Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 169: Existing Soulmate

Chapter 169: Existing Soulmate

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"Lord Viktor!" Stepping into the West winged Palace that roamed with tranquil, the grand doors swung open to reveal the vampire King who stepped inside, his gaze darting sideways as he tried to figure out where Lord Viktor normally spends his time at night. With a quick guess, he led Samantha who readily followed him till they made it to the quiet opulent chamber close to the Winged Palace garden. Opening the door without knocking, Ivan stepped inside to find Lord Viktor reading a book as he sat on his study desk, his ageless face hardly flinching despite having his privacy intruded.

The candles were out, and the only source of light came from the Moonlight that seeped in through the stained glass window. Viktor’s study desk was fixed close to the window, and his enthralling visage was illuminated by the glow of the night. This would be the first time Samantha got to see Lord Viktor up-close, and more clearly too... he was more good-looking than she expected him to be, and it made her wonder if the three Lords were just like him too.. actually, just two of the Lords since she couldn’t count Draven as one of them.

When Viktor’s crimson eyes moved to see his Intruders, he rolled his eyes at the sight of Ivan and the daughter of Mr Dufort, expressing them as unwelcome guests. He rubbed his temples as though he could perceive the headache he was about to incur from Ivan’s unforseen visit, but nevertheless, there was no avoiding it since the matter had to be an important one.

"Speak up and let’s get this over with." His monotonous gesture to their presence didn’t go unnoticed, his bored gaze returned to the book he was reading while Ivan quietly took his seat beside Viktor. Samantha, who felt uncomfortable being here, chose to stand behind Ivan as she nervously felt the chilly aura in Lord Viktor’s chamber intensify. His indecipherable expression somewhat reminded her of Prince Tobias, and they both had shoulder-length hair except his was darker, while Tobias was silver-haired.

He made it quite obvious that he wasn’t in the mood to speak with anyone, but since Ivan was King, that judgment no longer applied to him.

"I need your help regarding something urgent." Ivan began, and only after hearing the word ’help’ did Viktor’s gaze lift from the book he was reading to meet Ivan’s stare, and the vampire continued. "I fear that my little lamb is under the influence of some mind trick, and I know there are ways only you can curb them. Is there a chance that the blood moon holds effect with one’s heightened senses? She’s been hearing constant whispers after the blood moon, and I believe it’s not a natural occurrence if she’s getting them daily." Ivan explained to Viktor whose eyes lacked amusement, and he returned his gaze to his book again.

"What type of whispers are we simplifying here? Frankly speaking, I do not think there is need for anyone to panic as they are mere whispers– if someone tries to manipulate her perception then she has a hidden medallion that can subdue it’s effect. Her powers were fully activated during the blood moon, it is normal for her to encounter one or two effects the minute her powers subside. You should let her get some rest rather than stress her by bringing her here."

Viktor’s voice remained plain as he flipped to the next page of his book. When Samantha glanced at the thick brown covers, the words written on it were too big for her to pronounce, however, she found herself trying anyways. "The....Folio of..." her eyes squinted as she tried to make out the next word, but as though Viktor sensed her prying gaze on his book, he closed it with a bang, snapping Samantha back to the present as she inadvertently met his gaze.

For more than a fleeting moment, he held it without averting his gaze like he normally would, a display Samantha found odd.

"Come here." He beckoned Samantha over as though he sensed something vague in her gaze. When she glanced at Ivan who assured her that all will be well, Samantha eventually found the courage to move closer to Viktor. She was still confused about what was happening here, the manipulation Viktor had specifically hinted to Ivan, but when she was made to look into Viktor’s eyes for two minutes straight, Viktor eventually averted his gaze, and Ivan didn’t fail to notice his disturbed countenance before he could mask it.

"Well?" He prompted, waiting for Viktor to speak, and there was slight hesitancy in the gaze of Viktor before he turned to look at Ivan, as if requesting that they speak alone. Getting the message, Ivan glanced at Samantha who was oblivious to their silent exchange of words. "little lamb, can you sit over there and wait for me? Lord Viktor and I need to discuss something in private." He requested from Samantha whose gentle eyebrows knitted into a subtle frown.

"In private?" Samantha’s face was immediately etched with worry. She knew nothing good came from being asked to wait at a corner while others conversed about her matter. "Why do you have to speak in private? Is there something wrong with me that I need to know about? If there is then I think I have every right to be here and listen to it." She insisted, unwilling to let herself be shoved to a corner since the matter appeared to be more serious than they had both imagined.

"Are you sure?" Ivan wanted to confirm, he wasn’t sure why Lord Viktor had decided to speak with him in private, but if the matter had something to do with his little lamb, she definitely has enough right to be here.

"Yes." She affirmed it with a nod, and Ivan glanced at Viktor, gesturing he should go ahead what with what he had intended to say to him in private. Lord Viktor, who dwelled in his contemplative silence, rose from his chair as he stood in front of Samantha, his eyes staring directly into her own as if he was searching for something, and Samantha, who was still left nonplussed, noticed the way his usually stiff lips pulled slightly to the side before returning to their usual plain form.

Turning around, he met the gaze of Ivan who had gotten up from his seat.

"You are...surprisingly right." He confirmed it, "she is under the influence of a mind trick. I can see the string in her eyes, but it’s quite vague and hidden." Turning his amused attention to Samantha, he asked. "What do you hear? Tell me the ones you can remember?"

"Uhm...the words were repetitive most times but in other moments, I hear whispers like; you belong to me, come to me...they are bizarre demands that I do not understand." She briefed to Viktor whose eyes narrowed intently, and he pursed his lips before turning away from Samantha.

"What about now, do you hear anything?" He inquired while looking through his shoulder, and Samantha shook her head in response.

"No." Her features were instantly contoured into one of worry as she inquired. "am I being tranced or something?"

"How is it possible that she’s under the influence of mind trick?" Ivan questioned, his gaze darkening as he tried to fathom what he just heard. "We both know she contains powers replica to that of the orb, she’ll be hunted down and that is why the orb contains a special medallion. Shouldn’t her connection with the invisible medallion shield her mind from outside influences?"

"The invisible medallion can protect most forms of manipulation, but this is different." Slight amusement crossed his gaze, a realization dawning in. "It seems that the entity responsible for the whispers had found a way to bypass its defenses. The blood moon when your powers were activated must have triggered this unknown subject."

"We must find a way to free her before it gets beyond our control." Ivan reached out, taking Samantha’s delicate hand in his, a gesture both protective and comforting. "She’s dear to me, and I won’t let anyone exploit her."

"You don’t seem to be getting my point." Viktor’s voice lost its humor as he met Ivan’s puzzled stare. "The whispers cannot be stopped by me or by anyone. Whoever it is, this entity has the upper hand in keeping your bride mentally attached to him. Such scenarios are only possible when.... The other finds his soulmate. Your bride here has an existing soulmate." He dropped.