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Diora Romano's life had always been defined by her frailty. Born into a noble family, she was the weakest of her siblings, often falling ill and struggling to keep up with her relatives' robust health. Despite her delicate constitution, Diora's spirit remained unbroken, and she learned to adapt to her limitations.
But Diora's world was about to take a drastic turn. On her 22nd birthday, she received the news that would change her life forever: she was to be married to Kyros Castillo, the powerful Duke of a vast and wealthy duchy. Popularly called..."The Devil"
Kyros was a man feared by all who knew him. His reputation was shrouded in darkness, and whispers of his ruthless nature sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest men. His previous wives had disappeared under mysterious circumstances, fueling rumors of murder, imprisonment, and even darker fates.
And yet, despite the terror he inspired, many women and ladies of the court would give anything to be his wife, even if only for a day. They were drawn to his physical appearance, power, his wealth, and his enigmatic presence.
Kyros resided in the grandest castle and estate in the land, a sprawling complex that dwarfed even the king's own palace. His home was a symbol of his power, a testament to his unyielding ambition.
But it was said that Kyros's heart was colder than the stone walls of his estate. He was a man without emotions, without compassion, and without mercy. Those who crossed him were dealt with swiftly and severely, never to be seen again.
As Diora stood before her parents, accepting the news of her betrothal with a mix of trepidation and resignation, she couldn't help but wonder: what lay ahead for her in the day
**********
GREECE, ATHENS~THE ROMANO'S RESIDENCE*
Diora sat down on her bed, probably this might be the last time she would get to sit and feel it, her eyes were looking so puffy and red as she had been crying.
Earlier that day, she got married. To the least man she had ever expected or wanted to get married to.
Funniest part? She didn't see him, she only received the ring,like a present,on her bed,In her room. In one word,she had no idea who she just got married to,how he looks like.
Of course, she's heard alot about him, how his face could kill at one sight because of his handsomeness,height and everything,but Diora was never interested.
The news surrounding the Duke was scary, not meant for someone as fragile as she is.
She's just twenty two, how could her parents give her up so easily to a man in his thirties or fourties? She could tell he's a man who's old enough to be her father.
According to the news, what man fights hundred men and still stands as if nothing happened? If not a devil? Like the Duke of Athens?
Now that man, is her husband,Yes,Allegedly,because she's not and never going to accept him as her husband,never.
Ever since she was a child, she had imagined her own special wedding,with her pretty long gown flowing along with her,while walking down the aisle with her husband, a gentleman and a prince charming. But she was given the total opposite.
She was still thinking about all that when her eldest sister, Maliah entered into her room,with her arms crossed on her chest.
"Still crying?" She asked, with a blunt expression on her face.
Diora immediately wiped her tears and cleared her throat.
"Imagine crying because you're getting married to the richest man in the city, are you pretending?" Maliah chuckled dryly.
"But anyways,I'm not surprised. You've always done that, that's just who you are, pretending to be the innocent one, acting weak to get our parents attention,like the most precious stone" She continued.
Diora shook her head slowly and more tears rolled down her eyes, it hurts even more when your own siblings hates you. That's her story,aside Diora,there's Maliah,Rona and Sitara.
Maliah is the eldest, followed by Rona, then Sitara,lastly Diora.
The three sisters are the closest,even while growing up as kids. Diora spent most of her childhood at the hospital,treating one illness or the other,there was even a time her sisters had to stop going to school because their parents spent all their money on her hospital bills.
Nobody had to tell Diora when she returned home, she was alone. Her sisters barely look at her, but fortunately after few months,things began to change,they moved from their small house to a bigger mansion and within some years,their father got a position in the city and they became one of the noble families in Athens.
But the sisters never got along with their little one,she grew alone,played alone,ate alone,dressed alone,like one with no siblings at all.
Sometimes she would cry in her room when she see her sisters playing and gisting together,but she was lonely.
