Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 88: Queen Carina

Chapter 88: Queen Carina

The ride back to the Royal Chevalier Palace had been a slow, but peaceful one.

Flustered at the thought of being on the same steed with Lord Ivan, Samantha realized how much he had kept to his promises regarding finding her if she ever escaped. Not once, not twice, but three times he had fulfilled the promise he made to her and himself, but now that she could think with a clear head, Samantha wondered what use he really saw in her to keep coming for her over and over again, despite her many attempts to escape from his clutches, he always found her.

She was unwanted, yet he wanted her.

"Little Lamb."

"Hmm?" The sound of his magnetic voice calling her name so gently had made a pink hue form on her cheeks, whilst her anxious grip on Blaze’s reins subconsciously tightened. She needed her racing heart to stay calm, she needed to breathe, but what the vampire Lord did next only made things worse as his own bigger hands gently covered her delicate dainty hands, giving them the appearance of a couple riding a horse together - a sudden warmth ran through her arms when she felt his fingers loosening her tight grip on the reins.

"Loosen your grip a little, or else Blaze might get the wrong message." He instructed, and when he felt her grip loosen, that didn’t stop him from holding her hand, and then he said. "Do you know how to ride a horse? If you did, then you’d know by now that Blaze is more of an emotional sponge, he reacts uncannily once he senses fear, anxiety, or even.... The racing heartbeat of a particular lamb." His whispering tone turned sultry upon uttering the last sentence, almost honeyed, and Samantha’s eyes widened when she knew he was referring to her, whilst the tip of her ears flushed pink at his teasing.

Samantha quickly withdrew her hands from the reins and defended. "I....My heart is beating just fine. I think you’re giving yourself too much credit, Lord Ivan."

"Is that so?" An amused smile she could not see graced his lips as he enjoyed her flustered reaction, but he made no further comment as they continued to ride down the hill. The morning weather seemed to be more favorable than the harsh chilly weather of the night, and it made Samantha wonder if the vampire Lord was in a good mood because of it.

It was quite obvious that he was enjoying his free time outside the Palace to think of returning, whilst Samantha found herself enjoying it too as the cool breeze felt refreshing against her skin. To avoid running into any passengers that might recognize him as the prince, Ivan had decided they take the longer route back since it was more desolate, she knew it was just his excuse so he could spend longer time outside, and as expected they engaged in their usual argumentative conversation till they made it back to the Palace.

Unbeknownst to them, someone had trailed them all the way and wisely retreated when they neared the Palace.

When the tall gates opened so his Midnight-black steed could take him in, Ivan’s crimson gaze caught sight of Ivy who had been pacing back and forth at the entrance way, but she had stopped on her heels after sighting Ivan on his steed. Breathing out in relief to see he had returned safely, the princess made her way to Ivan who had dismounted from Blaze, and was carefully helping his little lamb get down as well.

"Ivan." Hardly noticing the blonde-haired lady beside him, Ivy had reached for Ivan as her hands cupped his cheeks in her palm, and the worries in her brown eyes reflected upon his own as she scanned him from head to toe. "Are you alright? Thank goodness you’re back! Why did you leave without informing anyone about it? I’m talking about the moon ceremony." She elaborated when he gazed at her like he had no idea what she was talking about, and the princess sighed in relief as her shoulders finally relaxed, and then she said.

"Everyone was worried about your sudden disappearance last night. I was so worried I had to come here to confirm if you were fine or not, but I was told by the butler that you had stepped out with no guards." The princess kept complaining, not minding the fact that they were guards and servants who could hear her clearly, whilst the servants exchanged knowing looks at the sudden display of affection before composing themselves.

Samantha on the other hand blinked in pure amazement as she watched the worried woman rant on to someone like Ivan. Samantha could almost feel sorry for her heart because from Lord Ivan’s expression, he looked like a young child listening to a foreign language that sounded unfamiliar to his ears, as if he was having a hard time processing that the young woman in front of him was clearly worried about his safety and was pouring her emotions out.

"Please, you do not have to worry anymore since he is back, His Lordship can’t sustain any harm."

Samantha assured Ivy who inadvertently looked in her direction, and only then did the princess take notice of the maid that was standing beside Ivan. The worry in her brown eyes was instantly replaced with repugnance as she eyed the familiar black cloak that was wrapped around the servant’s body, knowing very well that it belonged to Ivan, and for some reason, it sent a sharp sting in her heart to see one of Ivan’s properties being worn by another woman.

