The shadow king

The Shadow King

Chapter One

Ping lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, wishing—begging—that this was all just a bad dream. Maybe if her father were still alive, he wouldn't have allowed this. Maybe he would have protected her from the cruel woman who now controlled her fate. But he was gone, and now, she was being forced to marry a monster.

The Shadow King.

Everyone feared him. They whispered about the things he had done, the lives he had taken—even his own parents. They said he was ruthless, heartless, a man without mercy. And now, he would be her husband.

Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Crying won't change anything.

A knock sounded at the door, but Ping didn't hear it. She was too deep in her thoughts, drowning in the weight of her fate. The next moment, the door burst open with force.

"Ping!"

The sharp voice jolted her back to reality. She sat up just as her stepmother strode in, her heels clicking against the wooden floor. She was tall, elegant, with sleek hair styled to perfection. Her curvy waist and long lashes made her look like royalty—but her beauty masked the cold cruelty in her heart.

"It's time, you little brat!" she snapped.

Before Ping could react, her stepmother grabbed her wrist, yanking her out of bed like a child.

"No—wait!" Ping protested, but it was useless.

Her stepmother's grip was firm, her long nails digging into Ping's skin as she dragged her out of the room, down the grand staircase.

With every step, Ping's breathing grew heavier. The hall was silent, all eyes locked on her as she descended. The air was thick with anticipation. She could feel their stares, their pity, their fear.

The bride had arrived.

And waiting for her at the altar… was him.