Hellbound Heart

"Aside from the fact that I am a crown princess myself, I believe that I have more to offer to you than any other possible candidates that you have at the moment. I am confident to say that I am the best match to be your future bride candidate." Elle shamelessly promoted herself, forcefully thickening her skin to say such arrogant words.

Something seemed to change in his gaze after that. But still she could not fathom whatever it was. And no, she was not going to waste any more time trying to read his emotions.

A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "And what are these 'more to offer' you're talking about?"

"I vow not to demand anything from you. I won't cling to you. I will do what you want as long as you don't go too far beyond my personal boundaries. And last but not the least…" she subconsciously tightened her grip. "You can divorce me whenever you want."

She did not know that that last statement would be hard for her to say, but she knew that this could be one of the best clauses that could clinch the deal and make him agree to marry her. She had watched one of his interviews before. This man, despite being so famous, rarely agrees to take on any interviews. But there was one interview of him years ago. When he was asked the question if he was okay with a royal couple having a divorce, he had answered without hesitation and said 'yes'. When a follow up question asked him if he would divorce his future queen if they were not happy anymore, his answer was the same flat but certain 'of course'. Thus, she was banking on this information on him to strike up a bargain.

"I won't fight you for it in any court once you decide to divorce me. I won't make any scene or scandals to ruin your name either and will just quietly finish up with the legal procedures and leave. I vow that to you. We can draft up an agreement if you wish." She added, her heart thundering within her as she waited for his response.

The silence was charged and heavy as Sebastian regarded her with an unblinking stare. As usual, she could not read what was going on in his mind.

Elle's pulse was a mess now as she tried to patiently wait for the man's response.

He moved towards her. Gracefully and elegant like a panther in the dark who was careful not to alert its prey.

When he towered before her, she fought hard not to step back but grit her teeth and held her ground. She fought hard not to let him melt her toughness.

"You just don't cease to keep intriguing me, princess." He uttered with that sinful voice of his. There was something different in his smirk this time. But then again, she could not even tell if the change was a positive or a negative one. It was just impossible to read through this man's perfect mask. She was certain he's wearing one. No man would ever look that emotionless! He was a total robot!

"That was such a bold proposal that you've made," he added, his gaze seemed observing her again. "Tell me… why are you so hellbent on escaping your wedding tomorrow? Is the man you were set to marry tomorrow old, fat and ugly? Hmm?" he scrutinized her, as though trying to see through her brain and dig the answers out.

Elle clenched her fists tightly together again.

"No. But he's a monster dressed as a proper human being." Elle hissed out venomously, her eyes spitting brimstone and lava as though hoping that the person in mention would die from her speaking of him alone. She was certain that Sebastian must've already noticed how she always bristled like an angry hedgehog whenever the topic of her groom-to-be was ever brought up, but she couldn't help it.

"And you think that this man before you now aren't another monster dressed as a handsome prince?" came his dark voice that was sounding even more sinful now.

She almost flinched from listening to his voice and words but when she looked into his eyes, she did not see the eyes of a person that was filled with the nauseous maniacal lust that monster of a man had every time he looked at her.

Elle had a feeling that this Sebastian Reign might be heartless. He was the definition of a devil with the face of an angel. She did not know a single thing about him but like she had already said earlier, she would rather sell her soul to the devil than marry that monster.

"You might be a devil in disguise, but I believe you're not one of those lowly monsters who **** people who are still minors… right?" Her jaws were clenching in anger and disgust as she uttered those last several words. There was a tinge of challenge in her tone as she said that as well.

"So… what you said a while ago wasn't a joke. That your groom-to-be is a rapist." He said it as a statement and not a question. Elle was surprised to see flash of disgust that momentarily crossed his eyes. That was the first emotion she had seen clearly in his eyes so far. And that was enough to make her feel relieved. At least she knew he was not without emotion when he needed to be.

"I don't know anything about you, other than what everybody else already knows. You could be another monster as you claim, but I would still choose you over a monster like him." She declared bravely.

Another knock interrupted them again. 𝑓re𝘦𝔀𝗲𝘣𝘯𝘰νℯ𝒍.c𝗼ｍ

It was the red-haired man.

"Your Highness, you and the princess are being summoned." He said.

"Please come with me, Princess. King Markus wants you to be properly dressed before the meeting. Immediately." Their butler who had just entered approached her and took her hand while speaking. "We must make haste, princess."

And he headed towards the door with her in tow.

Elle looked at Sebastian with a little helpless gaze. He had not even said yes to her proposal yet!