Chapter Two

"What?" They were all stricken with both shock and fear, Maia would be getting married to Azarel? The monster of Golgotha? The same man who had been rumored to kill all his wives and maidens in one day was who Maia was getting married to!

Maia laughed hysterically as she starts to move backwards, "You want me to get married to a monster, huh?" She asked as she finally got to the door.

"Honey, come, let's talk-" The queen was cut short by King Ezell.

"Let her go!"He ordered, "Since she wouldn't get married to the men in our city, let her get married to the monster," He said. Maia shook her head slowly and ran out of the hall.

"Maia wait!"The queen yelled and ran after her, Luna stared at King Ezell, she was lost at words as she could never imagine he would give out Maia to a monster.

"Did you have to do that, father?"Luna asked, king Ezell shrugged. "You know how-" Luna was interrupted by Queen Evenin's voice, it seemed as though something bad was happening outside the hall.

They all rushed out of the hall to know what was happening, the trio met a shocking scene in front of them. Maia was trying to jump off the palace building.

"Maia! Get down now!" King Ezell yelled, one could easily notice how Maia looked scared of the height of the palace.

"Come down darling," Queen Evenin cried, the queen rushed over to the king and held his clothe. "Nothing must happen to my daughter Ezell, try to do something before she jumps," She pleaded.

"Come down from here Maia, let's sort this out without anyone dying," The king said in a hard tone, Luna only watched as how the whole palace were trying to make Maia come down from the top of the palace.

Luna closed her eyes and wondered if they would care about her if she was the one there, no they wouldn't. A tear dropped down her face as she finally made up her mind on her decision.

"I'll be the bride instead," She said aloud, everyone stopped and turned to her. Queen Evenin looked at Luna in doubt, she walked over to Luna and grabbed her shoulder violently.

"What did you just say?" She asked.

"I said I'll get married to the monster in Maia's stead," She repeated, the Queen let go of Luna and rushed to tell Maia what Luna had said.

"Come down Maia, you won't be getting married to the monster anymore, Luna will," She yelled, Maia stared at Luna, wondering why she had offered to marry the monster instead. But, at the same time, she was thrilled to know that she won't be getting married to a monster.

She gently came down and ran towards us. The first thing the king did was to slap her, everyone gasped, Maia held her cheek.

"Don't you ever dare joke with your life!" He warned sternly and left without another word. Luna, for the first time, glared angrily at Maia then walked away.

_ _ _ _ _

"Luna?!?" General Riel asked in surprise, King Ezell looked nonchalant as he stared at the General without any emotion.

"Make it an announcement, she'll be getting married in four days," King Ezell said.

"But why did you agree to give him one of your daughters?" General Riel asked again.

"Enough of your questions, General Riel, leave my presence and go and inform everyone about the wedding!" King Ezell yelled, General Riel gave a slight bow and left.

Just then, Luna came in. She had a little smile on her face as she approached the king.

"Father," She said, the king stood up from his throne and hugged her tightly.

"You shouldn't have done that, daughter," He said and paused, then continued. "How can I live without you? You shouldn't have offered yourself," He said, and broke down into tears. Luna was moved and hugged him back, she exhaled softly and patted his back gently.

"I'm going to be fine father," She said, she knew it was a lie. She would die on the ninth day of the wedding, cruel monster!

"You won't Luna, don't you understand? He kills his wives on the ninth day of the wedding, he's an heartless monster!" King Ezell said in loud whispers, Luna shivered at his words, she had heard this word several times and it scared her.

"Who knows if I might survive," She said and forced a laugh, the king broke the hug and held her shoulders firmly.

"Promise me you'll survive this," He said, Luna smiled and wished she could keep her promise, it was not in her place to decide if she was going to live or die.

"I will survive, Father," She said and hugged her father again. "I'll go and start preparing for the wedding," She said and left.

She met Adler outside, he seemed to be waiting for someone. He glared at her angrily, Luna glared back at him.

"Why are you glaring at me?" He snapped.

"And why are you also glaring at me?" Luna asked back.

"How did you know I was glaring at you? How did you see me?" He asked again and walked over to her, he stood in front of her, ready for a fight.

"What do you want from me? We hardly talk, so why are you suddenly trying to fight with me?" She asked.

"You're asking me why I'm glaring at you?"

"Yes,"

"Why did you have to marry the monster instead of Maia?" He asked and put his hands on his waist.

"Because I wanted to," Luna replied.

"You're going to die," He said, Luna shook her head, tired from the reminder she had been told all day.

"As if you care," She retorted and walked away.

"Take this," He yelled, Luna turned back to see him stretching out a book. She bit her lower lip, so she wouldn't scream, she walked up to him with a smug look and snatched the book from him.

"Thank you," She said and smiled.

"I hope it helps your marriage," He said and left, Luna smiled for joy and rushed to her room to start preparing for the wedding.