Taming the Cursed Beast

Corpse Bride

"Yup, that's her."

"Goodness! Isn't she the eldest daughter of the Dufus family?"

"Yes. Apparently she failed to catch a husband at the coming of age ceremony last year."

"Or at any of the balls after that."

"I can see why."

"With a gait like that, even the prison warden wouldn't be interested."

"An ugly duckling in gaggle of geese."

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"What a gorgeous dress. Never knew something good can look so ugly."

"I get that she is ugly, but is that any reason for her to seek an early grave?"

"Pure greediness. But hey, her parents would be compensated."

"She might be a year late but she shouldn't give up! There are many fish in the river!"

"But not as fat and juicy."

"Hush! Let's walk away, she's looking over here."

Weal grimaced feeling quite insulted as the group of preppy noble women strolled along the street, gossiping about each and everything that caught their eyes.

Ever since she graciously stumbled out of the carriage of with a large animal carcass emblem on its front along with Mr Callum, she caught the unwanted attention of the masses. They would pause and stare, whisper hush nothings to their partners and hurried along.

Weal despise being the center of unnecessary attention, but she couldn't blame them. They were all curious about which lady was greedy enough to court death.

Hundreds pairs of judging eyes glanced her way with varied emotions. Pity and contempt being the most. Like the lady in front of a bread shop across the street who has been sending daggers her way ever since she got here. She didn't even bother being discreet about it.

Be the kindhearted devil she is, Weal wavered at the little boy beside the woman and smiled.

Weal is certain she would hold the top spot of the weekly gossip chart of the town for quite awhile.

But she couldn't be bothered about that, she had urgent matters to attend to. She glanced around waiting for a chance to prove to Mr Callum that she isn't a woman befitting for his cursed household. She absolutely refuse to be some piece of a rich man's home decor.

The late summer sun glared down harshly threatening to turn whoever dared stood under it into fresh crispy baked potatoes. As the sun got higher up the sky, the streets became less crowded as everyone seeks shelter. With the exception of few stubborn people that doesn't know what's good for them. Like the woman across the street.

And Mr Callum here beside her.

"Six shillings? If you are willing to sell two for that price, I'll consider taking it."

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During the short time she spent in front of the sweets shop, Weal came to a shocking conclusion as she watch the male beside her rob the poor candy seller of his precious goods. That wasn't the trait behind his outstanding reputation, but at least, she now unveil the secrets behind his ungodly fortune.

Mr Callum is among the towns top hundred wealthy males, having a couple of merchandise properties under his name. That should automatically put him among the top spot of every lady's husband target list.

Unfortunately that is not the case. When it comes to his popularity with ladies, he is as popular as 'Puffy the big nose,' the shoe maker at the town's square.

That's what happens when all the women you marry end up mysteriously disappearing in less than a year into the marriage. Even the hardcore gold diggers tend to over look your wealth. After all, you only enjoy wealth when you are alive.

No one wants to be a corpse bride. Well, apparently no one but her. Her stepmom to be precise, but no one would know that.

Sigh.

Turns out he rob his clients off their money. Poor souls.

"Please sire, you can't do that, this isn't a thrift store." She revert back to the now bickering duo. "We only use the best quality ingredients in making our candies just to suit your noble taste, sir." The once cheerful shop keeper that had welcomed with big warm smiles turned more and more miserable loosing his cheerfullness by the second.

He even took it upon himself to glare at her.

She haven't even uttered a word!

"Which is why I took the pain of standing here, boy. You should be honored."

"Indeed. But I would be more so if you pay 6 shillings for each of the the glossy sail, sir. That's the best offer I can give. They aren't called the Empress allure for jest."

"Three."

"Three!" He spurted bitting his tongue. "Don't be ridiculous sir! Your bargains are supposed to go up not down. At this rate I'll end up going bankrupt!"

"I'm simply deducting the time I spent standing here. Time is money, I don't know about you but mine is precious."

...

Is this guy for real?

"In another minute it'll be 2 shillings, your take. If you won't sell it for that I'll look for another vendor."

The poor shop keeper looked torn that Weal felt the need to intervene. But she too has something she need to do.

"Sir, please reconsider. At least pay 5 to cover it starting cost.."

Now.

"Ahem, if you'll excuse me gentlemen," Weal caught their attention both. "I need to powder my nose, be back soon." She dashed away without waiting for her date's reply. Across the road, she met the old bread baker, greeted him and entered the shop ignoring the curious gaze of his nosy customer. She needed to use his restroom, simple as that.

At the back of the shop, she met the old lady, presumably his wife and co partner whom she had seen from across the road now bent by the fire oven. After a quick exchange of greetings she dropped her a shilling for the toilet use.

Weal didn't need to pee, but for the plan she have in mind, she'll need the toilet. The thought of ditching Mr Callum and returning back home crossed her mind, but when he go back to her house to report she's missing, he'll find her there. They would be starting all over again.

No, she need to get rid of him for good.

Weal struggled with the strings of her dress at the back for minutes, her hands barely reaching the top. She bent and twisted her arms, cursing the dress and it's maker all the way to hell and back before it manage to come loose. By that time her arms were sore and had acquired few bumps on her head.

She had been forced into a suffocating tight brown corset on top of her white camisole, which goes all underneath the yellow dress. The dress neck slid off her shoulders revealing a tiny fraction of cleavage of her not so endowed bosom.

Straightening her dress, she sneaked out behind the baker who had her back turned to her and dash out least the old lady caught a sight of her and have a heart attack.

