The dinner was quite bearable. Rich people do enjoy having conversations on the long table. Especially when it's all about their success and interests. I stayed silent and oblivious from the stealing glances. The oldest Valtheron is sitting on the grand master's chair.
"Glad you found the will to enjoy dinner with us, Cruise. I thought you were unstoppable with your crafts." Lady Grizelda asserted while chopping off her lamb chop.
"I was forced to be here, Grizelda. To meet some stranger. Nikolai wanted his brothers to take a good look at his future bride. I'd say she's an ignorant bitch who does not know how to close her bedroom door." he retorted in a smoky voice.
"So, you've met Little Miss Goody, Cruise? I told you, Gran. This chick here is not even passing the test. She looks too ordinary," My cheeks flushed burning red when Kennedy talked.
Nikolai was about to interrupt but Lady Grizelda butted in. "You have to forgive my grandsons, Clementine. This is the main reason why can't I leave them alone in this house. They needed a good character." The old lady sipped from her goblet. Even in an alarming moment, she seems to calm and classy.
"Where are their parents?" I genuinely asked. I felt three pairs of raging eyes boring into my flesh and entire existence, as if trying to make me vanish from my seat.
"You are not permitted to ask questions in this mansion." His calm, yet dangerous voice cracks my bone.
The hell with the oldest Valtheron! Why is he so furious with me? I was just being polite! Did I say something bad?
"I'll take Clementine to her room, Gran. Please, excuse us." Nikolai stood up and held me on my shoulders.
"It's too early for the honeymoon, Niki! And besides, I bet she's a prude." I wish Kennedy choke on his food.
"Shut the hell up, Kennedy. Or I will shove this utensil right up your throat." The oldest Valtheron threatened, still acting normal and elegant.
He paused from digging his plate and threw us a daring look, "Get this girl out of my sight, Nikolai. Before I could even make her kneel for my forgiveness."
His words struck me like fireworks. "Thank you for the food." I managed to expressed my gratitude and left the grand feast in the banquet hall.
We left them still enjoying the bounty of their food. As if I wasn't humiliated by the two assholes. "Our parents are both gone due to a fire accident, seven years ago." Nikolai opened up.
I felt my heart tore apart, sending amount of guilt and conscience everywhere. "I am so sorry,"
"No, I'm sorry about Cruise... and as for Kennedy, I think you'll get used to it."
Cruise. So, that's the devil's name? Kennedy is worse but this maniac Cruise is the worst! But the youngest Valtheron has a heart. What sort of a glitch is that?
"Now, don't forget to lock your door and windows," He warned when we stopped by the door.
"You don't want to anger him again, do you?" he continued as he blasted the room open, encouraging me to enter.
"Anger who, exactly?"
"Cruise. Be careful. He's a little sick." My jaw dropped upon hearing his confession.
I know there's something wrong with that man, but I didn't know he is fucking sick. "How sick?" I stammered.
"Well, you know how does a mind of an artist works? He's criminally insane. Why don't you take a look at his sculptures and see it for yourself? And it wasn't an accident he saw you in your room. He is one hell of a voyeur." He almost whispered, sending shivers down my spine.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because you are declared to be my wife. You need to know his capacities if you are staying here till death. I need to protect you from him."
He laid a gentle kiss on my hand and waved good night. What a revelation! It is my first day in the manor and yet, I feel like going crazy already. Just as I was told, I locked the door and windows shut, shushing the whispers of cool October breeze out.
It fell into silence. This is a creepy and enchanting mansion. With three mysterious princes. A kind and honest Nikolai. A barbaric and venomous Kennedy. A composed yet defective Cruise. I guess every beauty has a beastly secret. Kennedy and Cruise are lot alike, even in their facial features... but Cruise looks different in ways that I couldn't even comprehend nor explain.
That night, I rolled and rolled over the huge, soft bed. The words of Nikolai lingering in my mind... Why don't you take a look at his sculptures and see it for yourself? Before I could even let out a frustrated whimper, I got up on my feet and prepared myself in a sleepless sneaking around. There are no house rules yet since this is only my first day in the manor, so I guess, it wouldn't hurt to have a nightly tour. I feel like I was back in the 19th century where people walked along the long hallways with only a little flame of a candle and a big faith that they would make it out alive in the dark.
The gallery is decorated with artworks, mostly paintings and sculptures. As if the marble statues are breathing and real. As if they have their own kind of art exhibit. The level of insanity and precision is getting harder and impossible to stomach. I didn't dare to imagine the oldest Valtheron's art studio...
My feet brought me to the farthest corner of the hallway until I felt a tight grip on my arm, dragging me inside to another passage. I shrieked and adjusted my eyesight in the total blackness. "Who are you?!" I spat out.