’Why would he give his royal cloak to a common servant?’ thought Ivy whose eyebrows failed to hide her frown.

It took a second for Samantha to realize that she was looking at a princess straight in the eye. Alarmed by her own actions when the princess glared at her, Samantha immediately bowed her head to greet the princess.

"Forgive my manners, I didn’t know you were–"

"Can I have a word with you, Ivan?" Rudely averting her gaze and ignoring Samantha’s apology like she wasn’t worth a glance of her time, Ivy turned her concerned attention to Ivan before adding. "In private? It’s very important that I speak with you, urgently."

"I’m afraid that’s going to have to wait," Ivan, who noticed how she had disregarded his little lamb for no good reason, also decided to turn down her request, which of course, appalled Ivy since he has never done such a thing before. "As you can see, I had a long night and I am in no condition to listen to anyone. We can talk when I’m in a better state to indulge in conversations with you, for now, kindly excuse me - I mean us." Turning his attention to Sam and barely showing any appreciation to the princess who had been waiting for him, he gestured for Samantha to walk ahead while he followed behind.

"Did he just.... refuse?" Standing alone at the entrance, Ivy could barely believe it as she scowled with a sneer. His actions not only shocked her, but the passing servants who immediately hurried by.

"Did he do this for that servant??" Ivy thought to herself in wonder, but then it sounded impossible that he would ignore her for a servant, maybe he was just tired like he had said, but still, she was curious to know how he was going to handle the situation since there’s now another presence in the Palace that could threaten his position as crowned Prince.

Heaving a deep breath, she stepped into the Palace as well.

Ivan and Samantha made it past the familiar vestibules and we’re presently approaching the double doors that would lead them to the main hall.

Samantha, who noticed the way the princess had looked at her with repulsion felt a little disheartened by it. Did she do something to unknowingly anger the princess? Was it because she looked at her straight in the eyes as it was considered a rude action? But she didn’t know at that time that she was a princess, the princess should also be more understanding.

"What are you thinking about?" Ivan questioned his little lamb after noticing how quiet she had become, and the way her shoulders dropped with her lips bent slightly down, he knew she was either sad or upset about something again.

"The princess... I get the feeling she doesn’t like me." Samantha revealed her thoughts as she knew Ivan must have sensed it too, and then she sighed as if trying to clear off the gloomy air, but then her chuckle came out sad. "I shouldn’t be surprised if that turns out to be the case, it’s not a new feeling anyway."

"Little Lamb, what others think of you should not matter, if it is mutual or not." Ivan simply asserted as he stopped in his tracks to look at her. "It’s normal for people to hate, it’s also normal for people to not hate, but you’re the only one who gets to determine how it affects you, and that is something you’re yet to gain control of. Perchance, you stop hating yourself first, the assumptions of what others think of you will become insignificant. Don’t forget that."

Samantha listened to his advice with a look of surprise in her eyes. "How...did you know I hate myself?"

"You couldn’t stop calling yourself names, it was rather obvious." Ivan blatantly stated before letting out a weary sigh and meeting her doe eyes. "And your tears - they revealed more than they should have." Ivan was uncomfortable to even bring it up, it disturbed him to see her like that, and he hoped it would be last.

"I’m..."

"Apologize again and I will set your tongue on fire."

"Harsh!" Samantha’s hand flew to her mouth at his empty threat, but then she noticed the small smile on his lips before he looked away from her.

"Come on." He walked ahead, and Samantha followed behind, still staying cautious of this dangerous man. When the double door opened and they both entered the grand hall together, Ivan suddenly halted at the entrance when his eyes fell upon a familiar Vampiress, and they widened slightly in shock.

The Vampiress who was busy eating a red grape had paused when Ivan’s figure emerged from the double doors, and her hazel eyes lit up at the sight of him, as though she had been expecting him. The sheer prideful air surrounding her made it clear regarding who was ready to take control, whilst Ivan’s eyes narrowed in surprise and apprehension.

"Carina?"

"Ah, Lord Ivan." Queen Carina purred as she rose from where she sat, and her tone was laced with a self-assured confidence as she proceeded to say, "how delightful of you to finally grace me with your presence when it was meant to be the other way round. I trust your endeavors on the council were suitably... enlightening?"