The whole kingdom was bustling before Zofia even woke up. She had her head buried in her pillows when Juniper came to draw the curtains. Zofia sat up and was careful to not rub her eyes. Marco forbade her to touch her face at all. He had come by the day before to make sure that her dress fit, what he had finished thus far. She was not even excited for her dress. It felt too surreal. It would be her birthday the following day, but that was already ruined thanks to her life being such a fucking mess the past week. Zofia wanted to tie one end of a rope to her four poster bed and the other end around her neck. Loneliness had never felt this bad before. It broke her and dragged her to hell and back. She was sure that it wouldn't let her go till she was long dead. She hadn't spoken much, except to thank the ladies who served her.She had done her share of crying when the castle was sleeping, when her bad dreams would wake her. It seemed as if no one noticed, as if her existence would be this way forever. Juniper handed her a hot cup of tea and left her. 

"It's horrible, painful." Livina admitted as she put the hot curlers into Zofia's hair. She was trying hard to scald her scalp, but Zofia didn't feel the heat. She hadn't even asked about sex, Livina had brought it up all on her own. "It gets better after a while. Then I guess you just tolerate it." She seemed to be talking from experience. She was so glad when Marco waltzed in, so Lavina could shut up and move to the corner where she belonged. 

"Oh my god, today is the day. I can barely believe that a week had gone by so fast." Marco complained as he hung the dress up. Zofia looked at the carefully hand stitched cover that was hiding the dress from her. Serena sauntered in after Marco, a big, beautiful smile on her lips. Zofia bit her own lip at the sight. How could she be dressed so beautifully, look so perfectly. It seemed as if it was her wedding they would all be attending. Zofia hoped that marco did her justice, or else she would feel like she would always be second in the looks department to Serena. Serena who had been taken on long walks by Draegon. Serena who stayed up and laughed with him over tea and cakes after Zofia had gone to bed. Queen or not, she at least had to stand out against the mistresses that would be vying for the king's attention. Serena had all his attention since the moment she had arrived. Today, she thought, would be no different. 

Zofia was soon in the dress, Marco fussing around her as she worried down at the very, very low plunge in the front. She reached for the material, trying to cover more of herself. 

"Don't you dare." Marco scolded. She was glad that they were alone now, she didn't want to share this moment with Livina or Serena at all. 

"I like it." She admitted, even though it was dangerously close to showing more than her cleavage. Her breasts fit into the dress perfectly, and Marco kept fussing over how it was his best work yet. It was a good dress to die in. No, perhaps she would take it off and request they bury her in it. It was the most beautiful and expensive thing she's ever had. She wanted to cry at the realization, that a dress was more precious to her than anything else. Zofia smoothed the dress over her hips, jumping as there was a sudden pounding on the closed door. 

"Zofia?" Draegon questioned through the door. 

She widened her eyes and shook her head at Marco. He quickly sauntered her over to the door. She refused to move at first, but realized that the dress might wrinkle if she fussed too much. 

"Yes, Draegon?" She responded when she reached the door. If he was to be her husband then there was no way she was going to call him 'your highness' all the time. Besides, how was she to respect a man that didn't respect her.  

"I will see you outside." He stated. She had almost thought he had walked off, but he was still there. She could feel his heat radiating through the door. If she hadn't known better, she would have thought that he was nervous. Probably about what Serena might think. She moved as if she was sobbing, biting back the sound and the tears. 

"Yes, Draegon." She answered. Perhaps it needed to be her new line, the easy way of dealing with things that only saw her as an inconvenience. She heard his footsteps moving through the halls, then out of the castle. 

"I'm not ready for this." Zofia said as she sunk back into her chair. Marco quickly grabbed her by her arm and pulled her up again. 

"You will wrinkle the dress." He scolded her. She sniffled. He waggled an angry finger at her and she swallowed her tears, nodding at him. Her frustration was bubbling up. No one was acknowledging her feelings. Zofia was ready to explode. 

Silence. That was what the new queen got. Complete silence. The castle yard was furnished with rows of chairs and a carpet of flower petals leading to Draegon. His father stood behind him and an unfamiliar man stood under the floral arch, waiting to wed the king and queen. Serena stood on the other end, but her eyes were on Draegon as if she were to be married to him. Zofia wanted to scream. She couldn't even have her wedding to herself. Marco was the architect behind the whole ceremony, yet she doubted he had much say in all of this. Zofia was staring at the scene through the tall windows, hidden from everyone still. They were all ready and waiting for her. Nik was there, so was Bella, and everyone else she had ever known in the noble community. Some commoners from the villages were there, scattered on the grass as if they were there for a picnic. Zofia liked how laid back they were, at least. She was surprised that they had braved the scary castle just to come see the wedding. Zofia's breathing was uneven, her heart beating erratically and her mind going completely blank. She could barely see. She stood upright when Marco instructed her to, then she stumbled out of the castle through the glass doors. She could just make out where she was putting her feet as she walked down the petal path to meet Draegon.