He loosens his calloused hand, making me sigh a relief. I heard the switch turned on, the light in the room illuminating his features. I gulped hard upon seeing his majestic face. He usually looks angry and enigmatic. I guess it's because of his dark eyes and brows. His thin, red lips are parted as his toned, muscular chest rises and falls.
"We crossed paths again, Clementine. Were you looking for something?" He faked a smile and lingered beside my frozen body. I could feel his hard muscles bumping on my shoulders and back.
"I was just looking around."
"And who gave you the permission to walk around in this fucking mansion, bitch? Are you enjoying your stay here?" His voice is calm yet destructive. No hint of safety at all.
"Cruise... please, let me go." My eyes glistened as I pleaded. He finally let go of my arm and propped himself down the leather couch as he took something from his pocket. I sighed when it was just a golden case of cigarettes. He cannot kill me with those.
"Sit," he ordered.
I left a few distance from him, staying cautious. "What is this room?" I looked around. It kinda looked like an office.
"This is where I fuck anyone I catch lurking around. This isn't a fucking playground. Why don't you just go back to wherever the hell you came from?"
"Don't talk to me like that..." My lips quivered. I know it isn't right for me to talk back to the owner of the mansion but I have my dignity and self-respect.
"No, Clementine. Do not talk to me like that." He warned and bummed a smoke right into my face.
"You don't own me, Cruise. You cannot buy my soul." I gritted my teeth and was about to stand up before I could even collapse to the ground when he grabbed my waist and slammed my body down the wooden table. I winced from the pain and struggled from his bone-cracking grip.
He hovered on top of me, still with the cigarette in his mouth. "Cruise... get off!" My breathe hitches.
"Nikolai isn't here to rescue you. But then again, maybe you aren't wishing for him to come at all." he whispered, his teeth almost grazing my earlobes.
I bit my lips and turned my head to the other side but he is evil enough to make sure I was watching and getting tormented by every movement of him. He took the stick of cigarette from his lips and snuffed it onto the table.
"You're crazy!" I almost cried when he leaned closer, while his eyes are capturing the flesh of my ample chest.
He runs his slender, filthy fingers along the ridges of my neck down the collar bones, sending thousands of convulsions throughout my weakening, surrendering body. Temptations crawling around my feet like I was being dared to take a bite from the apple. "How dare you call me crazy when you are the one biting your lips and moaning like a needy slut." He blurted out in a low, rough voice.
"Please, don't do this to me..." I begged.
"Nikolai is surely a lucky bastard. But it's unfortunate since I will be the first one to mark on his territory." I let out a shaky breath, my legs getting wobbly and desperately holding back from the urges of clinging them around his waist.
"This is wrong..." I screeched, almost pleading. But it definitely feels pleasurably ang arguably right in all my sensible parts.
"I've still got the final decision, Clementine." These were his last words before nibbling on my neck.
I arched my back and reached for his hair, running the strands through my fingers. "Fuck... Cruise!" I whimpered and finally, wrapped my legs around his torso. I could feel the wetness in my folds, just eagerly waiting for his hardened cock to fill me in.
With one brutal force, he tore the delicate fabric of my nightgown, leaving only my panties. His eyes are measuring me, fingers tracing the inches of my skin like the insane artist that he is. "You will only respond to my orders. To my desires. Be faithful to me and you will live."
I winced and inhaled deeply when he spread my thighs open. "You have the decency to marry my brother and yet here you are, still so ready for me." he mocked as he buries his head on my chest and tasted every sweetness of my flesh and skin.
"Nikolai is a kind man..." I bit my lips and. Indeed, he is... but I don't need him. Never in a million years I imagined I'd live in Valtheron Heights and marry one of the heirs. I never was ready to marry.
I could feel the anger and disgust when he bit my collar bone. "You don't know anything about him, bitch." He slapped me on my ass and dragged my legs closer to his bulge.
"God, Cruise!" I wailed. He smirked when I moaned his name. He is just playing with me, getting himself satisfied to every begging and weakening of my hungry body. I knew I was in hell when the telephone rings, trapping its sickening sound all over the corners of the room. He cussed under his breath, tempted to answer the call.
"Don't, please..." My breathing is shaky.
"It's Dr. Jennings," he answered briefly.
"Get out, Clementine. And take a good look at yourself in the mirror, will you?" he ordered and threw me a mean, mocking stare.
I was fucking left speechless and aching. He is despicable! I can't believe he chose a telephone call over my bared, tempting soul. But most of all, I can't believe how I quickly flipped and sweated for desperation.