Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 89: His Bride

Chapter 89: His Bride

The tension in the room had escalated quickly when everyone of the Royal Chevalier family presented themselves in the grand hall. Ivy stood beside Claire who had a winning smirk displaying on her red lips, her crimson eyes gleamed with delight as she watched her Mother speak with Ivan who had halted at the entrance, seemingly surprised and alarmed, but that smile on her lips didn’t last upon sighting the green-eyed maiden with him, whilst her folded arms dropped in sheer disappointment.

Wasn’t she supposed to be dead?! ’That puny girl!’ Claire silently cursed.

Tobias and Alistair stood at the top of the stairs, watching everything below with an interesting gaze. Tobias’s calculative eyes narrowed with intent as he studied the action that would befall on everyone present, while his brother, Alistair, just smiled as he felt the air crackle with anticipation, as if the very air held its own breath.

Abdiel and his wife stood at the left side of the hall close to the pillars, and one could see the visible worry in their gazes as they shared a look before returning it back to the frozen Ivan. They were both anxious because no one was aware of Carina’s sudden return, and overnight? That alone was enough to raise suspicioun and doubts within the minds of everyone.

Queen Carina was a vision of elegance and power, her features were always striking, and there was nothing about her physical appearance that has changed after her years of leaving EmptyHollow. Her long flowing chocolate-brown hair cascaded down her back, shimmering with an otherworldly sheen. Her almond shaped eyes gleamed with an intense yellowish-brown hue, and despite her beauty, not many were bold enough to meet such intimidating eyes that commanded authority, yet deceitfully cunning in everyway.

Elegantly dressed in a flowing gown of deep scarlet, her slender figure seemed to effortlessly command attention, and she looked nothing like a woman who had birthed four adult children. If one didn’t know, they would assume she was in her late twenties, but she was just lucky to have stopped aging during her younger years, and still, not even her charms were able to win his Father’s heart.

Queen Carina, who noticed the hostility in Ivan’s gaze couldn’t help but feel she had accomplished one side of her plan. Her voice carried a hint of smugness as she spoke, her words dripping with condensation.

"Did you miss me my dear?"

"Like a plague." Ivan retorted through gritted teeths, but Queen Carina, although offended by his silver tongue, flashed him a tight-lipped smile while folding her arms.

"I see. You seem to have taken a liking to my absence, but what a pity now that I am back. Won’t you ask about your brothers? They made sure to send their greetings from Vesunard and they will be returning soon with the evidence. As for you my dear, you should start bidding the throne goodbye once they return, cause you won’t be needing it." She came to stand in front of him before proceeding to say. "I’ve heard of your achievements so far, I was so proud of you, I mean, you were such a lowly human in the eyes of every vampire council, you had your nose stuck to those books but look at you now? Your Mother must be as proud as I am."

"It will be best if we do not overstep boundaries Carina." Agathe, who had been good friends with the late Queen Silvia stepped forward to speak. "You just got back after making a long journey from Vesunard, all of this can be discussed later in the day, there are matters that need to be dealt with as of presently."

"What other matters could be more urgent than the ones I have to say?" Carina inquired from Agathe, "when my son’s title was stolen all those years ago, no one found it urgent, did they?"

Samantha, who watched what was happening, was unsure of if she should be here to listen. She wanted to excuse herself by taking permission from Ivan, but looking at him now, his demeanor had changed, and she could see his rage simmered beneath the surface, whilst his hands curled into fist at his side, and his gaze hardened. It was obvious Queen Carina was trying to get on his nerves, and the subtle smile that curved her crimson lips already proved enough.

"Carina." Calling her by her name and returning her smile, Ivan proceeded to ask. "I trust you have a good reason for wanting to let your sons usurp my role in the Palace, but we can discuss that later, can we? However, it is a shame they aren’t here though, but it is not too late, I can still plan a grand welcoming for my brothers since they were kind enough to send their concerns."

"Oh Ivan my dear." Queen Carina’s laughter echoed within the hall premises as she returned her attention back to him, "you’ve always been content playing second fiddle, haven’t you? But I couldn’t help myself; the Palace practically begged for a ruler who knows how to wield power, and that role is destined to be Eamon’s."

The Vampire Queen’s eyes then narrowed, her gaze piercing into Ivan’s soul. "We’ve let you have your way, and you have done well, being a second pet for your brother of course, but it is time for a change. The days of your feeble ruling are going to be over soon." She hissed, her voice dripping with malice.

"The people of this kingdom deserve a leader who can inspire fear and respect, not someone who cowers in the shadows like a coward." The proudness in her tone made Ivan want to snap it if he could, but he knew her intentions, and so he wasn’t going to give her that satisfaction.

"Coward you say? While this coward fought wars and tried to handle the missing orb situation, where were the ’leaders’ you speak of if I may ask?" Ivan simply inquired, his tone icy and his gaze steely, "EmptyHollow was running out of food supplies, the lands were no longer fertile, people were starving, the officials ’your sons’ had kept in charge of each village were robbing the people of their resources, and while this coward was working day and night to make sure everyone was able to handle the fucking situation, where were these leaders? Huh? Having a good time in Vesunard and then they wake up one morning on the wrong side of the bed wanting to take the throne?"

Ivan let out a scoff before asserting clearly. "That isn’t how it works, Carina."

"Don’t disrespect my Mother." Claire intervened, finding Ivan’s tone to be uncalled for. "Know your place, that is the Queen you’re speaking to."

"Say that again and I’ll pluck out your eyeballs and eat them like olives off my fingertips." Ivan dared Claire who immediately sealed her lips, and Carina frowned at his audacity to threaten her child in front of her.

"You said you want be King? How are you going to do that if you don’t have a bride, hmmn?"

"Indeed I don’t." Ivan tsked as if reminded of the rules, and that reaction would have assured Carina if he wasn’t suddenly smiling in an impish manner, and he cocked his head intimidatingly to the side.

"Or do I?"

"Huh?"

Claire’s eyes widened at that phrase, same with Ivy who had frozen upon hearing that statement.

"You have?"

"Yes."

Samantha, who had remained invisible since the conversation started, could feel her nerves kick in when Ivan suddenly held her hand, interlacing their fingers together for everyone to see.

"She is my bride."

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