Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 234: Wedding Invitation Card

Chapter 234: Wedding Invitation Card

Arriving at the spacious drawing room, the ornate double doors were pushed open, revealing the young royal couple as they stepped in. The room, which was dimly-lit by candelabras, exuded an air of timeless grandeur, whilst the curtains were kept closed to avoid drawing any unnecessary attention from outside.

The couple’s presence brought an unusual warmth to the otherwise austere space, and their gaze were instantly fixed on the beautifully regal woman who was also present.

Seated in one of the plush armchairs was Queen Lucinda, her piercing blue eyes, softening into affection at the sight of her nephew and his beloved. Not much to their surprise, she held two wedding invitation cards in her delicate, yet commanding hands.

"Good you two are here, I was just about to send another one of my guards to retrieve you both. Have a look at these." With her expression soft, but thoughtful, Lucinda presented the cards to the couple. She stretched the cards forth for either of them to receive, and Ivan took both before handing one of the cards to Samantha.

In his hand was the first invitation card that visioned a classic elegance; it featured shades of pale green and pure white. The card was made from the finest vellum, with gold embossed lettering. Delicate vines and roses, which symbolized the meaning of eternal love, were adorned at each corner of the invitation card.

However, the second invitation in Sam’s hand, was a regnant of green and black, with the royal emblem emblazoned in gold foil at the center. The emblem, now a majestic shade of the half moon, intertwined with roses, spoke of power, heritage, strength. The black background, to what they believed, symbolized their journey through the darkness, and the green– the hope that love had brought them.

"As you can see, these invitation cards are exquisite works of art, made by the best graphic designer not many are aware of." She said, her tone firm, but amicable to the ears. "Each invitation represents different aspects of their love and the Kingdom’s legacy. In my opinion, I think the card that was coated predominantly with a green and black will fit in just fine. But... more than a three hundred-year-old vampire thinks that the other card suits best. I am not saying the other card is terrible, but we need better, the best of the best. Surely Vesunard is known for their high etiquette training, your Mother always told me about them so why is he refusing to see things from my point of view?"

"They are just colors on paper, Queen Lucinda." Viktor’s dull voice reached the ears of Ivan and Sam, whilst they turned their heads to see the vampire Lord approaching them from the main door. Lately, Viktor and his Aunt seemed to be wedging a battle that he did not understand, it wasn’t his business either, but the least he wanted from the two of them was to make his wedding invitation card become their next target.

"My dears," ignoring Viktor who had moved to stand by the window, she continued with the same thoughtful-looking demeanor, "the two of us can’t decide which is better. Each card perfectly reflects a different facet of your love and roles in the kingdom. Which one speaks to your heart? Which one shall we choose?"

At her question, Samantha and Ivan exchanged a knowing glance, already aware of the fact that they needn’t debate as they were thinking the same thing. Intertwining her hand with that of Ivan’s, she spoke gently as she said,

"we’re drawn to the card with the royal emblem, the green and black."

The corner of Lucinda’s stiff lips tilted into a smile, and Samantha continued. "I think I understand why Aunt Lucinda chose the green and black card as well. The green and white are as lovely as the green and black, but the green and black represents not only our love, but our commitment to this Kingdom. The journey we’ve shared... It kind of tells our story."

"How can so much meaning be found in a– nevermind, I’m not saying anything else." Was Viktor’s witty remark, but Queen Lucinda was pleased with their choice, her blue eyes filled with approval.

"So be it." She said, her voice firm but warm. "The green and black with the royal emblem it shall be. This wedding shall be a unity of strength, acceptance, add whatever you can think of to the list. I’ll assign the graphic designer to have more of this specific design made and sent out. The people of Vesunard wouldn’t want to miss the wedding of their King and Queen, they will receive a letter as well."

While that has been settled, Ivan and Samantha exited the drawing room, and as they made their way through the Persian rugged path, Samantha subconsciously squeezed Ivan’s palm in her own.

"This feels... I don’t... want to wake up from this dream." She murmured in a breath, but Ivan had already stopped walking, and that made the anxious woman pause to her surprise, as their hands were still entwined. Meeting his crimson orbs that seemed to read her without her having to utter a word, she felt him pull her close till she was standing an inch away from him, and for a moment, it felt as if time had stopped, except for the sound of her palpitating heartbeat reverberating in her ear.

"Ivan..." she began hesitantly, "what if someday we go to sleep, open our eyes and realize that none of this actually happened. What if we wake up to face reality? Would you still...look for me?" She inquired with big, glistening, emerald green eyes delving right into his crimson ones.

"They say one searches for something only after they are lost. I don’t think I belong to that category, cause everything in my life has led me to you " The familiar warmth in his tone made her heart ease, and when she felt his other hand on the side of her cheek, cupping it, she overlapped his hand with her own.

"My heartbreak, my choices, the deeds I’ve committed, everything I’ve ever done wrongly. I used to hate them, I still do, but... whenever I’m with you, my past seemed worth it. Maybe if I had done things differently, if I didn’t act the way I did, I might never have met you." He wasn’t trying to defend his past in the slightest, he wasn’t proud of it talk more about bringing it up, but looking at the bigger picture, and how his life eventually turned out for the better– if he didn’t make those mistakes and wrong choices, he never would have found the woman who was capable of bringing him this amount of happiness.

As though she heard his inner thoughts, Samantha’s arm linked around his neck. She stood on her toes and planted a kiss on his lips, watching his eyes widen in surprise.

"I’m forever with you." She said, sounding genuinely earnest about it. "No matter what’s in your mind, I’ll always be here, and that’s because I love you."

"Are you seriously trying to rip my heart in two? Come here." And he claimed her lips in the empty hallway, eyes closed, bodies glued. There was a different fire surging with his kiss, and as always, it had a way of melting every part of her– she could see colors! When he pulled back, he peppered her throat with more kisses, and it had Samantha giggling out as she pulled him back so he could look at her.

"We are in the hallway, someone might come." She whispered, stopping him before they escalate matters that would become beyond their control, but what Samantha didn’t anticipate for was to be effortlessly swept off her feet in princess style.

"There are more than enough rooms to accommodate our needs." He winked and took her up the stairs.

When they made it to his room, he dismissed every servant from the corridor. Taking his little lamb inside, he carefully dropped her down before going back to the door to lock it. When he turned around to look at the lovely woman who had painted his dark world bright, there was a surge of maddening need that wanted to make her his in all ways possible.

"Little Lamb, come to Master."

"And if I refuse?"

"Not bad. I’ll take you over my knee until you do." He closed the distance between them with a solid promise.