She accidentally witnessed a murder, but all he witnessed was a beauty drenched in rain. Charmed by her, he entraps her and bring her to his palace and forces her to marry him. However, Elena doesn't know anything about him, other than the fact, that he is a murderer and for his cause he might even kill her.
Chapter 1 Dead buildings
"Timeless Tales," I read the board sign and sighed. It was the only shop in a posh residential area surrounded by cold, towering buildings. I was drenched from walking in the heavy rain, having taken unknown paths that led me to this place. Not a single soul was in sight, except for a guard who denied me entry to the marketplace, which was exclusive to residents.
No sooner had I stepped into the bookstore than a deafening gunshot shattered the quiet. Trembling with fear, I instinctively covered my ears, my eyes darting to a man in a tuxedo with his back turned. Blood pooled beneath my bare feet, making me shiver.
On the floor lay a middle-aged man, his wide-open eyes fixed on nothingness. Shock rooted me to the spot; I couldn't muster the strength to scream or move.
"Oh my God!" My voice was barely a whisper, fear etching lines on my forehead. I felt a presence behind me, a tall figure turning to glance in my direction. Before I could make out his face, I spun to flee, but strong hands clamped over my mouth and seized my wrist.
My heart pounded wildly as I struggled against his iron grip. "Quiet," he hissed urgently, his warm breath brushing against my ear. Panic surged as I desperately wiggled, trying to break free.
Unable to restrain me, he lifted the gun and pressed it against my delicate, chilled neck. I froze, my eyes fixed on the hand that held my life in its grasp.
"Now, I'm going to let you go," he said in a husky voice. "But don't move or shout, okay?" His demeanor was chillingly calm, unaffected by the grave sin he had just committed and the fact that there was a witness to his act. There was no fear, no hint of regret. His eerie composure sent a shiver down my spine, intensifying my fear of him.
I nodded cautiously. And he did as promised. Holding my breath, I kept my eyes open, not daring to blink, fearing that he would surely kill me if I moved.
Meanwhile, he faced me. His dark eyes moved from my wet, messy bun to my pinkish, soaked lips. I was dressed in a modest evening gown which barely revealed my skin. The droplets of rain against my fair skin highlighted my appearance. He was charmed, and he didn't hide it.
Staring at me with a smirk, he stood there for more than ten minutes, unmoving. I had lowered my eyes when he began to scrutinize me.
"I didn't know there was a party in my estate," he remarked, placing the gun on his lap as he sat down on the tiny sofa by the entrance, his gaze never leaving me. I was trembling, my heart sinking, knowing I would do anything to escape death.
"Why did you run away? Caught your husband cheating? Or did your father force you to take over the business?" He tried to piece together my background. He assumed that I come from a good family, leading him to assume I was a local resident.
I remained silent, fearing that speaking would unleash a torrent of tears I couldn't control. Initially, my uncle, a high-ranking general, had tried to sell me to a man. That was all I knew about him-a man. However, the man never showed up.
My aunt had speculated that the rumor of my being engaged to the minister's son had reached the man's ears, causing him to drop the deal. Accepting this reasoning, my uncle had ousted me, deeming me no longer useful. Now, standing before this stranger, my past seemed a distant nightmare overshadowed by the immediate terror of the present.
"Master...the car is here." A man in a black raincoat entered the store and informed him. He nodded and stood up to leave as the man began to clean the mess, completely ignoring my presence.
He halted after taking a few steps and glanced at me, "What's wrong? Let's go." I was confused and stared at him in disbelief. 'What did he mean by that? Go where?' I grasped my gown, and twisted it stressfully.
"Oh, I get it, you must be tired after running away. Let me help you." He acted nonchalantly, and came closer and grabbed my waist, "What are you doing?" my lips fluttered when I uttered in a low voice. Apparently, I lost my voice shouting and crying at the gate of my home.
"Taking you home, honey." He whispered in my ears as he lifted me, sending chills down my spines, I got a goosebumps.
"No, what are you saying?" I protested, "See, I won't tell a soul about this incident, believe me, let me go!" I tried to explain when moving wildly failed, he was too strong.
"If you don't want me to fuck you in front of my assistant, then be obedient." He mumbled biting my ear lobe. I shrank in his arms and froze. I could not imagine that disgrace.
He placed me in his limousine and looked at me again, his dark and unsettling eyes studying my features. Wrapping me in a blanket, he grabbed a towel from somewhere and leaned in close.
He was so near that I could see my pathetic reflection in his eyes. He loosened my hair and placed the towel on my head, saying, "Don't catch a cold. You are already feverish."
"I swear I will take this matter to my grave. Let me go," I pleaded again. His pale face, making him appear more dead than the bookstore owner, turned red with fury.
He placed the gun on my stomach and leaned closer. "I don't care if you take a speaker and sing of my deed. I would have let you go if you weren't this pretty. So, never ask me to set you free."
My eyes widened in shock, and I nodded, closing my eyes. He was closer than before. He pressed the gun harder, and I cried out, but then his lips locked onto mine. I began to hit him with my fists, but he intensified the kiss, his tongue exploring my mouth.
I soon ran out of breath and energy, and gave in, as my legs and hands became numb. And then, he stopped as soon as I did. He moved back, wiping his lips with his thumb and then staring down at the stained carpet, imprinted by the blood from my feet.
"I will need a new car," he pressed a button and commanded. A voice from the other side responded, "Sure, sir. Where do you want to go?"
"Take me to Snow Palace," he ordered and sat across from me, his eyes still fixed on me, making me more than just uncomfortable. I felt sticky and dirty, especially after his kiss. It made me hate myself for losing my way and running into this wretched situation.
The car started, and I stayed silent, while he continued glaring at me as if he was waiting to devour me. Being engaged to the minister's son from birth, my uncle had been meticulous in raising me. I was taught at home and had never met a man other than my uncle and the servants.
This was my first time being touched by a man, kissed by a man. It disgusted me. It made me feel impure. I had been planning to meet my fiancé and seek shelter. He was supposed to marry me anyway. But now, it seemed impossible. Even if I met him, I wouldn't be able to look him in the eyes. It was shameful.
I stared out the window, trying to make sense of my situation. The rain blurred the passing buildings, mirroring the chaos in my mind. I couldn't fathom what would happen at Snow Palace or how I could escape this nightmare. All I knew was that I had to survive, no matter how helpless and dirty I felt.