The beautiful daughters of Romano, everyone in the city knows who they are, but nobody knew Diora was part of the family.
Even when the announcement was made that the duke would get married to one of those daughters,nobody ever thought or guessed it would be Diora their father would hand over to the duke.
Diora had overheard her sisters yelling and disagreeing with their father, Rona and Sitara wanted it to be Maliah since she's the first child.
"Do you want to die?" Was what their father asked the three sisters.
"Have you ever heard of Kyros wife coming back home? I need to sacrifice the weakest, can't you all understand?"
Diora cried that day, silent tears soaked her pillow. So she was the sacrificial lamb? Sent to die to protect her sisters.
"You know how she is, pretending with those tears but inwardly she's happy. I mean I hate the fact that she's the one too" Rona and Sitara entered and the three stood,glaring at her.
"I...I just..." Diora stuttered, she couldn't speak.
"I see you've arranged and packed your clothes" Maliah said, looking around the room and the boxes of clothes on the floor.
Diora nodded,sniffing in her tears.
Suddenly,they heard some noises downstairs and her sisters ran to the window.
"Oh wow, they are here. Can't believe they came with a limo" Rona muttered and they stared at her jealously.
Diora didn't move from the bed,until the door opened and some men in suite entered with their mother.
"Mother, I don't want to go" Diora shook her head and ran to Mrs Romano.
"Lady Diora,please come with us" The men said.
"Take her"
Diora cried as the men dragged her out of the room,she turned back to see her mom and sisters staring and just standing there,no one ready to save her.
She was going, and she knew she would never see them again,she might be like the ex wives too,no one would hear about her,not again.
Diora stopped crying as she sat down inside the black limousine, she began to think,what to expect when she get there,will they lock her up in a room and starve her till she dies? Or probably,she would become a sex slave rather than a wife,then they would dispose her body when she dies?
Different thought were running through her mind,but after some minutes,her eyes began to close.
Seems like it's quite a long journey to the Duke's house,she once heard he stays in his estate alone,with his castle even bigger than the King's palace.
And yes the rumors are true, the duke isn't just the richest man in Athens,He's the richest in the whole of Greece,another reason why nobody can handle him,He's like the Devil,who can't be touched. Never.
*
DUKE KYROS' ESTATE*
Diora didn't realize how long she had slept,until she felt a hand tapping her gently and she opened her eyes.
"We are here, Lady Diora" One of the men in suite said.
Diora blinked and carefully stepped down from the car,dragging her long dress with her and totally got lost,staring at the paradise she is in.
It was night time,but this place, this heaven looks like....what is she supposed to compare it with?.
This is indeed a castle.
"Please come with us" The said with a short bow and led the way.
Diora could see more men in suits from different angles of the house,holding weapons and looking dangerous.
She immediately increased her pace and followed the men in front of her.
They continue walking,away from most of the buildings and suites till the men entered another one.
A lady in her fifties welcomed them with a smile, without a word,the men went out,leaving just Diora.
"You must be tired,my lady" She bowed.
"I...."
"Come with me" The woman said and again Diora just obeyed,and began climbing the stairs,she opened a door and entered.
"This is your suite, my lady"
Diora blinked and stared at the so called suite, which seems bigger than her whole house together back home.
"My...my...suite?" She batted her lashes in confusion.
"Yes" The woman smiled.
"You should have your bath,I will call the maids to prepare you a warm bath. Please do that and dinner will be here soon"
Before Diora could say anything else, the woman went out and she was left alone in her thoughts and confusion.
Why does this look like the exact opposite of what she thought would happen? Why does she have a big suite?
She looked around and left the living room go the bedroom and she almost screamed,what's this queen sized bed? The wardrobe? She rushed towards it and opened,it's quite empty,just some night wears and some new set of footwears.
She had forgot to ask why the men in suits didn't take her luggage with them.
"The wardrobe will be filled tomorrow,my lady"
Diora flinched when she heard the voice behind her and she immediately turned to see a young girl.
