MARRIED TO THE BLOOD KING

"Your highness, we have finally found it" a man said, as he walked among five other men dressed in a cotton red robe like him, they had their head bare with not a single strand of hair on it, their skin pale, that one might fear they have not an ounce of blood in them.

All five of them came up to the throne were a man was seated, his eyes green like those of forest trees, his skin not as pale as theirs, but instead has is brownish in four in cortesty of his mother, his long black hair fell on his back reaching his neck, and his muscular body, well fitted in his thick royal red robe only befitting a King.

The men bowed their head in respect to him , while one of them stretched his hands up to him, where a scroll was placed sealed with the royal seal of his father, the late king.

"what is in this" the king asked them, as he examined the scroll placed on his hands.

"Your highness, that is the scroll holding the research carried out by the late King, on the curse" one of them said as he stepped forward.

"Did the old man finally speak, he said he will not speak since he made a vow to my father never to speak of it, he had not spoken for ten years" the King said as he remembered the old man whom he placed in the dungeon for ten years now, since he father died, they had tortured and did everything to get him to speak but he still refuses claiming his loyalty lies in the late king, now the man is looking so weak and frail, with white hair grown all over his face, that the king is afriad he might die, but he can not let him die till he fufil his mission for him.

"no your highness, we found it in the late king secret library" the man said as he looked up to the king with pride in his eyes, proud of him and his men for finding what the king himself could not find, the kings eyes widen as he stared at the scroll, He had been trying to find his father's libary since he became king, but he could not, anx now it randomly appeared, he found it very strange.

"Very good, you all will be handsomely rewarded, now leave" he said as he dismissed them out of the throne room. And he read through the scroll.

"get Gatheb for me" he shouted to his guards as his voice boomed round the whole room , while they hurried out of the throne room.

"Kaden, do you want to destroy my ear drums, I heard your voice all the way in my room obstructing me from my important business, don't you have something better to do, because I do, I was busy with some very beautiful ladies in my bed, and they sure know how to pleasure men " a man said as he walked into the throne room, his bright red hair in disray obviously because of what he was doing before he came here, his thick black eyes staring directly at the king with a smile on his face, his long legs made long strides as he walked into the throne room smoothly, his legs stepping on the floor of the mat, but still no noise of foot steps was heard.

"I hope they are not ladies of my harem" the king said as he scowled at Gatheb. While Gatheb just looked at the king and laughed , he had known the king since childhood, and he is the closet thing the king had to a friend.

"come on Kaden, you won't be that stingy and wicked not to share your women with me, you have but a million of them while I have none" Gatheb said with a smirk while making a cute puppy face with a sorrowful fake expression, to piss of the king.

"Gatheb" the king shouted as veins bulged out of his neck, he knows the king had always being possessive of what he considers his, so he likes hitting that sore spot , Gatheb smirked broadly.

"if you are this possessive about your women in your harem, how would you be with your mate" Gatheb said, as he let out a laugh, and turned to sit at the chair closet to him.

"I don't have a mate, and if I ever find one, I would kill her myself, now drop it " the king the said as he eyes swirled between colors, Gatheb nows he had just hit a very sore spot of the king because, of what happened to his mother, so he decided to drop it .

" Now I called you here for a reason "the king said to Gatheb as he regained his seriousness, as Gatheb immediately sat upright, knowing it must be important.

" and what might I be of help with "Gatheb said with all seriousness,

" I want you to find out everything you know about this name "the king said as he handed the scroll to him,

" this name sounds familiar, but I can not put a pin on where I had heard it "Gatheb said as he made a thinking face, the king just looked at his royal consort and nodded, even him found the name very familiar, but can not put a pin point where he had heard the name.

" it doesn't matter "," find out anything you know about it , and report to me in the next two days" he said as he....

"welcoming King Kaden Morosus of Hezab" the royal announcer said as a frightened expression took over the people's faces in the hall.

