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"No, Father, there's no way I'm marrying that prince. Rumors say he's a ruthless monster and kills anyone who annoys him. I'm not marrying someone like him!" Catherine shouted, her voice trembling with defiance.
"It's an order!" King Bruce slammed his fist on the table, making the goblets rattle. "You'll marry him, or you'll rot in the dungeon. And don't even think about running away. You'll be married in three days."
"No, no, no, Father, please don't do this!" Catherine fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. She clutched at his robe, desperate for mercy.
"Guards! Lock her in her chamber. She's only allowed to leave on her wedding day," the king ordered, his voice cold and final. He turned and walked out without looking back.
"No! Father, please!" Catherine screamed as the guards seized her arms and dragged her toward her room. She fought against them, but their grip was iron.
The heavy wooden door slammed shut behind her, and the sound of the bolt sliding into place echoed through the chamber like a death sentence. Darkness swallowed her as the torches outside flickered out.
For the first time in her life, Princess Catherine felt truly trapped. Three days. That was all the time she had left before she was handed over to a monster.
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