The Monster’s Bride

Chapter Two

The crowd murmured in awe. They had never seen a girl as beautiful as Ping. Her skin was soft like a newborn's, her long hair cascaded down her back, and her slim waist made her look delicate—almost breakable.

But as she stood there, all eyes on her, her heart pounded like a drum. She could hear the whispers, the cruel laughter of her stepsisters.

"She's marrying a monster," Hua, the eldest, sneered, whispering to her sister.

"She deserves it," Li replied with a smirk. "At least she'll be out of our lives."

Hua giggled. "I'm taking her room."

"We'll share," Li said, grinning.

Ping's hands trembled at her sides. Their words stung, but she had no strength to respond. She wasn't just losing her home—she was being sent to the Shadow King, a man feared by all.

And there he stood.

A tall figure, masked and unreadable. His presence alone made the hall feel colder. The long, white strands of his hair rested against his shoulders, contrasting against his dark robes. His eyelashes were thick, his sharp features eerily perfect, yet there was no warmth in them. He was built like a warrior—strong, powerful. Dangerous.

The priest's voice echoed through the silent hall.

"We may now begin the ceremony."

A graveyard would have been livelier than that room. No one dared to breathe too loudly. No one dared to look directly at Ling.

Ping forced herself to look up, her gaze flickering toward the man who would soon be her husband. Her stomach twisted in fear.

"Ping, do you take Ling to be your wedded husband?" the priest asked.

Her breath caught in her throat. Her chest felt tight. When she finally spoke, her voice was small, shaky—like a child struggling to form words.

"I… I do…"

A wave of pity spread through the crowd. They knew how this would end for her. No one ever crossed the Shadow King and lived to tell the tale. The fear in their eyes told her everything she needed to know.

She wanted to run. Every part of her screamed to escape. But the guards were everywhere, their unreadable faces watching her every move.

The ceremony was over before she even had time to process it.

She was now his wife.

One last look at her home, at the place she once belonged. Would she ever return? Would she even survive?

Outside, her husband waited, silent and patient. The monster had come to take his bride away.