Chapter 2: happy or sad

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She became confused, unable to understand why everyone around her was acting so strangely. Turning around once more, she still couldn't believe her eyes. Standing before her was the most handsome man she had ever seen in her entire life.

She couldn't understand how someone could look this perfect. His piercing blue eyes, the exact shade of the ocean, seemed capable of pulling her in and making her lose herself in their depths. His perfectly sculpted face looked like it was carved by the gods themselves, leaving her wondering if he was even human. His expression was unreadable, making him even more mysterious.

Selene found herself lost in thought. She had only read about men like this in novels , believing they were nothing more than fictional creations. Yet here he was, standing right in front of her, proving her wrong. He looked tall and powerfully built, with broad shoulders that seemed to command respect. His jet-black hair gleamed under the light, looking so soft that she almost wanted to reach out and touch it.

For a moment, everything around her faded, and it was just him a vision of perfection that left her completely speechless.

After a while, her father's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Prince Draven, you are welcome to my kingdom," her father said, his voice trembling slightly, showing how scared he was. "I never thought I would see you come to my land," he added nervously. "Please, Prince Draven, sit beside me."

Draven's cold gaze briefly shifted to Selene before immediately looking away. She recognized that look all too well—it was the same one every suitor gave her. She knew he wasn't satisfied with what he saw, even though his face betrayed no emotion. The silence in the Royal Hall was suffocating, more oppressive than she had ever felt it before.

After what felt like an eternity, Draven finally broke the silence. "Is this the daughter you've chosen to give me after I helped you win the war?" he said, his voice low yet cutting. He chuckled, though the sound held no humor, and lowered himself into the nearest chair.

"I've heard many suitors have already rejected her," he continued, his words stabbing at her like knives. "But I won't reject her. Instead, I will add her to my list of mistresses."

Selene's chest tightened at his words. He rose from his seat and turned toward her father, his presence dominating the room. "I give her one week to prepare and move to my kingdom," he said coldly, before walking out of the Royal Hall with his guards, never sparing her another glance.

Selene stood frozen, unable to process what had just happened. The man of her dreams had accepted her, yet not as his wife, but as one of his mistresses. The realization hit her like a tidal wave, and she felt her knees begin to buckle beneath her. She was completely shattered, her body trembling as the weight of it all became too much to bear.

She rushed out of the royal hall, tears welling up in her eyes as she made her way to her room. As soon as she closed the door behind her, she broke down completely, unable to hold back her emotions any longer. She sobbed uncontrollably, her shoulders shaking with the weight of her despair.

Selene's worst fears were coming true, and she couldn't stop them. The thought of ending up like her mother haunted her, and now it felt like history was already repeating itself. She wanted to scream, to let out all the pain and frustration, but she couldn't. She was a princess, and princesses were supposed to be composed and modest at all times, no matter how broken they felt inside.

Mara entered the room quietly, her eyes filled with pity as she watched Selene crumble. The sight of her only deepened Selene's sorrow. Her life felt like a mess, a tangled web of fears and regrets, all closing in on her. She couldn't shake the thought that she would soon be forced to leave the palace and the kingdom—not as she had once dreamed, but under circumstances she never wanted.

She wiped her tears, her voice shaky as she spoke, "Mara, please… tell me everything you know about Prince Draven."

Mara hesitated, fear flickering in her eyes. She glanced at the door as if to make sure no one was listening. After a moment of silence, she looked at Selene and said firmly, "You must promise me, my princess. Promise that you will never tell anyone what I am about to say."

Selene nodded without hesitation. She was genuinely curious about this man,someone so powerful that even her father, a king respected by all, showed fear at the mere mention of his name. It was unsettling. Her father had always been a symbol of strength, yet the look in his eyes told a different story. She couldn't understand it.

Turning to Mara, she spoke with quiet urgency. "Mara, I want you to tell me everything in detail."

Mara nodded without hesitation. "Of course, my princess," she said before beginning her tale.

"Prince Draven is a man unlike any other. He's young, handsome, and remarkably successful. He commands respect from both allies and enemies, but more than that, he inspires fear. Even the greatest of kings hesitate at the mere thought of standing against him.

He has always been skilled in battle. By the time he was sixteen, his father had already sent him to war, and in every battle, he emerged victorious. No one—not even his own family—dared to stand against him. At eighteen, he no longer needed an army; he rode into battle alone, cutting down thousands with nothing but his sword. It wasn't long before rumors spread, whispering that he was not just a man but something more—something darker. A devil, some said. A demon, others feared.

Yet, despite all this, his people adore him. His loyalty to them is unwavering, and in return, they give him their hearts. And the women… well, they say he enjoys their company, that he lives for the pleasures of the night. Many consider it an honor to share even a single moment with him. He is the kind of man no one dares to cross, because to do so would be signing their own death warrant."

Mara's voice trailed off, and Selene sat still, absorbing every word. Her heart pounded in her chest. Who was this man she was bound to?