Zephyria

Dalia blinked again at the mesmerizing sight before her. It was the first time since their journey that something had interested her this much and bewildered her to the core. "Is this the place?" she asked the guards who had opened the palanquin for her, waiting for her to step out. "Yes," he bowed.

She shook her head. How could a man rumored to be a monster have such a fine taste? From the look of this place, it had already shown how rich he must be.

No one in her land had houses made with marbles, not even the palace, since theirs were made with strong sturdy stones and mold. But this man's palace or place was made with fine marble. What fascinated her was the fact that this place was entirely made with black marbles and completely plain.

Although it looked lonely, it sure did give off a fine taste. How rich and powerful was he to build this, and how menacing must he be to have built such a place completely of black marbles.

The moment she stepped out from her ride, an unknown guard walked up to her. His attire was entirely different from what her own guards wore; in fact, as a guard, his clothing seemed even more of fine taste than what she had on. He bowed, a wide smile on his face, "Welcome to Zephyria, our queen."

''Our Queen?' How could he call her their queen when she was yet to meet with the king, when she was yet to even face this monster? What if she couldn't even stand him and ran away to a nearby village?

Would he then call her his queen? She was not his queen, would never be. She only hoped the king had concubines so he would have less of her time. At least that would be an advantage to her.

"Thank you," she managed to speak from her weakened voice.

The man looked at her luggage and instructed for them to take it inside. As they worked and began to walk in with her things, she stood in the same spot, biting her lip and clutching her dress, all the while staring at the marble walls of the palace.

It was time; a few moments from now, she would be inside and get to face her husband-to-be. She had been so carried away by how this place looked that for a moment, her heart wasn't racing so fast, but not anymore. Not now that she remembered exactly why she was here.

"Are you alright?" the guard walked up to her, his voice laced with concern.

She stared at him for a long moment. There was a warm smile on his face. Either he knew how to mask his true feelings, or he was also a monster in disguise. There was no way an ordinary person could live with a monster and still be smiling and welcoming this much, right?

I mean, it cannot be possible. No one is meant to be okay around a man whose presence brings fear to the whole world. She could not even begin to think of the rest of the rumors she had heard about him, because the more she let her mind travel there, the more she shrank into fear. Perhaps it would drop at the pit of her stomach, and she wouldn't be standing on her own two feet.

"Queen, please do come with me," the guard said, his voice remaining calm. "I hope you are alright."

She managed to nod, hoping he would be as friendly as he seemed.

Dalia passed through a big, grand door that loomed over her. Inside, she walked into a corridor filled with strange lights emanating from a lamp. It wasn't the usual harsh, fiery lamp she knew; instead, it had soft, light blue flames illuminating gentle glows.

There were numerous tiny holes at the top of the wall, allowing natural light to pour in. It created circle shadows and patterns on the opposite walls and floors. It was indeed breathtaking, and she might have fallen for the king with this uniqueness if it weren't for the rumors and even the ones she did not want to think of.

Her gaze traveled to the guard in front. He was taking slow strides, perhaps aware that she could barely move her legs. She wanted to ask him how long until they would meet the king, as she wanted to keep walking in this corridor with no end, for the end only meant being with him.

Unfortunately, they reached the end of the walk, where she now stood before a much smaller door than the grand entrance they had just followed. Her gaze fixed on the intricate floral designs adorning the door, lilies and roses clasping together like they were of one family.

"This is your room, my queen," the guard nodded at her then pushed the door open, ushering her into a world of exquisite beauty.

She gasped as she slowly followed behind him. Pink curtains swayed in the wind, sunlight pouring into the room giving it a golden glow. The bed stood high with a pink mattress placed on it. The room was small, but it was charming, breathtaking, and innocent, just like her. It was as if the monster knew her personally, so well that he decided to reflect it by making her room to her taste.

Who was this man? Could he be a different person entirely?

But those rumors, of what he had done, they couldn't be a lie, for there were witnesses.

She shook her head, questioning herself for admiring a room as if it could rescue her from the hell she was in.

"I will leave you be for now to rest," the guard spoke behind her.

She quickly turned her gaze to him, opening her mouth as if to say something, but then pressed her lips together. She would have asked him about the monster, of course, if she was to meet him now. However, she was feeling so overwhelmed, her heart beating so fast that she couldn't form a proper word.

"You must be wondering about your husband," he said.

She managed to nod but averted her gaze from his face, hiding the worry. He was not her husband; rather, a man she was forced to marry, a man who was a... She gulped, she hated being in reality.

"Well, he has traveled out of the kingdom a few days ago, but I am assuming he will be back tonight and join you for dinner."

She stood frozen, her eyes growing wide with fear. Then, she managed to stagger back. It wasn't because of what the guard had said; of course, she was in the monster's lair, so there was no way she could even think of escaping him. She was likely going to meet him unless she managed to escape. But the reason for her reaction was what she was looking at. He was here; the monster was here, standing in the open door, eyes narrowed at her.