Chapter 2

Sensing Clara's anger, I quickly shooed Violet away.

"I know. We'll talk tomorrow. Go home for now."

Violet clutched the door frame, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at me, wanting to say more but holding back.

Clara's expression darkened. She walked over, pushed Violet aside, and shut the door.

I sat on the bed, not daring to make a sound.

Clara opened the chest and pulled out all the rods, applying some sort of substance to them that made them look slick and wet. Then, she filled a bucket with hot water and began washing my body meticulously.

Her movements were not gentle, but they were thorough, especially around my intimate areas. She rubbed until my face burned red and my breathing quickened.

After cleaning my body, Clara had me lie on the bed so she could examine me.

"Women who marry the river god must be untouched. I need to check you first."

She picked up the thinnest rod and told me to turn over and lie on my stomach. I froze, remembering what Violet had said, and pulled the blanket over my body.

"Wait, Clara. First, tell me what these things are for."

Clara glanced at me, her expression blank, and yanked the blanket away. "You're in your 20s. Don't you understand what happens between men and women? These are to help you adapt in advance, so your body won't suffer when the time comes."

Clara pressed down on my body, her hand steady and firm.

"Mmm..." A strange sensation invaded my body.

After what felt like an eternity, Clara finally released me. I was drenched in sweat. All the wooden rods in the chest were now slick with moisture. I lay on the bed gasping for air, my entire body weak and trembling.

"Clara, is this what marrying the river god feels like?"

Clara's hands paused while putting away the tools. She lifted her head and looked around, making sure no one was nearby, then suddenly leaned close to my ear and whispered something.

My eyes widened in shock. I bolted upright in bed.

"What? Are you telling the truth?"

Clara turned away without a word. No matter how much I pressed her, she refused to speak again.

Only when she had gathered everything and reached the doorway did she turn back with one final warning.

"During the consummation, find a way to remove your blindfold. It could save your life."

After Clara left, I sat alone until midnight, her words replaying in my mind over and over, my heart pounding wildly.

Was what Clara said really true? What should I do?

I paced back and forth in my room, restless and anxious. I considered running away, but worried the river god would blame my family in retaliation.

After agonizing for hours, dawn finally broke on the eastern horizon. The sound of drums and bells erupted outside my door. The river god's wedding procession had arrived.

Mom pushed open the door. "Aria, it's time. Clara is here to help you change into your wedding dress."

I bit my lip and said nothing, allowing Clara to undress me completely. She wiped my body with a silk cloth dipped in blessed water, then dressed me in a thin red wedding gown before leading me out of the house.

According to the customs, only male attendants could accompany the bride on the wedding route. Women could not follow. Hence, Mom and Clara could only see me to the door.

Mom looked sick with worry, gripping my hand and refusing to let go.

"Be obedient and listen. Whatever the river god tells you to do, do it. Don't anger him. We cannot afford to offend him."

My eyes stung fiercely. Tears caught in my throat, and I could not speak a single word.

Seeing this, Clara pulled Mom away and leaned close to my ear.

"Remember what I told you. Don't forget."

Chief Whitmore had someone blindfold me, and several male attendants helped me into the bridal carriage.

It was my first time alone in an enclosed space with men. I felt uncomfortable, my body rigid with tension. With my vision covered, I felt even more vulnerable.

Yet strangely, my body seemed to relish being surrounded by men. Waves of tingling sensation spread from my waist, making me want to lean against the men beside me.

The man next to me seemed to sense my reaction. His fingers slipped beneath the hem of my dress.

"We haven't even reached the river yet. Can't wait already?"

"Want us to help you out?"

Having just lost that barrier the night before, I was abnormally sensitive. Just as I was about to give in, the attendant suddenly withdrew his hand.

"She's something else. The river god will definitely like this one."

By the time we reached the river, my body had gone completely limp. The attendants lifted me from the carriage and placed me inside a specially made iron cage. After binding me securely, they left without looking back.

According to custom, once the bride entered the water, the river god would slip into the cage to consummate the marriage. Ordinary people could not watch, or misfortune would befall them.

The icy river water rose past my shoulders, yet my body temperature did not drop. Instead, it climbed higher, and moisture gathered between my legs, mingling with the river.

I soaked in the water for some time before the river god finally entered the cage.

Though I was blindfolded and my hands were bound so I could not see his face or touch him, I could clearly hear his rapid, heavy breathing.

The river god circled around me slowly, then lifted the hem of my skirt. Something smooth and slippery began crawling up from my ankle.

My heart leapt into my throat. I knew there was nothing beneath my wedding dress.

Where did he intend to go?

Just as my mind raced with wild thoughts, the river god suddenly exerted force and violently tore my wedding dress apart.

I was forced to float naked in the river. Before I could fully process what was happening, the river god coiled around my legs and forced them apart.

Searing heat pressed against me, sealing both my front and back passages simultaneously.

I jolted in shock, my eyes flying open wide behind the blindfold.

What Violet had said was actually true. The river god really did have two...