The King Forced Me to Marry His Daughter with a Locked Mask

The Silent Bride

The grand cathedral of St. Jude was bathed in a deceptive, golden sunlight that poured through the towering stained-glass windows. Yet, despite the warmth of the day, an icy dread hung over the congregation. Prince Gabriel, a young nobleman dressed in elegant silver-veined navy blue attire, walked nervously down the long stone aisle. Every step felt heavier than the last. He had agreed to this marriage to save his family’s kingdom from ruin, but he had never expected the horror that awaited him at the altar.

Standing beside the elderly, stern King William was the bride, Princess Victoria. She wore a magnificent gown of white silk and lace, but her head was completely encased in a heavily locked wooden barrel. The dark oak was reinforced with rusted iron bands, and a heavy brass padlock secured a small latch door at the front. It was a grotesque sight, a silent testament to some dark, unspeakable secret.

"My daughter is now your wife," King William declared, his voice echoing coldly off the gothic stone arches.

Gabriel’s heart hammered against his ribs as he reached the altar. He looked at the wooden barrel, hearing only the faint, ragged sound of breathing from within. He took Victoria's cold, trembling hand. The priest spoke the holy vows in a rushed, trembling whisper, eager to finish the bizarre ceremony. Once the final blessing was pronounced, the couple was escorted to the bridal chamber in the high tower, away from the prying eyes of the court.

Alone in the cold, stone room, Gabriel approached his silent bride. The heavy key hung from the padlock. With a shaking hand, he turned the key, hearing the metallic click of the latch. He slowly opened the small wooden door on the barrel and peered inside. He gasped in sheer, unadulterated horror.

"Oh my God," Gabriel breathed, stumbling backward as his eyes met the terrifying sight hidden within the dark wood.