Kissing Hellfire: Marry Me, Evil Lord
Chapter 165: Under Glistening Lanterns

Chapter 165: Under Glistening Lanterns

"We have all kinds of masks! Choose whatever you want!"

The old merchant smiled widely at Alec and Lauren. At the back of his mind, the merchant thought that the couple must be from the main town since they were clad in expensive and distinguished clothes. As it wasn’t his business to be nosy, he chose to not pry. As long as people were willing to pay for his merchandise, it would be his pleasure.

"I want the white one. Give him the black," Lauren said and Alec took some coins from his pocket.

"White and black. What a good pair for a lovely couple! You have a good eye, milady. These will suit you and your lover."

"He is my husband," Lauren corrected which made Alec’s lips twitch.

"Oh! My bad," the merchant laughed aloud as he gave them the masks.

"Thank you. You make beautiful masks," Lauren said before she and Alec headed towards the park where the dancing crowd was.

"We should have this kind of festivity in the main town of Evardin. What do you think?" she asked Alec while holding his arm. Now both of them were wearing masks that covered half of their faces. They purposely bought them to have less exposure and also to participate in the dance.

"You are the Queen. You can do anything you want," Alec pulled her close when one of the teenagers running around almost bumped into her.

Instead of having her hold onto his arm, Alec snaked his arm around her waist, almost not leaving a distance between them. Now that Alec knew Lauren’s condition, he couldn’t help but fear that something bad might happen to her if he paid less attention. Yes, she could easily kill someone, but at the same time, she was like a fragile glass. A fragile glass he could never afford to break.

"Are you giving me another reason to accept your proposition and stay as your queen forever?" Lauren smiled and held Alec’s hand.

While she was pulling him to the dancing crowd, he glanced at their connected hands and she saw how his misty eyes glistened against the lanterns. His eyes which were often dark and proud now looked soft and unassertive, and Lauren couldn’t believe how Alec could show all of his shades to her without restrain, and without feeling the least bit of hesitation. It was like he could offer his everything to her and he wouldn’t mind because he was more than willing to give it to her.

When Alec’s gaze went back to meet hers, the darkness in his orbs returned, but the warmth and tenderness remained. It was as if she was seeing both the light and the dark in his eyes, a perfect combination of two opposite things that were not supposed to look so peaceful and comforting.

As they joined the dancing couples, Alec held her waist while each of their hands were holding one another.

"No deals from now on, Lauren. Whether you promise me or not... whether you allow it or not... you are going to stay by my side. This is not up for negotiation. You are not going anywhere out of my sight. This is an order from your king."

A tender smile crept on Lauren’s lips. "Disobeying the king will put me on the guillotine. How can I defy Your Majesty’s order?"

"I’m glad you know that. Because even if I have to lock you up in the castle, I would. I will do everything until you give up any thoughts of leaving me. I will haunt you even in your wildest dreams... remember, there is no place you can hide from me. I even managed to follow you in that soul-eating mirror," he whispered huskily as they danced to the rhythm of the music, his hot breath tickling her ear.

It sounded both like a threat and a promise which made Lauren’s smile grow wider. She then realized that despite her being in a bad condition, she was still able to enjoy her time, which she believed was very limited at this point, and it was all because of Alec. The moment they arrived in Acheron, she felt like they were living a normal life of a couple. Without all the responsibilities and duties... without the weight of their crowns.

She could only wish for the goddess of time to freeze the time even just for a day. It was unfair that time seemed to run quicker when you were happy.

"Love fades with time, at least that is what I heard from people and what I have seen. Are you sure you won’t ever get tired of me?" Lauren asked.

Alec moved his head away a little to have eye contact with her. He pressed his warm palm against her cold one as he questioned, "Scared that I might get tired of you and leave you in the future?" He smirked playfully, "Does the thought breaks your heart?"

"I am not scared," she retorted with a proud look.

"Are you sure?"

"Why would I be? If you decide to kick me out of your life in the future, it definitely won’t be my loss. It is yours."

Alec’s low and dark chuckle sent shivers down Lauren’s spine. She could only count on her fingers how many times she heard Alec chuckle, and this was one of those rare moments. His deep and sultry voice that sounded like a beast’s sexy growl was something she could never get tired of listening to. It may sound rough and dark, but it was a sweet melody in her ears.

"I couldn’t agree less," Alec affirmed. "Yes, it will definitely be my loss. My life in the castle would become boring once my wife who is full of wicked ideas leaves me. Let’s say I fell in love with your schemes..."

Lauren shook her head, her smile was on her ears now. "Although your face looks very pleasing, you are really far from the heroes of those romance novels. What kind of sane man would fall for a woman because of her wickedness?"

Alec’s lips curved darkly. "I never claimed to be a hero... neither did I claim to be sane."