Stone tablet

Ditun glared at her from behind his mask. It seemed the princess was not listening to what he was saying, she was his now, no matter what, there was no escaping from this marriage

And how clueless she must be. That he had been the one who initiated this marriage? Hell, he never had any interest in marriage; he had been avoiding it. But the way her father had pleaded, hoping he spared his kingdom if only he married one of his daughters – that was an offer he would have rejected.

However, he found himself unable to decline, especially because he was more interested in the princess who was being offered to him despite him being a monster.

Now, that decision had put him in a dire situation. Lucifer would come for her if he did not follow his words. He was left with no option but to do as the devil insisted.

To worsen it all, her father had sent a message stating that a child was the only way to ensure their daughter's safety.

The nerve of that man; was he not aware of the consequences? By giving his daughter away, he no longer owned her; she was his now.

To add to his frustration, his timid wife was growing even more scared of him, "You are mine now, you should know that from the first day you stepped out of your father's house."

He took a deep breath to calm his raging self. Hell with these humans; all they ever did was frustrate him. Why was she so scared of him when he had never laid a hand on her? What was wrong with his wife? "Stop crying," he grimaced , rubbing his temple.

"I cannot marry you," she went on, repeating the words that were hurting his ear.

"Stop crying," he yelled, the anger letting loose from its cage. Hell, she caused him to yell. What was the wailing for?

He saw her stiffen and lean back in her seat, her eyes widening with more fear than he had ever seen. It almost looked like she was resenting him.

"I will not heed to their words. Not even your father can tell me what to do." He took a few breaths to calm his voice so he wouldn't scare her. "But I will consummate this marriage only if you are ready."

She did not nod; her face was devoid of any emotion aside from the fear she still held and the tears that were still falling. "You do not have to fear me. I told you, I will not hurt you."

For a minute, he saw her batting her eyes before they traveled back to the table. "I am sorry," her voice was ever soft, and so vulnerable he almost pitied her. "I do not mean to... I just, I'm just scared about not knowing you at all, or not being able to see your face as well as not being able to enter your room. That is what I am most scared of."

Draven sighed. Thankfully, she wasn't planning on escaping. "It is for your safety," he simply said. "Trust me, I am doing it to protect you."

He saw her mouth pressed together, and she managed a nod. "Okay."

He leaned closer to her, his hand raised to her head and paused for a while before he tapped it. "You should rest, wife, and think about what I have said."

"I do not think I am ready," she replied.

"Very well, I shall wait until you are ready." He pushed his chair back, gave her one long look before he strode out of the room.

There was still fear lingering in her eyes, and he knew she was very scared of him. How funny? Her family had been the ones who had sold her off, and she could not even fear them one bit.

He knew quite well what her father was playing at. Seeking favor, a common desire for humans to align themselves with the most powerful.

Ditun was aware that this alliance was sought to benefit from him, to form a bond with the most potent king. It wasn't solely for the need to protect his kingdom.

The new message about wanting a child had clarified it; surely, the man only wished to secure a strong ally despite being aware of the rumors about him. It was saddening that he had used his own daughter as a pawn.

Ditun sighed, perhaps he felt pity towards the human. This may be why he maintained patience with her. Humans, he despised them to the core.

The corridor leading to his room was cloaked in darkness, but with a flick of his hands, lights illuminated every corner of the walls.

Upon reaching his room, the door opened before he could even touch it. His gaze swept through the room, the chill palpable despite the closed windows that would have allowed the night breeze to seep in.

His eyes soon fixed on the stone tablet resting on the table, the one Makita had given to him.

Lucifer certainly knew how to provoke him.

He walked towards it, his gaze never leaving the tablet. One of these days, when he grows more powerful than Lucifer, he will pay him a visit. For now, he will have to do as he says.

This wasn't because of the plague nor about Dalia; it was something more. Possibly a war would ensue if he refused him. A war he was avoiding at all costs, for with each battle he had with the devil, his powers lessened.

"It is only for now; I will let you win only for now," his eyes narrowed at the tablet.

The stone tablet floated through the air from the table, stopping right in front of him. Ditun stared at the tablet, his jaw clenching with anger as Makita's words echoed in his mind, "He is giving you a full moon cycle to do as he told, or he will come for you."

Ditun sighed, rubbing his temple. He hated this, despised being a minion to Lucifer. With a click of his hand, he caused both himself and the tablet to disappear from sight.