Prologue

She walked down the makeshift aisle, her hands at her side, her face covered in dried blood and dirt, her clothes torn and dirty, her hair in disarray. The salty, coppery taste in her mouth reminded her of the abuse she has endured earlier this morning and her jaws ached from where she had been hit. But there was a glow in her eyes and she held her head high, her steps regal... Just like the princess she was expected to be.

The air was filled with smoke and roaring blaze of fire rang in her ears, reminding her of the destruction that had befallen her kingdom this morning, her body shaking, she tried to appear calm and collected while her heart pounded in her chest.

People stared at her as she walked down the aisle, gasps and murmurs filled the air. While some watched her with awe, others did with hatred and disgust. She couldn't care less. They weren't her concern. 

Instead her eyes were settled on the exquisitely dressed man at the end of the aisle, a gentle smile on his face. Dexter, King of Madonia. The reason her kingdom fell. He was the one she was about to marry. And no, she wasn't forced to do this. She reached the end and took his outstretched hands, letting him pull her to raised pavement. The priest cleared his throat nervously reciting some things.

She could barely listen to him as her eyes watched the man before her. Huge, so huge he was dominating. Dark curly hair and grey eyes that looked silver on sunlit days. Broad shoulders and heavily calloused hands held her soft ones. A scar on right eyebrow and one his lips. The title 'Tryant King' fit him to a tee. This man was a very scary man.

But he was smiling at her and his eyes held the gentlest light. She returned with one of her own, albeit forced.

"You look beautiful today." He murmured, his deep voice making shivers work it's way through her skin. She swallowed, her heart racing even as her eyes stung.

"Thanks for the compliment, your majesty. I apologise I couldn't take care of my appearance more properly." She replied, her voice murmur

"Don't worry, after this ceremony. You'll be wearing the best of clothes and perfumes." He told her. She regarded him for a while before nodding.

"Now, do you, Maya herald, take King Dexter as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold, in sickness and in health, in wealth and poverty, till death do you part?" The priest asked in a booming voice.

Maya sucked in a shaky breath. "Yes I do." She replied. God, what is she getting into?

"Do you, King Dexter...."

"I do..." Dexter replied, not letting the priest finish.

"W- well, I now pronounce you Man and wife. You may kiss the bride." The priest said. 

"Finally...." Dexter murmured before leaning in, kissing her lips. He kissed her gently at first, his lips brushing hers but as desire rose, he pulled her in, taking her more possessively, not minding the crowd watching them. He only stopped when Maya pulled away, gasping for air. "We need to finish this... Much later." He told her. He watched her shiver, causing a grin to grow on his face.

Maya held the hands of her new husband, her heart racing. She stared into his eyes, wondering what offence she must have committed to have crossed his path. Her head drew a blank. She couldn't remember anything. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't feel sadness for her falled kingdom. 

Nobody clapped, they could only stare in indignation as the king led his new bride away from the burning kingdom he just conquered. But they didn't understand one thing. He didn't conquer the kingdom because he wanted to. He did that so he could get to Maya, the forgotten princess of Gegoria. 

But how did it all begin? Surely all villains have origin stories. Well Dexter is no different but his origin story is quite unique. It started many years ago. From a single act of kindness from the woman he now calls his Queen...