TAMING THE BRIDE

Chapter 2

Lord Salustti was busy enough not to pay any attention when a blonde woman wrapped her arm around him, whispering in his ear things she wanted to do and see. Her eyes shot expectantly through the crowd in the ballroom. There was only one woman he wished to see that night.

Noah Ravin Henn Salustti had returned to Veldra specifically for a reason that many men in his position do: he was looking for a wife. However, not just any wife, he knew exactly which woman he would take for himself.

He had heard of all the gossip circulating in high society and was happy to know that his object of desire had not been claimed. He remembered her in such a distinct way from his other memories. That little girl in her yellow dress and purple ribbons. She was the one he wanted.

He clung to this memory with desperation. They were children then, he was ten, and she was only five, but Noah remembered her distinct voice penetrating his small ears. As a boy, Noah was short and fat, his cheeks full of fat and his skin somewhat red and dry from exposure to the sun's rays. In contrast, Gwendolyn was a girl with long fire-red hair and skin as clear and smooth as snow.

She was sitting alone on the grass when he approached. Under the shade of a large and leafy tree, she looked like an angel descended from heaven. So adorable and untouchable that he became nervous.

“Hello?” His voice was soft as he looked at her red curls.

Gwendolyn turned her face, petulant lips pressed together as she watched the boy who dared invade her sanctuary of relative peace.

“You… you're very pretty…” Nervously, he timidly tried to profess his thoughts.

“And you are ugly!” She affirmed with furrowed eyebrows.

“W-what?” Noah stammered, uncertain if he was hearing her correctly or if he was delirious. For someone as beautiful and delicate as her, speaking so cruelly was shocking.

“I said you're ugly! Leave me alone!” the girl shouted.

Surprised by her brutal comments, Noah did as she said and retreated somberly to his grandfather's side. He held back tears, looking at the palms of his hands, chubby and round, as well as the fold of his belly sticking out of his shirt.

It was then that Noah decided to be so handsome and worthy for a girl of supernatural beauty. He wanted to prove to her that he was an angel on earth like her. And for the rest of his childhood, he kept this fragment of the past in his mind.

Time has done wonders for the boy. The excessive flesh he once had everywhere evaporated into the air, turning into firm and vigorous muscles. His cheeks were no longer filled with the familiar baby fat, instead, they became sharper, revealing cheekbones marked by a strong chin that structured the contours of his face. The angle of his nose was like a sculpture, while his lips were carved with a sweetness capable of curving into masculine devilish smiles. The grayish tint of his eyes was dusted with dusty black spots that made them look like a stormy night. The locks of his black hair further framed his charming appearance.

Even the shape of his figure was a wonderful sight to behold. Tall, with strong and broad shoulders, looking as fit as a soldier. His broad back, his sculptural abdomen gave the appearance of a muscular and athletic man. The images Noah perfected were all induced by his own willpower. In fact, the man was not as powerful as he seemed, he always had a weakness when it came to the heat and on several occasions, he fainted. The fact that he was anemic was discovered when he insisted on riding for hours and fainted, hurting his leg and wrist during the fall. But he refused to allow such a setback to stop him. He would be a man of splendid appearance and education.

And as strongly as he desired, extraordinary results came. At twenty-five, he was one of the most desired bachelors in Veldra. The time had come for him to settle down, and there was only one woman for him. The one who had always motivated him. His object of desire. The beautiful angel who visited his dreams every night.

“My lord, what are you looking for?” The woman continued slowly, pulling him out of his daydreams, clinging to his arm, and rubbing her bare skin against him in an attempt to get his attention.

How he wanted to get rid of the impertinent woman, how disgusting!

“Someone important.” He replied disinterestedly.

“More important than me?” Her voice sounded nauseating to hear, as she placed her hands in places that went against all the rules and etiquette of a good chaste, and pure girl.

Irritated, Noah grabbed her wrists and looked her in the eye with a furious and stern ‘no’, before abandoning the girl in the corner as she stamped her foot angrily.

At every sight of women he saw, he looked for her. He was looking specifically for redheads. Redheads were not so common, and many didn't like the color of their hair, dyeing it black or blonde. But he, on the other hand, loved the color of her hair. In fact, he loved her completely!

It was only when she reached the exit of the salon that he found her graceful form. She was as beautiful to see as she was years ago. The curves of her figure were fruitfully fertilized, his eyes evaluating the full extent of her beautiful body. The dress she wore emphasized her attributes. Gwendolyn was well-endowed, her slender neck turning to whisper to her grandmother, which only accentuated her form even more. The milky pallor of her skin matched the reddish tones of her hair, pulled up against her will. Noah didn't realize he was holding his breath until Ethan waved to greet him.

To his disappointment, Gwendolyn was taken elsewhere. Noah felt his heart tighten. He had come for one purpose: to marry Gwendolyn Belle. To do so, he would need the help of her brother. Ethan Cecil Boccoro was an old friend from his time at the Institute and whom he strove to remain close to with genuine honesty. It wasn't just for the sake of getting Gwendolyn that he intended to keep the friendship. He really thought Ethan was a very kind person.

“My friend!” Ethan said, giving him a big, awkward hug. “Oh! So, what's new?” His gaze was mischievous.

“Big news, yes. And I'll need your help.”

“Whatever you need. But first… let me enjoy the pleasures of this night!”

“Of course.” Noah smiled.

Ethan, reaching for a glass of wine, looked around him with a mischievous smile. Noah, on the other hand, was searching for his beloved amid the crowd. When he saw her, he smiled genuinely and held a naïve gaze, even though he didn't like the company his beloved was in.

Meanwhile, Gwendolyn was trying to control herself, observing the sea of men and women in extravagant and expensive attire, interacting on the dance floor. The sleazy Will Hornald was still trying to make a move on her, not understanding what giving up meant, leaving her in a quiver of contained anger.

“Oh, of course!” He paused, smiling in a way that Gwendolyn could already imagine his perversions, making her even more disgusted. “Maybe we should go somewhere with fewer people, so I can finish telling you about my dream.” He suggested, his mouth and eyes twitching at depraved thoughts.

She did everything she couldn’t throw a nearby sharp object at him, the bile rising in her throat. She would be doomed if she subjected herself to being compromised by the ugly, fat, and bald Will Hornald.

“You certainly haven't taken your medicine today, have you?”

“Excuse me?”

“You're clearly not in your right mind if you think I'm going anywhere with you!”

“Well, why not? We have a lot to talk about.” He feigned a frivolous innocence.

“You are a…” She began aggressively.

“Pardon me, my Lord,” she interrupted, “I need to discuss things with Miss Roz.” The familiar sound of a girl's voice gave way to her freedom.

Gwendolyn was more than happy to see Marie Evron, one of her few friends. Her chubby cheeks were red, and she appeared excited as always. Marie was raised by her authoritative mother, while her father humbly listened to anything his wife demanded. This resulted in a reputation almost as bad as hers, but Gwendolyn didn't care at all. Marie always did what she wanted after getting out of her mother's claws, plus her family had strong connections to royalty.

“Thank God! I swear, one more minute with that rat and I would have died.” She said, exasperated.

“It was more like you wanted to kill him.” Marie giggled.

Gwendolyn had no reason to disagree.