Married to the Devil's Son Chapter 3 - 3

3 Chapter 3

That night I had a dream. I was running, terrified. I was running for my life, and sothing was chasing . Sothing dark. Sothing with intent to kill. I couldn't see it but I could feel its presence. It wanted . It was hungry and angry and it wouldn't stop hunting until it caught . I ran so fast that I stumbled on my own feet and fell. It was close now; it would catch .

A dark figure slowly appeared from the shadows. It had red eyes and horns. Black horns, curling like the devils. It stretched its hands toward . I could see its nails that looked more like claws. They were coming closer. I shrieked a high, panicked sound. It had caught , and now it was shaking .

"My Lady! My Lady!" a gentle voice urged. I shot my eyes open with a gasp and found Lucian looming over .

"You're ok," He assured, brushing sothing away from my face. "It was just a dream."

I was panting and sweat dripped down my face. I was scared and confused. Lucian pulled to his chest. He held in his arms and stroke my hair.

"It's alright." He whispered softly. "Relax and sleep."

Eventually, as I lay in his arms, my heartbeat returned to a steady rhythm and I fell asleep once again.

When I woke up a few maids were already in the room but there was no sign of Lucian. I rembered last night while the maids helped get prepared. I was surprised at the fact that I was still untouched. He hadn't even tried. He must have been tired from the long journey, but tonight there was no escape. Maybe I should talk to him and tell him that I wasn't ready yet, I thought. The question was how.

I got out of the bed and the maids helped bathe and get dressed.

"His Highness wants you to join him for breakfast, My Lady," One of the maids inford when she was done with my hair.

"Lead the way," I said.

The maid led to the garden just outside the room. There Lucian was standing with his back toward and his arms crossed behind his back.

"Your Highness?"

He turned around and I couldn't understand why my heart skipped a beat. "My Lady, did you have a good night's sleep?"

"I did, Your Highness. How about you?" He probably didn't, but it felt courteous to ask. I must have disturbed him with my dream.

"I have slept well. Do you mind having breakfast with ?" I didn't expect him to be so polite.

"I would love to," I answered with a smile.

The breakfast slled and looked delicious. There were several dishes and their food wasn't much different from ours back ho. But because of the knots in my stomach that still refused to go away, I couldn't eat much. Instead, I would glance at the garden now and then. It was beautiful. There was a gorgeous range of flowers; roses, daisies, daffodils. Carved hedged depicted strange shapes all around the space.

Suddenly Lucian stood up from his seat and walked over to , holding his hand out for to grasp.

"Walk with ," he said and I blushed. He must have noticed ogling the garden, but how could I not. Back ho I rarely went outside because of my fathers' strict rules and now I was walking through the most beautiful garden I have ever seen.

"You never go out?" he asked, with a curious expression.

"No, my father would not allow it."

"So you have always been at ho?"

"Yes," was my short reply.

"Well, you can walk around here anyti. It's our personal garden" He said with a charming smile.

"Really?" My voice was colored with excitent and surprise. He nodded.

After walking for a while in silence, I decided now was the best ti to bring up the consummation.

"Your Highness?"

"Yes?"

"About the wedding consummation, I...I'm not ready yet." I looked down quickly, afraid to et his gaze. My heart pounded in my ears as I waited for an answer. A laugh, an angry exclamation, anything.

"I know, it's alright," he said gently. I looked up in surprise and breathed out in relief.

"I could just go to one of my mistresses to satisfy my needs." He added.

The smile on my face died and I clenched my fists. Why was I getting angry? He could go wherever he wanted and fool around with whoever he wanted. He could go to hell. Suddenly he laughed. What was so funny?

"If you don't want to go, then tell ." He said leaning closer.

"I don't want you to go" I repeated.

Shocked at my own outburst, I put a hand over my mouth. He laughed again.

Eventually, he stopped laughing. "Hazel," he said stepping closer and gazing into my eyes.

He knew my na.

Of course. n got always more inford about their spouses than won. Unfair.

"I promise you one thing and I will stand by my word. I will treat you well." He then took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles, his flaming eyes never leaving mine. My heart fluttered inside my chest.

Dropping my hand, "I have to go, make yourself at ho." He said before walking away.

