You sighed and placed your hand on the glass gazing out at the sky through the window.

It was dark.

Turning around on your feet, your eyes went towards the large mirror on the dressing table where your image was reflecting back to you.

A simple backless black gown reaching down your ankles with ruffles sewed into the skirt area, parting into two lines from your waistline. On your chest area was the strapless bodice you wore above the gown revealing your bare shoulders and arms.

"Y/n, you are looking so beautiful."
Yuna's voice beamed in your ears when she entered your room with a large smile.

You would have instantly blushed after hearing her compliment if you were in a different circumstances. But, right now you had absolutely no reaction but a soulless expression on your face.

"Why didn't you did any makeup?"
She walked towards you and held your hand before making you sit on the chair in front of the mirror.

She pulled out a large wooden box from the drawer and opened it revealing all the makeup things that a woman needs. But, not you. You never did makeup even as a grown adult. Lipgloss and mascara was the only thing you did. You just like the way you look and didn't needed to make it more perfect with no flaws. That's not what a human being looks like. Naturally flawless and pretty.
From outside and inside.

"I won't do much. Just basics."
She muttered.

Honestly, you let her do whatever she was doing because you didn't cared at this moment. Your mind was filled up with the things that are going to happen in next few minutes.

You'll be marrying that man.
Jeon Jungkook.

Yesterday night, Taehyung told you more about the rituals in the tradition and that includes the marriage or what they call it- The Binding Ritual.

You remembered the long conversation you had with him.

<•_____________________•>

"Since you are the one with mark that Jungkook saw first, Mother is going to get you married to him by hook or crook."

Taehyung said and caressed your hands when you exhaled loudly.

"Is there nothing like....what if the partner doesn't want to marry? Doesn't her consent matters?"
You asked.

"Sadly, no."
He shook his head making you anxious.

"Y/n if you tried to resist this marraige, Mother might give you the same or different punishment for disrespecting the tradition."
He forewarned you.

"Then, I really have to marry him? The person who killed Yoongi."
Tears brimmed in your eyes.
You have nothing to get away from this marriage. Literally nothing.

"I am really sorry."
He leaned forward and wiped your tears with his thumb.

"Can you-"
You looked at him when he stopped midway and sinked his teeth in his bottom lip.

"Can you try....try atleast a lit--"
You could see he was strongly hesitating to properly say something to you. He then took a breath and looked at you straight in eyes.

"Can you try atleast a little bit to...accept the tradition...to become a part of our family?"

Taehyung tried his best to put out his words in a way that you won't start hating him instantly. He knew you have started to get comfortable with him and he didn't wanted to ruin that for you.

Your lips parted after hearing him but you didn't spoke a single word and that was worrying him that he made a mistake by saying those words.

"I am not demanding you but I think this is the only way you can be out of troubles and punishments. Mother won't be lenient towards you after you pulled that stunt.....Cursing her. It has left a very bad impression of you on her."

He tried to explain his request much better.

"You just have to simply follow all the rules and do the rituals. Trust me, things will become a lot more easier for you."

You looked at him puzzled at his last sentence. What did he meant by easier?

Was he somehow....indirectly saying there are still chances for you to escape? Or he just simply meant that you won't have to face punishments from Mother?

You really wanted to ask him to briefly tell what he mean by 'easier for you'. But, before you could question him, the door of your room was opened by Jimin.

As soon as his eyes went towards you and Taehyung, he was confused but mainly shocked.

"Taehyung, you are still here?"
He asked making you glance at the clock in your room. It was past midnight.

Taehyung didn't responded and stood up from your bed while picking up the tray from the table.

He passed you a small smile and mouthed 'good night' before walking out of your room ignoring Jimin's figure like he isn't even there who sighed loudly and gave a quick glance at you before closing the door.

You released a long breath and slipped down under your blankets re-thinking about what Taehyung said to you.

<•________________________•>

And you listened to him.

You looked at your neck in the mirror where the burning mark was. It reminded you of that painful moment that you didn't wanted to experience again, ever in life.

No doubt you don't want this. You really don't want to be a part of their family but if this is the only way you can survive without going through pain and tortures, then you'll try to accept the tradition.

"And done!"
Yuma chimed making you look back in the mirror.

She didn't applied much makeup. Some little bit of foundation and concealer to hide your bruises and glow your dry and dull face. A dark red tinted shade of lipgloss and mascara. That's it.

"Now you are totally ready." She started putting everything back into the wooden box giving you a chance to observe her appearance.

She was wearing the same type of dress like you. Exactly same but the only difference was the colour. She was wearing a persion blue gown and yours was pure black. Her long and wavy chestnut hair was put up into a bun while yours was left open.

