VII

The night ended quickly, Dreg guided Ilena back to their home which wasn’t a castle but a beautiful large Manor surrounded by a thick forest.

The moonlight illuminated the Manor as they made their way into the beautiful building. Torches lit up the earie stairway that led to their room which was more grand than she had imagined.

“You seem shocked with how grand this room looks.” Dreg comments.

Ilena flushed red. “I didn’t expect this....”

Dreg chuckled sarcastically and began undressing which caused Ilena to avert her eyes shyly. “The rumours must’ve not done this place justice.” He teased.

“No wait-”

He shrugged off his vest and royal beads he wore around his neck, wrist and waist. “I know what your people think of me, of the North- this Barbaric King you fear is now your husband and there’s no changing that.”

Ilena’s heart thundered in her chest at the thought of being misunderstood by him.

She wanted to explain that she held no sense of disgust or repulsion towards