Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 157: Stay With Me

Chapter 157: Stay With Me

Taking a stroll along the cobblestone pathway in the garden, Madeline shared with them how she ended up here in GreenHollow, including the strange portal that had appeared from nowhere. Alain walked in front of them, staying close while the three adults engaged in their own conversation. Eventually, they sat together on a bench, occasionally surrounded by vibrant green leaves, whilst the sunlight filtered through the tree branches, casting a warm glow upon them. From his Mother’s glare alone, Alain knew he couldn’t get too far without receiving punishment, so he obediently stayed close by where she could see him.

"You said you’re a Fae," Samantha brought their earlier discussion to her lineage, curiosity lingering in her green orbs as she shifted close. "What are they? I’ve never heard of them until now. Frankly speaking, In this place, witches and vampires gain more awareness than any other extraordinary beings so I hope you don’t mind me asking this questions, but if you’re uncomfortable, it’s understandable."

"No, it’s fine. I don’t have a problem with sharing a little detail." Madeline assured them with a cordial smile, "it’s the least I can do to repay everyone for their kindness in letting me and my husband stay here. To begin, Faes are actually no different from humans.... physically, but apart from our similar physicality, most of my kind tend to possess otherworldly beauty, and enchanting powers like this one." Madeline’s fingertips glowed a heavenly light, and half of the flowers that were yet to bloom on the left side of the garden immediately yielded to Madeline’s powers, their colors bursting with an eye-catching vibrance as they bloomed.

"All Faes can control nature?" Maurice simply inquired, his eyebrows raising in fascination. So many things were happening at the same time, he could hardly wrap his head around all of them, but if all Faes can control nature, does that make his sister a Fae as well? Was she gifted the ability to become a Fae?

"Faes possess a variety of abilities, depending on their lineage and their connection to nature." Madeline corrected him there. "Some have the gift of healing, able to mend wounds or cure diseases with a simple touch. Others have the ability to manipulate the elements, for example, I have a cousin who can bend water, and the other one can shape earth itself."

"That means I’m more like you." Samantha concluded, feeling quite relieved to have listened to the goodness of Faes. "I can control nature the same as you but I was worried since I had no knowledge of what type of beings possessed powers as rare as this one, and it is more than a relief for me to finally see someone who can explain them to me."

"Do this Faes, I mean your kind possess other powers?" Inquired Maurice, and he watched as her obsidian-black orbs twinkled.

"Some of them are known to cast spells like witches," Madeline cryptically added. "It is another rare type, but they can create stunning illusions to conceal their true forms. I haven’t seen this type before, but I heard it’s through the use of these illusions that they navigate human society without being detected. They are more mischievous and cunning in nature but I cannot tell how true it is since I haven’t associated myself with one before."

Madeline instinctively glanced at her son to see him heading somewhere in a rush, and she was just about to call him back only to see Cassian who had lifted the mischievous Ali in the air, making him giggle.

"Running off little Duke? Did Momma scare you again?" Cassian playfully questioned his son who shook his head, and Madeline couldn’t help but feel relieved that her husband was there to catch him on time before he sprinted like a wild boar. Where does he even get the energy??

"I suppose this is your husband?" Samantha offered a smile to the charming man who approached where they sat, and she stood up to greet him properly, Maurice simply followed his sister’s steps.

"I’m not surprised, my wife can make friends wherever she goes." Commented Cassian who finally dropped Alain to his feet, but he held his son’s hand so he wouldn’t run off again. "I was a bit worried from the beginning when we showed up here, but I’m relieved to know these Palace is surrounded by good people, and not.... Maniacs!"

"Samantha, Maurice, meet my husband, Cassian." Madeline introduced Cassian to them, and Maurice’s gaze shifted from the exceptionally handsome man to the little troublemaker beside him.

"You’re definitely the Father." Maurice concluded out loud. Little Alain possessed more of his Father’s features, but he possessed his Mother’s soft facial features and doe eyes.

"I hope you do not mind me stealing my wife and child?"

"Of course, I’m guessing we’ll talk more later." Samantha waved at Madeline before dragging her brother as they exited the garden. Cassian waited till they were out of sight before turning his attention to Madeline who still relaxed on the bench.

"Ali, cover your ears." He said, and Alain immediately covered his ears at his Father’s orders. Whenever Cassian gave such a command to their son, it could only mean he wanted to express a matter of urgency that he didn’t want anyone else to listen to, and that piqued Madeline’s attention.

"What happened?"

"I don’t think we’ll be leaving this Kingdom anytime soon."

"Huh? Why do you say so?" Samantha stood up from the bench. "Inna is getting married in a few weeks and we have to be there, do you remember the threat she left us with?"

"Listen, we can only return to Carmarthen if there is Carmarthen."