It was compulsory for all nobles to attend the wedding ceremony of their beloved princess Astriana, or else they would be at the comfort of their homes, instead of being in the godforsaken hall, where the tension between the two Kings could be cut with a knife, and a war could break out at any time.

"and welcome Princess Astriana Eleonard of Nardsia" Astria heard her name being called as she took a deep breathe to calm her racing heart as she stepped into the hall for her marriage banquet, deep breathe she reminded herself as she tried not to freak out of her mind and make a mistake that can embarrass her Royal Family,

' one step at a time, shoulder squared, heads raised up high like a noble you are, feel the calmness that runs through your vein , do not make any obstruction to the air in your mind, free your soul and think you are above all' she recited every details her royal instructor madam Eunise had taught her, on how a royal walks in her banquet, but today is not just any banquet, it is her marriage ceremony.

She finally stood in front of her husband to be 'Kind Kaden' his bright green eyes, like that of the green tress of the forest, staring intently at her like he is reading her soul, his eyes seemed to be vomits flames of fire when looked at cautiously, she can literally smell the blood lust emitting from him, as his eyes seems to habour a deep hatred towards her.

Maybe she should had taken Flora's advice, her maid, to run away from the palace, as she was not given a choice to this marriage, Astria has always being good at reading people's emotions and when it comes to King Kaden the only thing she can make out of the stotic expression on his face, that seems to be permanent , and the way he keeps staring at her every move so intently, like he is observing his prey, is not and cannot ever be Love or affection but 'a seated and deep hatred'.

Till this day she can not put a pin on why he decided to marry her, he has a reason, a very good reason, which seems like it's only her that is needed, and she does not know what it can be, neither does she know why.

She has no idea why among the five World powers he chose Nardsia to make a marriage contract with. She can still remember the day he came to her palace, to ask her brother the king for her hand in marriage.

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"Astria wake up" she heard Flora shout as she felt her continuous tapping on her body to get her to stand up .

"am awake" she said as she jolted up from her bed with full force, and squatted Flora's hands away from her body and stood up,she had never been a fan of touches, when ever she feels touchés from people, her body always seems to involuntary coil, and that instinct to recoil is always there, she stood up from the bed, and sunlight from the morning sun sipped through the window which Flora opened immediately she came in, settled on her spotless and smooth fair skin, making it shine in the sunlight ,giving a radiating tone to her skin, making her beautiful face look like a fine craft work.

Her blue eyes resting perfectly on her sleeping shape eye ball, making her eyes looked carved perfectly, to her small pointed nose settling in the center of her face, drawing down from her eye balls, to her small pink lips.

Whenever Flora takes a look at her, the image of Astriana's mother pops on her head, the second Queen to the late King., Queen Adriana, although she did not spend a lot of time with her, as she died when she was just fifteen and Flora was ten, she can still remember she was a very beautiful woman with distinct features, mostly the colour of her eyes, the rarest of all, she had bright purple eyes in contrast with her golden hair, which Astriana is lucky to inherit, the cause of her death was never revealed by the royal family, and she head the King wanted to keep it a secret in order not to endanger Astriana life since she was being hunted too. But she can still vividly remember she died the same day with her mother, her mother and the second Queen, Astriana mother were best friend, and she was also her personal maid, do they shared all things together. That day, they both went out, but never came back. The next day, her mother's head was returned to the palace, separated from her body, she xs still remember the fright she got as a little girl from opening the cloth, and it still hunts her till today.

While she heard the Queens body was also delivered, but she did not listen to hear the full story of what happened, since she was still mourning her mother death, but she knows they were murdered by a powerful person. But who she always questioned in her mind. Astriana and her had both made a vow that one day, they would both find their mothers murderer.

"I heard your brother wants to see you in the throne room" Flora said as she helped Astria undo her night gown, as it dropped and polled on her legs, showcasing her long fair legs.

