FESTIVAL

Our journey was long as he kept walking for quite some time till I heard, "Welkom Mijn Heer." (Welcome my lord). I heard a language I'd never heard before and it was from a man.

"Suik, how have you been?" The monster carrying me responded in the same language. I craned my neck trying to get a glance of the man he was talking to but he suddenly tighten his grip around me, keeping me in place.

Was he selling me out? My heart skip at my thoughts.

Is this what he meant when he asked how many diamonds I'll be worth. I tried to wiggle out of his hold but I couldn't break free. He was selling me out and to a complete stranger.

"I have been fine my lord." I heard the man say again. They were speaking a language I couldn't understand and I didn't know what to do. This is not the life I wanted, this isn't how I want to end.

"I need new clothe and a place to stay for the Lady." He responded to the man's words.

"Yes my lord. Please come this way." After the other man spoke, we started moving again. The further he moved I started seeing people around, their eyes were on us. Some bowed and others just stared from afar.

A few whispers could be heard from them, whispers of words I couldn't quite understand. I don't know if I was to be happy that I didn't understand their words or sad about it.

They seemed like... humans. Their eyes, nose mouth, everything about them were like us except for their long ears. Indeed words written in those patches were fairy tales or folk tales that were hardly true.

Maybe they're not as bad as they're being described by humans.

They were dressed in two attire. while some wore tunics, the type I wore, others wore stola and palla, in different fabrics and of different colours. I could see large tents set from different angles but around the bonfire mounted at the centre of the land.

A few people sat next to the fire, dancing and singing in their native language. They seemed to be having a festival or celebration.

"Mijn Heer." I heard few women's voices in the tent we entered and I only saw their faces when my monster husband placed me on a chair. He stepped outside with the woman who seemed to be the head woman among everyone while the other women surrounded me curiously.

I gripped the hand of the chair firmly watching them poke my skin in awe. I quickly got up from the chair and ran outside the tent to only see my husband talking to the woman.

She had a few scars and markings on her skin differentiating her from the rest.

"You don't have to sell me off, just take me back and I promise not to bother you again." I tried to reason with him, interrupting his words with the woman. But he ignored me completely and kept talking to her. I bit my lips coming to stand before him.

Just take me back, I'm not worth any diamond."

"Who says I'm selling you off?" He smiled.

"Then what are we doing here?" I demanded.

"They'll help you take your bath and change into something good. Unless you want to sleep in that."

"B... But y... you said..." I sealed my lips not to give him any idea of what he would do to me. I bit my lips as I watched him walk away.

Father said he was marrying me off to the richest demon king, but this king barely even have a carriage. We have been walking on feet for hours and they live in tents.

The women directed me to a space covered with large curtains. Before stepping in, two other women drew the curtains apart and gestured their hands for me to step in. There was a large bathtub filled with water to its brim containing scented flowers and leaves.

"Jij moet de Nieuwe hoer van de Koning zijn. Je ziet er niet uit als iemand die ervaren is. Zal Hij vanavond Je eerste zijn?" A woman said staring at me and I stared back at her in confusion. I wish I understood her words and this language now.

"She wants to know if you've been with a man before since you would be with his grace tonight." The one that seemed like the woman leader said with a small smile.

"B... be with the king?" My eyes widened at her words as my heart raised with fear. I was not anyone to oppose to that, I had no right to refuse the king to bed me tonight especially with him being my husband.

He didn't seem to like me, so who knows if he would be gentle with me?

"From your reaction, I can tell it would be your first time. This is why the warm bath and medicines we've dropped inside the water would help reduce the pain." She added before stepping out of the room.

Two other women stepped in after she left leading me to the bathtub and I got in. They helped scrubbed my back and body thoroughly while speaking their languages.

My heart was too heavy to even pay attention to them, all there was on my mind was bedding the king.

I was scared to wits. This is my life now, this is what I have become. Was there no way out of this?

Maybe he hadn't sold me out yet because he hasn't touched me. And would not waste time selling me off once he's done with me.

They brought out a blue stola and palla attire which I wore and a sandal after my bath. I was led to a seat on a chair as beautiful colours were added to my face. Colours we were yet to discover back at the palace.

They brushed my wet hair letting it fall in waves down to my back before leading me out of the tent.

They led me to where he sat, the demon king. My body tensed at the sight of him, my palm felt sweaty and my heart felt like it wanted to jump out of my chest. I was terrified at what he would do to me as I imagined different possible scenarios in my head.

I gulped when I sat next to him. His eyes were fixed at the people dancing ignoring me like I didn't exist. I didn't know if this was a good sign or a bad sign.

Daphne had told me about the love consummation when she got married. She said it would be less painful if my husband was gentle with me. But the man I've been given to was the least gentle.

He had just turned a once fruitful land into a desert cause he didn't want me and has threatened to kill me. I shuddered at the thought of it.

I held my dress biting my inner cheeks to at least calm my shaky nerves, but my action only turned it worse. My heart was beating so loud that I was scared he must have heard it.

A few dancers and other jokesters stood around the burning furnace to display their artistry. It's the first time I've seen people do this since I was born.

I watched the women dancing as they twirled and wobbled their hips. I turned my head calmly to the man I was sitting next to, he had a bored expression as he stared at them.

My curious eyes scanned the face of the man I would be bedding tonight. My heartbeat intensified at the sight of him again as my eyes took in his beautiful facial features. Maybe if he hadn't cleared an entire forest before me earlier, he would have seemed less terrifying.

I quickly turned back to the performers when he turned to look at me, biting my lower lips. I tried using my side eyes to look at him, wondering what it would be like. What bedding him would feel like.

Perhaps, I could tell him I am not ready.

Who knows, he might be kind enough to not force me against my will. I know I'm his wife and I have no right to reject him, but I still hoped he would listen to me.

"Don't you just love the view." I heard him say and I turned to look at him fully. His eyes were already on me, a smile hanging on his lips and it took me a few seconds to realize what he was talking about.

I blushed.