The Prince Married a Princess Wearing a Locked Wooden Barrel, But the Truth Inside Ruined Them
Previously: Prince Lawrence was forced to marry Princess Rosalind, whose face was locked inside a wooden barrel. When he opened the latch on their wedding night, the horrifying truth shattered his entire world.
The Traitor's Brand
Inside the wooden cage, Rosalind was not a monster, but a victim. A thick cloth gag was stuffed into her mouth, and her eyes were wild with tears and terror. More horrifying still, her soft cheeks were marked with fresh, angry red burns—the branded seal of high treason. Someone had deliberately mutilated her to brand her a criminal.
Lawrence quickly pulled the gag from her mouth and began working on the lock of the barrel. "Who did this to you?" he demanded, his anger rising.
"My father," Rosalind sobbed, her voice raw. "He did not lock me away to hide a curse. He did it to silence me. I found the truth in the royal archives, Lawrence. He is not my biological father, nor is he the rightful king."
Lawrence stared at her in disbelief as she explained the dark history. Years ago, Frederick had poisoned the rightful ruler—Lawrence's own uncle—and seized the throne in the chaos. Rosalind had found the letters proving the murder. When Frederick discovered she knew, he branded her a traitor, locked her head in the barrel, and forced this marriage to keep her isolated while he planned to assassinate Lawrence's father next.
Before Lawrence could process the staggering betrayal, the heavy oak doors of the chamber burst open. King Frederick stood in the doorway, a cruel smirk on his face. Behind him stood six royal guards, their swords drawn and gleaming in the candlelight.
"You always were too curious, Lawrence," Frederick sneered. "Now, neither of you will live to see the dawn."
The guards advanced, their blades raised. Lawrence drew his ceremonial sword, knowing he stood no chance against six trained killers. Rosalind grabbed his arm, pointing desperately to a loose stone near the fireplace—a secret escape route. But the guards were already lunging, and time had run out.
”But the guards were already lunging, and time had run out.