Chapter 2. Punishment

She knew he wouldn't make a scene right there to punish her. Even when he tried to pull her even harder and make her walk again, he did it softly. 

However, the little stubborn woman that was now his wife didn't budge, instead she stood still like a tree. 

On the other hand, it took Emma a lot of effort not to cry in pain as she felt her hand was about to separate from her body. 'This damn man, how is he that strong?!'

Then, just as he was about to pull her again, she uncovered her face with her free hand. Lovely silver hair came visible to him, a pair of golden eyes, a little upturned nose and beautiful and delicate facial features. Though beautiful was not enough a word to describe her.

The crowd could only gasp in shock. Two stunning creatures from two different worlds were looking at each other and falling in love, or so the crowd observing them thought. The cheers and the murmurs couldn't wait to become a loud uproar.

"Oh my!"

"Did you see her face?"

"She is so beautiful!"

"What a lucky Duke!"

"That's why he didn't lift her veil? The Duke didn't want us to look at her face?"

"That must be, I thought it was weird too, but now I understand…"

"Oh my… he was jealous."

"I heard luriems were beautiful, but this…"

The whispers increased, and now the noise was louder than before as the shouts from outside the Temple demanded for the couple to come out.

They knew the Kingdom of Luriem had the most beautiful people on the whole continent. Many of them admired their delicate and fragile figures, even their stunning faces that could charm anyone.

Rumor had it that the kindest of them all were those born from royal blood. The three Princesses of Luriem were considered as the most outstanding of them, and their hands were constantly sought  in marriage by many kingdoms. 

Even the Crown Prince of Luriem was considered one of the most handsome men ever existed. Rumors said that he could entice whichever woman who dared walk in front of him. Just one of his smiles or a single glance of his purple eyes was enough to make her fall on her knees.

Still, and even with those rumors, the woman in front of them was different. Her long silver hair and golden eyes were rare features even for the luriems. The crowd was left in a breathless gasp. Now they knew why she was sent as the reward for the Duke. Her breathtaking looks were a treasure. 

Emma didn't know the effect she created and didn't notice either the slightly stunned face of the Duke. She was more interested in fulfilling her next move. It would be a bold and risky one, but she had to make the damn Duke understand she was not a pushover.

She was so lost in her little schemes that she failed to notice how the man's gaze became deeper, and how his throat suddenly gulped for a second. 

'What is this?' His nose smelled a fascinating aroma coming from her body, making his mouth dry and his cheeks red. It was as if a pure and peaceful garden had been opened to him. So calm, so peaceful. It was a feeling he had neglected for many years, he might have already forgotten it. 

'Idiot Duke,' Emma smiled when she noticed his dazed face. 'At least, this blinding and overly uncomfortable dress is useful.'

She took advantage of his distracted sight to step closer to him. And he was so lost in the fragrance that he didn't notice her body slowly approaching. He was even expecting it ardently.

Then she smirked and pulled his robe, making him look directly into her eyes, her beautiful golden eyes that were charming his senses.

"What are you doing?" He woke up from the daze when he felt the pull. He couldn't believe she had made him lose his focus for a slight second. 

'How dare she use her magic on me?' He thought, but he didn't know she still had the chain in her ankle preventing any of her enchantments. There was no magic at that moment, only she, he, the soft fragrance coming from her body and the crowd.

"Punishing you, my husband," she whispered in his ear, sending a wave of seduction into his heart and body.

Then, she tiptoed and pressed her soft cherry lips to his cold lips. His eyes widened in surprise, and the few seconds they shared together felt like an eternity. 

Only when he realized he was about to lose control and eat her lips right there, he separated from her, but the whole audience exploded in delight at that very moment.

"This is so romantic!"

"I can't believe it!"

"They look so good together!" 

However, even if the view was of a romantic couple sharing a beautiful moment, the reality was that her high heel was pressing his toe. He made a grunting sound but didn't push her. 

She thought he was so embarrassed to express his pain that he didn't dare make a scene, but in fact, he was enjoying the moment. Her little attempt to injure him would never cause him any harm. How can a general of Avalor feel pain from such a weak attack.

They stood like that for a couple of seconds and when she was about to let go, feeling satisfied. He smirked at her mischievous eyes. 

She wanted to step back and celebrate her little victory when he grabbed her waist and took her lips again into a deeper kiss. 

'Not so fast, little witch.'

His tongue tasted her little mouth, and she was too overwhelmed that she forgot to fight him. The lack of air had numbed her senses and mind.

"Mmmm!" 

He let go when he felt her losing strength. However, the view of her panting and with little tears in the corner of her eyes was fascinating, he liked it. She was flustered, and her neck and face were red with embarrassment and anger.

"Punishment..." he whispered in her ear. 

She trembled in ire and fury. 

"You!"

"What is it, my wife?" He was still holding her waist as she tried to step back, but her legs were too weak to move. He smirked and carried her in his arms like a princess, like his bride.

"Let me down!"

"No."

She pushed his chest many times, trying not to alarm the crowd around that was applauding and cheering for them. 

"Stop it."

"No," his tone was firm and cold, and his eyes looked at her with some danger inside, scaring her. The redness of his glare made her feel shivers, as if she was a prey before a predator ready to eat her full.

"S-stop it, I… I won't do it again, okay?" She relented. It was better to apologize now than to suffer later. "I... I am sorry."

He smirked again. But didn't let her go. He carried her all the way to the carriage, with the strong cheers of the crowd in the background.  

However, what the people outside watched as a loving couple, disappeared once the couple of just married entered the shade of the carriage. The gentleness from before died down when he shoved her inside the carriage without any delicacy. Even his eyes turned cold at that very moment. She felt a bit of pain in her back and her butt. 

"Auch... that hurts, can't you be more gentle?" Emma mumbled. It really hurt. 

He looked at her and smirked, mocking her. 

"You!"

Emma wanted to slap him, but the truth was that if she caused more trouble, her country would suffer the consequences, and she would be blamed for that. The war was already over, and the last thing anyone wanted was to start another fight because of a silly act.

She knew no one would take her side, not even her father and her grandpa, as she was sold for the sake of peace. The only option was to compromise and arrange a civil agreement with the Duke.

However, he just had to behave like a hooligan, her little delicate hand was throbbing in pain and her mouth was feeling strange from being vandalized by his perverted tongue.

"We should talk, Your Highness" she said in a little murmur. He had been looking out the window the whole way, ignoring her entirely.

"I don't care what you have to say."

"I have a proposal, please hear me out before ignoring me,” she continued. “Divorce me and help leave this country and… I will give you the pearl of Luriem."

He now turned to look at her.

'Heh, let's get into business then' she smiled.