Ariel was abruptly awakened by the irritating alarm on her bedside. With a hiss and a string of expletives, she groggily emerged from the comfort of her bed. Her eyes darted to the large clock on the wall, and a gasp escaped her lips. She had a baking class to attend, yet all she had managed to do was sleep like a log.

She knew her father would be furious if he realized she was lazing around at this hour when she should have been up and about. Hastily, she rushed to the bathroom to freshen up and then joined her mother in the kitchen.

"Good morning, mama," Ariel said, kissing her mother's cheeks and embracing her.

Her mother squinted her eyes with a quizzical look, stirring a steaming cup of coffee she had just made with the coffee maker. "You seem excited this morning. Can you share the reason for your excitement?" she inquired with a smile, placing the coffee on a saucer and handing it to Ariel.

With a big grin, Ariel replied, "No, mama. Or maybe I'll tell you when I'm back from my baking class," and giggled.

Her mother's smile turned wry, and Ariel rolled her eyes, moving away. Her mother had always been opposed to her baking aspirations for reasons unbeknownst to her, but thankfully, her father supported her.

"Look, honey..." Her mother's eyes blazed with wariness as if she had something important to disclose.

However, Ariel didn't want to hear it. She was already running late. "See you later, mama. Bye." She blew a kiss and headed for her father's study, a habit she had formed every morning. She would serve him a strong cup of black coffee and enjoy a few hours of chatting with him.

It was during one of those conversations that she had expressed her intention to learn baking professionally, and her father, in his usual affectionate manner, had supported her.

Unfortunately, they wouldn't have time for a long chat this morning, Ariel sighed. She reached for the doorknob, turned it downward, and the door creaked open.

She barged into the office - or rather, into what felt like a solid rock that smelled more like a human. The hot coffee in her hand splashed onto him. The glass cup slipped from her grasp and shattered on the ground, the shards flying in all directions.

Her heart raced, and she covered her mouth in horror. "Oh my. I'm so sorry," she gasped, looking up at his face, and suddenly, all the blood drained from her body.

He was wearing a dark plastic mask that only revealed his dark orbs, concealing the rest of his face. Her eyes scanned his black outfit, a well-tailored suit and a pair of black boots that did nothing to hide his imposing and intimidating stature. Dressing formally didn't seem befitting for a man like him.

Suddenly, Ariel's curiosity was piqued. She desperately wanted to know who this masked man with such a menacing aura was and why he was emerging from her father's study at around 8 o'clock in the morning.

"You're too clumsy for someone about to become a wife," his husky voice cut through her thoughts, and she frowned.

What on earth was he talking about? A wife? She wasn't ready to become one yet.

"Well, I'm sorry for what happened. I didn't expect my father to have a visitor this morning. It's quite unusual..." she explained.

He wasn't listening. Instead, he grabbed her arms and held them so tightly that it was almost painful.

A scowl formed on Ariel's face, and she glared at him, hoping he would see her anger and let her go. Sadly, he didn't care about her discomfort, and none of the guards stationed at the door seemed concerned about her situation either.

"Let me go!" she shrieked with her shrill voice, struggling hard to break free from his grip.

He eventually did let go and straightened his jacket before walking away without another word.

Ariel tried to calm her erratic breathing, inhaling deeply to prevent herself from screaming. Then she stormed into her father's study, fuming and outraged about the assault that had just taken place outside.

Why should she be treated like this because of a silly mistake?

But something felt amiss the moment she entered and saw her father standing in front of his bookshelf, his back to her with his hands behind him.

Nevertheless, she pushed aside the strange feeling. "Dad, who was that ill-mannered man who left your office?" she whined, walking over to him while showing him her arms, which had turned red. "Look at what he did to my flawless skin. Aren't you going to do anything about that man?"

"My hands are tied, Ariel," he said after a moment of silence, his voice filled with resignation.

Ariel's eyes darted around in confusion, and she held his hand. He rarely called her by her name, except when she had offended him, but then he would be sitting behind his desk and scolding her softly.

He had never sounded so distant and tired before.

Terror grew rapidly in her chest as she waited for an explanation, but none came.

"What do you me

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