I Tamed the Monster Prince [Novel]

I married the prince they called a monster. Four women before me accepted his proposal, only to end up as bloodied corpses. In short, I was a lamb offered up as a sacrifice to the beast.
On our wedding night, I prepared myself to die.
"Grrr…" A growl rose from his throat. And then… a miracle happened.
"Good. Stay still."
"Yes."
He laid his head in my lap and began rubbing it back and forth, as if begging for a gentle touch.
'Does he… want me to pet him?'
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"Ren, please don't leave," he pleaded, clutching my sleeve with eyes full of longing. "I can't live without you."
A pang of pity rang deep within me. It seems I tamed the beast… a little too well.