BRIDE OF THE DUKE KYROS

GREECE, ATHENS~THE ROMANO'S RESIDENCE* Diora sat down on her bed, probably this might be the last time she would get to sit and feel it, her eyes were looking so puffy and red as she had been crying. Earlier that day, she got married. To the least man she had ever expected or wanted to get married to. Funniest part? She didn't see him, she only received the ring,like a present,on her bed,In her room. In one word,she had no idea who she just got married to,how he looks like. Of course, she's heard alot about him, how his face could kill at one sight because of his handsomeness,height and everything,but Diora was never interested. The news surrounding the Duke was scary, not meant for someone as fragile as she is. She's just twenty two, how could her parents give her up so easily to a man in his thirties or fourties? She could tell he's a man who's old enough to be her father. According to the news, what man fights hundred men and still stands as if nothing happened? If not a devil? Like the Duke of Athens? Now that man, is her husband,Yes,Allegedly,because she's not and never going to accept him as her husband,never. Ever since she was a child, she had imagined her own special wedding,with her pretty long gown flowing along with her,while walking down the aisle with her husband, a gentleman and a prince charming. But she was given the total opposite. She was still thinking about all that when her eldest sister, Maliah entered into her room,with her arms crossed on her chest. "Still crying?" She asked, with a blunt expression on her face. Diora immediately wiped her tears and cleared her throat. "Imagine crying because you're getting married to the richest man in the city, are you pretending?" Maliah chuckled dryly. "But anyways,I'm not surprised. You've always done that, that's just who you are, pretending to be the innocent one, acting weak to get our parents attention,like the most precious stone" She continued. Diora shook her head slowly and more tears rolled down her eyes, it hurts even more when your own siblings hates you. That's her story,aside Diora,there's Maliah,Rona and Sitara. Maliah is the eldest, followed by Rona, then Sitara,lastly Diora. The three sisters are the closest,even while growing up as kids. Diora spent most of her childhood at the hospital,treating one illness or the other,there was even a time her sisters had to stop going to school because their parents spent all their money on her hospital bills. Nobody had to tell Diora when she returned home, she was alone. Her sisters barely look at her, but fortunately after few months,things began to change,they moved from their small house to a bigger mansion and within some years,their father got a position in the city and they became one of the noble families in Athens. But the sisters never got along with their little one,she grew alone,played alone,ate alone,dressed alone,like one with no siblings at all. Sometimes she would cry in her room when she see her sisters playing and gisting together,but she was lonely. The beautiful daughters of Romano, everyone in the city knows who they are, but nobody knew Diora was part of the family. Even when the announcement was made that the duke would get married to one of those daughters,nobody ever thought or guessed it would be Diora their father would hand over to the duke. Diora had overheard her sisters yelling and disagreeing with their father, Rona and Sitara wanted it to be Maliah since she's the first child. "Do you want to die?" Was what their father asked the three sisters. "Have you ever heard of Kyros wife coming back home? I need to sacrifice the weakest, can't you all understand?" Diora cried that day, silent tears soaked her pillow. So she was the sacrificial lamb? Sent to die to protect her sisters. "You know how she is, pretending with those tears but inwardly she's happy. I mean I hate the fact that she's the one too" Rona and Sitara entered and the three stood,glaring at her. "I...I just..." Diora stuttered, she couldn't speak. "I see you've arranged and packed your clothes" Maliah said, looking around the room and the boxes of clothes on the floor. Diora nodded,sniffing in her tears. Suddenly,they heard some noises downstairs and her sisters ran to the window. "Oh wow, they are here. Can't believe they came with a limo" Rona muttered and they stared at her jealously. Diora didn't move from the bed,until the door opened and some men in suite entered with their mother. "Mother, I don't want to go" Diora shook her head and ran to Mrs Romano. "Lady Diora,please come with us" The men said. "Take her" Diora cried as the men dragged her out of the room,she turned back to see her mom and sisters staring and just standing there,no one ready to save her. She was going, and she knew she would never see them again,she might be like the ex wives too,no one would hear about her,not again. Diora stopped crying as she sat down inside the black limousine, she began to think,what to expect when she get there,will they lock her up in a room and starve her till she dies? Or probably,she would become a s*x slave rather than a wife,then they would dispose her body when she dies? Different thought were running through her mind,but after some minutes,her eyes began to close. Seems like it's quite a long journey to the Duke's house,she once heard he stays in his estate alone,with his castle even bigger than the King's palace. And yes the rumors are true, the duke isn't just the richest man in Athens,He's the richest in the whole of Greece,another reason why nobody can handle him,He's like the Devil,who can't be touched. Never. DUKE KYROS' ESTATE* Diora didn't realize how long she had slept,until she felt a hand tapping her gently and she opened her eyes. "We are here, Lady Diora" One of the men in suite said. Diora blinked and carefully stepped down from the car,dragging her long dress with her and totally got lost,staring at the paradise she is in. It was night time,but this place, this heaven looks like....what is she supposed to compare it with?. This is indeed a castle. "Please come with us" The said with a short bow and led the way. Diora could see more men in suits from different angles of the house,holding weapons and looking dangerous. She immediately increased her pace and followed the men in front of her. They continue walking,away from most of the buildings and suites till the men entered another one. A lady in her fifties welcomed them with a smile, without a word,the men went out,leaving just Diora. "You must be tired,my lady" She bowed. "I...." "Come with me" The woman said and again Diora just obeyed,and began climbing the stairs,she opened a door and entered. "This is your suite, my lady" Diora blinked and stared at the so called suite, which seems bigger than her whole house together back home. "My...my...suite?" She batted her lashes in confusion. "Yes" The woman smiled. "You should have your bath,I will call the maids to prepare you a warm bath. Please do that and dinner will be here soon" Before Diora could say anything else, the woman went out and she was left alone in her thoughts and confusion. Why does this look like the exact opposite of what she thought would happen? Why does she have a big suite? She looked around and left the living room go the bedroom and she almost screamed,what's this queen sized bed? The wardrobe? She rushed towards it and opened,it's quite empty,just some night wears and some new set of footwears. She had forgot to ask why the men in suits didn't take her luggage with them. "The wardrobe will be filled tomorrow,my lady" Diora flinched when she heard the voice behind her and she immediately turned to see a young girl. "My name is Oceane, and I will be the one to serve you from now on" She bowed. "What's....going on?" Diora asked in her tiny voice, her gloomy eyes piercing into Oceane's soul. "What are you talking about,my lady?" Oceane asked. "Why...am I...your lady?" "Because you're the Duke's wife, we have to respect you" Oceane answered. Diora couldn't say anything else. "I'm going to prepare you a bath..." "No, I will use the shower" She cut in. "I can help with your dress..." "No" "My lady..." "I want to be alone, please" Diora muttered. Oceane sighed and bowed before walking out of theroom.