Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 242: Away For Seven Days

Chapter 242: Away For Seven Days

After exiting the room, Maurice and his sister strolled in the same direction, their footsteps echoing softly on the tiled floor, seemingly enjoying the quiescence of the brightened environment. Wherever they passed, the flowers in the giant vase bloomed brilliantly, growing tremendously bigger than their actual size, and it stunned the maids who were busy mopping that particular passageway.

When they took a walk in the courtyard, nature became evident as the flowers and trees came to life, and since they were nearing Autumn, the sight of the trees still fresh and flowers blooming surprised Maurice– the look in his eyes made his reaction evident. Getting used to experiencing this type of nature might take time, but he wondered how they worked despite having his sister not lift a finger.

"I cannot stop them." Samantha answered as though she could read his mind. "I am not familiar with the depths of my powers, not yet, but when I get too happy or over excited, this happens, and they are beyond my control. It’s like I sprinkled my life essence on them, and they become... bigger!" She exclaimed as they stopped at the little bridge that had water flowing beneath it.

"It’s actually impressive, I wish I had powers to control stuff, you know... I would hardly get out of bed." He fantasized, "if I get thirsty I’ll simply use one of these vines and boom! It brings me a cup of water, or if I have to pick out clothes and other related stuff I’ll just use the vines. They are good at transporting people. I mean who needs carriages when you have such powerful vines that can hoist you mid-air and take you wherever you want. I think I understand why I don’t have one now, I’d be freaking lazy." He joked, and Samantha nudged his arm playfully before fixing her gaze on the stars above.

The night had darkened into a shade of midnight blue, and twinkling stars adorned themselves up there. The moon was shaped like a white crescent above the heavens, neatly curved, and Samantha subconsciously pressed the symbol on the necklace to her skin. She recollected how Ivan had symbolized their love using the moon and star– his enchanting voice in her head, and his words repeatedly echoing in her mind like a favorite melody, made her blush uncontrollably.

"Hey, I was thinking..." Maurice casted his sister a side glance as he said, "I... want to be among the new recruits leaving for the borders with Helena. I thought about it and came to the conclusion.. What’s the use of winning if I can’t join them? I want to go with them after the wedding. I’ve made a couple of friends who are of advantage to me, and Prince Alistair thinks I made a good choice by choosing to develop my strength."

"Oh, but If you’ve decided to go then, what do you intend to use your wish for? Inquired Samantha who had turned her whole body to look at him, her eyes a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "Have you made use of your wish already?"

"Ahhh... no, not yet." He shook his head while rubbing the back of his head, "but I’ve decided what I want to use it for. I can’t free Caddel from the dungeon even if I want to, it is a wish I feel His Majesty would not approve of, so I’ve decided to make a request that he allows Caddel to come with us to the border. It’s because of him that I’m alive, and I feel I owe him this much. I’ve tried visiting him many times but... the guards at the dungeon are scary to talk to."

He shuddered at the remembrance of his many attempts. Shaking his head to clear those thoughts away, he looked at his sister whose gentle eyebrows hung low with concern, and he knew that look.

"If you don’t want me to–"

"If you have thought about it, then I have no reason to stop you." Samantha answered back, her expression morphing into an understanding smile, to Maurice’s quick delight. "It’s your life, and no one can dictate to you how you wish to live it. The least I can offer you is my support, and I know you’ll be safe. I watched how you handled your teammates pretty well, including those terrifying monsters... I am never watching you get into trouble like that again. I immediately felt better when Ivan told me the portal wasn’t real."

"Wait, w.. what?!!" Maurice’s eyes snapped wide at his sister, then it narrowed into a questioning slit, "what... What did you say? You’re not trying to tell me that everything I went through is–"

"Yes dear? My child is calling me. I have to go." Samantha immediately tried to flee from the courtyard, leaving an awestruck Maurice to ponder on her excuse.

"But you have no child! Samantha Dufort! Get back here! What did you say isn’t real?" And he followed her.

Unbeknownst to the both of them, a figure stood beside a pillar, unhidden, watching them. When Maurice approached the figure, he walked right through the being, as though he were a ghost. The figure turned around to see Maurice’s back exit the courtyard, and the corner of his lips pulled into a smile, then he vanished, leaving behind black smokes that infiltrated the courtyard.

—-

When Ivan met with Abdiel and his Aunt Lucinda in the grand dining that was hardly used, they had been pressuring him concerning how to behave and the list of rituals he would have to participate in. Shockingly, one of those rituals included not seeing his lovely wife until the day of his wedding.

"Is this some kind of joke?" He questioned his Aunt who shook her head firmly, and she notably said.

"Your Mother had to stay twenty eight days without seeing her groom. We don’t want you to eat the kingdom, I sensed your disapproval coming so we suggested lowering it to a week, as your wedding is happening seven days from now. It is only a week Ivan, don’t give me that look."

She reprimanded the vampire whose glaring eyes were penetrating her icy skin. He was presently glaring as though she had heartlessly snatched away his favorite toy. However, there was absolutely nothing she could do as they had to adhere to the traditions.

"So when is she leaving..."

"Tonight, we’ll be leaving tonight. She’ll be staying with me, in my Kingdom, and she’ll get ready there too." Lucinda plainly dropped, and although she couldn’t risk showing it, she was enjoying how the expression on his face changed, and he quickly glanced at Abdiel for backup.

"Uncle, you really can’t be quiet about this. I’m about to be robbed of my happiness and you’re just staring? She’s trying to steal my bride from me."

"It’s part of the tradition." Abdiel explained in a few words, to Ivan’s dismay. He turned his head to Lucinda who had risen from her seat.

"I have sent the servants to gather the necessary things she would need, don’t worry, you will get your bride after a week."

"Can’t I change it? Aren’t traditions as flexible as the rules?

"Not this one. Like I said before, it’s part of the tradition. Everyone knows this."

"It’s part of the tradition," he secretly mimicked his Aunt, and rolled his eyes in displeasure, "dumb tradition. Who the hell invented these traditions anyway. Why in Heaven’s name would someone come up with a stupid tradition to separate two lovers before their wedding day?"

"Stop being dramatic, what will people say if you’re caught acting like a child? I must take my leave now so we don’t journey all through the night."

"Aunt, you cannot do this to me, I need her, I need her everyday. I will die within this one week of her absence, how about a compromise?"

"No." Lucinda clipped defiantly, and that made Ivan slam his fists on the table, his frustration taking over.

"Come on!"

"I do not trust you, at this point you can break into my Kingdom to take her away. I shall multiply my guards so you won’t invade my Palace. If I see you there I will keep her with me for a Month, you won’t see a glimpse of her, now that’s a compromise."

Proudly tilting her chin up, Lucinda exited the chamber to go get Samantha.

"Is she really doing this to me?"