2 The devil's bride

The entire palace is awash with festive vibes, you can hear the musicians practising for the great day.

The maids chattering as they went about their business made it quite difficult for me to concentrate on the novel, I'm currently reading.

Rising from the bed, I drape a robe over my sleeping garment and walk toward the balcony.

The sun is up, and the sky is awash with Its beauty, but the beauty of the day can't brighten the darkness of my heart.

Today is the day I get married to the devil.

Yes, you heard me right.

A prince like I am getting married to a devil whose fame precedes him. A man is as dark as life itself, one who's as ugly as life itself.

You know, all this started years ago before I was born.

During a war that almost claimed the kingdom of Klin, father had to make a deal with the devil.

The end of the war in exchange for his first child *I really can't tell why the father will make such a deal.*

The devil kept his part of the bargain, and the king won the war.

Eighteen years after the deal have being made, the devil is back to claim his part of the deal, and that happens to be me.

Today is my wedding with the devil, and I'm beyond excited to see how it unfolds.

Excited to show the devil he messed with the wrong guy.

*

"My prince." Kal bowed. "It's time to get you ready for the day." He says with a shy smile.

"Did you get the clothes I asked for?" Keeping the book I was reading on the table, I fully turn to face him.

"Yes, my prince. They've been arranged and set out for you." He says a bit slowly, his entire focus on his shoes.

"You may leave." I stand from the chair and start heading toward my bathroom.

"But my prince…."

"Are you trying to question my authority?" I turn to him in anger.

"No my prince." Bowing his head, he slowly walks out of the room, sparing me a glance, he bangs the door behind him.

Typical of Kel to express his feelings toward inanimate objects.

Walking to the door, I firmly lock it to make sure no one walks in while I am getting dressed.

I know I can't keep the Aunt from coming in to do the face painting and all that, but I need to have some privacy when it comes to bathing.

I hate having another person touch me. It's too damn intimate.

*

I made sure I wasted enough time in the bathroom before I decided to get ready.

I can't keep my devil of a husband waiting, can I?

As if.

Scoffing, I exit the bathroom.

Father arranged for me to wear a white garment that looks suspiciously like the one brides wear on their wedding day, but that's a no-no for me.

There's no way I'll be caught dead wearing a female's clothing. Not only will it be the last straw to my pride, but it'll hinder me from going through with my plans.

This is the reason I asked Kel to make black clothes for me, one that has a deep red edge.

This way, the significance of the colour will be known from a distance. A person doesn't need to be told the meaning of those words before they grab them.

I'm going out there to do what my father deemed impossible. I'm going out there to show them a person can change a Destiny they didn't map out for themselves.

Getting dressed in the clothes, I unlock my door just in time to see Aunt on the other side.

The dark look she has on her face when I opened the door is enough to send a person packing, but instead of showing her how much her gaze affects me, I raise an unconcerned brow.

"I thought you'd committed suicide." Without waiting for my invitation to come inside, she walks into the room.

"And risk getting to meet the famous devil?" I mock the gasp.

The devil is a being who's only seen when duty calls for it. He doesn't make an appearance unless the matter is one of urgency, and as such, no one can tell his right appearance.

Not even the Father with whom he had a deal can proudly tell of his appearance.

Only a few have seen his face and lived to tell the tale, and those people are the ones who told of his appearance.

The devil is a hideous old man whose wrinkled face looks more like snakes fighting for space.

"Don't you go acting so sarcastic with me, young man?" Giving me a death glare, Aunt dropped the face painting stuff on the table.

"Why shouldn't I do so? Who acts meek and lovely when they're about to be married off to the devil?" Raising a brow at her, I walk to the chair.

Dutifully sitting on it, I smile sweetly. "I need you to make me look so sweet and yet deadly."

I'll go first with the innocent look before I strike.

I've found out that innocent people always get their way, and with my innocent babyface, I don't doubt I won't have it.

It won't be long until I show them who I am.

"You're trying to rebel, aren't you?" Aunt gives me a look.

"I am doing no such thing, Miss." I mock gasped.

"And who are you calling miss!" She hits my head.

"I did no such thing. I called you Aunt." Darkly glaring at her, I rub the spot on my head.

Aunt is the only one whom I feel close to. She's more like my family compared to others, and for that reason, she's the only one who sees the real me.

This side is the one I show to those close to me, and she merited that spot.

Aunt isn't related to me, but she was the person who trained me. She gave me the motherly love my mother couldn't give to me.

Ever since I was born, my father had me separated. This way, they won't feel anything should the devil come for me.

As a son mapped out for the devil, I had no reason to be seen as a prince. I have no reason to mingle with my siblings if I'll end up dead anyway.

In some ways, this is Father trying to protect both myself and the others.

Secluding me is his solution to the deemed problem.