Chapter 2

Javier's POV.

I watched from where I was seated as they all matched out. I was in search of just one girl, and something strong led me here. I was so certain I would see her; The girl in my dreams. There was not a night I slept without seeing her in my sleep. Although in every dream, she never revealed her face, I was sure I would be able to recognize her. It can't be so hard to recognize the other half of me 

I walk through all of them, carefully, studying each of them. I wasn't interested in anyone until I stopped in front of her. I immediately felt a connection between the two of us. I was certain she felt it too.

In order to be sure she was the one, I took another walk to study the girls, but I didn't feel the same connection with any of the girls as I did with her.

At that point, I was certain without a doubt that she was the one.

"I want you to strip," I commanded her. 

Hattie's POV.

There were four tales of the mad prince. One of them was, he wasn't human, but a demon. The second was, he married a wife before, but killed her in her sleep for defiling his orders. The third was he punishes his offenders in the most brutal ways and the last was, the mad prince was actually mad. 

I didn't know how true all these tales were, but I still didn't want to have anything to do with him.

"Did you hear what I said?" he asked gruffly.

Even when I tried to speak, I couldn't. My lips were too heavy to produce words. When I couldn't take it anymore, I ran out. The murmurs of his people could be heard, but I didn't care. I ran to my room as I slipped to the floor and cried. I was so scared that my breathing wasn't stable.

My mother came in shortly with a hard glare on her face. "What is the meaning of this Hattie?"

"I am not getting married to that devil"

"Don't you dare say that" she rebuked me  "You are going to marry him, Hattie"

"So now you care about me. I bet if it was Amber who got chosen, I would be ignored all through out today"

"Hattie, you got chosen and you are going to get married to him" she stated again, ignoring my words 

"No!" I screamed at her, taking her by surprise. She didn't expect me to react like that. I always did what they wanted from me, but this time it was a no. "Haven't you heard of the tales of him? I am sure I'm not the only one who knows him as the mad prince"

"Those are just tales, child" she sighed in frustration. "Listen, Hattie, you will go back outside and do as he says. If he wants you to strip, you will strip"

"No, I will not" I stood my ground.

"Then consider yourself out of this family," She spat and walked out 

More tears flowed down my Cheek. She knew how to break me. I had no choice. I had to please the mad prince. I was no use to my family so they could easily throw me out.

After some time, I walked out of my room. I didn't bother to wipe the tears from my cheeks or the glare on my face. I wanted him to see how much I despised him.

He never sat down, he waited for me in the same spot. I walked back to the line where he stood. This time I didn't look down. It was hard for me, but I managed to look at him in his fierce eyes.

I held my breath, when he held the sleeve of my dress, ready to take it down. All eyes were on me and it added to my anxiety. Was he going to let everyone look upon the nakedness of his wife?

I thought he was going to rip the clothes off with one grip, but he didn't. Instead, he brought the sleeve back on my shoulder and turned to look at my father.

"How much for her?" his husky voice vibrated, causing a cold shiver to run down my spine.

What did he mean by how much? I was his wife, not his slave. Why did he want to pay? Probably it was the way of the santols, I concluded inwardly.

My father's greedy eyes lit up when he said those words. He knew the suitor wasn't supposed to pay, but I didn't imagine my father turning down the prince's offer. He was just too greedy.

After telling the prince the amount he was willing to sell me for, the prince offered to double it. I was stunned beyond words. 

"Why are you doing this?" I asked when I finally found my voice. He turned to look at me.

"Because you won't be meeting any of them again. I want you all to my self as my wife."

As much as those words sounded like music to my ears, I still felt scared.

******

"I hate him, Leia" I cried as she detangled my hair. This was the first time anybody paid attention to my hair. My mother ordered her to prepare me for the prince because apparently, I was going with him to Santol as soon as possible.

"You mustn't say that. He is your new husband" she said to me, but those words stung my heart.

"He said he bought me from my parents so I wouldn't have to come back again" 

"He has his reason"

"Why are you acting like this is normal? I was sold to the mad prince of all people"

"Are you scared?" 

"Of course I am"

"I understand," she said and I was glad someone finally understood my fears.

She brushed my brown hair in silence. It took some time to finally detangle and cut off the frizzy dead ends, but when she was done, I was stunned at the outcome. She helped me pack my things. She helped me with almost everything.

When she was finally done, tears welled up in my eyes. I looked at her and she smiled as her wrinkled eyes peered into mine. "It will be fine," she said to me.

Leia had always been like a mother to me and now I was leaving. My heart shattered at the thought of not seeing her again. When I couldn't bear it anymore, I rushed to her and hugged her. She hugged me back.

"It's an okay child. Your parents are waiting for you" she said and I swallowed hard. 

I broke the hug and left the room while she trailed behind with my bag in her hands. I didn't have much to take with me because I didn't have a lot of clothes.

I got to the sitting room where my father, my mother, and my sisters were. Thankfully Lucan wasn't there. I couldn't stand him. 

My mother's eyes lit up when she saw me. "Oh Hattie, how beautiful" she praised me, but I glared hard. This was the first time she said something nice to me and that was soely because of the money Lucan had already paid.

"Now she is getting married, we don't have to see her annoying face again," Amber scolwed to me in disgust.

"Don't speak to your sister like that" my father rebuked.  I scoffed. This was the first time he was paying attention to how I was being treated in the house.

With all this, I was able to conclude how selfish my parents were.

"I don't need your blessing. I will be leaving this place and you all will never see my face again" I said to them and walked out while Leia carried my boss behind them.

I hated them. I hated them so much for taking my happiness away from me.

Javier was seated on his horse just outside our house with his men arranged in a straight line at his back. There was a white horse by his side and  I didn't need to ask whose horse it was. It was mine, my first horse. My father never got me a horse, although all my sisters had one. 

I turned to look at Leia who handed me my bag. She gave me a head nod and frowned when she saw the tears gathered in my eyes.

"No, I won't cry again," I said to her although the tears were visible on my cheek.

She cupped my cheek. "You will be fine"

"I hope so" 

I looked up at Javier who had his brown eyes transfixed on me. I gulped as I clutched my bag to my chest and walked to my horse. I tried to hop on It, but I couldn't. I was never taught how to climb one. After about three attempts, I was about to try the fourth time when I felt a strong hand wrapped around my waist. I froze. That Oriental scent was one I could never forget. With such little effort, he helped me up.

"Thank you" I muttered under my breath although he didn't say anything.

He walked back to the horse and we were ready to ride. I looked at my house, expecting at least one of them to show up to at least say goodbye, but none of them did. 

"Hattie" he called my name and I turned to look at him. "Ride gently, I don't want you losing your virginity to the horse"