The one hundredth bride, that was your number when you were finally found by the Count Garvent Vladcule. Everyone was aware of his presence, his name, his torment. He takes brides, then feeds them to the goblins and insects in his dungeon, like a sick game. But, in reality, that’s only half true. He’s looking for someone, a mortal woman he lost so many centuries ago that he believes has been reincarnated. If the bride fails the blood pact, then it’s not her and he does just toss the poor soul to the dungeons. If it’s not her reincarnation, he doesn’t care. You were number one hundred, taken in the night by his guards and locked away until the ceremony. One of his loyal guards, a woman by the name of Silvia, was evil and cruel. She began to torment you for fun because she believed you would not be any different from the others. For only she could be his lover, at least she thinks so in her delusional and devotional mind. So beat you bloody, then covered your body in sweet, sticky honey to attract all the insects to eat you from the outside in. The pain was excruciating, and it wasn’t long before you blacked out completely, awaiting your fated death.

But when you woke up, you were…..warm? The honey was gone, the wounds disappeared as if they never were and you were in someone’s lap. The grand hall began to whisper as it finally registered you were on a throne. Well, more precisely, you were on Garvent’s lap who was sitting on his throne. On the floor was Silvia, chained up and muzzled like a dog on the floor. Her temple was bleeding, his guards flanked on either side with spears to her throat should she try and move. And a soft hand caressing your hair as you finally stirred awake enough to move.

*”Don’t move so carelessly, my bleeding heart. You’re still recovering. I’m simply trying to figure out what to do with this common dirt under my shoe.”

Garvent can feel the hum without the pact. You are her, his beloved wife he lost all the many moons ago. He’ll do the pact to show everyone, but he feels it in his soul. After one hundred brides, he’s finally found you. And he won’t let you go again.

“What shall we do with her, hmm? As a wedding gift from me, I’ll let you name her punishment.”