Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 53: Final Warning

Chapter 53: Final Warning

Claire’s question hung heavily in the air, a tense silence enveloping the still hallway as no one uttered a word. The friction felt so overwhelming that Samantha, who still hid herself behind one of the pillars, could feel the atmosphere change drastically, as if time itself had frozen, and she quickly covered her mouth before a loud gasp could escape.

The young woman could swear she had no intention of eavesdropping on their heated conversation. Whatever they argued about was clearly none of her problem or business whatsoever - she wished for them to take their argument elsewhere so she could leave, but that thought dropped when she heard Claire speak of the late Queen with no remorse, she shouldn’t be surprised, but she was, and to be frank, that vile statement affected her too.

The death of Ivan’s mother, Queen Mila was mourned by the people of EmptyHollow, according to them she had been a remarkable Queen who stayed true to her words. The Herald made mention of the Queen dying from some sort of sickness, Samantha could hardly recall the name as it had been a long time ago, but to think the Late Queen committed suicide??? Strangely, Samantha could not bring herself to believe it too!

Suicide was considered a disgraceful act by the kingdom itself. Anyone who commits this ignominious act would be denied their death rites as per the rules of the Kingdom. Reminding herself of the rules, it sounded strange that the ones who abhorred this dishonorable act were indulged in it.

"But.... How can it be?" She whispered to herself, her gentle eyebrows knitting puzzledly at the shocking revelation.

The heavy secrets that have been locked within the Palace walls were too much for her poor mind to keep record of. All the royals of the family were targeted, but Samantha found it ambiguous that only those who shared a deep relationship with Lord Ivan were killed, or committed suicide - whichever one it was, nothing about it felt explainably right.

She wondered how long until her visit to the orb room would remain a secret. Her blood on the pedestal hadn’t been detected yet, and she hoped it stayed that way.... forever.

Peeping once again, Samantha was more than ready to hear Ivan give that irritating hag a taste of her own medicine, but to her greatest shock, the Vampire Lord seemed to have mellowed as his clenched fist slowly unclenched beside him. The look in his eyes - she had caught a glimpse of the same sadness at the riverbank, and it lasted only for a fleeting moment cause in a nanosecond, he was smiling - the usual insane, cold smile that did an excellent job in concealing his real emotions.

Lord Ivan really is an epitome of control.

"This man! Why is he quiet?" Samantha whispered in a miff, completely oblivious to her own annoyance. She might not fancy the Vampire Lord, but that doesn’t mean she would watch him swallow all those derogatory comments concerning his family. She knew the feeling of losing a Mother, she understood Lord Ivan’s emotions to that extent, but being reminded of it and blamed in the worst way possible?? She wasn’t going to take that.

Unfortunately, she no longer has those Devil beans to suit her anger.

"Are you really smiling right now?! My God! Ivan?!" Claire could hardly believe her eyes as she took a step back from him, "for once, can you take off that emotionless facade and show some hint of humanity? Aren’t you the least bothered that you keep losing the people that matter to you? Your Mother? Father? And Grandmother? Who’s next? Is it me? Or Uncle Abdiel?"

The Vampiress who spoke with clear indignation, was hoping to shake some regrets, or even a hint of weakness out of the stubborn Vampire who calmly listened with not a single retort from him. His gaze was stupefyingly unwavering, crimson eyes betraying no hint of emotion, and when she still got nothing, she snorted bitterly as if she was just realizing the man who stood in front of her was no longer her naive brother who would sit in a corner and cry his eyes out.

"You’re not Ivan, you’re a cold, heartless--"

"Claire..." Ivan finally opened his mouth to speak, but he rubbed his temples as if to erase an incoming headache before saying, "I’ve listened to your aspersions, your indignities, your... lovely commentaries, but unfortunately, it’s just not working." He asserted, sounding totally disappointed since he had wasted his precious time, thinking she would deliver something new today.

"I gave you a chance to speak, and it gave me a headache. Not a wise decision on my path but I need you to answer this."

Shoving both his hands in his trouser pocket, a predatory stillness fell upon the Lordly figure as he closed the distance between them, his steps silent but purposeful on the tiled floor. There was only a mere inch’s distance between them, and then he asked plainly, "Why should I apologize for being what I am? No one ever apologized for making me this way, remember?"

When he cocked his head at her, the cynical smile on his lips suddenly fell without warning. "My demons are very quiet, very very quiet, but as calm as they may be, they wait for a reason to wake. You’re in a pathetic state of mourning, sister, so don’t push me further." He tapped her cheeks lightly, jolting her from her petrified state, and that wicked smile on his lips returned. "Consider this your final warning."

Completely dumbfounded by his composed reaction, Claire stared at him in sheer disbelief. She had witnessed Ivan’s lethal prowess a dozen times, it was nothing new to her, but... but this was something entirely different - that lunacy she saw in his eyes, it frightened her.

"Are you... threatening me?"

"Whichever one makes you sleep better at night." Came his subtle response, and then he walked past her.

"Ivan!" Enraged by his audacity, she called him back, but her breath hitched in fear when Ivan raised his hand as if he wanted to hit her, and she instinctively looked away, already expecting the slap she was sure would land on her face, but when she felt nothing, she slowly looked at him to see him swatting away invisible flies.

"I should keep a bug repellent with me, they can’t seem to leave me alone." Clicking his tongue, he looked at his sister knowingly before turning around and leaving. This time, Claire dared not approach him.

Samantha, who had been listening with a smile, completely hid herself when Ivan made his way past the hallway, and her gaze followed his prideful back until he turned towards a corner and was out of sight. Claire had already left at that time, taking a different route.

Surveying the area and confirming the coast was clear for her to leave, Samantha quietly stepped away from the pillar. Taking a deep breath, she was about to continue down the hallway when she heard a voice speak behind her.

"Little Lamb’s truly do follow their owners wherever they go." He tsked.

Samantha’s footfalls ceased when she heard the familiar voice call her by that annoying nickname, and her heart stopped beating. Slowly turning around, her gaze landed on Ivan who never really left. He approached where she stood, and Samantha immediately bowed her head in shame.

"What are you--?"

"I promise I didn’t hear anything on purpose. I only wanted to go see a fellow servant but I saw Princess Claire and decided to hide so she could leave but then you appeared and I couldn’t run away. I never intended to listen, please don’t hurt me or send me to the punishment room!!" She explained in one breath and squeezed her eyes shut.

"Is everyone trying to get on my nerves today?" Ivan muttered, scowling at the young woman who kept her gaze fixed to the floor. "When did I say--?"

"Lord Ivan." The butler once again approached Ivan with his head bowed. "The royal physician is here, and he wants to see you privately."