THE GIRL EVERYONE MOCKED

Chapter 1

The Girl Everyone Mocked

The old church stood quietly beneath a gray, rain-filled sky. Raindrops tapped gently against the stained-glass windows while the guests inside whispered behind folded hands.

"Can you believe Ethan is actually marrying her?"

"She's so chubby."

"He could have chosen someone much prettier."

"I heard she's poor too."

Every word pierced Luna's heart like a tiny blade.

Dressed in a simple white gown her late mother had sewn years before, Luna Ashwood lowered her eyes. She was used to people laughing at her. Ever since she was a little girl, strangers judged her before they ever knew her.

Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.

Instead, it felt like another day of humiliation.

At the front of the church stood Ethan Carter.

His black suit was old, borrowed from a friend, and a little too big for him. He wasn't rich. He wasn't famous. He had no family left except the woman standing beside him.

Yet his smile never wavered.

The priest cleared his throat.

"Do you, Ethan Carter, take Luna Ashwood to be your lawful wife?"

"I do."

His answer came without the slightest hesitation.

"And do you, Luna Ashwood, take Ethan Carter to be your lawful husband?"

Luna looked into Ethan's warm brown eyes.

"I... I do."

The priest smiled.

"You may kiss your bride."

As Ethan gently kissed Luna's forehead, the whispers around the church faded into silence.

When they stepped outside, several guests walked past them without offering congratulations.

One woman laughed loudly.

"What a waste. Such a handsome man marrying a fat girl."

Luna forced herself to smile, but her eyes filled with tears.

Ethan heard every word.

He stopped walking, turned toward the crowd, and spoke in a calm voice.

"My wife isn't defined by her appearance."

The crowd grew quiet.

"She's kind. She's brave. She has a heart worth more than anything money can buy. I'm proud to call Luna my wife."

Without another word, he took Luna's hand and led her away.

For the first time that day...

Luna smiled from the bottom of her heart.

---

Their new home sat at the edge of Blackwood Forest.

It was small enough that the kitchen and living room almost shared the same space. Rainwater dripped through a crack in the roof, and the furniture had seen better days.

Still, Luna looked around with shining eyes.

"It's beautiful."

Ethan chuckled.

"Beautiful? The roof leaks."

"We'll fix it."

"The walls are cracked."

"We'll paint them."

"We only have enough food for tonight."

She wrapped her arms around him.

"Then tomorrow we'll work hard together."

Ethan laughed.

"I think I married the most optimistic woman in the world."

"And the luckiest man."

That evening, they shared instant noodles by candlelight.

Outside...

Hidden among the towering trees...

Two golden eyes silently watched the little house.

---

That night, Luna couldn't sleep.

Every time she closed her eyes, strange images filled her mind.

A silver palace.

An endless moonlit valley.

Thousands of wolves kneeling before a magnificent throne carved from white crystal.

Their voices echoed like thunder.

"Long live the Queen..."

"Our Queen has returned..."

"Protect Her Majesty!"

Luna slowly walked toward the throne.

A silver crown floated above it, glowing brighter with every step she took.

Just as she reached out—

A blood-curdling scream shattered the dream.

Luna sat upright in bed, breathing heavily.

"Ethan..."

He immediately woke and pulled her into his arms.

"Another nightmare?"

She nodded.

"It felt... real."

He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"Dreams can't hurt you."

She wanted to believe him.

Neither of them noticed the enormous black wolf standing silently outside their bedroom window.

Its crimson eyes glowed beneath the moonlight.

It stared at Luna for several seconds...

Then disappeared into the forest.

---

The following evening, Ethan finished his shift at the lumber mill and began the long walk home.

His backpack contained only bread, eggs, and a small chocolate bar.

Luna loved chocolate.

He smiled as he imagined the excitement on her face.

Suddenly—

Footsteps echoed behind him.

Three men wearing black masks emerged from the shadows.

Their movements were strangely silent.

One stepped forward.

"Ethan Carter."

Ethan stopped.

"Who are you?"

"We're here for your wife."

His expression hardened.

"You've got the wrong person."

"We never make mistakes."

The tallest man slowly pulled a silver dagger from beneath his coat.

"Give us Luna Ashwood."

"No."

"Think carefully."

"I already have."

The first punch landed across Ethan's face.

He stumbled but stayed on his feet.

The second man rushed forward.

Ethan blocked the attack and threw him to the ground.

The third attacker drew another blade.

Despite being outnumbered, Ethan refused to run.

He fought with everything he had.

Not because he believed he could win...

But because Luna was waiting for him.

Moments later, blood trickled down his forehead.

His breathing became ragged.

The tallest man raised the silver dagger.

"Goodbye."

Just as the blade began to fall—

A deafening wolf howl shook the entire forest.

The attackers froze.

Fear spread across their faces.

"No..."

"It can't be..."

The earth trembled.

Leaves swirled violently through the air.

Heavy footsteps echoed from deep within Blackwood Forest.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

Something enormous was approaching.

A towering shadow emerged between the trees.

Then...

Two enormous crimson eyes opened in the darkness.

The three masked men instantly dropped to one knee.

Their voices trembled.

"...Your Majesty."