Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 198: It Won’t Change Anything

Chapter 198: It Won’t Change Anything

Ivan had read the letter, but there were so many things happening at once that he could hardly discern the meaning behind his little lamb being the Mystic Orb. He was presently left in a perplexed state, his mind disoriented from the letter he just read, and there were so many reasons that proved the possibilities of that word being the truth... She mysteriously possessed the powers of the Orb, but, however, he was unable to come to terms with the reality of it being the truth.

When he glanced at his little lamb who was tremendously shakened by the unforeseen revelation, her light sobs only made his heart bleed. He hated when she cried to herself, it sounded forlorn, and his jaw tensed.

He wanted to punish the world for bringing tears into her beautiful eyes, but even when it affected him like cold arrows striking his heart, he knew he had to let her pour everything out. After giving her a moment to calm her raging nerves, she wiped her tears and let out a soft sigh, as if exhausted from all the crying. There was silence within the space, and Ivan studied the detached expression that settled on her countenance.

She felt betrayed.

"All these years," she began, her voice a faint cheerless tone that made Ivan close his eyes in restraint. "All these years, I was made to believe that... that what I was seeing... but they weren’t even real." Her words were incoherent, and she let out a breath of laughter while shaking her head for the umpteenth time. "Agathe was right about everything... I’m nothing but a pawn in the boards of fate. I mean all these years, I have lived my life in the hopes that I can make everyone around me feel happy, Maurice, my Father... I felt content knowing I had someone to love me, I never wanted any of this, and then all of a sudden, I woke up to the reality that all of this..." She looked at her human hands, free tears flowing from her eyes, "these hands, this face, this body, none of it is real!"

"Stop."

"I know I’m not worth anything but I mean... an Orb?? I’ve hated myself when people used me as an object, a tool, a beneficial entity but... who knew I was actually one!"

"You’re not an object, stop saying things like that." Ivan corrected her, his severe gaze conveying how serious he was to shut her up right now. Exhaling softly as he understood her dilemma, he gently grabbed her arm and pulled her into his arm, in a way that made her rest her head on his solid chest while he caressed her head lovingly. "Maybe you weren’t human in my Father’s reign, but you are one now. He wished for you to be human, and that is what you are! You’re still my little lamb, my most precious, and that hasn’t changed, you shouldn’t let the truth change the perspective of who you are either."

"But I don’t even have parents," Samantha was unable to fight back the endless tears that escaped her eyes, and Ivan’s attempt to console her only made her want to cry the more. "I’ve always felt I had something to hold on to, but even that has been stripped from me. Why is the world so cruel to me? What did I do?"

"Nothing has been stripped of you," Ivan pulled her back, and his fingers reached to wipe her flowing tears away from the eyes he fell in love with. "Listen, your Father is still and will always be your Father, Maurice is your brother, and your Mother has always been your real Mother. You haven’t lost anything, and believe me when I say, relationships that aren’t always forged by blood turn out to be the strongest."

"You say these things, but I feel like nothing."

"Then be nothing, and watch me love you anyway." Ivan declared earnestly, and he leaned forward to kiss the lingering tears away from her lashes. Samantha’s eyes inadvertently closed at his tender display, and she found herself hugging him while her head returned to his chest. She felt a bit better when he continued to soothe her with his loving caresses.

"You’ll be fine." He murmured softly, "you’ve always been. This won’t change anything, don’t let it change you either. Okay?"

"Ivan?"

"Hmm?"

"If the Orb has an owner, and I’m the Orb... do you think my soulmate was never really my soulmate but my owner? Does that make me a demon?" Her tone was laced with worry, and she wanted to pull back from Ivan’s comforting hug, but he kept her in place.

"You’re overthinking it, lean on me till you feel better. We’ll figure this out together, my little lamb isn’t alone, remember that."

Samantha nodded against his chest before allowing herself to succumb to the homely feeling of his embrace.

Ivan devotedly stayed by her side till she felt better, and when his gaze drifted to the window, he could see the bouquet of flowers he had bought for her resting on the windowsill. The petals still looked fresh, with no sign wilting, and Ivan was impressed at how well his little lamb monitored the health of the flower he had given her.

When the bathroom door slid open, Samantha stepped out after drying her face with a towel. She had put on the elegant green dress Ivan bought for her during the blood moon, and she could see the way his eyes lit in surprise when she stepped out wearing it. Her small face still hinted at a bit of fatigue, but it was better than before.

"Is it too much?" Samantha asked Ivan when he continued to stare at her with ardor, "I... wanted to wear it for the journey back to the royal Palace. Maurice’s second match is today, and I...."

"You look beautiful," She heard him say, and her cheeks were tinted pink when he stood up from the bed to make his way towards where she stood. "In the past, I always wondered if angels walk on Earth, it was a question I asked my Mother once, now I wish she was alive to see the angel gracing my eyes with her presence."

He lifted her hand and dropped a tender kiss on her knuckles, and just that little action filled Samantha whole with inexplicable warmth, replacing her heavy heart with his endless affections for her.

"Shall we watch the people receive their stocks before leaving?"

"We can do that, but I also want to pay a visit to Amanda’s home before leaving." She informed Ivan, "I made a promise that I’d see her and her family before leaving, so I have to fulfill it. You could come with me."

"With a face like that, who am I to refuse?" He patted her head, "feeling better?"

"Yes... and you’re right." Samantha pressed her lips into a thin line before saying, "I shouldn’t let the letter change me from being what I always believe I am. I’m sure my Father wouldn’t want the same." Samantha took a deep breath before looking Ivan straight in the eyes.

"Is there a chance for me to give an answer to your proposal?"

"Hmm?" Ivan’s eyebrows furrowed questioningly, "Can you shed more light?"

"What if I... I mean, I... I’m ready to marry you."