1.

The wind was cold and brisk. The forest seemed to extend to no ends. There was a darkness surrounding the great castle. Something in the air gave the poor, fat man a chilly shiver that made his limbs wilt instantly. He needed to walk, to take a step ahead, to climb the vertiginous path towards the haunted palace but it seemed as though he couldn't move an inch. Everything in his being was wary, on alert, expecting a monster to appear and jump from behind the thick bushes, killing him at once.

The man took a deep breath, briefly considered going back, but regained his strength while thinking about his beautiful, precious daughters. They needed him. He needed them. And so he had to do this.

There was no turning back.

With a heavy heart and an empty pair of lungs the man began his journey. He climbed and climbed and climbed until an intimidating, high as the sky, iron gate obstructed his passage. The bars were thick and rusty and in the center was craved an intriguing emblem bathed in gold. The man squinted his eyes trying to understand what that badge represented. Animals it seemed. A snake and a lion twirled in a fight. There was more to it but his simple mind couldn't make the rest.

He raised his hand to knock on the heavy gate but again his will crumbled. His breathing became shallow and cold. Could he do this? Everyone in town pledged him for a fool. And probably he was one. Who on their right frame of mind would come to the dragon's lair? Willingly?

Only this lair didn't belong to a dragon but a monster. A cruel, sadistic, loathed monster who happened to be rightful Lord of these lands. The rightful Lord of his own fate.

Another deep breath calmed down the man some more and he gained his focus once more. In one swift, quick and tempting move, his hand reached the dense knob and he knocked it soundly. The sound reverberated through in the air and spread through out the menacing woods. The leaves shook violently and the birds made their presence known in high-pitched chants. There was even a creepy howl in the distance.

After that, though, nothing else happened. The man considered walking away, half relieved, half disappointed.

He was just about to take the first step backwards when the old, grungy gate opened in a shrilling, deafening noise. Out of nowhere, a shadowy figure approached the fat man. A struggled cry escaped the visitor's mouth but his body stuck glued to the floor, pumping madly with apprehension.

"Fear not myself." The figure spoke, coming closer, exposing his manly features. "What brings you here, peasant?"

The man took a deep breath. It wasn't the Lord yet. Just one of his lackeys. "I need to speak with Master Grey. It is absolutely urgent."

The lackey didn't show surprise or shock. He simply nodded thoughtfully before turning around. "Wait here." He stated and began walking towards the castle.

The man did as told. He stood still, completely rooted to the spot.

"Master," A subtle, quiet voice spoke from behind the great column that supported the entrance to this room. "There is a man here to see you."

The Master's face was covered in shadows. He was seated in a big armchair by the fire, absently watching the landscape from his window. His footman words broke him from his trance. With a low growl the Master's head turned in the direction of the man who didn't dare to take a step closer.

"Whom?" He simply asked.

"I believe his name his Raymond Steele. He is one of your peasants down at the east village."

"Hmm," The Master breathed, thinking thoughtfully about that information. He knew all his subjects. They might not acknowledge that, but he knew. It was part of his duties as a Lord, after all. "I will not receive him." He spoke finally.

"The man said it was urgent." The lackey tried again, timidly as ever.

The Master growled again. This time more menacingly. He didn't like being crossed or having his decisions questioned. With a deep breath he shook his head. He was the dark Master, the loathed Lord, the feared Monster. He could do as he pleased. And he pleased not to attend to the peasant.

Still, after a more careful deliberation, he decided to see what the man wanted. He had travelled all the way here, after all, and was obviously brave enough to face his wrath.

"Send him in." The Master agreed.

The lackey said no more and instead went to fetch the fat man at once. As expected Raymond Steele was still on the same place, trembling from head to toe, looking as queasy as before. The footman told the Master would receive him and with no more words guided him to the inside of terrifying palace.

The place was enormous, cold, naked and dark just like its surroundings. It gave Raymond even more chills, but he tried hard to not show his weakness.

