Love Beyond Control

After finally managing to swallow a few dry pastries that nearly choked me, I got up and made my way to the table.

The flickering candlelight cast shadows around the room when, suddenly, the door creaked open.

Gabriel walked in, and right behind him, a crowd of people followed in.

At that moment, everyone froze. I blinked a few times, glancing at Gabriel, whose expression had turned even colder. Instinctively, I took a couple of steps back and turned to sit on the bed, pretending nothing was happening.

I casually reached over to grab the veil hanging by the bed and quickly pulled it over my face. With my other hand, I fanned myself vigorously.

Good grief, does the Fleming family's servants not have any sense? Not a single one thought to announce their master's arrival!

I sat there playing dead, and sensing the awkwardness in the air, an older maid suddenly called out loudly, "Please, groom, lift the bride's veil!"

Well, finally, someone with some sense! When I'm in charge, you're getting a raise!

The room was dead silent, and not a single sound broke the stillness, leaving me feeling increasingly uneasy. What if he's having second thoughts? Seriously, what the hell? Before the wedding, I asked him if he was really on board, and he just pretended to be cool.

But there is no use in regretting anything now! If he refuses to marry me after I've shown up here, it will be my pride on the line.

Still, at this moment, I couldn't bring myself to make a single sound.

Finally, I heard footsteps approaching, so I sat up straight, trying to look composed.

"Choose auspiciously, choose love, and choose for prosperity!"

The veil was lifted from my face, and I stared at the man in front of me as he bent down. I panicked and squeezed my eyes shut, only to peek again.

He wouldn't dare to kiss me, would he?

"Do you have an eye condition?" His voice was low, sending a shiver down my spine. I turned my head to meet his gaze, my eyes narrowing.

In a whisper only he could hear, I replied, "Yes, sometimes I see people as pigs or dogs."

I turned my head back, feeling quite proud of myself. You started it!

"Now, please drink from the cup of unity!"

A maid brought over two cups, and we both downed our drinks in one go.

"May you be as one, never to be separated," the older maid continued with the blessings. Gabriel's arm wrapped around my waist, and the onlookers nodded in approval, showering us with compliments as if they were free.

But then, his hand wandered a little too low on my side. I shot him a puzzled look.

Then, with two fingers, he twisted my side.

I winced, biting my lip to keep from making a sound.

I buried my face in his shoulder, trying to hide my discomfort. In a moment of defiance, I attempted to sneak a grab at his thigh, but he must have anticipated my move. Gabriel caught my wrist with his other hand, pinning it against his leg and tightening his grip as a warning.

I wanted to kick my legs in protest.

"Reward," Gabriel said, his tone casual.

The maids giggled, bowed, and filed out of the room.

As the door clicked shut behind them, I let out a small whimper and broke free from his hold, dropping to the floor.

"You're truly wicked," I huffed, glaring up at him.

Gabriel stood up, a smirk playing on his lips as he squatted down in front of me, patting my head like I was a child.

"There's nothing useful in this room. I'll take you to the prison someday, and then you can really test your wits against me."

I was taken aback, disbelief washing over me as I met his gaze. But I surrendered quickly.

"I guess I'm not the model wife you expected, and I've made you angry. So, punish me… punish me…" I stammered, racking my brain for something that wouldn't land me in real trouble.

Gabriel lifted my chin with a smirk on his face.

A sense of crisis erupted within me; I could feel something bad brewing in his eyes.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, he covered it, preventing me from uttering a word, leaving me to emit muffled sounds of protest.

"You'll be punished," he said, a wicked glint in his eye. "Your wedding gifts will be transferred to my vault, and you'll be fined, just a small reminder to stay in line. Don't bother being polite about it."

As if I'd ever care about his rules!

In a fit of anger, I used my tongue to lick the palm of his hand, which momentarily confused Gabriel.

His gaze deepened as he looked at me, but by then, my focus was entirely on my revenge, leaving no room for noticing his expression.

Taking advantage of his moment of distraction, I quickly sprang up and gripped his neck. Expecting a strong resistance, I applied more force than necessary, accidentally pushing him to the ground.

There was a dull thud as his head hit the floor.

I leaned against his chest, my only support being the firm grip around his neck.

After a moment, Gabriel composed himself; his lips pressed slightly as he spoke calmly, "Attempting to harm an official in court should merit a lashing of thirty strokes. Are you trying to..."

I couldn't let him finish; in a panic, I covered his mouth with my hand, shaking my head violently in denial.

And then, I watched in horror as his ears turned a bright shade of red.

Hurriedly, I climbed back to my feet and called out to Megan, "Megan! Take my wedding gifts to Mr. Gabriel Fleming; he'll be the one to keep them from now on."