pathetic

I gazed at the human beside me, my wife, as she slumbered peacefully. A hint of a grimace crossed my face as I couldn't help but think that I should have taken over her kingdom instead. My father would have likely exploited its resources for his own gain, just as he had done with the other kingdoms I had conquered. The memory of those destroyed lands and peoples still lingered, a bitter taste in my mouth.

Marrying a human was forbidden in our world, and I had done it solely to defy my father. It had been a calculated move, one that had successfully enraged him. He had threatened to strip me of my powers as the crown prince, but I had anticipated that reaction. At least, by marrying this human, I had prevented my father from using her kingdom for his own selfish purposes.

But, as I looked at my wife, I couldn't shake off the feeling that being the crown prince, or the future leader of our kingdom, didn't feel right. It was a responsibility I didn't want, a burden I didn't wish to bear.

The carriage came to a sudden stop, and my wife's head jerked forward, threatening to hit the window. I reacted instinctively, cradling her head in my hands. Her delicate skull felt tiny, almost fragile, within my grasp. I could have crushed it with ease, a thought that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Your Majesty, we have arrived," the coachman announced, opening the carriage door. His eyes flickered to my hands, still cradling the human's head, and I shot him a warning glare. "I'm not blind, I know," I growled. He nodded hastily and bowed, backing away before disappearing from sight.

I turned my attention to the sleeping princess, lifting her effortlessly out of the carriage and into the palace halls. She was tiny, almost doll-like, and I could have carried her with one hand if I'd wanted to.

As I strode through the dark, familiar corridors, I finally arrived at my chambers. The room was shrouded in darkness, just the way I liked it. I navigated the space with ease, my eyes adjusting to the lack of light. I laid the human on the bed, her fragile form sinking into the mattress.

I reached over to flip on the bedside lamp, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. The light danced across the human's skin, illuminating her delicate features. I stared at her, a mixture of amusement and disdain curling my lip. She hadn't even stirred when I carried her, a testament to her weakness.

"Pathetic human," a voice in my head sneered. "So weak and annoying." I couldn't help but agree, my gaze lingering on the human's peaceful, oblivious form.

The knock on the door broke my reverie, and I strode towards it, opening it to reveal a royal servant. He bowed low, "Your Majesty, the king, your father, has asked for you." I raised an eyebrow, uninterested in my father's summons. "Tell him I'll be there," I replied, and the servant nodded before disappearing.

I closed the door and returned to the human, my gaze lingering on her peaceful form. I smirked, still reeling from the fact that she was now mine – my wife, my property, my plaything.

With a flicker of movement, I teleported to the throne room. My father sat on his throne, his expression grim, surrounded by my brothers and sisters from different mothers. They all wore scowls on their faces, their eyes gleaming with hunger. They could scent the human on me, and they were eager to claim her for themselves. Luckily, she was safe, asleep in my bedchamber, protected by a barrier that only I could breach.

My father's authoritative voice boomed across the throne room, "You have gone against all the rules of our kingdom by marrying a human!" I rolled my eyes, unimpressed. "You have disobeyed me and our rules," he continued.

I smirked, "Come on, Your Majesty, you don't have to keep whining that I didn't bring you another human kingdom to turn into your food supply." My brother Derick spoke up, "Are you hearing yourself? We feed on human blood!" The others nodded in agreement.

I sneered, "Then go and bring us a kingdom. Go to war and bring us a human kingdom. If you can't, then shut your mouth." Derick glared at me, but I just smirked.

"I don't have anything to say, Your Majesty. I am now a married man. If you'll excuse me, I want to go and have fun with my wife." The room erupted into a chorus of angry glares and muttered curses.

My father's eyes turned red with rage, "Enough! Damon, I do not want to see that human in front of me unless she's dead." I shrugged, "When I'm bored of her, I'll bring her to you so you can kill her. Okay?" My father's glare deepened, but I just smiled.

"Bye," I said, before teleporting back to my bedchamber. As I materialized, I heard a shriek behind me. I turned to see my little human wife standing naked, trying to cover herself.