The beast's bride
Chapter four
Ryder opens his eyes suddenly, and checks around him. Memories of hours ago crepy in, especially the words the young girl had said to him.
He admitted he had never been so happy and he couldn't quite blot her image out of his head before he fell to sleep.
He sits up and realized he was alone. He was still naked and a duvet was placed all over him.
On the table beside him are neatly folded clothes. He quickly reasoned in himself that it must have been left for him.
He could move freely now and the pains he felt had subsided, all that he's left with are just the memories. Memories that will never leave him in years.
Just like the old days, he carefully had the memories stocked up.
Funnily, they only seem to anger him the more.
He has bruises all over, he noted as he quickly put on the t-shirt. It looks bigger on him but they fit well.
The grey trousers fit perfectly fine like it was tailored specially for him.
The aroma of steak fills his surroundings, telling him there's probably a chef around somewhere.
Ryder step out of the hut, and the first thing he saw was the back of a girl, tending to the fire. The girl was clad in bright clothes resembling that of royalty.
Well, he could never say. He had never met with other royalties because he was always locked in. His father feared he might get angry during important gatherings.
And they all knew, he wouldn't be stopped unless his mouth has tasted the blood of everyone that witness his transformation.
He can't even say if his father doesn't hate him.
The girl looks back suddenly, tensed, then rushes forward, "You are awake?" She looks all over him, giving him scrutiny, "It fits so well as if it was made for you."
"Thank you," Ryder said when he had nothing else he could say.
"How do you feel now?"
"I feel good, thank you once again," Ryder says and looks away, somewhat, the incident was about to replay in his head.
"It's ok. It's not like I did it for fun anyways!" She says and laughs, " You are going to marry me after all," she announces happily.
Ryder sighs and looks up at her, " That's enough, stop playing around."
The girl frowns, and pouts, "I'm not playing. Who said I was playing? I want to marry you."
Ryder made a soft chuckle, amazed at himself for putting his hopes so high, " How old are you?"
The girl looks away, "I'm sixteen," she mumbles.
Ryder laughs now, "See, you are still young. You need to go to school," he stops briefly, realization dawns on him, "Why are you not in school by the way?"
The girl's big eyes look up at him, " A serious incident happened yesterday night. Every activity have been suspended."
Ryder suddenly felt her heart squeeze, " What happened?" His voice shook with a slight tremor to it.
The girl's face took on another expression. Regret? Fear? Terror? Sadness? Yes, sadness.
"A demon came to the marketplace yesterday and slaughter everyone's presence."
Ryder missed his step but he hurries to stable himself. The grief he had been hiding rushes out and he could vividly remember the girl he had snapped out of its neck with his hand.
The girl that should be in school presently. He was the monster, he was the demon that robbed people of their daily endeavors.
He felt himself falling into the pit of darkness again. His heart has started to beat madly in his chest and the pains his heart brings seem too much for him to handle.
He knew, that he was going to fall but he was less bothered about it until warm hands wrap around him and a slender body prevent the falling.
He looks down at the girl, her expression somewhat shocking as she supported him with every ounce of her strength.
"Oh My! What's wrong with that man?" Another voice interrupted, soft but thick. A boy rushes forward to help Ryder up, " Are you ok?"
The girl looks at him with gratitude, " He's fine now."
Yes, Ryder was fine, now with his back supporting the wall of the house. He wouldn't fall now even if he lose his steps.
"Yes, I heard your dad say he rescued someone besides the marketplace. Is he the one?"
The girl looks over at Ryder and hesitated for a while, then she nods and looks back at the boy, "I think he escaped before he was done transforming but he had some bruises," she explains.
The boy nods, " This is all the prince's fault. Why must he come to the market yesterday? It was supposed to be the time of joy for us, why will he spoil it?" The boy looks angry as he continues while tears did it's best to show how much sadness the young boy felt within, "I hate him!"
"I don't believe I have to cry my eyes out today."
"Don't you think we should be praying to God instead of hating him?" The girl says and sighs. Her expression wasn't all encouraging.
"What!" The boy scoffs amazingly, "The prince was the one that killed your brother. You should be planning to murder him and not praying for him."
Ryder swallows harder as he whips his face towards the girl. He couldn't believe his ears. And he wonders quietly how she would feel if she discovers she just rescued her brother's killer.
"How? How did you know he was the one that came by yesterday night?"
The boy was still frowning, " He is. We saw the trace of his expensive clothes and the royal chain. Wherever he is, he would be naked."
Ryder had to stop himself from breathing so none of the children would discover he was the prince they were talking about.
The girl looks up at the boy, "It's ok. I also feel bad for the people that have died because of the prince but you know about the story, don't you?" She attempted to pull the boy closer.
" Let me go!" He wrenches free from her, "I don't know why you always defend the prince! Despite everything, he had done for you. And then you will go around saying you are the prince's destined wife. How the fuck will he even see you right here!" The boy has grown so angry that the heat emanating from him can boil an egg.
Ryder looks over at the boy, amazed by the nonsense coming out of his mouth.
The girl pulls at him quickly and struggles to cover his mouth, "Come on, stop talking!"
"Leave me," the boy was determined and stronger, "I'm so disappointed at you. You desperately want to marry someone that killed your brother. Guess what, he's not even as fine as you think. I pray you don't see him transform eventually!" He finally pulls away. He hisses before he started walking away.
The girl sighs and watches his retreating body for a while. She turns to look at Ryder, "Will you have steak?"
Ryder couldn't speak, so he continues to watch her. He still quite couldn't believe everything he has heard.
He can't believe everyone knows he was present yesterday's night. Now, everyone would hate him for being the prince.
He wonders also if the girl knows he's the prince because she met him naked.
"What? Is something wrong?"
"Why do you think you should pray for the prince?" He wonders why. Everyone probably hates him now.
The girl pout in a cute way. Then she looks up at Ryder, "because I pity him."
"Why do you pity him? You should hate him. He killed your brother after all. No one will hold that against you."
The girl looks away now, " people talked about the curse. I know we have witches and sorcerers. And I know what it means to be cursed. My father is part of the royalty but he's under a curse," she turns to look at Ryder again, a smile at the corner of her face.
" He's never to step feet in his palace. He will die if he does so. You know curses are something that is out of our control. So, it's not the Prince's fault that he's cursed. I believe we need to pray for him. He will make a wonderful prince without the curse."
For so long, Ryder has waited for this. He has patiently waited for someone to think of him this way. But all he had witnessed were all disappointment especially from someone he calls his father.
How come he just found solace in a stranger's heart? Ryder felt his pupil dilate and his heartbeat increases again.
Just that, this time it felt like he has just seen something that he admires. No, he has seen someone he admires.
"What's your name?"
"Belle as in beauty," she says, " I'm the Belle that will save_," she stops suddenly when her chest collides with Ryder's own.
Ryder wraps his arms around her, pulling her so close to him. It was why his head wanted him to do at that moment. He doesn't care about the repercussions. He just wants to stay happy.
And for once, he has just found his happiness.
Belle seems startled for a while, then her arms also went up around Ryder. Her scent filled his head.
He loved how he smell. Even though she seems so young to him, but he couldn't forget how determined she had sounded.
"See, I knew you will fall for my beauty," she giggles, "I'm supposed to be your wife after all," she repeats, " Your highness_"
Ryder's eyes went wide in shock. What! Your highness!
He pulls her apart slightly and looks into the smiling face of Belle.
How did she know?