Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 238: Working Together

Chapter 238: Working Together

Later in the day, when the celebration had come to an end, whilst the people already returned to their designated homes, as well as those staying in the Winged Palace as guests, Duncan remained in the piano room, his fingers making soft notes on the white keys, and when he subconsciously hit a note, the corner of his lips formed a smirk.

He automatically stopped playing when he heard the sounds of approaching footsteps, his ears twitching when the sound of those footfalls drew closer to his sanctuary.

When the door opened, he didn’t need to look in order to know it was Ivan who walked in, and his long, slender fingers, which rested on the keys of the Piano, moved away to rest on his legs. The vampire who had joined in simply grabbed a chair from the corner and came to sit beside him, and Ivan gazed at the Piano after settling himself beside the one who had specifically sent for him.

"You’re still into playing the Piano?" Ivan asked Duncan whose eyes moved to rest on him, and he replied sedately.

"It’s an addiction, but that information is irrelevant compared to what I have to tell you. I have something to show you, and I have a deal to make with you as well." He went straight to the point. Taking his hand inside his sleeve, he brought out the one-piece crystal, showing it to Ivan whose calm demeanor instinctively tensed at the sight.

"Where did you get that?" He asked Duncan, his hand already reaching to take it away from his grip, and Duncan let him do as he pleased. Ivan gazed at the crystal, and although he sensed no energy emanating from it, he knew this was a completely different one, as he still had the other two Crystals securely kept in his study chamber.

"A little boy nearly picked it up." He informed Ivan, "I had been there on time to take it away... or else, he would have faced the unfortunate crisis that came with toying with something so diablic, not to mention but a victim to the crystal’s manipulation. I tried looking into the memories concerning the one who held the gem last, I didn’t get a name, but I saw someone." He hinted, resting his chin on his knuckles, elbow propped on the smooth panel of his Piano.

Ivan’s head snapped to the side to look at the vampire who was gazing back at him. His eyes were filled with apprehension, then it momentarily darkened. "You saw someone? Who is it?"

"It wasn’t a familiar face, it appeared vague actually." Duncan admitted plainly before walking his index and middle-finger on the panel. "He was walking freely within your Palace, unnoticed, obscured. I can’t say it was a spirit, I would have seen it myself but whoever it was used a concealing spell to cloak his appearance. What’s more confusing, his black garment sparked fire, but he was unaffected."

"It’s a he?" Inquired Ivan, and Duncan answered with a simple nod of his head.

"What other enemies do you have out there?" Asked Duncan, "from what I saw, this person won’t be someone you can easily get rid off. He’s going to be a challenge so here’s this, I’ll help you try to discover the identity, and in return, you’ll help me find someone."

"Who?"

"She used to be a princess in my Kingdom, she was exiled before my Father made them experience the meaning of world domination. I heard she was sold off to someone in GreenHollow, but to whom? And where? I cannot tell."

"An exiled princess?" Ivan arched an eyebrow, "do you know her name?"

"Lucienne Devoir." Duncan answered. "I need your help in finding her, and in return, I will help you help you gain the identity of the one distributing these crystals. You know me, I am not one to offer propositions like this, but I trust that I can count on you to help me find the one I seek. Are you in? Or shall we part ways from here?"

"You have no wish to owe anything, you’re using the mastermind behind the crystal’s to your advantage, aren’t you?"

"Yes." Duncan showed no hesitation with his response, and that brought a smile to Ivan’s lips. It didn’t last as he suddenly thought of the figure Duncan claimed to have seen– wearing a burnt garment? Ivan found it eerily odd, and his mind subconsciously thought of one being... though it was merely a guess, but he hoped he was wrong.

"That idea isn’t terrible, alright, I do not mind, your assistance will come in great handy but at the same time, I am worried for you." Ivan’s expression frowned with concern. "We both know how your Mother gets, and you are King now, helping me includes spending more time within my Palace... your Mother will not..."

"We both know she doesn’t need me." Duncan pointed it out, "she never did. I may be King but she gives out the orders in my Kingdom, and uses my weakness to keep me shut. I need to remind her that I am no longer under her wings, so don’t worry about her."

Duncan’s voice was laced with assurance, but Ivan didn’t want to believe it. Not because he didn’t want to, but he has heard about Duncan’s Mother’s condition. When he visited their Palace a year back, he realized she wasn’t treating Duncan really well, she was always stirred up by the littlest mistakes he made, and she never hesitated to punish him. He didn’t need to witness the Punishment, the scars were always evident on Duncan.

"Are you tapping into my memory? Don’t do that." Duncan’s admonishing voice snapped Ivan back to reality. Duncan was also great at reading facial expressions, that was if he paid attention to them. Duncan knew Ivan was thinking about the past, what he had witnessed, and he didn’t like that pitiful look he was seeing.

"We’ve agreed to help ourselves, so..." unexpectedly, a searing pain struck Duncan’s heart in the middle of his sentence. The rest of his words were stuck in his throat, whilst he painfully clutched his chest with his head bent low, a slight groan leaving his lips as the pain intensified.

"Duncan?"

"I’m fine." He raised a hand to stop Ivan from touching him, his head was still bent low, his hair obstructing his face from Ivan’s view. "I’m fine, you... you can leave now."

"Are you sure?"

"Focus on finding me the girl, I’m fine." Still, he didn’t move from his position, and Ivan didn’t fancy seeing him like this. Knowing how much Duncan loved his personal space, Ivan respected that and simply stood up to leave him in his sanctuary.

"I’ll send the butler to bring you something that’ll ease the pain." He said, looking at Duncan’s unmoved position one more time before leaving. When Duncan heard the door close shut, he slowly lifted his head, his face devoid of pain, but at the corner of his lips was trail of red liquid that ran down to his chin, and something dark flashed in his eyes.

—-

"The royal dressmakers are waiting in the boudoir for the royal Garb selection, please be ready so you can choose which of the materials you think will be the best for your wedding." The head maid informed Samantha who was busy getting dressed by no one else but Lucy.

The royal Garb selection, as Lucy already informed her earlier, is when a team of skilled tailors create a wardrobe of exquisite royal attires, including gown, headdresses and jewelry suitable for her new role. She had been nervous all through, but when Lucy decided to accompany her, it eased her heart to know that she will have someone to stay by her side.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Lucy had applied light make-up on her face, and her hair, which was wavy and long, had been styled into an updo. It accentuated her visuals– her golden-blonde hair had been treated with the best shampoo and oil, it made the color stand out, and her big, round eyes, they looked brighter, and sparkled with delight.

Samantha had never experienced this type of treatment in her entire life, she felt pampered, and he had not even married her yet. After their wedding, she wondered what will come next since he already has everyone bowing at her feet. Just thinking about it made her smile subconsciously at her own reflection.

"My future Queen, shall we move to the Royal Garb selection. You look so lovely! You’ve always looked beautiful but right now you are the definition of a subtle glam!" Lucy commented, making Samantha’s smile broaden.

"I can feel His Majesty’s love for you, sigh.. I’m so jealous."

"I heard there are going to be a few of the guests there," Samantha noted with great hesitancy, "what if someone.."

"I’ll be there with you, remember?" Lucy assured her, "look, the only reason you should ever lower your gaze to them is to show off your eyeshadows, cause they will trip. You’re so lucky, a perfect husband, now a friend whose multi-talented." Lucy self-praised, flipping her hair to the back.

Samantha had felt nervous, but the more she listened to Lucy speak, the better she became.

"Alright," Samantha rose to her feet, her dusty-rose colored gown flowing elegantly as she moved away from the dressing table and turned to face Lucy.

"I’m ready, take me to the Boudoir."