Prologue - Her

Loud bangs filled the surrounding area, splashes of colour filled the void above, white specs being briefly stained with elegant reds and blues, before returning to the usual pitch-black. The sky was nothing special, in fact, the fireworks did it a favour. Beauty was lost to me, especially when I was stood next to the man I most despised in the world.

My husband.

The man I'd sworn to marry, and end.

I couldn't understand why every lady in the kingdom was so desperate to fight over one man, like seagulls did for a singular piece of bread. Sure, his almost-white hair was something unusual, along with the contrast of his navy blue eyes, but there was definitely one flaw to the man that I'd noticed, not too long after he'd, surprisingly, accepted my hand in marriage.

The constant glaring of daggers, and once fell victim to such a stare, it's as if a thousand scorching hot needles are digging into every inch of your skin, relentlessly. However, this was only me, as if he'd been aware of my malicious intentions from the get-go, yet still took the challenge of sleeping with one eye open - I came to this conclusion, from how he seemed to always have such a charming smile among the other royalty.

By no means was I anywhere near being the status of a member of the nobility, and yet he took my hand, an imposter, and said his vows so collectively. It was sickly, the numerous eyes on me that day, the eyes that could only burn holes into the back of my head from pure jealousy. I felt pity for those poor women. This man was a monster, not a man, no. Even a monster would be too kind. He was the one that deserved to be burning in Tartarus right now, after all the pain he'd caused the countless people, the neighbouring kingdoms that had suffered under his wrath.

He was nothing more than a lost child in the body of a man, a troubled man with too many secrets under his belt. I knew them, at least some.

The monarchy had managed to keep his identity hidden, the one that'd cause absolute anarchy if escaping the castle walls, the one that had almost destroyed the entire kingdom before. As if a gift from God, however, the secret was placed under restraint once again with a simple casting of some form of memory suppressing spell. Unfortunately for me, it made my life a hundred times more difficult. Afterall, I was here to reveal this misinformation and slay the genocidal beast.

A shiver coursed it's way throughout my being, forcing me to tighten the coat I'd been previously offered by him, around my body. It was embarrassing, though I didn't have a choice so long as I was forced to wear these off-shoulder dresses, no doubt being courtesy of the suggestion of the Prince. Of course, there was one obvious reason for this, being the most regal, and the not-so-obvious reason (that only I and the monarchy would be aware of), being...

Now that was a thought. Surely, he wouldn't try anything so early on? Afterall, we were only newly-weds, and not everything had been set into stone just yet. The most surprising fact would be how his parents didn't take much convincing at all for us to marry, though, that may be due to how their one and only son was getting on a bit and would perhaps like to see some of their heirs. Unfortunately for them, their singular off-spring was going to be slayed, so long as I was alive and kicking. I felt no sorrow for his situation, however I couldn't help but pity his parents. They were so convinced he was their own, and yet, the circumstance just didn't add up, and surely they were more than aware of this.

A hand grasped my elbow, and I couldn't help but glance up and into those promises of utter misery. The fireworks were dying down, the screeching being swallowed out by the thrumming in my ears, the sound of danger that I felt. Adrenaline was kicking in, to fight or to flight, and yet... I could only remain put even if I wanted to attempt either, due to his vice-grip.

"Shall we head inside? It is becoming rather frigid out here." He was soft-spoken when we were alone, as if trying to fool me into a false sense of security, yet I knew best of all that it was the worst kind of tone he could offer to anyone. His clear, deep voice was always, even publicly, full of assertion, claiming respect, and representing the domineering persona he possessed. He could capture an entire room with a single clear of his throat, and I'd admire him for it if I didn't know any better.

The beacons of light had finally come to a stop nearby, and the colour was drowned out by the vacuum of darkness above us. We'd been observing on one of the many balconies that outstretched from the main castle, similar to that of a patio, and yet probably larger than most, despite not being necessary.

I merely bowed my head in agreement, having grasped the basic level of respect everyone held for the future King, and mirroring that. Even if I were his wife for now, I was unsure how to fully behave around him, considering neither him or I had ever been married before. It was a strange feeling, and surely should be with someone you love, admire, not out of hatred and ulterior motives.

Just as I was about to turn and walk back inside via the glass doors, he grasped my chin, other hand still gripping my elbow tightly. Not painfully so, he at least had some self-restraint around people.

"The least you could give me is a verbal response of affirmation. I merely ask that you echo me, so I can confirm you understand." Despite the calmness of his words, I could tell that the irritation was boiling behind those icy-cold eyes of his, and it gave me a sense of achievement, to have riled the man everyone was infatuated with. However, I couldn't let him catch onto my stubborn nature just yet, so I merely gave a small smile in response.

"Of course, please accept my humblest apologies. We should indeed head inside." I responded just as calmly, earning a look with a subtle hint of skepticism. He did, however, release his grip on my face and arm, so I was already heading for the quarters that I'd been offered, privacy from the Prince, and courtesy of the Queen.

I was greeted by the maid I'd been assigned with, my personal one, Aria. "M'lady, it is getting late. Are you to be heading to sleep now?" She had clearly fluffed up the pillows and arranged the duvet, as it certainly wasn't that neat when I'd left it earlier.

"Yes, Aria. Feel free to take a break." She bowed in response, soon to scurry out of the room. She reminded me of a mouse, constantly being on the move else caught by the cat. Adorable.

As I approached the bed, there was silence, not the usual sound of a door shutting behind a person - as if someone were there to hold it open. Of course, attacking at night, whilst a woman is left to her own devices. This was followed up by a pair of hands settling on the tight corset bodice, causing me to turn my head and take a peek at my attacker. No, not attacker at all, my husband.

The husband that was far from human, the one that couldn't pick one singular royal woman and instead settled on a poor girl, due to the insignificance. This wasn't a marriage at all, he intended to use me as a blood bank, and those fangs were proof enough that he was about to fulfill that desire for at least tonight. His usual navy-blue eyes were replaced with that of a crimson red, as if this whole situation did not only excite him at the thought of food, but he found the sight of bemusement and 'fear' arousing.

I knew all of this, I knew he was of demonic kin, and yet still took up the personal challenge of making him feel, making him fall in love, making him humane, and then stripping him of all free-will and slaying this monster. With the bold and blunt behaviour he was showing now, to be about to bite me already, it was clear this would prove much more difficult than ever. To have expected any kind of mercy or time to settle in before he'd inflict damage out of hunger and desire, was clearly a luxury I didn't deserve.

"It's becoming rather frigid in here." I whispered out, the cold palms of his hands felt through the fabric, and the claws that were digging in were sure to leave bruises, fortunately the corset was made of something rather stable, would've had to be to tighten this much.

"Perhaps we ought to head inside."

His fangs were soon to follow up.