"Just shoot the woman! I don't care," Sagara said coldly, his gaze fixed straight on Kiara.
Their eyes met. For the first time, Kiara saw the real face of Young Master Sagara—the man she had only ever read about in the novel.
So this is Sagara? He's supposed to be terrifying, but why does he look nothing like a villain? He looks more like a handsome Chinese actor. Sweet, even. Who the heck wrote this character? My mental image of a cruel tyrant just died on the spot, Kiara thought. Without realizing it, she let out a tiny chuckle.
"What's so funny? You're about to die and you can still laugh?" one of the women in the line snapped, and Kiara just gave her an awkward grin.
Kiara lifted her chin and said to the man holding her hostage, "Go on then, just shoot me! Whether it's you or that guy up front, I'm gonna die anyway. Might as well get it over with."
"Sagara! Release Stella right now!" the disguised man shouted.
But Sagara calmly pulled a gun from his pocket, aiming the barrel straight at the man's head. Kiara froze—if his aim slipped even a little, her head would be blown off too.
"What do you think you're doing, Sagara?!" the man barked.
"In a few minutes, I guarantee you'll be in the afterlife," Sagara replied, utterly unfazed.
Kiara's eyes widened. Great… they're busy playing gunfight, but I'm the one whose life is actually on the line. If the idiot holding me doesn't shoot me, the arrogant young master will. What kind of cursed luck is this?!
With a heavy breath, Kiara finally squeezed her eyes shut. She surrendered. If dying means I can go back to the real world, then fine… I'm ready.
BANG!
A gunshot exploded through the room, making her ears ring. She felt warm droplets splatter onto her face and forehead.
"I—I got shot? But… why doesn't it hurt?" she whispered in confusion.
When she opened her eyes, Kiara gasped. The man who had been holding her was sprawled on the floor, blood pouring from the hole in his forehead. Sagara's bullet had hit him perfectly.
"AAAAAAH!" Kiara screamed, stumbling back. Her hands trembled violently, still wet with the man's blood.
Sagara walked toward her, his expression icy cold. His gaze pierced right through her.
"You… I choose you to be my wife," he said flatly.
"M-Me?" Kiara stuttered, completely stunned. She couldn't believe those words came out of Sagara's mouth.
Sagara's men immediately grabbed Kiara and dragged her into another room. Inside, a wedding gown, makeup artists, and all the bridal preparations were waiting.
"Clean the blood off her. Dress her. I'll marry her tonight," Sagara ordered.
Everyone obeyed without question.
---
Kiara was now dressed in a soft white wedding gown. Her face had been fully made up, her hair styled beautifully—she genuinely looked like a bride. The gown fit her perfectly, giving her an elegant aura, even though her heart was pounding like crazy.
Suddenly, the door opened. Mr. Benni entered with Bella. The moment Bella saw Kiara, she ran forward and hugged her tightly, shaking with sobs.
"N-Non… Miss Arsella…" Bella whispered, unable to hide her distress over Kiara becoming Sagara's wife.
Kiara gently patted Bella's back, forcing a reassuring smile even as her own chest trembled. "Please don't cry. I'm okay. For now, I just need to survive."
Benni looked at his daughter with guilt clouding his eyes. "Forgive me, Arsella. I've treated you terribly. But I had no other choice. You must endure this… until I find a way to take you back."
Kiara lowered her head. She knew that even if Benni acted cold and selfish, deep down he was struggling with guilt he couldn't express.
Soon after, Benni held her arm and led her to the wedding hall. Sagara was already seated straight-backed before the officiant, with witnesses on both sides. There was no joy, no music, no warmth—just a cold, heavy atmosphere.
Kiara sat beside him, trying to calm her shaking hands.
"I marry off my daughter, Kiara Arsella, to you, Sagara Aditya. With a dowry of ten billion rupiah and 24-karat gold, paid in full," Benni declared.
