The Hustler's Bride

"Take a seat," the King said before sitting on the chair that his people had brought. Made of gold and red velvet, the chair looked luxurious on the outside, but Cassandra couldn't help but wonder whether the chair would be able to support the king's humongous size. At six feet seven or more, the man was a giant compared to everyone around him.

Now that Cassandra could see the King's face, she noticed that Prince Hunter and King Titus didn't have any resemblance at all. Contrary to Prince Hunter's handsome appearance, this man looked like a barbarian. His long black hair contrasted with Prince Hunter's short crop. His eyes were sharp and sinister. His long beard only made him appear more frightening.

The King smiled before he said, "Ah, it's been so long since the three of us saw each other. Cadell, Wolstan I hope everything is well in your territories?"

Cassandra lowered her head. The word territory seemed to foreshadow a few events that would happen. The King was indeed scheming against the four great families and this trouble would soon reach its peak..

What confused her a bit was the fact that the man she had seen drugging her horse had been talking to the king in one of the visions. Whatever the man had said, it had made the king smile.

Wait, why would the King try to kill her?

Was it possible that she was wrong this time?

She bit her lower lip and thought of Prince Hunter's surprised look earlier. Had she scared him? Because it honestly felt like he had run away when she had used that sultry voice earlier. Cassandra chuckled inwardly.

Since she had seen that man's red eyes, she had been thinking that he was trying to kill her.

"As I was saying, I am really glad that Patriarch Cadell approved of the engagement with my son." The king's words interrupted her stupor. She immediately looked at her grandfather and just as she expected, his face had already turned red.

Cadell La Roche had never approved of this marriage.

But the king was making it look like he had received her grandfather's permission before he had even given the decree. Was he trying to make the other clans hate her grandfather? Cassandra's expression changed. "Actually, I was the one who forced grandfather to let me marry the prince."

Silence…

The atmosphere instantly turned tense as a thick suffocating silence filled the tent. Cassandra could feel everyone's gaze towards her as she met the King's eyes. Looking away was something she would never do. She smiled as she added, "It was… love at first sight."

She could hear her heart racing and her palms started sweating as she continued staring at the King's wicked eyes. The thick silence continued before the King suddenly laughed. His voice had a hint of ferocity that made Cassandra wonder how many humans he had killed before.

"Ah! Cassandra La Roche…."

She took a step forward and curtsied. "Greetings, Your Highness."

"When Hunter said you have the most beautiful eyes, I almost didn't believe him. That is… until today."

Was that supposed to be a compliment? Why did it feel like he wanted to gouge her eyes out? Cassandra smiled wryly. "Many thanks, Your Highness. When Hunter told me that he had the most caring father, I immediately believed him. And I was right to believe his words. Your Highness is indeed blessed by the heavens and the Gods."

Silence.

Who would dare speak to the King like this?

Not even Prince Hunter and his other sons would dare say something so sarcastic. But she was someone that the King wanted to kill. By now, Cassandra had understood that this man wanted to use her to frame Prince Hunter.

A family full of snakes. First, Prince Hunter had wanted to kill her to frame the other prince. Now, the King, his father, wanted to use her to frame Prince Hunter.

What upset her the most was the fact that these people were intending to use her and her family in their games. Why did they keep dragging her into something like this?

As expected, the atmosphere inside the room stayed still. She thought she saw anger flash in the king's eyes. But his self-control was something that he had mastered over the years.

It wasn't surprising to see him laugh instead of asking his soldiers to behead her right then and there.

Of course, the fact that two patriarchs were in front of the King was also one of the reasons why he didn't ask his people to punish her. Most people knew this but the reason why there was a royal family in this continent was because of the four patriarchs' support.

In front of two powerful patriarchs, the King wouldn't do something that would cause so many problems to him and his family. And Cassandra took advantage of this fact.

"Cadell, your granddaughter perfectly suits my son. I believe this marriage had been set before they were even born."

Fuck him! Cassandra thought inwardly. For years, the Royal Family had coexisted with the Four Great Families. They had lived peacefully. But all that was until this man had become the King.

His greed for more power was creating problems in the continent.

Seeing that Cadell was about to explode from anger, Patriarch Wolstan laughed to ease the tension. He patted his friend's shoulder and said. "I believe so too… I believe that this engagement had been destined a long time ago."

With the help of Wolstan's laughter and words, the atmosphere slowly turned lighter. The King started talking about the hunting and the prizes as well as some horses that Prince Hunter had brought from the gates. Obviously, he was here to make it clear that the horses that they would use today belonged to his son.

If something bad happened to Cassandra, everyone would then blame Hunter. What a treacherous son of a bitch.

Cassandra decided to maintain her silence until the king decided to leave so that he could start the opening ceremony. Seeing this, Cassandra excused herself after inquiring which one was Prince Hunter's tent.

After her presence was announced, Cassandra marched inside the tent only to cover her eyes in shame. "Why the hell are you naked?" she hissed.