Days later, Ingrid's father agreed for the marriage without her consent. Ingrid was beyond heartbroken. How could her father do this to her, his own child?
One of the days, Damon visited her in the Rosfette manor and she refused to talk to him. If he hadn't asked for her hand in marriage, she wouldn't have been in this predicament.
"Ingrid, why do you treat me like this?"
Her head snapped back to him. "I didn't agree to this marriage with all due respect, Your Highness."
Color drained from Damon's face.
"I…I'm being forced into a marriage I do not want."
Damon's eyes hardened. "Why? You prefer those suitors to me, the Crown Prince?" It was an insult to his whole existence.
Ingrid sighed. "I'm sorry Your Highness, but…I can not marry you."
She turned her back to him, hoping it would deter him, but it only fueled his interest. The more resisting she acted, the more attractive she was.
The wedding preparations went on, to Ingrid's dismay. It had already been announced to the whole kingdom.
Damon couldn't understand why Ingrid was rejecting him. He could give ten times more than whatever those men could ever give in their lifetime.
Worriedly, he spoke to his close friend, who was now his advisor, Gaius.
His gaze turned amused. "If she's that resolute, she could even run away before the wedding."
Damon's eyes widened. "W…what?"
Would Ingrid really do that…to him?
Gaius stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets. "If she doesn't want to marry you because of love or wealth, then she will marry because of something else."
Damon frowned. "And what could that be?"
Gaius chuckled. His friend was sure love struck.
"Do something that will give her no choice than to marry you." He gave him a knowing gaze before walking out.
And so, Damon invited her to the palace, which she honored due to her father's persuasion.
Damon walked her round the palace, trying to make conversations and Ingrid didn't feel anything off, nor did she have anything in mind that the prince would do to her. But, when they reached a certain door, he opened it and pushed her in forcefully. Ingrid screamed in fear as Damon clicked the door shut.
Warning bells rang in her head. Suddenly, a sweet smell wafted into her nose, she began coughing after inhaling much and her movements swayed.
The last thing she saw was Damon's smirk as he approached her, before she passed out.
When she woke up, she heard voices and turned to see her father, the King, Damon and some servants. Their expressions were mixed with shock, disgust and pity.
Ingrid's eyes drifted downwards to her body. She realized she was naked underneath the blanket and the bed was stained red.
Her heart sank. She had been defiled.
...
Back in the dungeon, Oren held Nyssa till she stopped whimpering and her body tremors lessened. He could feel her warm breaths on his skin. His shirt had been soaked by her incessant tears.
"Princess," he whispered to her and her eyes fluttered open. The thin ray of light from an opening upwards, fell on her face. Her eyes were puffy, the tip of her nose and face reddened.
She exhaled softly as she stared at him. He watched her fragility reveal itself after she had been putting on a brave and strong front. She was just a young girl, she didn't have to go through all these.
"How are you feeling now?" He asked gently and she nodded subtly. He watched as her breaths turned steady and she seemed to have gotten herself back. He decided to ask her what had transpired….but carefully.
"Where did they take you to?"
Her eyes snapped to him and he raised a brow. Her softened features seemed to crease again, but she didn't utter a word.
Deciding to release her and let her lie on the floor, she halted him in his tracks.
"I'm going to be killed."
Oren paused, but then looked at her. "Yes, if you don't escape."
She swallowed. "In two days time."
Oren's eyes widened. No. "What?! How? Why?!"
Nyssa smiled a little. "I mean, I knew I would be killed. But…" her brows softly furrowed, "I didn't expect it so soon."
Oren gritted his teeth. "This is bad, bad. Bad!"
Nyssa could see the anguish on his face. Her eyes softened a little.
"You care now?"
His eyes met her sharply. "This isn't time for teasing, Princess."
She chuckled, her voice laced with bitterness. " It's not that bad, is it? I mean-"
"-NO!"
Nyssa's eyes widened at his sudden outburst. They suddenly heard sounds of boots approaching. A guard was coming!
Oren mouthed an apology to Nyssa, before hiding at a corner, praying he wasn't caught. The guard's rod slammed on the metal bars and Nyssa's soul jumped.
"What voice was that?" He asked, his voice deep and gruff. It even sounded masculine.
Nyssa, not knowing what to do, shouted no again.
"No! No! No!"
The guard paused and clicked his tongue. "She has run mad." And then, he walked out, cursing under his breath.
Nyssa heaved a sigh of relief, whispering to Oren when she could no longer hear the guard's boots.
"I told you to not be loud!" She whisper-yelled.
"I'm sorry," he stood up from the corner and crawled to her.
"Princess?" He said after a few minutes.
"Hm?" She replied absent mindedly.
He noticed how she had become calm and dazed again. Her coping mechanism.
He took a deep breath but said nothing. The princess currently wasn't in a comfortable mood.
His jaws clenched. Something had to be done and somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew Nyssa had lost all hope.
While Damon sat with his wives, a servant quickly rushed in.
"Your Majesty!" She bowed low to the ground, but Damon could see excitement brew in her body.
"Speak." He ordered her.
"Your Majesty, the Queen is awake!"