Yuna turned around and softly smiled at you before tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

"Shall we go? It's time for the ritual."

***

"Here we are!"

Yuna brought you out in an open ground behind the mansion which turned out to be the Holy Ground where all the rituals are done. She told you on the way here.

You swallowed the lump after seeing everyone looking at your way making you nervous as hell. All of them were already there including Jungkook whose back was facing you.

As you both started walking towards Mother who was standing beside Jungkook, you glanced at the two males.

Taehyung was wearing a sparkling sliver silk shirt which was tugged inside his black skinny jeans while Jimin wore a navy blue suit with white shirt inside and a pair of slim black pants.

They were standing a little away outside the large white circle that was on the ground. Only Jungkook and Mother was inside it.

Jungkook wore a plain black suit that had glitters on the lapel and cuffs with a black silk shirt tugged into his black tight jeans. His whole attire was black. He had his hair left untouched which only made him look more handsome than he effortlessly is.

"Come dear."
Mother said after you stopped right outside the white line with your heart beating faster at every second after seeing the flames coming out from the small fire pit made of grey bricks.

"Y/n."
The elder woman called you sternly as you quickly stepped inside the circle and stood beside Jungkook while clutching your dress tightly.

"Hereby, I stand to bring Jungkook and Y/n together in this Binding Ritual and make their souls attached to each other. Give us your blessing as I start the ritual, dear Almighty God."

Mother announced while looking up at the dark night sky where not a single star was present. It was a New Moon night.

She then walked towards you and held your hand placing a beautiful white diamond silver ring on your palm. You looked to your side where Jungkook was holding another silver ring that had red diamond inside.

"My precious children, exchange your rings and seal this marriage in the name of God."
Mother said with a bright smile.

You stood there frozen on your place while gazing at the ring on your palm.
This is happening.
This is really happening.

That's not how you imagined your wedding would be. You had always dreamt to marry someone who will love you and cherish you in your whole life. He will take care of you and support you through all the hard times. He will be the reason of your happiness and removing sadness. And you will love him back to the moon and will always be there for him as a pillar, as a strong and loving wife.

But, here you are.
Marrying a monster.

Your body flinched when your left hand was suddenly grabbed by Jungkook's rough hands as he slipped the ring in your finger making you look at him wide-eyed.

He had literally no emotion on his face.
All blank and dark.

"Y/n dear." Mother glared at your way motioning you to quickly put ring in Jungkook's finger. Your eyes swelled up blurring your vision while looking at your ring finger.

You really wished to let the ground split open and swallow you down to take you away from these people.

"Time is ticking Y/n. You don't want to be punished for delaying this marriage right?" She scowled at you in threatening voice.

You gritted your teeth and hesitantly held Jungkook's right hand before slowly slipping the ring into his finger with an aching heart.

"Almight Lord! Protect these two from the effect of Curse and bring happiness and joy in their lives. Make the bond between them stronger with each day they spend together. May the love between the two remains till eternity."
She said loudly.

"My children, now it's time."

Mother suddenly smiled widely and took out two knives from her pocket that terrified you to the core making you quickly step back in fear.

"No. No. W-why this?"
You stuttered while breathing heavily when she handed the knife to Jungkook and held your arm pulling you back on your place.

"Because this will finally bound both of your souls together with blood."
She held your shaky hands and placed the sharp knife making you hold its handle tightly.

"Jungkook dear."
You glanced at Jungkook who with not a single fear or hesitancy, placed the sharp blade on his plam and sliced it cut making you gasp loudly as a large amount of blood started dripping from his hand to the ground.

"Now it's your turn dear. Bleed yourself for the sake of your husband's protection from the curse. Share his pain and blood to fight off from the curse."

'This is absolutely crazy!'
Your brain screamed at you while you kept looking at the knife in your hand.

'You have to escape. Run. Save yourself.'
It kept chanting these words again and again making you glance at the forest around the ground.

But your eyes caught a figure standing while giving you a reassuring smile, telling that everything is going to be fine. Just keep going on with the ritual.

Slice!

"AHHH!"
You screamed out loud when Mother herself held your other hand and forcefully sliced the skin of your palm making a big cut as red crimson blood started oozing out like a river.

Your hand vigorously shook in pain as blood dripped down from your palm. You started crying with tears streaming down your face because of the severe torture you were going through. This was draining you both mentally and physically.

Your bleeding hand was then gently grabbed by Jungkook's bleeding one as he interlocked his fingers with yours and firmly held your hand in air near the flames of fire.

You bit your lower lip hard as you started to calm down when the pain was slowly disappearing.