'I wonder how long he's been screwing her. Lowly slave. Our noble girls aren't good enough?' There was a whisper. Zofia did her best to ignore it, knowing that she would fall if she paid attention to these people at all.

'Must be one of his whores he got knocked up.' Another voice hissed. Zofia turned her gaze for a second to look, but she nearly lost her footing, so she looked ahead again, at Draegon. The black spots in her vision prevented her from seeing his face till she was close enough. He looked unlike himself and she was immediately inclined to believe that something was wrong. She had to stare at him for a while before she realized that he was actually smiling. It was a rare sight, a very rare sight indeed. It was the very first time that she had ever seen him stretching his lips like that, for her. It made him look so handsome, and it just made Zofia want to cry more. She guessed that he was putting it on for show, because everyone from court was there, plus Serena. Zofia wanted to look over her shoulder to see if he was smiling at that red-haired devil, but she cast her eyes to what was in front of her instead. Mephis was giving Zofia a kind smile over his son's shoulder. Zofia let Draegon take her hands, thankful for the strength he had in his arms since he was suddenly the one holding her up. He moved his hands to her elbows, pulling her just a little bit closer to keep her knees from giving in under her. It would be a disaster if she was to fall over. With her eyes settled on his hands, she thought some courage into her bones. 

Zofia was a married woman.

It didn't feel any different. 

Perhaps more raw, alone, hurt, but not much different to how she had been feeling since she was sold. She had imagined that something spectacular would happen, that there would be a gust of wind that suddenly carried their spirits into the air before joining them as one. She was a hopeless romantic, it had her wanting to cry the entire time. She was close to breaking down, she could feel it. 

The priest concluded the ceremony and everyone clapped as Draegon lift the veil away from Zofia's face. Her eyes were cast down, away from him. He stared at her, keeping his hands on her arms. He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. He tasted like fire, but oddly enough Zofia wanted more of his lips. He heard her soft gasp and leaned in to kiss her a little harder. It was brief and it was over. It had all of the courage disappearing from Zofia's bones again. The king wrapped his arm around his queen's waist before he dragged her over to the people, eager to show her off. Zofia could not help but feel that his hand was burning into her skin. She felt like he was purposefully placing it on her exposed flesh, the dress having a low plunge in the back too. It was happening too fast. People were bowing to Zofia. They all congratulated her, all blurring into one. Serena grabbed her and hugged her so tightly that one of Zofia's bones cracked. Something came undone in her hair and she looked like a mess thanks to the redhead. There was food and there was dancing, it all passing in a blur. She must have blinked. 

Zofia found herself in Mephis's arms as he spun with her on the cobblestone. He carried her, and all she had to do was lift her toes. Her sister was on her mind, Zofia missing the young one terribly. She wondered why her sister wasn't there, or if she had tried to come. She longed for someone she knew, someone to talk to. The tears were stinging her eyes as she fought to keep them back, but Zofia felt too weak to try any harder. The sun had set and a million candles lit the night around them. People were dancing around them too. Two of those people being Nik and Bella. Draegon was dancing as well, with Serena. She clung to him as if she was his bride and he spun her like he thought she was worthy of showing off in his arms. Even she fit him better than Zofia felt she did. Zofia felt unnatural and stiff, to the point that she had no other choice but to break free from Mephis. He clutched on to her hand and kept her from going. She hated him in that moment. She was about to have her breakdown and he was keeping her in front of all the prying eyes. 

"I just need a minute, please, my lord." She pleaded. He gave her an understanding smile before he let her go. She grabbed two handfuls of her dress at the knees and started walking. She stepped off the stones and on to the grass. It was then when she started running. She only stopped when she found the bench in the dimly lit garden. It was far away from everyone and Zofia finally felt like there could be some comfort in being alone. She pressed her hands to her face and started to sob, her body shaking as she cried out her worries. She was worried about the consummation, among other things. Would he even be interested? She had heard Serena telling Livina how 'hard it was to get him to put his clothes back on.' She felt hot with anger as she wiped her eyes. Had he spent the night with her? Was he taking turns with Serena and Livina? "If this is to kill me, please let it be soon." She begged up at the stars. 

"Zozo!" Nic said her nickname as he ran over, clearly having followed her. He scooped Zofia up into his arms and pulled her to his chest. She sobbed into his clothes instead of into her hands. 

"I waited, every day." He pointed out, stroking her open back. He looked down at her with deep concern. 

"He said I'm not allowed to see you." She sniffed, looking up at him. "I'm scared, Nik." Zofia clutched at his jacket and dropped her head against his chest. He cupped her cheeks and tilted her head up to look at him. 