She might be after some heart seizures, but she would prefer the old lady's heart to remain the way it is.

Loud gasps erupts as soon as she stepped out of the tiny shop. The snobby rich woman with a ridiculously tight corset slapped a hand over her young child's eyes as she glared at her with all her might as if her entire being was a damnation. But Weal, always the matured person she is paid her no heed and crossed the road back to her date.

"Mr Callum.. Mr Callum?" Large green eyes blinked up at the giant putting her best coy act. "Would you please help me with the strings of my dress?" She forced herself under his view.

Mr Callum, poor Mr Callum looked down, inhaled sharply taking two steps back. The guy was so disoriented in his attempt to turn his gaze away that he end up knocking off the sweets on the counter into the dirty ground.

"Preposterous!" He roared, getting the attention of those in the vacinity. "This isn't the behavior of a lady from a dignified household!"

"Mr Callum, is anything wrong?"

"Lady Victoria, wh.. how... Why aren't you... Woman, go back and tidy up yourself!"

"I do not have eyes at the back of my head Mr Callum, neither are my hands long enough to tie the strings on my back. If you would please stop being dramatic and tie up my strings."

"Never!"

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"Fine." Weal muttered loud enough for his ears and turn back to the shop keeper who was bent over the counter mourning his precious goods.

"Kind Mr, would you please help a damsel in distress?"

"Go away, devil! I have nothing to offer you vile creatures. All you and your man here did was ruin my business. Amd now you want to ruin my reputation? If you would excuse me, I have a serious business with Mr Callum here." She even called him kind mister.

"Oh and make yourself scarce before the guards arrive. I have already suffered enough for a lifetime by your hands, I don't need the holy ones up my arse. Shoo!"

Weal stiffened a laugh. It is ridiculous how a little bit of skin could cause such an uproar. Especially in the market place. Her ol trusty tactics never failed to scare off her suitor.

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The ruckus attracted quite the crowd, Weal backed away from the scene leaving behind a seething Mr Callum and a determined shop keeper arguing about the damaged candies. The stingy bastard would now lose a few silvers to the shop keeper against his will.

Serve his stingy derriere good.

When she was sure she wouldn't be noticed, she turned around ready to dash..

And smack right into a hard surface.

Strong hand steadied her fall as a very loud..

"There she is!" Came right beside her. Weal looked up groaning to the woman at her right. It was Tight corset jabbing a finger pointed at her hair. The woman looked as if she all but murdered her one and only child.

"Thank you madam, we have apprehend the outlaw, you are free to leave." A gruff voice said from above her head.

Bloody hell!

This woman did not just call the royal temple guards on me.

"You would be charged for a foul word as well." Did she say that loud?

"Stop! You can't manhandling a married woman." Weal blurted catching the buff guard by surprise and loosen his grip instantly.

"She is not married." Nosy Mary pointed out again. Didn't her ask her to leave?

The moment she was free Weal dashed down the dark alleyway right beside them. She would be doomed if she let him catch her again.

And damn this stupid dress restricting movement. Heavy thuds erupts behind her as the guard chased after her. Despite his weight, his long legs seemed to be doing a good job at catching up with her. The dark alleyway was narrow and littered with trashcans which hindered his chase, giving her a good headstart.

If only it was longer, her chances of escape could've been higher. Weal ditched her shoes as emerge on the other side of the alley which happened to be a red district, panting heavily. The bloody corset she was forced into restricted her breathing.

At this rate, she would be caught. The heavy thuds had increased in number and are closing up fast.

This street, unlike the narrow alley, was broad and almost empty. All the shops/ houses are closed. What did she expect? It was a red zone after all. The workers are probably resting at this hour of the day.

Her eyes hazily studied her environment and wasted no time to run up to the closest building with an open window. Weal didn't think twice as she yank herself, dress and all up and inside the room falling head first and yanked the window close.

The guards breaking out of the alley didn't see her, that was all that matters.

"Oh great. Madam Lucy would pop horns today." She sighed resting her head against the wall trying to catch her breath. After struggling for seconds, she decided it would be best if she ditch the annoying corset since she can't get rid of the dress. Madam Lucy would kill her.

Weal undid the dress and took off her corset laying it down beside her, and yanked the dress back up. This time around, she was to tie up the strings. It wasn't as perfect as Lilly's, but at least, her bosom is safe now.

Breathing is a blessing.

Only then, when enough oxygen reached her brain did she studied her surrounding. Which was a stupid thing to do for an intruder.

The four cornered brown room was vacant with a small wooden bed pushed to the farthest wall an a table with folded clothes beside it.

But that wasn't all.

A pretty boy sat up on the bed studying her with wide eyes and a slack mouth hanging open. His late breakfast long abandoned on the table serving a generous meal to the mice.

"Ahem.. pardon my intrusion." "I'll scream bloody murder."

They said in unison.

Her hands shoot up fast in surrender. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. Please don't shout, I'll leave right away."

She cleared up her throat as her face warmed up.

Pretty boy blinked slowly, eyes darting between her and the black leather beside her checking for any possible threat.

She would have thought he'd been scarred for life, but he's a pretty boy. You know, a pretty boy. He should be used to this types of scene.

An awkward silence filled the air, no one saying a word. Pretty boy still in whatever trance he was in, ready to scream any moment.

After a long, pregnant silence, he blurted. "I'm not kidding."

Weal scrambled up to her feet just as heavy knocks came from the front doors along with the holy guard's voice.