Sagara recited the vow flawlessly—confident, unwavering, and with a single breath.
"It's official," the witnesses announced.
---
---
---
Kiara now sat in the car with Sagara. It drove smoothly through the quiet night, heading to his estate. The inside of the car was silent. Sagara was absorbed in his phone, while Kiara stared out the window at the bright full moon.
That night… the blood moon appeared right before I was thrown into this novel world. That means I have to wait for it again. If it shows up, maybe… maybe I can go back home, she thought, hope flickering faintly in her chest.
"So you're Benni's daughter? The young lady?" Sagara finally spoke, breaking the silence.
"Yes," Kiara answered shortly.
"What was your name again?" he asked.
"Kiara Arsella. But just call me Kiara. Don't use Arsella. I don't like that name. It sounds… weak," she said instinctively.
Sagara raised an eyebrow. "Isn't willingly becoming my bride proof enough that you are weak?"
"Maybe the real Arsella is," Kiara shot back, meeting his gaze. "But me? I'm not."
Sagara narrowed his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Kiara leaned closer and whispered so the driver wouldn't hear. "Do you believe there are worlds other than this one?"
"Stop talking nonsense," he replied sharply.
"I'm serious," Kiara insisted. "I'm not from this world. I come from the real world. And I'm not Arsella, even if I'm stuck in her body."
Instead of believing her, Sagara let out a low, cold laugh. "Benni really is cunning. So he sent me his mentally unstable daughter."
Kiara went silent, her chest tightening. What's the point? He thinks I'm crazy anyway.
---
The car stopped before a grand, castle-like mansion. Kiara gaped at it, amazed despite herself. As soon as she stepped out, several servants bowed to greet Sagara—and her.
My God, the author really went all out. Sagara is practically a fairy-tale lord. And now I'm living in some over-the-top fantasy drama, Kiara thought helplessly.
"Young master, the bridal room is ready," a servant reported politely.
"Huh? Bridal room?" Kiara squeaked. Her heart leapt into her throat.
"Take the young lady there. Bathe her, perfume her, and change her into proper attire," Sagara instructed calmly.
Oh God, don't tell me this arrogant young master plans to 'unbox' me. Sure, it's Arsella's body, but I'm still ME on the inside. This is insane, Kiara panicked internally.
Inside the mansion, an icy atmosphere hit her immediately. Several pairs of eyes glared at her with hostility. Four beautiful women stood in a line, their expressions dripping with contempt.
"S-Sorry… who are they?" Kiara whispered to a nearby maid.
"They're the young master's concubines," the maid answered carefully.
"WHAT?!" Kiara nearly shrieked. "He has FOUR? And now I'm… the fifth?!"
"You misunderstand, miss. They are only concubines. In terms of status, you are the legal wife—his main wife."
Kiara scoffed. "Oh wow. That's still basically royal-style polygamy! What kind of soap opera is this?!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out, "Miss—Miss Arsella!"
"Bella?" Kiara turned, relieved to see her assistant hurrying over.
"Thank goodness Mr. Benni begged the young master. I was allowed to follow you," Bella said, smiling in relief.
Kiara let out a shaky sigh. "Thank goodness… finally someone normal in this crazy world."
But her brief relief shattered when another maid bowed. "Miss, you must prepare now for the young master's… wedding night."
Kiara snapped her head around. "WHAT?! Wedding night?!" Panic washed over her.
One of the concubines approached with a mocking smile. "Don't get excited. Do you think the young master treats wedding nights like fairy tales? You're wrong. He will never touch you. If anything… he will only torment you. Just like he did with us four."
Kiara swallowed hard, her face draining of color. "Torment…? What is he going to do to me?"
The concubine smiled cruelly. "Just wait. You'll find out tonight."
Kiara felt her knees weaken, a cold sweat trickling down her temple.
For the first time, she was genuinely terrified of her role as Sagara's "legal wife."