"Run away with me. It will be alright. I will take care of you." He soothed her. Zofia shook her head just as he leaned in. Nik was close to kissing her, but she dropped her head and stopped him. She let go of him. Regardless of how she had hoped he would be the one to propose to her, she had a husband now and she needed to do right by him. Nik stared, about to ask her what she was doing when a fist flew into his face. Zofia sank back onto the bench as Nik scattered back, torn from her. She felt helpless, a queen with no power. Zofia choked back a cry as she watched the king attempt to rip Nik apart.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing? I'll kill you if you dare touch her again!" Draegon boomed as he readied his fist for another blow. Nik fell back on to his ass all on his own. He kicked himself away from Draegon before he got up and made a run for it. 

"Draegon." Zofia muttered weakly to him. Draegon stood with his fists balled, heaving growls out as his body radiated a heat that Zofia had never seen on any man before. His fingernails looked more like claws, and his eyes shone in a reptilian manner. She held her palms up to him, afraid that he would hurt her next. She hiccuped as she pressed the back of her hands to her eyes. She expected a slap or for his sharp words to strike her. Zofia opened her eyes to try and explain on Nik's behalf. She was still swallowing air, choking back sobs. What she saw before her was unexpected. Before her stood her husband, the king, with fire in his hands, all over his skin. Zofia held her breath. She eyed the flames, tracing them with her sight. She reached over for him and placed one of her delicate hands in his. He let her pull him over, sinking to his knees before her. As she clutched on to his skin, the fire subsided. He moved his hands to her knees, up her thighs. It was as if he was making sure that she was alright, still his. Zofia let him, knowing that it was a comfort to him to know she was intact. She did not know why she was letting him come close. She knew he was not hers alone. She wanted to push him away but it felt unnatural to move. 

"Are you alright?" He asked her, his bright eyes looking more honest than ever. Zofia nodded at him. She reached over and fixed his hair. He looked frazzled after the battle he had won. She had no clue where their intimate moment had come from. She was still thinking about the kiss and the way he had lent her his strength throughout the ceremony. Then she was also thinking about the way Serena had clung to him. What if Juniper was right and she did misunderstand him? 

"Are you?" She asked him back. He smiled at her. He smiled at her! Again. He was breaking his own record all in one day. Her heart pinched with joy at the emotion he was expressing. Zofia wiped her wet cheeks as she tried to gain control over herself. Did he just have to smile at girls for them to drop their dresses? She understood how it might work.

"I am now. There is nothing to be scared of." He assured his bride as he took her hand. He kissed her knuckles before he looked into her dull green eyes. Zofia looked away, regretfully. For some reason she wanted him to kiss her again, just to make sure that she felt something. Feeling something, anything, was all she had. She realized what was happening, that she was suddenly reliant on him. She didn't want to be. Zofia would take her emptiness and her silence above this fuckery any day. Would it only last till Serena came in proximity? 

"Draegon. Would you..." Zofia started, but she cut herself off and shook her head. She didn't even need to ask her question. He leaned up and answered it for her, his lips connecting with hers. She struggled to register it for a moment, but finally it settled in that he was kissing her. She leaned in to him, trying to learn from him as he moved his surprisingly soft lips against hers. Zofia let out a small, involuntary moan. Draegon took it as a cue, pulling his bride off the bench and into his lap. She gasped and fought against him, trying her hardest to push him away, or to push herself off him. The more she pushed against him, the closer she was pressed to his chest.

"Draegon." She said his name, but it was not to ask him to stop, or to warn him, it was to ask for more. He obeyed and picked her up, carrying her to his bedroom. If the servants had seen them, she didn't know. She heard a gasp, or perhaps it was her own, as he moved her through the castle. They were in his room soon, or was it theirs? She only registered what the roof looked like as he dropped her on the bed. It was the color of dark wood. Zofia shuddered nervously under her husband as he moved his hands up her thighs. His hands burned as he touched her. She pressed closer to the heat in his palms. She was desperate for warmth, to chase away her cold feelings. Draegon managed to make her dress fly to the other side of he room before he tugged and tore at his scorched black suit. He got it all off before he stood there in only a pair of underwear. He stared down at Zofia as she covered her breasts from him. 

"Don't." he warned her as he took her by her wrists. He pinned them on either side of her head and leaned in to kiss her again. Zofia's body moved as if she knew what to do, even though she was completely clueless. She wrapped her legs around his waist, suddenly feeling some of his weight on top of her. She shuddered and made a noise that she didn't recognize, a moan. He had his hard, erect length pressed to her and it felt too good. Zofia rolled her hips, asking for more. Draegon moved and Zofia kept her eyes closed. When he returned to her there was nothing more separating his flesh from hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers moving into his hair. He kissed her again and it felt like such a relief to have his lips on hers. She pulled at him, trying to press herself against him. He gave her what she wanted, only it was followed by a sharp pain. And then, pleasure. Nothing but pure pleasure. 

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