"My name is Oceane, and I will be the one to serve you from now on" She bowed.
"What's....going on?" Diora asked in her tiny voice, her gloomy eyes piercing into Oceane's soul.
"What are you talking about,my lady?" Oceane asked.
"Why...am I...your lady?"
"Because you're the Duke's wife, we have to respect you" Oceane answered.
Diora couldn't say anything else.
"I'm going to prepare you a bath..."
"No, I will use the shower" She cut in.
"I can help with your dress..."
"No"
"My lady..."
"I want to be alone, please" Diora muttered.
Oceane sighed and bowed before walking out of the room.
*
Oceane entered the general kitchen and met other maids whispering among themselves and laughing loudly.
* Did you see the bride?
* I think she's unfed
* Why does she look so tiny and small?
* I can easily break her into two
* She looks sixteen, what's her age again?
* Gosh, she's totally not the duke's type. She's like a doll.
They were all laughing under Lady B entered, she's the head maid.
"Is the new lady's dinner ready?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am"
"Oceane, please get more than enough and make sure she eats before you bring the dishes back"
"Yes ma'am"
*
DUKE KYROS' CHAMBER*
"Uhh....fuuucckkk...ohhh" Morana moaned, as she rode on Kyros dick then fell weakly on his chest,her hair scattered all over her face as she managed to breathe with her mouth.
She's Kyros' mistress and sex partner.
"Get off" Kyros muttered, coldly.
"Can't I just...."she paused and gently fell beside him on the bed,he didn't have to repeat himself before she knows what exactly to do.
Kyros light up his cigarette and started smoking, Morana stared at him in lust,how come she never seem to get enough of this man?
Her eyes met with his blue eyeballs and she quickly looked away to avoid contact, Kyros rolled his eyes and sat up on the bed,turning his back on her. She continue admiring the tattoo on his back anyway and almost got tempted to touch it,but she wouldn't dare.
One of the phones on the bedstand rang and Kyros answered.
"Boss, we caught the culprit" A voice said from the other side.
"Where is he?"
"Torture room,boss"
"Wait there" Kyros dropped the phone and left the room for the bathroom.
When he returned to the room, he was dressed and looking even more hotter than usual,his hair was styled in a ponytail while some strands dropped on the two sides of his side,his blue eyes glowing under them.
"Get out" He muttered and dropped a bundle of note on the bed for Morana.
"I thought, I was supposed to sleep over tonight" she said.
Kyros glared and she swallowed.
"I'm sorry" she mumbled and started putting on her clothes,but he didn't wait, he went out.
*
Kyros entered the torture room, all the guards bowed and moved backward.
In the middle of the room is a naked man hanged up, as if he's been punished a little,there are traces of blood on his body and his face swollen too.
"We caught him while he was trying to elope the city,boss" Ryker, Kyros's personal and favorite guard explained,He's the only one who didn't move back.
Kyros said nothing,he just took one step at a time toward the criminal in front of him.
"Please...spare my life...please" The man begged for his life as he began peeing on his body just at the sight of Kyros.
"Then, you shouldn't have tried stealing from me in the first place" Kyros said softly and took a sharp knife on the closest table.
"I won't do it again, I....hmmm!!hmmm!!" He started struggling while Kyros held his chin tightly,then he started cutting right through his lips.
With a smile on his face as he was doing that.
He cut off the man's lips totally before dropping the knife, he stretched his hand to Ryker and a handkerchief was placed on it.
"Don't touch him anymore, send him to the palace tomorrow morning" he said as he wiped his bloody hands.
"Yes, boss"
Kyros threw the handkerchief on the floor and went out,Ryker followed him.
"Lady Diora arrived some minutes ago, boss" Ryker said.
Kyros raised his brows.
"Who's Diora?" He asked.
"The...new bride" Ryker replied.
Kyros scoffed and walked away, his two hands in his pockets.