You don't know why this was happening but you were at relief. Maybe because of the pressure he was putting on your hand while gripping it hard. But, that's impossible. Instead it should have been more painful.

"Y/n dear, repeat after me and finish this ritual." Mother sweetly said while gazing at the joined hands which was now painted with each other's blood.

"I, Jeon Y/n-"
She raised her voice waiting for you to repeat after her. You closed your eyes shut after hearing your new name 'Jeon Y/n' bringing more tears in your eyes.

Your breath hitched when Jungkook squeezed your joined hands. You blinked opened your eyes and glanced at his silent figure who had the same blank expression and was looking straight in front.

You followed his gaze and widened your eyes at the glare Mother was sending toward you.

"I-I, J-Jeon Y/n-"
You quickly muttered making her quickly smile and she started saying further making you repeat after her with each word pushing you deep in a dark pit from where you might won't come back.

"I, Jeon Y/n, as the last chosen one for this nineth generation promise to protect my family and husband from the effect of the curse. I accept the family's tradition and rules with all my heart. I will fulfill my purpose to be born in this world with truth and sincerity. I will be my husband's shield and armor and will shower him with all my love. I will never leave his side and will always be there for him till death do us apart. My only wish is to protect him from the upcoming dangers and to fill his life with brightness and happiness. Let him come under the shade of your blessings, Almight Lord.
-Amen."

You breathed heavily feeling heaviness on your crazily beating heart after finishing and looked down in tiredness. You were feeling like your whole strength was being snatched from you while you speak those words.

This was really wierd and not at all normal.

You were completely unaware of the strange glances the man beside you was throwing at you. Nobody could tell what he was thinking, what he was feeling, the only expression on his face was silence.

"You both are finally together. My precious children, God bless you both."

Mother came in front and caressed yours and Jungkook's cheek gently and lovingly. But you still flinched at her touch and strongly gripped Jungkook's hand.

"Now that the ritual is complete, you both have the whole night to yourselves."
She said making your eyes wide.

***

You gazed at the new room.
Jungkook and yours.

Well, it was already Jungkook's room but from now onwards it would be your room too.

This room was totally different compared to previous one. The vibe has totally changed.
Dark. Everything was dark.

In the massive room, rested a large king sized bed even bigger than yours covered with black silk coverlet and five to six black soft cushions neatly placed on the bed, half hidden below the same coloured duvet. There was a huge couch at the left side of the bed touching the dark painted walls covering half of the wall and the remaining half had huge glass windows that had a balcony outside with two chairs and a small table between.

And just like any other room in this mansion, Jungkook's room also has a magnificent white crystal chandelier glowing even without any light. A tall mirror with silver border was resting on a small dressing table right across the bed you were sitting on and beside the dressing table was the door of the bathroom. A full wall length closet was standing to your right side with more mirrors attached to the doors.

Click!

You snapped your eyes at the door after hearing the lock making your heart slammed against the ribcage at a very fast pace.

There he stood.
Looking straight into your eyes.
His tall and muscular body was very well hidden in the darkness but thanks to the moonlight through the glass that was helping you out to see him through the dark.

Your palms started getting slippery because of the nervousness spreading into your whole body as you remembered what Yuna told you before leaving you in this room.

"Mother wants you and Jungkook to be physical with each other tonight so that you can be pregnant and give us a son in short time."

Sweat beads formed on your forehead even though the air conditioner was on and just few minutes before you were cold as ice. A droplet of sweat flowed down through your neck and settling above the burned mark making you hiss at the pinch of pain.

You stood there frozen on your place when he slowly made his way towards you while removing his black coat and unbuttoning his shirt. You wanted to run away from him but your body wasn't listening to your pleadings.

You breathed heavily and squeezed your eyes shut when he was just an inch away from you. You could feel his dark aura that was choking you badly.
Tears were already forming in the corner of your eyes as you prepared yourself for the monstrous things he is going to do to you.

Nothing.
You felt nothing.

Slowly opening your eyes, Jungkook was nowhere in your sight. You turned around after hearing shufflings from behind and found him already laying on the bed while covering himself with the silk duvet.

You stood there confused but relieved as your body calmed down when you saw his eyes closed.

He didn't do anything.

You sighed loudly and made your way towards the couch. There was still quiet a lot of space on the bed but you didn't wanted to sleep beside him and decided to lay down on the couch.

Gazing at your bandaged hand, the red diamond came into your view. You were a married woman now. Huffing lowly, you tried to make yourself comfortable on the uncomfortable couch and closed your eyes to rest down your racing mind with all the things happened in the ritual.

You planned onto not sleeping at all but because of the extreme tiredness in your body, you didn't even realized when you went into a deep slumber.

~To Be Continued

_________________________________________