Conditions

She wished for a prince charming at a young age. But after marriage, she realized no prince is Charming but a princess killer. Her face was blank as she looked at him. It was emotionless as a rock. It felt like he was seeing his sister in her.

But instead of blush, he saw fear on her face which made his heart tighten. Looks like he got a lot of redemption to do. Her face was scaring him. He does not know what to do anymore. Zaros now want her to be normal.

These were the kind of people were. They would push away the woman who came into their life. But when the woman wants to give up on them, men suddenly find that they love her. And again make her emotions, feelings, and her thoughts a mess. It's the same for Adira and Zaros now.

"I have something to say," she said. Determination and strong resolve were evident in her eyes and voice as she spoke, which scared Zaros.

"Go ahead, Adira," he said. Even though he said it, something in his head says that it wasn't going to be good for him. Warning bells started to ring in his heart and head. Despite that, he asked her to go ahead.

"I don't want to tell this to you now. But I shall tell you. I know you don't love me or like me too. And even know you have a fiance who is smart and beautiful unlike me who is dumb and useless. I understand your worries.

"So… I have few conditions for this marriage as there is no way for us to annul this marriage. We can have a peaceful time together rather than toxicity," Adira said. She felt her heart prick as she uttered these words. But what she can do? Fate made them get together. Yet it can't force them to love each other.

Even though she constricted as she uttered these words, she said it. She doesn't want to be tortured and get hurt. If she gets hurt she would be a burden to her family and would affect the two kingdoms' citizens.

Zaros was still looking at his wife with his wide-open mouth as she spoke. So, this was the solution she came up with, to fix their relationship. There was nothing for them to trust too. She was a good person and he can't let her suffer too. She suffered so much already. But... he doesn't want her to drift farther from him. They already drifted a lot farther from her. Her emotionless eyes, cold voice, and her behavior as if she were speaking to a stranger made him further guilty and sadder.

He knew he made a mistake but he wants to rectify it and fix it. He just wanted a chance to prove it to her. The point was... was she willing to give a chance to him?

And was he willing to take a chance?

Both of them don't know about it. they were doing what they feel was right at the moment. And Zaros who was deeply buried in guilt was too lost to ask for a chance.

"What are they?" he asked trying to sound normal and casual. His insides were roaring asking him to say no to the conditions whatever she wanted to say. Yet he couldn't find the voice.

Zaros knew how much was dying inside, not knowing that his wife already burning in the fire called their relationship, feelings, and toxicity. Adira was dying slowly as she gathered her courage within herself.

Maybe the mate bond was tricking or playing with her. She could feel the pain her husband going through. She even believed that he was feeling sad for her for a minute. But... who was she thinking about?

Her mate... who doesn't love her or doesn't even like her. He has a fiancee waiting for him in Vampira. Shaking her head, she pushed away all the negative things and thoughts that came into her mind.

Every word Zaros took the courage to utter, made him feel like a part of him was feeling more pain than usual. Was it the right thing to do?

Maybe not.

But since she was asking would he do it or not. He was bound to answer that. This kind of contract or pact thing was something she never did. He would like to see what kind of thoughts his wife was holding about their marriage despite the sadness looming in his heart.]

"Would you agree?" she asked. If he doesn't, she have to find other way. She doesn't dare or afford to accept no from him. After all, she knew how toxic he was. What if he says no and has no choice but to accept her fate? Well… that's the thing after this conversation to talk or think about.

"It doesn't matter, right?" he asked. He could say she was determined to keep her distance from him. Her eyes and her actions were reflecting her thoughts.

"It doesn't. But I am just asking," she said as he nodded. As expected from a king. He was smart as the rumors said.

"Then go ahead. I can see you are uncomfortable with me from the moment I pull you into my arms or from the moment I get my consciousness back," he said seriously.

Adira heaved a sigh that he understood. If not it would have been awkward for her to explain. And she agrees with him. Indeed she was uncomfortable with him. At least he noticed that. She wished he could keep his distance from her.

Because one thing was common in him before he tortured her or after he treated her well. He was a lustful man. His hands would roam all over her body as if… they couldn't stay away from her. She was hoping at least they could be in check from now.

"I saw the hate and the truths that need to be seen and heard. So… I don't want to put my self-respect down for you. As you are not worth it. So… we will act as a perfect married couple in front of everyone." She said with a straight face. She could see the crack in his face. Yet she didn't care. She suffered more than just facial expression cracks than him.