CHAPTER 4: The Island

-=Martina's Point of View=-

After getting Zion's confirmation that the island I was looking for was indeed his home, I decided to keep my mouth shut.

I feel like throwing up because of my nerves; just thinking that I will be alone on the island with my now-husband makes me feel sick.

I always dreamed of marrying the man I love, just like in the fairy tale stories that my dad used to read to me when I was a child—someone I would love forever and who would love me for the rest of our lives—but because of what happened, it made me realize that fairy tales are just for kids, ignorant of how the world really works.

"Cruel."

The world is cruel, and so are the people living in it. There might be people who tend to live an honest life, but there are more people who will do everything just to take advantage of those innocent people.

Take me, for example. If I weren't too weak and powerless, then I wouldn't be forced to be wed to someone I didn't love. If I had the money, the power, and the influence, I could make sure to have my dad get well without asking anyone for help.

I am weak against my stepmother and her wicker daughters, and most importantly, I am weak against Zion Montgomery, and I don't know if I can stop him from doing whatever he wants to do to me.

We're already married, and it is his right to take a claim on me, and if I wanted to put him in a good mood, then I needed to please him, and I needed to do this so my dad could recover.

I'm already feeling so nervous just thinking of the sexual interaction that may happen between us. Yes, he didn't do anything to me last night, but that doesn't mean that he wouldn't do it tonight.

The possible reason why he left me alone was probably that he felt tired after our marriage, but then again, it struck me as peculiar, as I noticed with Zion at our wedding.

It still baffles me how someone as old as Zion can exhibit strength and speed that no normal old person could have, but I immediately dismissed that thought since there's no plausible explanation for that, and the only possible explanation is that I was just imagining things.

And I can't be blamed for that, right? I mean, with a lot of things and how fast those things happened in my life, how could I distinguish what's real from imagination?

My mind is in such complete turmoil that I didn't even notice that the helicopter had already landed, and when I looked outside, I finally noticed that we had already arrived.

"What the..."

I noticed that the chopper landed on the highest part of Zion's home, and I silently breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed the many helpers that this place has.

I honestly thought that it was only Zion and me who would be staying on this island, and it didn't cross my mind that it was impossible that he wouldn't have any helpers to do everything for him.

Everyone from the helpers is wearing an emerald green uniform, and I could tell that all of those uniforms are made from high-quality material.

A man in a deep shade of green uniform opened the door of the chopper; his head is titled, showing the respect he has for Zion.

"Let's go," I heard Zion say, and he didn't wait for my response as he made his way out of the helicopters.

I took another deep breath before finally following him out of the chopper, and this time, I stopped myself from gasping so loudly when I finally saw my surroundings.

A breathtaking view opens before my eyes as I stand atop the castle tower, positioned at the highest point of this magnificent island. The view from here shows the absolute perfection and untouched splendor of this island paradise, which is nothing short of magnificent.

I am met with an amazing sight from this high vantage point. The azure waves of the surrounding ocean engulf the island as it stretches out in every direction. The landscape is illuminated by the sun's golden rays, which add to the island's natural beauty by providing a warm glow.

As the castle walls quickly descend, one can see the lush greenery covering the region by looking down. Gently sloping hills covered in a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers create a beautiful scene that is simply amazing. I feel as though I'm in the middle of nature's masterpiece.

My eyes are drawn to the lush woodland that nestles within the island's heart. Towering trees reach for the heavens, their branches interwoven to form a natural canopy that filters the sunshine. The woodland oozes serenity, with dappled sunshine illuminating the emerald foliage and creating a beautiful play of shadows on the forest floor.

As I direct my gaze to the coast, pure white beaches appear, their silky sands contrasting with the brilliant hues of the sea. The cerulean waters lap gently against the shore, beckoning me to join them in their peaceful embrace. Turquoise lagoons glisten in the sunlight, displaying a variety of marine life that adds to the attraction of the island.

Nature's melody surrounds me from this elevated perch. Colorful birds flutter gracefully across the sky, their wings capturing the mild breezes that blow across the island. The captivating and stimulating sounds of exotic wildlife flood the air, creating a peaceful backdrop.

It's now beyond noon, so it's no surprise that the sun is up and beaming brightly, sending a golden glow across the land, transforming the island into a place of ethereal beauty. The hues become more vibrant, as if nature itself had been painted with a holy brush. The sky explodes in a rainbow of colors, leaving a stunning reflection on the calm waters below.

From the top of this castle, I have the unique opportunity to view the essence of heaven itself. The island's unspoiled magnificence and pristine environment inspire awe in me. It is a haven of beauty and peace, where nature's rhythms rule supreme. I am enthralled by the sheer majesty that surrounds me, and I am happy for the opportunity to watch such a pure, pristine, and lovely island from this unique vantage point.

"Do you like it?" I was suddenly awoken from my reverie when I heard Zion's voice, bringing me back to reality.

For some reason, I thought I detected a trace of worry in his voice, but I quickly dismissed it, knowing that it was impossible for him to feel such things, and seeing his expressionless face just confirmed my assumption.

"It's beautiful," I answered honestly.

I've been to different places already, and none of those so-called famous tourist places could match the whole island.

This place is a literal paradise, and I wouldn't mind staying here forever if only I were here for different circumstances and if I weren't married to someone like Zion.

As we passed, every helper dropped their heads, and no one dared to look at us, except for a girl who stared at me curiously, but when she spotted me looking back, she immediately lowered her gaze and bowed so low that she appeared to be a hunchback.

I didn't notice the smile that formed on my lips because of her action, but I didn't dwell on it too much since I still have a lot of things to worry about.

I continued to follow Zion and his steward, whose name I couldn't remember, but I was sure that he had introduced his name earlier, but because of my nerves, I didn't catch his name.

"Please bring your mistress to her room."

I heard Zion say this after walking for almost fifteen minutes after we descended from the top of the castle.

I wanted to say my thanks, but before I could even open my mouth, he continued walking, going in the opposite direction.

"Thank you for bringing me to my room," I said when we finally arrived at my room.

"You're welcome, mistress. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, and I will just let one of the maids call you once lunch is ready," he said, and then, after bowing his head, he left.

As expected, the room I will be staying in is impeccable; everything you see is undoubtedly expensive and made from the highest and best raw materials; the room is outfitted with every technology imaginable; however, even though I will be staying in the best room I have ever seen, I can't shake the feeling that this will be my prison for the rest of my life, and again, the fear I was trying to ignore reemerges as I lay my body in bed.

"Don't cry, Martina; you have to be strong; remember, you're doing this for your father," I admonished myself as tears welled up beneath my eyelids.