chapter 2 : The Enemy Inside His Home

The grand doors of Henry's mansion opened with a loud thud.

Rainwater dripped from his black coat as he stepped inside carrying you in his arms. Blood stained both of our clothes—some of it mine, some of it his. my once beautiful dress was torn from the battle, my hair disheveled and sticking to my pale face.

The entire mansion fell silent.

Everyone stared at the unconscious woman sleeping against the chest of the man they feared the most.

Then someone's eyes widened in horror.

"IS THAT HER?"

"What the hell?!"

"Henry!"

The entire family stood up from their seats.

His grandfather, Theodore Blackwood—the head of the family—slammed his cane against the floor.

"What nonsense is this?!"

His elder brother, Alexander Blackwood, glared at him furiously.

"Have you finally gone mad?"

His aunt Isabella covered her mouth in shock while his younger cousin Ethan almost dropped the glass in his hand.

"The daughter of our enemies?" Ethan whispered.

"You brought HER here?" Alexander shouted.

The servants immediately lowered their heads in fear.

Everyone knew about the hatred between your two families. Hundreds had died because of this war.

And yet the heir of the Blackwood family had returned carrying the enemy princess in his arms.

Henry ignored them all and continued walking.

"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Theodore ordered.

Henry finally stopped before slowly turning towards them.

His cold crimson eyes met theirs.

"Move."

"No," Theodore replied firmly. "Put her down."

"No."

"She's our enemy."

"No."

Alexander clenched his fists in anger.

"She killed dozens of our men tonight!"

"And?" Henry asked coldly.

The entire room went silent.

"And?" Alexander repeated in disbelief.

Henry looked down at my pale face before answering calmly,

"Then they should've been stronger."

Everyone froze.

No one expected such an answer.

Theodore glared at him angrily.

"Henry Blackwood! Have you forgotten who you are?"

"No."

"Then why are you protecting her?"

For the first time, his cold expression softened ever so slightly as he looked at my sleeping peacefully despite your injuries.

"Because she's mine."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Even the servants forgot how to breathe.

Alexander looked ready to faint.

"YOUR WHAT?!"

Henry ignored everyone's expressions before continuing,

"Anyone who touches her loses their hand."

Theodore laughed bitterly.

"You'll choose our enemy over your own family?"

Henry's expression immediately darkened.

"If my family wants her dead..." he slowly looked at every single one of them before continuing, "...then my family becomes my enemy."

The murderous aura surrounding him made everyone instinctively step back.

They knew Henry was dangerous.

They raised him to become the perfect weapon.

But no one realized that the weapon they created would one day be pointed at them.

Suddenly, i whimpered softly in his arms.

my trembling fingers tightly held onto his shirt.

"H-Henry..."

His expression immediately softened.

"I'm here."

"Don't leave..." i whispered unconsciously.

His family could only stare in disbelief.

The ruthless Henry Blackwood—the same man who once burned down an entire building because someone had insulted him—was gently brushing the hair away from your face.

His grandmother softly smiled while watching the scene unfold.

Lady Eleanor Blackwood had always understood her grandson better than anyone else.

"So," she chuckled softly while sipping her tea, "the great Henry Blackwood has fallen in love."

"GRANDMOTHER!" Alexander shouted in disbelief.

"What?" she asked innocently. "I like her."

"You JUST MET HER!"

"And she's prettier than all the girls he has rejected."

Henry looked at his grandmother silently before saying,

"Thank you."

Everyone immediately turned towards him.

HE SAID THANK YOU?!

The servants nearly cried from shock.