Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 45: Poison....?

Chapter 45: Poison....?

Halting at her steps, Samantha’s trembling fingers nervously gripped the edges of her baggy breeches, and the panicked woman failed to make up her mind on whether to stay put or just take the risk and run for her dear life. Her mind was presently a strewed piece, and in the end, she couldn’t move a single step, whilst she remained rooted to her spot like a tree.

With the Courtier coming to stand in front of her, Samantha’s heart palpitated in fear. The Courtier’s stern expression as he looked at her from head to toe made Samantha gulp softly, and she was reminded that she looked nothing like a woman in this disguise, and that included she played her part well to avoid being caught. Lowering her head, she bowed at the Courtier who’s penetrating gaze continued to pierce through the walls of her skin.

"What are you doing here?!" He asked with a tinge of alarm and anger raised in his voice, the harshness of his tone sent multiples of shivers down Samantha’s spine, but she tried her best to stay impossibly still. It was quite normal for him to get suspicious and wary when someone had caught him handing gold coins to a royal subordinate who clearly wasn’t worth all that gold coins, he was probably making sure she didn’t listen to their conversation.

"Can’t you speak!"

He raised his voice that sounded like thunder clapping in her ears, and Samantha immediately made a zip motion to her lips, not daring to make eye contact with him. As frightened as she was by the hostility that emitted from this man, Samantha refused to reveal her fears since Vampires have a special sense for noticing things like that, and her fears could easily reveal what he needed to know.

"What are you doing?" When he raised an enquiring eyebrow in slight confusion at her gesticulation, Samantha came up with an idea and wisely motioned with her hands, claiming to have the inability to speak.

"You..... cannot speak?" The Courtier asked, stunned, and Samantha nodded her head, whilst trying not to sell out her expression. The man’s unbelievable gaze lingered on her for a few minutes, as if silently trying to make up his mind on something, and when he came to a conclusion, he said, but more firmly this time around.

"Everyone else has gone to make preparations for the feast. I have never seen you before, so I must warn, rather than lingering in places you are not meant to be, I suggest you carry on and pretend you’re blind as well. Am I making sense?" The silent warning in his eyes didn’t go unnoticed.

Samantha immediately nodded her head. Noticing the tremor in the subordinates’ body language, the Courtier straightened up his shoulders and cleared his throat.

"You may leave."

Bowing her head gratefully, Samantha quickly walked past the Courtier. With her shoulders squared, she tried to make it past the bushy path till she was out of sight to the Courtier’s gaze, thanking the heavens and deity for sparing her life the fourth time.

The Courtier watched the strange subordinate leave until he was out of sight, and then his straight eyebrows marred into a frown. He would have killed the low rank subordinate if he wasn’t reminded at the last minute that the subordinate belonged to Lord Ivan. Killing him will only stir up more problems in his path, and it could ruin his perfect plan for tonight. Since the subordinate was someone close to Lord Ivan, and was one who clearly could not speak, that makes him a better pawn in helping him accomplish his goal.

"Not bad."

Smiling roguishly at the malicious thought that crept into his head, he walked away with his hands folded behind his back, taking a different route.

Samantha on the other hand, had taken to her heels the instant she was out of sight from the intimidating Courtier who threatened her. Not focusing on the path ahead of her, her small body collided with a bigger one, which led to Samantha stumbling back and falling to the ground, landing on her bottom.

"Aiish..!!" She hissed and groaned in frustration, silently cursing at whoever made her fall on her innocent bottom.

Looking up, the white-haired Vampire tilted his head at her, his crimson eyes glinting with visible disinterest as the sun rays casted upon him.

"Prince Tobias!" Shocked by his presence, Samantha blurted out his name without giving her actions a second thought. Realizing her mistake after the deed had been done, she involuntarily slapped her mouth with her palm. Her emerald green eyes held an unwavering panic as she sounded like her feminine self when mentioning his name.

"Is the ground that comfortable?" Tobias simply asked, drawing Samantha’s attention back to him. To her unexpected surprise, he kind-heartedly stretched out his hand for her to take.

"Get up, one can’t tell what roams underneath the surface of the earth, you could get bitten."