Finally they stopped in front of a big, wooden door that gave access to Master Grey's wing. The lackey stood back and gestured for the visitor to go ahead.

"You may go in." He said. "Master's awaiting you."

Raymond gulped hard and nodded unable to utter a word. This was it. The big moment. There was no running away, no trying to hide, no alternative. He was going to see and hear and beg to his Lord for the first time in his life, but that was the only chance he had now.

With shaky steps, he walked inside.

By the corned, near a fireplace, next to a grandiose window he saw the Master, completely covered by shadows.

He coughed and tried to straight his spine. "My Lord." Raymond said as a way of greeting.

Master Grey said nothing at first, but then shifted in his seat and turned sideways towards the poor man. "What brings you here?"

His voice was deep, hoarse and cold. It sent shivers down the man's spine. "I am here… I am here to seek your help."

The Master let out a guttural chuckle that made Raymond jump. "And what would I help you with?" Grey asked clearly amused by the peasant's boldness. In all these years no one had been so explicit about their desires without fear of his reaction. This simple man though, seemed to be beyond that stage.

"As you have known, there was a storm this past week. It was violent beyond words. It destroyed half the town's houses." He took a deep breath, steadying himself to continue on with the story. "Mine was one of them. I would not dare to disturb you if that was all to it, but my wife passed away that day as well, and I cannot afford to raise my three daughters alone and with no roof over their heads."

The Master stood quiet for a good measure of time, pondering the man's words. Drastic issues no doubt, but he wasn't a soft heart and the problems weren't his. "What do you expect of me?"

"I beg to your mercy, my Lord. If you gave me another house, perhaps in some other of your villages, I would work harder than I ever have, and would give whichever percentage of crops you wished for, providing you allowed me to stay with some to feed my children."

"I have no need for more crops!" The Master said with a heavy, almost angry voice, tapping the arm of the chair with brutal force. "That serves me for nothing."

The man's eyes widened with fear of both the Lord and the fate he would condemn his family to. "Please, Master Grey!" Raymond begged, taking a daring step forward. "I will be forever in debt with you. I will give you whatever you need. Whatever you wish for!"

The Master considered this for an incredibly extensive period of time. He had no need for more crops. The food he had could serve him and an army of equals just fine. Unfortunately, though, he was the only beast and being of this castle, excluding the wary servants he had wandering around.

Though it pained him to admit it, he felt lonely. Tired of his own self, of his own company, of his own existence.

Crops held no attraction to him but another wicked thought came across his mind.

"You say you would give anything I wish for?" The Master asked.

"Anything, my Lord." Raymond complied meekly.

"Very well," The Master said and got up with one gracious move. "I want one of your daughters."

The man's face paled drastically. "They're merely children…"

"I have no wish for them now. If you agree to it, I will pick one of them whenever I please." Master Grey grinned. He was conceived as dark monster indeed, so this just served to prove the point.

"I… I cannot…" Raymond fell silent. What could he say to that? That he agreed? Could he sell one of his own children? Could he deny the rest of them a possibility of a life? If he did not take the offer, he wouldn't be able to grant their survival. At least with a house and a land he could provide for them. He took a deep breath and wished with all his strength his wife was still around to guide him. With a small prayer he clasped his hands and hanged his head in shame. "I agree to your terms."

Grey nodded his head thoughtfully. "Very well. Fetch your children and I will send somebody to guide you to another village."

Raymond didn't dare to look his Lord in the eyes. He was so upset about this outcome, he didn't wish to see the face of the monster who would steal away one of his little daughters. "Thank you Master Grey." He breathed with a shaky voice, before walking away.

The Master stood still by the window thinking what he had done. His offer had been made on impulse. Was he really ready to live with another being? And with a woman of all creatures?

He shook his scarred head. Perhaps he wasn't, but now there was no turning back. Christian Grey was a beast that stood by his word.