"why would he want to see me this early in the day" Astria said as she walked to her bath place, and settled in the scented water, while Flora washed her body.

"maybe he wants to talk about your marriage" Flora joked, as a frown creased on Astria face,

"Flora don't make jokes like that, mostly about marriages you know I don't like it" Astria said as Flora burst into laughter, " OK am sorry, but maaybee he wants to fix your marriage with souths Dukes son Leonard" Flora said as she nugged Astria with her shoulders, while a blush made it's way to Astria face.

Leonard and Astria are childhood friends, and Flora being Astria's best friend knows she has a crush on Leo but never admits it, Leo had gone on a journey for a year now with his father since he is the next to take over his father's position, and he is said to arrive today, so Astria having this in mind was very happy since it has been a year now, and Leonard would finally be coming back and he will be 21, which means he will take over his father and can finally ask for her hand in marriage since he had been courting her before he left.

So she hurriedly dressed and ran to the throne room in a hurry to see Leonard.

"Brother", she shouted as she opened the door of the throne room, without listening to the guards at the door asking her to stop.

Only for the whole room to freeze immediately she came in.

She turned to look at the seats meant for Dukes and finally made eye contact with Leonard and her fair face turned to that of a red tomato, but Leonard broke eye contact with her and looked ahead, and pretended he did not see her, then he turned his head to where the throne room door is located with fear evident in his eyes.

Where a man facing the opposite direction stood, with broad shoulders wearing thick royal red fabric, with is only to be worn by only high ends royals, which are the Five Kings of the Lands, which might it be, she thought in her mind as she had until seen three up till this day, one her brother, and the other two are old and married which she had met at her 18th birthday ball, the other two Kings, of Hezab, and Milia, she had never came in contact with them as she had only heard about them from when the maids since they are always gossiping about royals, mostly the King of Hezab, about how insanely handsome they had heard women say about him, and his wildness in bed. But she never cared be because she only loved Leonard, whom is gentle and sweet to her .

From his broad shoulders to his fitted body in the royal clothes, she could tell he is very handsome, he stood there for some seconds then his stiff back relaxed, then he walked out of the throne room without looking back, accompanied by many guards wearing red, as every Kingdom has a colour of representation which their palace workers wear.

She knows Nardsia's royal colour and flag to be Blue as her brother always wears that to formal events accompanied by his guards.

"brother you called" she said as she turned to look at her brother with a smile on her face only for it to become stiff as she saw a deep frown on her brothers face as his feature grew red in anger and veins on his neck like he is about to explode.

"brother is anything wrong"

what happened, that could make my brother as angry as this, she thought in her mind as ever since her brother got married to Leonora, Leonard elder sister she had never seen him this angry, he used to be ruthless and daring, but Leonora tamed the beast in him but this is the first time for the past one year she is seen him this angry.

"Get out, all of you" he shouted as the whole throne room boomed, and every noble hurriedly stood up and ran out of the throne room, nobody wants to experience, their kings ruthlessness, as they know how he can be, they have experienced it in the past before he met their Queen, and they know when he has thirst for blood which is right know.

Astria turned to the door to see Leonard leaving with the other nobles, as her heart raced fast, what is going on, why is Leo leaving with them is he not to stay, and discuss our marriage, she thought in her mind as a frown settled on her face.

"brother what is going on, and why are you so angry" she asked her brother in an annoyed tone, not minding he is the king, "and also who was that royal that just left".

"that is your future husband King Kaden" her brother said as he walked out of the throne room without turning back.

'What is happening, she thought in her mind, and did I just hear him say' future husband ', what about Leonard' her mind raced fast, as her legs carried her as fast as she can, and raced after her brother.

"Astria, why are you running" Flora said as she saw the princess running in the hallway, with tears clouding her ocean blue eyes.

"who is King Kaden", Astria asked Flora as she finally settled down in her room.

"sshh my Astriana don't say the blood King's name, it is said to bring badluck just by calling his name", Flora said as she put her fingers on Astria's mouth, and wipped the tears rolling down her face.

