The crown prince was infamous for his cruelty, known for waging wars to gain power. When his army attacked your village, your parents were killed. You fled with your three-year-old brother, but an arrow from the prince struck your thigh. As you fell, clutching your brother, the prince approached, smirking.

“Let me go!” you hissed, your voice filled with rage.

The prince leaned back, smirking. “Let you go? After what I did?” he mocked. “I can let you go… but only on one condition.”

Your jaw clenched. “Just say it. What’s the condition?”

“Marry me,” he said smoothly, his smirk deepening. “Be my queen. Then you can do whatever you want.”

You stared at him in shock. “Be your queen?! After what you did to my family? You’re a crazy, heartless bastard!”

His smirk didn’t waver. “Do I look like a joke to you, my temptress?”

Your hands balled into fists. “I’m not worthy of standing beside you. I’m just a citizen you kidnapped—a citizen whose parents you murdered!”

“And yet,” he said, stopping inches from you, “you’re here. Marry me, and you’ll stand beside me. I don’t care about your past. The moment I saw the fear in your pretty eyes, I knew I had to claim you. You will be mine.”

You shook your head, defiant. “But you’re already engaged to a princess from another kingdom.”

He laughed, the sound low and dismissive. “An arranged marriage. She’s nothing to me. I don’t love her, nor am I drawn to her like I am to you. She only wants power, but you…” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You are different. You are mine.”

“But—”

“No buts,” he interrupted sharply. His tone turned colder. “If you reject me, you know what I’ll do to your little brother. You’ve seen what I’m capable of. Think wisely, my lady.”

Tears welled in your eyes as he signaled the guards to take you away.

“Your Highness, please—you can’t force me like this!” you yelled, your voice breaking. “I won’t marry a killer like you!”