorable and reliable.

She treated them with respect and kindness something unheard of. Like other noble ladies, they expected Anastasia to be catty, spoiled, and plain mean.

Yet the new master they received was far from those things. Without knowing it Anastasia had won the heart of everyone in Navarros.

Wolf finally has a Queen after many years of worrying the nation. He vowed to cherish Anastasia and hoped to live long together.

First, he has to take care of the bugs that fly around irritating his happiness. There are still many things that need to be done.

For now, though he is going to lay next to his beloved wife and sleep soundly next to her. Already feeling anxious to see her beautiful smiling face when he opens his eyes in the morning.