Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 139: The Announcement

Chapter 139: The Announcement

"To arbitrate deeply on the matter, it is quite obvious that the decree is authentic." The kingdom’s advisor voiced his opinion after taking a quick look at the parchment, his hollow eyes squinting into concentration as he adjusted his reading glasses against the bridge of his nose.

"The seal is the same as the ones of King Muzan, and the handwriting is a good match." His skeptical gaze moved to Ivan who hadn’t uttered a word since he was brought in here. "Unless you have enough valid proof that states this decree was fabricated, the throne will have to be given to prince Eamon as it was written."

"Of course it’s authentic, but who would believe a man in chains?" Eamon inquired with a raised eyebrow, almost mockingly, and he turned to the gathered crowds that instantly quieted down. "Who here has any good records of Lord Ivan? I suppose no one does, and to be clear, I am saddened as I am disappointed that my own brother would challenge me like this. He has been brought forth like a prisoner and that alone proves the kind of man he is, the kind of man he will be if you let him rule. I believe you humans are wise enough to make the appropriate decision, cause that is the only way this struggle in our kingdom will be put to an end."

Eamon softly stirred the crowd with a look of compassion in his crimson eyes. "This man you see here murdered my sister and Mother so he could get his hands on my throne." He charged with a pointed glare, causing all sorts of gasps to escape from the crowds who exchanged gazes of disbelief, and he continued. "Those aren’t his only crimes, the man I’m ashamed to call my brother dared to steal the dark magics of the missing Orb, and that is why he’s being subdued by these handcuffs! If he can hurt his own family, what can he not do to the subjects of EmptyHollow?"

Asking this, the crowd’s fear became more evident as some darted glances at Ivan’s way. It sounded unbelievable that he would hurt his own family, but the aura he emanated, despite his powers being subdued, was strongly intimidating. The crowds waited for the youngest Prince to defend himself, to say something at least, but he just remained quiet with his gaze fixed solely on the door, as if he was expecting someone.

He bore no shame at all.

Ivan, who appeared bored, simply watched Eamon address the crowd with a polished tone fitted for a Prince. He looked like the perfect prince charming, speaking in all manner of kindness, enough to fool anyone into believing he was speaking from the heart, and he has used this fake personality of himself to gain the attention of the crowds and even admirers. Ivan knew nothing good will come out of his own mouth if he tried to speak, cause the first thing he plans on doing will be to curse the fucking hell of Eamon, but then his actions would be misjudged.

Instinctively, his gaze darted to the door from time to time, wondering why his cousins weren’t back yet, and it got to a point, their lateness was starting to bother him. Was it possible that there really was no forged seal? Was the decree authentic? This thought had Ivan’s brows marred into a frown as his eyes wavered.

Drowning in his worries, the Four Lords seemed to have come to an agreement concerning something before separating, and one of the Four Lords stepped forward, his crimson eyes gleaming with a hint of arcanum.

"We’ve decided that the people will also have a chance to choose who they want in order to settle this dispute." Damien suddenly announced to the crowds who were stupefied to hear this. "It has never been practiced before, I understand your bewilderment, but it is a method we’re willing to give a try. Considering the adopted rule, every subject must cast a single vote on who they wish to rule the Kingdom. The Courtiers will receive the vote, and the Ministers including the Four Lords will analyze the results. If in turn Ivan gets the highest, he will be freed from all possible charges, but if not, he will be killed, and Eamon will rule in his Father’s place."

"We get to vote?"

"That’s a good thing? Isn’t it?" The crowds began to murmur as the thought of finally having a say on who will rule amongst the Princes had piqued their interest.

Lady Agathe, who stood at the right side meant for the royal families, was concerned about why she was the only one to make it here. Her sons and her husband were meant to be here as well, but they weren’t, and she wondered where they must have gone in such moments of crises. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Hadrian and Emeric smiling to one another, but it wasn’t a smile that appeased her heart.

"Where are those boys?"

The Kingdoms advisor, who listened to Lord Damien speak, stole a glance at Lord Viktor who had been quiet. He observed everything with a straight face, his demeanor unflinching, and one couldn’t predict exactly what was running through his mind currently. As Damien had informed, the gathered crowds were immediately directed to where their votes would be taken, and it was a vote that could not be rigged since they were guards watching their every move.

