Chapter 2: Welcome to Hell

"Enough, Janine! You're distressing my daughter!" Villamore’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. He barged into the dressing room, his face hard with anger. Without hesitation, he grabbed Janine by the arm and yanked her away from Crema. The force of the movement sent Janine crashing to the floor.

"Please, Uncle, what are you going to do to me?" Janine’s voice cracked with fear, but there was an underlying venom in her words.

Villamore didn’t hesitate. "We asked one thing of you, Janine. We've been more tolerant than you deserve, considering everything you’ve done to our daughter," he said coldly.

Tears welled up in Mercy’s eyes, but she kept them hidden as she placed a steadying hand on Crema’s shoulder. She had to stay strong for her daughter, even if she, too, was shaken by the scene.

Janine’s voice rose in fury, her face twisted in disbelief. "Just because Crema is your daughter, you're doing this to me? I swear on my mother’s grave, you’ll all regret this!" Her curses echoed throughout the house as Villamore dragged her away. Her words, sharp and bitter, hung in the air, making it clear this wasn’t just about the wedding, it was about something deeper, something much more personal for her.

Crema stood there, stunned. Janine’s hatred had never been so raw, so palpable. She couldn’t understand why her cousin was so determined to ruin everything for her. What had she done to deserve this?

The family arrived at the palace late, as if nothing had happened. But for Crema, everything had changed. She couldn’t shake the image of Janine’s angry face and the words that still rang in her ears. What had driven her cousin to this point?

As Crema walked into the venue, she tried to calm her nerves. The reception was overwhelming, everyone was looking at her, murmuring in approval. The comments were positive, but it only made her more self-conscious.

"She's absolutely charming!" one woman whispered.

"No wonder the wedding was hastened; who would let go of such a beauty?" another added.

Crema felt herself flush at the compliments, but the pressure was mounting. She hadn’t expected this warm reception, her heart was pounding as she tried to maintain composure. She feared she wouldn’t meet anyone’s expectations, but to her surprise, the crowd seemed pleased.

But when her parents handed her over to Prince Giovan, his first words sent a chill through her veins.

"Welcome to hell."

The words hit like a slap, colder than anything she had expected. Crema’s heart skipped a beat. Was this what she was really walking into? The wedding she had dreamed of now felt like a farce. Had Giovan’s indifference been a mask for something deeper? Was this marriage truly her future?

Her mind raced with questions, but all she could do was stand there, trying not to let her fear show. What had she gotten herself into?

Crema’s POV

A shiver ran down my spine when I heard Giovan’s words, "Welcome to hell." What did he mean by that? Hell? Was this how he truly saw me, as some kind of punishment?

"Can't find words? I said, 'Welcome to hell.' You'll regret agreeing to this marriage," he repeated, his voice colder than the night air. Without another word, he grabbed my right hand and led me away. The coldness of his touch sent a chill through me. I wanted to scream, to pull away, but I was trapped, bound to him by this marriage, already claimed.

The ceremony was a farce, a masquerade of smiles and polite exchanges. But inside, I was consumed by dread. I had no idea what awaited me beyond this night. Soon, my parents would leave me under Giovan’s authority, and I had no idea what that meant for me.

"What's the matter, darling? We’ll leave now, and we pray for the best for you." Mom kissed my cheek, her face filled with a mixture of sorrow and love. She and Dad had done what they could, but now, it was all in Giovan’s hands. As they disappeared from view, tears began to fall. I wiped them away quickly, but they kept coming. I was awash in fear and uncertainty, and my heart felt heavy with the weight of it all.

"Madam, this way, please," a voice interrupted my thoughts. A servant stood at the door, her tone polite but firm. Presumably, she was here to show me to my room. I forced a weak smile, wiping the tears from my face before following her up the stairs.

I knew she had seen my tears, but at that moment, I no longer cared. I was no longer the daughter of my parents. I was now Prince Giovan's wife, and whatever that meant for me, I had to accept. I prayed that somehow, I could endure whatever came next.

As we ascended the stairs, the maid pointed out various things to me, the dresser, the bed, where to find my things. I hadn’t brought a single item of clothing from home. Everything I would need had already been provided, as per the king’s instructions. My wedding gown was the only thing I had brought from home, and even that wasn’t truly mine, it had been delivered, along with everything else. I owned nothing here.