With her fear overshadowing her astonishment, she quickly reached for his hand with her own two hands, taking it as he pulled her to her feet. Dusting herself and getting rid of the sands, Samantha bowed her head gratefully at Tobias who didn’t smile, but he acknowledged her appreciation.

"Green eyes.... if he wanted to complete your disguise so badly, he should have hidden those eyes too." The Vampire prince revealed, and Samantha’s emerald eyes met his crimson orbs that lazily stared back. "Ivan is full of surprises, isn’t he?" He tched, as if aware of what his younger cousin was capable of doing.

Samantha barely knew how or what to say to him, but he continued. "I don’t know why he brought you here, or why he left you to yourself when he knows it’s dangerous, but if anything happens, don’t hesitate to tell him. He might not be King yet, but he sees everything." Came Tobias’s cryptic advice that only puzzled the servant whose head was still politely bowed.

"Think deeply about what I’ve said." And he walked away, leaving Samantha more confused and lost. Ivan knows everything???

The rest of the day went by with more successful hunting, and those who were interested in catching some fishes went to the river where they could trap the biggest fishes. Others continued with their hunts around the woods, and Samantha stole glances at Abdiel who watched his sons perform well in showing their skills and creativity. Meanwhile, Ivan was busy having a discussion with the Courtier who Samantha recognized to be the one that had threatened her.

When the Courtier looked in her direction, she averted her gaze and quietly went to stand beside Herbert, feeling much safer around him.

When night finally fell upon the forest, the moonlight bathed the open space in a luminescent glow as the crowned Prince, who was adorned in regal attire, sat at the head of a long, elegantly decorated table, surrounded by his fellow Princes and Courtiers. Behind him stood Samantha who watched everyone converse and enjoy the merriments of tonight’s feast.

The feast itself was a magnificent sight to behold, and Samantha’s delightful eyes scanned the arrays of sumptuous dishes and delicacies that glided across the table. Gilded serving platters proudly showcased an abundance of roasted meat, tantalizing fruits and vibrant vegetables.

The fragrant aroma of spices and herbs wafted through the warm night air, making Samantha’s mouth water, and she had to look away from the tempting sight.

Across the seat, Abdiel rose to his feet with his goblet filled with wine, and he announced. "I think this is one of the best feasts we’ve had since hunting in the forest of Vsylnia. It would be more remarkable if the future King of our land makes a toast to bless the night for everyone of us."

Abdiel’s gaze shifted to the solemn Ivan who immediately composed himself. By this time, Samantha had already left to go receive Ivan’s special drink from one of the servants. She returned later on and placed the golden goblet in front of Ivan.

Rising to his feet, Ivan picked up the golden goblet. He glanced at the richness of the wine before returning his gaze to everyone who was present for the feast.

"I, Lord Ivan...." He began, raising his goblet forward, "....makes a toast to another fulfilled day of hunting. As we’ve made great abundance and success since the beginning of today’s journey, it will not end here. When we return tomorrow, this success shall follow us all through our lives and to our various Kingdoms. Just as we do not lack anything tonight, our Kingdoms shall never lack."

"Amen brother! I will definitely make a toast to that." Alistair rose to his seat and went to clink his drink with Ivan’s, triggering happy laughter’s and everyone made a toast as they clinked glasses.

Samantha, who was happy to know that everything was going smoothly, smiled inwardly.

When Ivan raised his golden goblet so he could drink, Herbert immediately rushed forward, slapping the goblet off Ivan’s grip and causing a dead silence to outshine the merriment that was taking place.

Watching the golden goblet drop to the ground, Samantha’s eyes widened in shock when the content spilled on the earthly ground, and everyone, who was having a good time immediately rose to their feet, awestruck by Herbert’s action.

"Forgive me, My Lord." Herbert immediately apologized to Ivan who was currently glaring at him. "I had to stop you from drinking it before it’s too late."

"Herbert, can you explain your actions tonight or face the consequences?!" Abdiel strictly said to Herbert who kept his head lowered.

"Yes, Sire. The drink My Lord was about to consume was laced with poison. If His Highness had taken a sip of it, he would have been critically harmed." He revealed, earning shocks and gasps from everyone as they got up from their respective seats.

"Poison?!" Alistair’s frown deepened. "What do you mean poison??"