Owned By The Devil's Obsession

The Kingdom of Asteria had always been admired as the jewel of the continent. Its towering castles touched the heavens, its bustling markets overflowed with merchants from distant lands, and its fertile valleys painted the countryside in endless shades of emerald green. Travelers spoke of its beauty with awe, while neighboring kingdoms envied the prosperity hidden behind its towering stone walls. But beneath the kingdom's golden banners and magnificent palaces lay a truth known only to those who belonged to the noble courts. Power was never inherited peacefully. It was taken. Through blood. Through betrayal. Through sacrifice. And on this cold autumn morning, another sacrifice was about to begin. The bells of St. Aurelius Cathedral echoed across the capital city, their solemn chimes filling every street and alley. People gathered outside the cathedral wearing their finest clothes. Children laughed while chasing one another through the crowd, merchants closed their stalls to witness the grand procession, and noble families arrived one after another in luxurious carriages adorned with their family crests. To the people of Asteria, today was a day of celebration. Their beloved kingdom would witness the union of two of its oldest noble houses. But inside the bridal chamber, there was no joy. Only silence. Lady Seraphina Evangeline De Armonte stood before a tall gilded mirror, her delicate fingers lightly brushing against the intricate lace that decorated the sleeves of her wedding gown. The dress had taken nearly six months to complete. Fine ivory silk cascaded gracefully to the floor, embroidered with threads of gold that shimmered every time the sunlight touched them. Tiny pearls had been sewn one by one along the bodice, while a cathedral-length veil rested behind her like flowing clouds. She looked every bit the future Duchess. Beautiful. Elegant. Perfect. Yet the reflection staring back at her seemed unfamiliar. The young woman in the mirror wore the face of a bride. But her eyes belonged to someone preparing for her own funeral. A faint knock broke the silence. "My Lady?" The door opened just enough for an elderly woman to enter. It was Margaret, Seraphina's lady-in-waiting who had cared for her since childhood. Margaret smiled gently despite the sadness lingering in her own eyes. "They're waiting for you." Seraphina continued staring at her reflection. After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Margaret..." Her voice was soft. "Tell me honestly." The older woman stepped closer. "Yes, My Lady?" "Do I look like someone who's about to begin the happiest day of her life?" Margaret's smile slowly disappeared. She wanted to answer. She truly did. But no words came. Because they both knew the truth. This marriage had nothing to do with love. It was a debt. A punishment. A political agreement written by men who had never once considered what Seraphina wanted. Margaret gently reached for the silver necklace resting on the dressing table. It had belonged to Seraphina's late mother. "I know your mother would have been proud of the woman you've become," she whispered as she fastened the necklace around Seraphina's neck. At the mention of her mother, Seraphina lowered her eyes. She barely remembered her. She had been only five years old when illness claimed her life. Since then, her father had raised her alone, teaching her that a noblewoman's greatest duty was not to seek happiness... ...but to protect her family, no matter the cost. Those words had sounded noble when she was a child. Now they felt like chains wrapped tightly around her heart. A sudden knock echoed once more. This time, it was louder. "My Lady." The voice belonged to one of the household guards. "His Grace, the Duke, has already arrived at the cathedral." Seraphina felt her heartbeat quicken. So... He was here. The man everyone feared. The man she had never once spoken to. The man she was expected to call husband before the day ended. Duke Kael Draven Montecielo. The Devil Duke. Even children stopped crying when his name was mentioned. Mothers used stories about him to frighten misbehaving children into obedience. The tales were endless. They said he had defeated an army three times the size of his own. They said he executed traitors without mercy. They said no woman had ever seen him smile. Some even whispered that he had sold his soul to darkness in exchange for victory on the battlefield. Seraphina didn't know which stories were true. But she knew one thing. Every single noble in Asteria feared him. And today... She would become his wife. To be continued in Chapter One – Part 2