He Married a Princess Locked in a Barrel and Uncovered a Terrifying Royal Secret — Part 2

Previously: When Prince Nicholas was forced to marry Princess Beatrice with her head locked in a wooden barrel, he expected a cruel joke. Instead, opening the latch revealed a horrifying royal conspiracy.

A Dark Royal Conspiracy

Inside the wooden cage, Beatrice’s beautiful face was pale, her eyes wide with silent desperation. But it was the cruel iron gag bolted between her teeth that made Nicholas's stomach turn. Tiny droplets of blood trickled down her neck from a collar of sharp thorns lining the inside of the barrel. She was a prisoner in her own bridal wear. Nicholas glared at King Richard, his fists clenching in absolute fury.

"What is the meaning of this cruelty?" Nicholas demanded, his voice echoing through the silent cathedral. "Release her at once!"

King Richard stepped closer, a cold, mocking smile playing on his lips. He leaned in, whispering so only Nicholas could hear. "A silent wife is a blessing, Prince. Complete the vows, or my siege engines will reduce your city to ash before nightfall."

Nicholas looked back at Beatrice. Through her tears, she frantically blinked her eyes in a rhythmic pattern—a military distress code Nicholas had learned from his late father. She was trying to communicate. As Nicholas reached out to close the latch, Beatrice subtly nudged her head forward, allowing a small, tightly rolled parchment to slip from her collar into his waiting palm. He quickly concealed it in his sleeve and reluctantly finished the vows to keep her alive.

Once they were locked in the bridal chamber, Nicholas rushed to her side. He used his dagger to pry open the heavy padlock, lifting the suffocating wooden barrel from her head. He gently removed the iron gag, and Beatrice collapsed against his chest, sobbing hysterically.

"My father... he poisoned your father," Beatrice gasped, her voice raw and trembling. "I found the letters and the poison vial in his study. When he caught me, he locked me in that barrel to silence me forever. He wants your kingdom, Nicholas!"

Before Nicholas could process the horrifying truth, heavy footsteps echoed down the stone corridor. King Richard’s guards were arriving to inspect the chamber.