***

A maid showed around. The castle had several quarters. Every prince and his family had their own quarters and their own household staff, including servants, cooks, and guards. I had already looked around our personal garden and I especially liked the white swing with a ceiling, surrounded by white and pink roses in a half-circle.

We then went through the halls that led to several smaller halls. The smaller halls had several doors that led to different rooms. One hall led to the kitchen, the pantry, and the storeroom. Another hall led to the guest room and the dining room, and another one led to the library and study. There were several other halls, but we went through the hall that led to our private chamber and the bathrooms.

Inside our chamber, there were doors that led to other rooms. The maid opened one of them and I went inside. It was the dressing room from yesterday.

"This is the boudoir. It's your personal room when you want to be alone, My Lady." She explained.

"His Highness has one too." She continued gesturing to the door at the other end of the room. I decided to take a look once the maid left but the door was locked. Why did he lock his room?

As I walked out of the chamber, a little boy bumped into my leg and fell backward. He stood up quickly. "I am sorry, My Lady," he said, wide-eyed.

"It's Alright" I smiled. He had short blonde hair and his big brown eyes stared innocently at her. "Who are you?"

"I am Prince Pierre's son. My na is Levi, My lady." I couldn't help but smile at his cuteness. "I am looking for uncle Lucian." He called him by his first na. They must be very close I thought.

"His Highness is not here," I said with a gentle smile. "Do you want to leave a ssage for him? I am his wife."

"Can I wait for him here?" He asked with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Yes, of course. Co," I said and led him to the garden. "I am having lunch soon; are you hungry?"

He nodded.

"Sit down," I urged. The maids served us lunch - including baked potatoes and grilled chicken with vegetables.

"Please don't tell my father I have been here, My Lady." He pleaded. "Father doesn't like being here."

"Why not?" I asked curiously.

"He says Uncle Lucian is a bad man."

Bad man? Why would his brother say sothing like that about him?

"Then why don't you listen to your father? Why don't you stay away?" I asked, treading carefully.

"Because I like being with uncle Lucian. He is nice to even though he's not nice anymore." He said timidly.

"Why not?"

"I don't know, he just tells I shouldn't be here, he tells to go away." He looked hurt.

"What about the rest of your uncles? Why don't you accompany them?"

"I just like uncle Lucian."

"Levi!" soone shouted and shortly after a woman barged in. The maids behind her wore an apologetic look on their face.

I stood up from my seat, and the woman looked up and down.

"Mother," Levi said stiffly, standing up.

"Co here!" She ordered, and he walked up to her. She put a hand on his shoulder. "I told you not to co here," She scolded him. "Go now."

Levi left running away quickly. Poor child, I thought.

The woman then turned to . "I am Princess Elsa, the Crown Prince's first wife," She said straightening her shoulders and neck as if challenging with her superiority.

"It's nice to et you, Princess Elsa. I am Princess Hazel," I replied courteously, trying my best to not offend her. I didn't want conflict this early on.

"My son won't disturb you anymore," she said, with finality. "Feel free to visit if you ever feel alone, my quarter is next to yours."

"Maybe I will," I said, and then she turned around elegantly with a high chin and left.

After having my lunch I went to the white swing in the garden and lay down while looking up the sky. I had many questions and thoughts that bothered . Why would Lucian's brother say sothing like that about him? Yesterday, they looked as though they were willing to attack each other. I rembered the nacing look in Lucian's eyes, so different from the soft look he gave today when he kissed my hand. My heart fluttered at the mory.

"What makes you smile so?" A familiar voice ca from nearby.

"Your Highness." I inclined my head. He had surprised . I moved over to create a space for him on the seat. He took a seat beside and put one arm over the seatback.

"How was your day?"

"It was fine Your Highness...I an Lucian." I corrected myself.

He just smiled.

"Your nephew was here," I added.

His only reply was a short 'hmm'.

"He said his father wouldn't be happy to know he was here."

"Yes, my brothers don't like ," Lucian replied, devoid of emotion.

"Why?"

"Haven't you heard the rumors? that I'm the 'devil's son.'"

"But you're not...?" I trailed off, confused.

He just looked at for a while before finally replying; "I don't know."