Unfaithful Marriage

3. First Night

Letizia’s POV

Austin promised that if we saw each other again, then he'd ask for my hand in marriage.

But it didn't happen.

The time we met again was the day when I got married to another man.

When I saw him standing from a distance while watching the wedding ceremony, I prayed countless times that it was only a mistake.

‘Please, it shouldn’t be the Austin that I know.’

‘I wish I hadn't accepted the wedding.’

But wishes were futile. It was really Austin who was looking at me with shock on his face.

Tears fell from my eyes like a broken dam. My mouth opened and closed several times but no voice came out.

I wanted to run towards him.

I’ll hug him and say how much I missed him.

But in my position as the woman who’s marrying Knox, I didn’t see even a bit of a chance to escape. Finally, I know there won’t be a way to tell Austin that I was only forced to do this.

Austin bowed his head after avoiding my gaze. Then, he walked out.

My body automatically moved, longing to catch him, but someone held me from behind.

“Where are you going?” Knox asked, holding my wrist. “The wedding isn’t finished yet.”

Knox pulled me back to where I stood. He held my shoulder and let me face him.

At that time, I didn’t know how much I had cried and Knox flinched after he saw my face. Even if he’s wearing a mask to cover half his face, I felt his burning gaze.

Knox kept staring at my teary face. On the other hand, the priest hesitated and asked if it would be okay to continue even if the mood between my groom and I was not good.

I lowered my head.

It was so difficult for me to stop my emotions. My heart ached. It throbs and beats like a bird trying to get out of the cage.

I wonder what the audience would think while watching me. Will they think that I am crying because I will marry a violent prince?

While I was drowning in the pit of my sorrow, I heard Knox whisper, “Continue.”

He acted as if nothing happened. Clenching my hands, I didn’t know if I'd be thankful for this or not.

After a while, the priest continued, “Then, I will now declare you as husband and wife!”

I felt Knox’s hand around my waist. Strong force pulled me towards him, and then I felt warm lips brushing on mine.

The kiss he gave me was as hot as the tears falling from my closed eyes. It was the saddest kiss I had in my life.

Night fell.

Until now, Austin occupies my mind.

Although I am certain that it is really Austin who I saw, there’s also part of me which hoped that everything was just an illusion.

Like seeing someone you love on the day you’ll be tied up with a man who you don’t like.

I took a deep breath while soaking my body in the bathtub full of rose petals. It’s been almost an hour. In fact, I am purposely staying here for a long time because I fear what awaits me after this.

Tonight will be my first night as Knox’s wife. That means we had to sleep together, whether I like it or not.

My plan is to ruin the peaceful relationship between Esquar and Renoir. Because if Knox finds out that I am not a virgin, he might throw a fit. And if a war breaks out between the two kingdoms, then I am certain that Esquar will lose. The kingdom which abandoned me will be in ruins.

But now, I feel so scared.

I was ready to give up everything because Austin wasn’t by my side. Even if I lose my dignity or die, I will do my best to get my revenge on that family who sent me here. I have no place to go anyway.

‘But Austin came back. Austin and I might… We can still…’

I wiped the tears on my cheeks as I noticed that someone had been knocking on the door. Don’t know when, but I am sure it took me a long time to notice.

“Come in,” I permitted.

One maid came in with red fabric in her hands.

“Good evening, Princess Letizia,” she greeted with a bow.

Even if I am the Princess of Renoir, no one greeted me politely in that place. And so, I was quite surprised that the servants here would respect me.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“I brought the dress that you will wear for tonight,” she answered, then she placed the red fabric on the side. She looked at me again, uttering, “Also, Prince Knox told me to warn you that he’s starting to feel bored while waiting for you.”

My fingers flinched as I heard his name.

There are rumors that the prince is a slave in s*x and that he’s sadistic in bed. I have already readied myself for this but I am still feeling nervous and scared. My body just trembled from that thought.

“I will be finished soon,” I answered the maid.

“Then, I will wait for you outside the bathroom.”

The maid bowed her head once again and then went out.

Now alone, I couldn’t hide the anxiousness on my face.

‘I need to know why Austin is here. And if ever there’s a chance, I will escape.’

After seeing my love, I forgot my will to take my revenge on my family.

I don’t care anymore.

I can take a risk as long as I can be with Austin.

After getting out of the bathtub, I wiped my body and wore the red fabric which the maid provided for me. When I stood in front of the mirror, I watched my reflection.

Amber eyes fluttered in and gleamed like jewels, white smooth skin and reddish-brown hair fell gracefully on my back. The rose-colored dress made from silk made me look radiant.

A lot of people say that I am the most beautiful woman in Esquar. This is the reason why my older sister hates me. Sofia wanted to burn my face. But she couldn’t do it because they would send me to this unwanted marriage.

After looking at my face, I heaved a sigh. I kept my mouth shut for a long time while wearing the dress.

When I walked out of the door, I saw the maid who was waiting for me. She, then, guides me towards Knox’s room.

In the Renoir palace, the married couple have their own rooms for each other. But on the first night together, it is in their tradition to do it in the man’s room.

“The prince is waiting for you,” the maid said as we arrived in the prince’s room.

She was about to go but I held her.

“Wait a minute!”

The maid looked back and asked, “Why, Princess?”

“I have s-something to ask.”

“Is that so? Then, what is it, Princess?”

I took a deep breath and gulped thorns. Then, I asked, “Is there a man here named A…”

Before I could finish, the door of Knox’s room opened with a bang.

I tilted my head to the right, and there I saw my husband who roughly opened the door.

My eyes went wide.

Knox was wearing only a bathrobe. I could see his bare chest. They are big and sturdy. His tanned skin made his big build even more beautiful.

Then how about his face?

As usual, he is wearing his half-mask that covers his eyes and nose.

They said that Prince Knox has a face which resembles a monster. Whoever sees it will die.

Of course, I don’t believe that his face has a curse. Instead, the people who died after seeing his face were probably killed by Knox.

‘And I need to have a s*x with this man.’

That thought made me breathless as I stared at him.

“You didn’t only make me wait for too long,” Knox said, with a voice that was so cold, it felt like a wind breeze during winter.

Knox leaned closer.

“You even dared to talk about another man after getting married,” he added.

My hands trembled.

‘Did he hear my unfinished question to the maid before?!’

Not waiting for me to respond, Knox sent a signal to the maid.

“Go,” he commanded.

Swiftly, the maid left us alone. There are only the two of us right now.

‘What should I do? I am so scared that I could not even breathe properly.’

“Why are you still standing there?” Knox asked in a husky voice. “Come in and receive your punishment for making me wait, my dear wife.”

When I lifted my head, I saw the smirks on his lips.