A marriage of blood

The Prince Without a Heart

AHHHHHHHHH!!!

A blood-curdling scream tore through the cold silence of the prison basement.

The sound bounced against the stone walls, disappearing into the dark corridors before another scream followed.

“Please… I’m sorry… plea—”

CRACK!

The whip struck again.

Bella's frail body jerked from the impact before collapsing against the cold stone floor. Her breathing had become weak and uneven. Her face was pale, her lips dry, and tears clung to her cheeks.

She had barely eaten in days.

The wounds left by the whip had already drained what little strength she had left.

Her vision blurred.

The voices around her became distant.

And finally, everything went black.

At the far end of the room, Duchess Evelyne sat comfortably in her chair, watching the punishment with an unsettling calmness. Beside her sat Claire, who looked more irritated than disturbed.

Claire crossed her arms and scoffed.

“She can't even survive ten strokes of the whip.”

Her eyes moved over Bella's motionless body with open disgust.

“Pathetic.”

Evelyne gave a quiet hum, seemingly uninterested in whether Bella lived or died.

Just then, the basement door opened.

A servant hurried inside, bowed deeply, and lowered his head.

“Your Grace, your husband requests your presence in his chambers.”

Evelyne immediately rose from her seat.

She glanced at the guard holding the whip.

“Clean up this mess,” she ordered coldly. “And carry the girl back to her room.”

The guard bowed.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Evelyne turned toward Claire.

“Come. Let's leave this place.”

She wrinkled her nose as though the basement itself offended her.

Claire followed.

Before leaving, she stopped beside Bella.

A cruel smile appeared on her face.

She spat beside Bella before walking away with her mother.

The heavy door slammed shut behind them.

---

The Duke's Chambers

Evelyne entered her husband's chambers and immediately noticed the troubled expression on his face.

Duke Alaric sat on the edge of the bed, his elbows resting against his knees as he stared at the floor.

His usually composed face was tense.

Evelyne's expression softened.

She walked toward him, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and pressed a kiss against his cheek.

“What is troubling you, my dear?”

Alaric released a long sigh.

“The King.”

Evelyne tilted her head.

“What about him?”

“He wants a truce with the vampires.”

Her smile disappeared.

For generations, humans and vampires had been enemies.

And Alaric's hatred for vampires was even deeper.

They had killed his parents when he was still a child.

Evelyne gently ran her fingers through his blonde hair.

“So why does that concern you?”

Alaric finally looked at her.

“The King wants to secure the truce through a marriage alliance.”

Evelyne froze.

“A marriage?”

“Yes.”

“And what did the vampires say?”

“They haven't given us a definite answer yet.” Alaric's expression darkened. “But they're coming to our kingdom. The King will personally host them.”

Evelyne frowned.

“Then why are you so worried?”

Alaric's jaw tightened.

“You don't understand.”

He paused.

“If the vampires agree to the marriage…”

His eyes met hers.

“Claire will be the bride.”

Silence filled the chamber.

Evelyne's face changed instantly.

“What?”

“Claire is the only suitable royal daughter.”

“Why must it be Claire?” Evelyne snapped. “Can't the King find another girl? A servant, perhaps?”

“No.”

Alaric shook his head.

“The marriage must involve royalty. The King has no daughters.”

Evelyne's hands curled into fists.

“And because you're the King's younger brother, Claire is being considered?”

Alaric nodded.

Evelyne's eyes widened with fury.

“No.”

Her voice trembled with anger.

“You are not giving them my daughter.”

---

Bella's Room

“AUGH!”

Bella's eyes flew open.

Pain spread through her body as a sharp tingling sensation moved across her wounds.

She tried to sit up, but immediately winced.

“Don't move!”

The familiar voice made Bella pause.

She slowly turned her head.

Susan was sitting beside her, carefully cleaning her wounds with a small cloth and antiseptic.

Bella's eyes widened.

“What are you doing?”

Susan smiled gently.

“Taking care of you.”

Bella immediately looked frightened.

“If Evelyne catches you…”

Her voice came out weak and hoarse.

“Your life will be over. You could lose your job. Who would take care of your mother then?”

Susan's smile faded for a moment.

Then she shook her head.

“Don't worry about that.”

She continued cleaning Bella's wounds carefully.

“You're my best friend. How could I just watch you suffer?”

Bella stared at her.

Despite the pain, a tiny smile appeared on her face.

Susan was like that.

She was only a year older than Bella, yet she behaved like a child whenever she could.

She talked constantly, joked at the strangest moments, and somehow managed to find a little light even when everything around them felt hopeless.

Bella didn't understand how she did it.

Maybe Susan simply refused to let the darkness change her.

Susan suddenly reached beneath her dress and pulled out a small bowl.

Inside was food and a few pieces of fruit.

Bella's eyes widened.

“Susan…”

Susan pushed the bowl toward her.

“I brought you something to eat.”

Bella stared at the food before looking back at her friend.

“Susan, I told you to stop risking yourself for me.”

She slowly picked up a piece of food.

“What if the chef catches you?”

Susan puffed out her cheeks.

Then, with complete seriousness, she stuck out her tongue and made a ridiculous face.

“They'll never catch me.”

She placed a hand proudly against her chest.

“I'm the stealthiest maid in this entire kingdom.”

Bella stared at her.

Then she narrowed her eyes.

“Please don't tell me you're still stealing Claire's chocolates while cleaning her room.”

Susan gasped dramatically.

She placed a hand over her heart.

“Bella! I didn't bring you food just so you could accuse me of being a thief!”

Bella couldn't help it.

A small laugh escaped her.

It hurt her wounds, making her immediately wince.

Susan's expression softened.

“Careful.”

Bella nodded and continued eating slowly.

After a moment, she looked at her friend.

“Just… be careful, okay?”

Susan smiled.

“I will.”

She leaned forward and gently hugged Bella, careful not to press against her injuries.

Bella slowly returned the embrace.

For a brief moment, the cold walls of the castle disappeared.

There were no whips.

No cruel voices.

No threats.

Only two friends holding onto the little happiness they had left.

“You're the best,” Bella whispered.

Susan smiled.

“And don't you forget it.”