7 Garden of words

"What Is my use in this world?" I crouched to touch the flowers I'd planted.

It's been a month already since I got married to him. And everyday that passed, I'd sink more into depression. The flowers around me are the only ones I talk to. I'm pretty sure they understand my pain but I wish they could console me the same way humans would.

I picked up the watering can beside me and poured the water on the glistering tulips and went on to tend my flower beds.

I hummed a song then looked up to the sky, by chance,i also diverted my gaze to the balcony and I saw my husband standing there.

Once i remembered my fourth rule, I quickly bowed my head, hands shaking by my side as I silently prayed that he didn't notice me staring. It's very hard to know what he's looking at because of the mask he wears.

I looked up again and he was gone. I sighed and continued watering my flowers. The garden was the only friend I had. I'm not allowed to interact with the maids and butlers and they don't say a word to me.

Our wedding was brief, all he did was announce me to be the Queen and if anyone had something contrary or if they'd start a protest, he'd personally cut off their heads.

My life with him was different from how I'd arranged it to be in my mind. I dreamt many times about him cuddling me, kissing me, talking to me after a long day of duties but I've never experienced that. I've never encountered the affection of a man and I never will.

If I'm not allowed to touch him and he doesn't touch me. Will I ever bare a child? I really don't understand my use here in Ekver. I think it would've been better if I was sold as a maid from my academy. I would be cheap and a last resort, but I'm sure it would be better than living a life with a man that scares me.

I strolled out of the garden and back into the castle. I got into the deep pool in his bathroom, a soothing place, always pleasant to my senses. The door slid open and the king walked in bare.

I oddly observed him. It was my first time of closely analysing his masculinity. His body was perfectly toned but with different scars across his back, arms and legs. His hair was let down loose, thick, black and straight, framing the structure of his mask. I realised i stared to long and I quickly turned to face the other side. All he got was a view of my wet hair that almost covered the whole of my back.

I wondered if my presence pestered him and if the looks of my body made him uncomfortable. I quizzed myself on if i was beautiful enough to attract the king. Actually, that shouldn't matter anyway. If I'm beautiful or not, it doesn't make a difference. No one would appreciate it, if my own husband doesn't.

It was clear no matter how many tines o deny it, that the man in the big pool with me doesn't love me. His interest in me seems to have died with the time that had passed. He's different. Older, more quiet and stern than before. He just married me to keep to his words.

It's funny how I still love him. Unlike him despite the years that passed, i still had feelings. If I didn't fall, I wouldn't be hurting the way I am. All I wanted was his attention, nothing more and nothing less.

Maybe I should try talking to him again. Maybe my first impression was annoying. I turned around but he was gone.

"Some day you'll understand how much I love you."

An hour later —

"Gilbert" The man walked up to the king after being called "What's going on in my kingdom?"

Gilbert opened up a scroll and had to read everything out "we've made twenty deals from the maiden academy this month, There hasn't been any battles in the bars throughout recent weeks, the greater part of the populace are currently paying task..."

The king slowly zoned out and he no longer took note of the things Gilbert said. She came to his mind. Her name was Amal.

She's pretty isn't she...The things you want to do to her are written behind that mask of yours. When are you going to give in? Imagine the taste of virgin blood. Imagine sinking your teeth into her beautiful flesh and tearing it apart. Imagine hearing her scream as you devour her....

"Shut up!" He screamed and Gilbert stopped. "I wasn't talking to you...I..." The king didn't know how to explain but Gilbert knew what was going on.

Over the years his hunger for humans had taken a big leap, he couldn't fight it anymore. There was a massacre at Hedgeward Prison a couple of years back and only Gilbert knew it was the King. A random Mad man was accused and killed because a cover up was needed.

Forty people were eaten that day by no one other than the king himself. It's not astonishing that the voice of the devil in him is presently stronger and torments his mind every day. Gilbert could only think of the girl he married, how her life is hanging by a thread whenever they're alone together.

"In case I lose my humanity. Take my sword and don't hesitate to kill me. If you can. Also, find what to do with her. Marry her if you please."

"I know you can take domination over the demon in you. You've done it before and you can do it again."

"Thank you" Gilbert's words were forever his solace. He hadn't changed a bit, despite how he always treated him over the years.

Young Gilbert left with a smile. "Marry her?" He laughed. The king keeps on forgetting that he's only interested in men and there's only one person he'd fallen in love with.

"He'll soon be here" Amal looked at her reflection in the mirror one more time. "I hope I look pretty enough" she said then hid behind a shelf.

The door opened just in time. The king moved to the large dresser and began to take his clothes off.

"Welcome my lord." He sniffled before turning around and the eyes behind the mask met with amal's made up face. Her scent was just like the lilies in her garden. She was too close. His heart pounded, he melted to the heat of the situation. She was naked underneath that dress. She wasn't just arousing him sexually, she also worked up what his other self wanted.

"Let me help you" she said softly as her hands trailed across the exposed skin of his bronzed chest.

He quickly held her hand, not wanting to feel the torment anymore. "what are you doing?"

Now's your Chance!!! Eat her!!! Eat her!!! Eat her!!!

The voice echoed in his head and it was making him go crazy. He shoved her aside and she fell to ground. "Don't come close to me!!!" He pulled out a dagger from the pocket of his coat "don't ever come close to me!" He turned for the door after threatening but she screamed a question before he opened it. She just wanted to ask that one question and get the answer she always wanted to know "What is your name?!"

"My name?" Her question was surprising but he slammed the door without answering. Amal was left there, on the floor, eyes clouded with tears as she just laid there feeling helpless.