Although Flora is just 5 years older than Astria, she can still be seen as a mother figure to her.

As she had been gifted to the princess when she was just born, at her early age of 5, after thee death of Astriana mother and hers she had to grow up and take care of the princess, at that time she was just 15 while the princess was 10.

"The Blood king, who is he ". Astria asked her with a confused expression, she can can remember she had heard that name from the maids mouth in the palace.

"he is said to have the biggest provinces among all, the most powerful, scariest and most ruthless, I heard him and his men drink on the Blood of their conquered citizens to satisfy their hunger after every war", Flora said with a frightened expression on her face,

"why did you say his name" Flora said looking around to see if any abnormal thing had happened, while chanting a scripture in her mind to remove bad luck.

Flora had always been a very superstitious person and had many superstitious believe, Astria just rolled her eyes when she saw Flora looking around for any black cat that might bring badluck.

"My brother said he is my future husband" Astria said with a sorrowful expression.

"hus s s ba nd " Flora stuttered looking at Astria with wide eyes filled with fear, "Astria do you know what you are saying" Flora shoutexat her shaking her body,

"his highness would never do that to you, and allow you to marry that beast" Flora said as she took a deal breathe to calm her irregular breathing,

"rumour has it that he feeds on blood and performs blood sacrifices to dark lord, that is why he is called the Blood king" Flora said as her breathing became more irregular again, while looking at Astria with a tearful gaze.

"my brother would never do that to me, that I know, I am his only sibling" Astria said as she stood up with a determined expression.

"wait here, while I go tell him I do not agree to this marriage, and he can't force me, I will only marry the man of my choice and that is Leonard" she said as she walked out of her chamber.

"oh god please don't do this to Astriana, don't let her marry that beast" Flora said in her heart with tears in her eyes.

***************************************************

"brother , brother" Astria said as she entered her brother's chamber only to be met with his wife, Leonora, "sister where is brother" Astria asked her with an angry expression.

"Astriana calm down and go easy on your brother, just know what ever decision he made, he did it not of his own will but for thee betterment of us all" Leonora said with a calm gaze and gentle voice, thaat seemed to soothe Astria's heart a little bit.

"I'll try" Astria said as she went to find her brother in his study,

"brother , I do not agree to this marriage" Astria shouted , as she stepped into her brothers study to see him looking at a stark of papers with furrowed brows.

"you have no other option Astriana" her brother said this time with a gentle voice and sorrowful gaze.

"my hands are tied" he said with regret evident in his voice.

"that's a lie, you are the king you can decide to refuse thee proposal, it's your choice, I am not getting married to him and that is FINAL" Astria shouted this time with her chest rising up and down.

"he did not give us a choice Astriana, he demanded for the marriage not ask, do you want us to go to war with the largest province in the continent, he can destroy our enter kingdom with a flick of his finger if we become his target, then they will be no Nardsia, then he can take you as he likes this time not as a wife or as his queen but as his concubine, do u think thaat is better " her brother said with his eyes wide and his nose wide, like he is trying to suck all the air with one breathe.

" brother please don't do this " Astria said as she fell on her knees with tears clouding her vision making her gaze hazy,

" please don't make me marry a beast like that, I already have a man I love" she said as she continued to cry at her brother's feet.

"who do you love, do you even know the meaning of love" her brother asked her with furrowed brows.

"Leonard, I love him, he has been courting me a year before he left, and now he is back brother, I have been saving myself for him since, please brother let me marry him, I am sure he asked you for my hands in marriage when he came, right brother" she said as she looked at her brother with expectant eyes.

"Leonard, the Duke of the South son " her brother asked with furrowed brows,

" yes it's him brother " Astriana answered with a blush on her fair cheeks.

" but he is already married, he came back with his pregnant wife " the king said with a frown on his face.

As Astriana looked up to him and said...