"Sir has instructed that you are not to leave your room until his return. If you need anything, just let me know, and I’ll bring it to you, including your meals," the maid said, before pausing at the door. "Have a good night, ma'am."

I was about to thank her, but something made me stop. "Wait," I called out. "Where did Giovan go?"

The maid’s smile was tight, professional. "I’m not sure, ma’am, and it’s not my place to know where my employer goes."

Her response took me off guard, but I nodded, letting her leave without another word. Once she was gone, I locked the door behind me. Was this the hell Giovan had referred to during our ceremony? If it was, I wasn’t sure if I could survive it.

The expectations I had held for this marriage, dreams of a partnership, of love, had evaporated the moment I heard his words. Perhaps Giovan didn’t care for me, maybe he was only here because of his father’s decree. I had no illusions now. I was simply a pawn in a game I never wanted to play. And Janine? I couldn’t shake the thought that he might still want her, that I was nothing more than an obligation.

But whatever happened next, I had to face it alone. The reality of my new life had settled over me like a heavy blanket, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep pretending that I could handle it.

I pushed the thought aside, trying to ignore the gnawing discomfort that Giovan’s words had planted in me. I would deal with whatever came when he returned. For now, I had to focus on the reality of this night. I gathered myself and made my way to the bathroom, desperate to escape the weight of the wedding dress. It was suffocating me, heavy and tight, and I needed to wash away the tension from the ceremony.

As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, a wave of self-pity washed over me. Was I truly so unattractive, so repellent, that my own husband despised me? The thought stung, but I pushed it aside quickly. I didn’t know much about the world of sex, but my mother had told me I’d learn in time, after marriage. It felt embarrassing to admit how innocent I was. I’d kept myself pure, dedicated only to the man I was supposed to marry. But now that I was here, I wondered if I was ready, if I could ever meet his expectations.

After showering, I wrapped myself in a soft bathrobe, feeling strangely exposed in the unfamiliar room. I hadn’t brought any of my clothes with me, everything was already provided, as the king had decreed. I was alone, vulnerable in a strange mansion, and my mind raced with questions. But as I rummaged through the closet for something to wear, I heard the door creak open.

Before I could react, Giovan’s strong arms encircled me, pulling me back against his chest. My body tensed instantly, and a shiver ran down my spine. I hadn’t expected him to return so soon, and certainly not like this.

“Eh, I didn’t know you’d be back so soon," I stammered, still trying to process the situation. "The maid said, "

“Shhhhh…” He silenced me with a kiss, his lips pressing firmly against mine. I froze, wide-eyed in shock.

I pushed him away, my heart racing. “I need to get dressed first,” I blurted out, but my voice faltered as his laughter echoed in my ears.

“You’re playing coy,” he murmured, pulling me back into his embrace. “You wanted to seduce me, didn’t you? Well, here I am, ready to give you what you want.” His lips traced a path down my neck, sending a tremor of fear and anticipation through me. His hand slid over my shoulder, gently caressing my breast.

I felt my breath quicken, my body torn between fear and a strange, inexplicable desire. I was overwhelmed, too scared to stop him but unsure of what to do next. My heart pounded as I felt completely powerless under his touch.

As his hands explored my body, my mind raced, but I couldn’t move. I felt too small, too fragile to match his energy. His touch was commanding, and I was left to follow, unable to find my voice in the overwhelming silence.

Without warning, he lifted me, carrying me effortlessly to the plush bed. I felt the softness of the mattress beneath me as he placed me down gently. He stood up, shedding his clothes with a fluid motion that made my breath catch in my throat. His physique, toned and powerful, was on full display. My eyes involuntarily traced the contours of his body before I quickly pulled the robe tighter around me, suddenly feeling a chill.

I couldn’t stop the wave of fear that flooded me. His boxer shorts barely concealed him, and I couldn’t help but notice his size. How was I supposed to accommodate that? My body felt too small, too fragile to handle him. The reality of the situation was sinking in, and all my apprehension about this moment came crashing down on me.