Cristina_5911

The little duchess' life seems to be perfect, especially after her wedding with the most desired bachelor in the kingdom, the one who drove out all the monster from the Black Wood. Despite her father's initial protests, Iris is able to marry the love of her life and feels that the rest of her life will only be bliss. But not everything is what is seems at her new home and little by little secrets revail themselves, making Iris understand the reasons behind her father's protests.
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Her wedding night found Iris more nervous than she thought. The maids bathed her and changed her into a nightgown which was semi transparent, the silhouette of her body being evident throughout the thin material. After the maids left she laid down on her bed, but only for a second. Her nerves didn’t let her lay there, she couldn’t even sit on it as she knew what was to come. Or at least she thought she knew as she, like all noble girls, was taught about the duty of a wife in the bedroom. But she didn’t know about the tingling in her stomach and the heat coming from inside her from those lessons. No, those were the feelings her now husband showed her with only a kiss. That thought made her touch her lips with her finger. She blushed when she remembered the kiss, the one that started all of this.
It happened only a month ago, on a dark night with no stars in the sky and the moon hiding behind the dark clouds, promising a heavy rain. But not a single drop fell yet and the castle's garden was lit by small torches which trew trembling shadows on the ground. She could remember his hands touching her arched back and caressing it while his other hand touched her cheek before sliding behind her head, entangled in her beautifully done hair. He looked passionately into her eyes, his green eyes making her forget about anything else. The smell that came from him drew her closer until their lips touched and she closed her eyes, letting herself drown in that blissful feeling, in those hard arms. He made her forget everything outside their embrace.
They forgot where they were and the reason they were there. They forgot about the ballroom full of chatting people, full of music and dance. It was only them at that moment, in the garden.
“You son of a bitch!” a cry woke them and they separated from each other. “You will pay for this!”. The man that was screaming at them approached and before Iris realized what was happening, he punched her partner hard.

Drinking under the moon

Iris felt her blood run cold at William's words. The weight of his revelation settled heavily upon her, filling her with a sense of dread and disbelief. The village was attacked. What were the possibilities of it happening the exact same night strangers intruded the castle?

A cold air embraced her trembling body, and the silence of the hallway engulfed her whole, making her feel smaller and smaller. She hugged herself as a way of protection against the unknown, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty.

Four pairs of eyes were looking at her, waiting for their mistress to decide on the next steps. Without hesitating longer, Iris gathered her composure, pushing aside her own fears to address the urgent matter at hand. She turned to William, her voice steady but laced with concern. "William, we must act swiftly. Gather the guards, send word to the nearby towns, and bring any available help. We cannot let the village suffer in silence."

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