"I don’t unders–"

"Carmarthen isn’t on the map." He dropped, and Madeline’s expression gave away her speechlessness as she blinked in bewilderment.

"What?"

—-

Later in the evening, Samantha didn’t forget to see Lucy. Since Lucy was mostly occupied during the day, Samantha chose to pay her a visit during her break time. Together, they had dinner in the guest room with Maurice, and they engaged in all sorts of conversation till the day was starting to get really dark. Lucy bid them both goodnight, and Samantha lingered a little while after Lucy had left before returning to her Chambers, which was also Ivan’s chamber.

Normally, a King needs to evacuate from his chamber to the main quarters where the Chambers of the King was located, but Ivan had refused to leave his present chamber for reasons that were still unknown.

Stepping into the room, Samantha lit up a few candles, and although the day had gotten quite dark, Ivan wasn’t back yet. He had only stepped out to see the new Courtiers and Ministers, but the fact he was taking longer than expected was starting to make Samantha worried. As usual, she stayed up late, waiting for him to return, and there were no words to express how Samantha jumped out of bed when she heard the door click open, but her relieved smile was quick to fade when she saw Herbert supporting Ivan into his Chambers.

"Herbert, what happened to Ivan?" Instant worry reflected on her features as she reached for Herbert’s side, and despite the fact that Herbert was able to hold his composure, she could tell that both of them were drunk. As for Ivan, his normally composed demeanor was replaced with a disheveled appearance, his regal attire slightly askew.

"What happened?" She demanded from Herbert, and she noticed how he tried to regain his senses before speaking.

"After the meeting with the new Courtiers and Ministers, It was part of the rules that the new King celebrated his reign outside, and well... this happened after he was compelled to drink many cups." Herbert explained in the best way possible, but before Samantha could say anything in response, he handed Ivan to the baffled Samantha, leaving her to support the mighty Ivan on her own.

"I must leave now, please see to it that he is sober." And then he turned to leave. When Samantha was left alone with Ivan, she glanced at the man she was trying to support, and carefully led him to his bed. She made him sit on the lush mattress before reaching for the night stand and pouring a cup of water for him.

She returned to his side, handing him the glass of water. "Drink this and go to bed, you’re in no state to be up and about." She said softly, her voice filled with worry, but still, he didn’t take it.

"Little lamb." He slurred as he lifted his eyes to look at her, a lopsided grin on his bewitching face. "Don’t listen to Herbert, besides, what’s the point of being King if I can’t enjoy a little merriment?" He chuckled, a sound tinged with mischief as he fell back on the bed, eyelids gradually drooping with the effects of his revelry.

"I’m fine."

Samantha couldn’t help but sigh, her gaze full of affectionate exasperation. She wondered what sort of merriment they had that he had to return to the Palace drunk! He smelled of liquor, and judging from what Herbert told her, he had been compelled to drink many cups, and now, she didn’t want to know how many he must have been prone to take.

"Exactly, you had your merriment, but it is time for bed now." She gently insisted, extending her arm for him to take. With a glint in his eyes, Ivan reached for her hand as he was pulled back up into a sitting position. Samantha gave him the glass of water, and he didn’t stop till he had emptied it. She proceeded to take off his regal outfit, leaving him in his inner clothing before slowly helping him lower himself onto the mattress.

She drew the covers over him, tucking him in with care. Ivan’s eyes fluttered as he watched her, his gaze unfocused and distant. When she made attempts to leave his side, he grabbed her wrist, his hold gentle but firm. Quite taken aback, Samantha met Ivan’s crimson eyes that glowed with a natural light, and she heard him murmur.

"Stay with me." He said, his voice suddenly filled with a seriousness that cut through his drunkenness. "I won’t be able to sleep without my little lamb, or did you forget?" Conflicting features played across Ivan’s face, and Samantha could feel her heart waver for a fleeting moment.

With her other free hand gripping her dress to steady her nerves, she meekly moved closer to sit at the edge of Ivan’s bed, her presence, a calming presence to Ivan whose eyes now held content. Instead of letting go of her wrist, his hold slid down until he had their fingers interlaced. He didn’t trust his sneaky little lamb when it came to matters like this, but to prevent her from running, he was going to hold her hand all night.

"Close your eyes." Samantha whispered when she could no longer stand the smoldering look of his gaze, her own voice a soothing symphony amidst the silence.

"I don’t want to." He whispered back, his intense stare never leaving her face. "Your eyes.... They’re so pretty I want to look into them all night." He complimented, and Samantha, who hadn’t expected it could feel her cheeks burn at his comment.

Her hands reached forth to close his eyes, and she noticed the way his lips curled into one of mischief, but he didn’t resist.

Soon after, the lines of tension on his face relaxed, surrendering him to the tranquility of sleep. His hold on her hand was still firm, making it impossible for Samantha to get away, and after some time, she succumbed to sleep on Ivan’s bed.