Many hours passed by before the voting came to an end, and Ivan really couldn’t say he had the upper hand here. After the rubbish Eamon had spewed to convince the crowd, there was a ninety-nine percent chance of him winning their favor, as always. None of that mattered anymore, he was mostly concerned about Alistair and Tobias who had gone to Vesunard and had not returned. Did something happen to them?

He hoped not.

Draven, who held the parchment that was still being verified, smiled with a trace of triumph when he saw the Ministers nod their heads in acknowledgement after scanning the parchment themselves.

Lucius whispered a few words into the ears of Damien, and everyone was seriously contemplating the matter when eventually, a decision was made. Since Viktor was the leader of the Four Lords, he was told to read the verdict to the crowd. His eyes, which held slight annoyance for being disturbed when he was meditating on what to do, pierced into Draven’s who was handing him the verdict to read out.

Receiving it despite his reluctance, Viktor stepped forward, and his eyes went through the parchment before he pursed his lips. Returning his gaze to the crowd who had been silent, and waiting for their new King to be announced to them, he began.

"It has been legally confirmed by everyone, including the Ministers, and myself." He said aloud, his voice resonating within the hall premises, "the new King of EmptyHollow, the one who will bring commendable reigns to the Kingdom is...."

"Wait!"

Before he could make the announcement, a feminine voice had stopped him on time. When all heads turned to where the voice was coming from, the doors to the throne room opened to reveal a golden-blonde-haired maiden who was busy catching her breath, her hands resting on her knees as though she had run all the way here.

"Isn’t she the same..?" The crowd’s eyes widened the minute some of them recognized her to be the lady who was publicly humiliated in the capitals Town square. Samantha, who finally found her strength, stood straight only to see all eyes staring in her direction as if she was some kind of unknown creature that had descended into another planet, and there was silence.

Their gazes made her nervous, she could feel her palms starting to sweat, but regardless of how they made her feel, she clenched her hands into fist and began making her way into the throne room, her head held high, whilst concealing the tremor that told her to make a run for it while she still can. Taking note of the Four Lords, her green eyes moved to meet the slightly widened eyes of Ivan, as if he was just as shocked to see her here, and in no time, Samantha approached where he stood, her eyes gazing at the handcuffs around his wrist before turning to face the four Lords.

"You..." Eamon’s eyes widened before turning into a glare. "You dare show your face before the court?! Guards! Seize this woman!" He gave the command, and when the guards began to charge towards Samantha, Ivan’s gaze turned worrisome, but in a matter of seconds, he was left speechless when his little lamb raised her hand and flicked her wrist, her gaze deadpanned, and about four to five climbers swooped in with lightning speed.

"Ahh!"

"Woah! Get it off!"

The guards panicked when the vines wrapped their legs and lifted them off the ground, while some were trapped under the vines’ embrace as it wrapped around their body, rendering them immobile. At this point, some of the crowds were already fainting at what they were forced to witness, while some knew this was going to be a moment that would change the history of EmptyHollow.

"You little!" Before Eamon could approach Samantha, Ivan swiftly came to stand in front of her, shielding her from his brother, but what Eamon definitely didn’t see coming was for Ivan to break the extremely strong handcuffs on his wrist. The handcuffs that were meant to subdue his power and leave him vulnerable.

He broke it!

"I wouldn’t go near her if I were you." He hinted in a warning tone, the gleam in his eyes turning predatory, and Eamon wisely stayed back.

"Thank you." Samantha softly said, showing her gratitude to Ivan, "but you don’t have to protect me all the time, not anymore, allow me to handle this." Giving Ivan’s shoulder a pat, Samantha moved away from his back so everyone could see her.

"Will you let me speak now?" Eyeing Eamon from head to toe like the nuisance which he was, Samantha turned her attention to Viktor. "Before you read the verdict, I need you to listen to someone." Saying this, she pointed towards the main entrance of the hall.

All eyes moved to see Alistair and Tobias walk in, but in front of them was the royal seal maker who did frog jump into the throne room, and he was monitored by Alistair who threateningly held out his scythe to him.