章節 23: Morning Looks

By Midnight, Abdiel and the Queen Mother were taking a little stroll towards the elegant balcony that had arched windows draped in onyx-colored curtains. Due to the Candlelights flickering brightly, their shadows were casted against the window as they stopped walking.

"Mother, what are you saying?" Abdiel questioned the Queen Mother who strictly remained firm to her decision. "If Ivan isn't ready to settle down with a princess, then don't force him into it."

"Actions must be taken without further delay." Grandmother Abrielle asserted without giving it a second thought, a clear look of discomfort showcasing on her features. "That dream still haunts me like a shadow in shadows, Abdiel, and you know I don't joke with dreams that I receive more than twice."

"It will remain a dream." Abdiel tried to explain to his Mother. "If he wants to keep searching for the mystic orb then I say we let him do it. It is for the benefit of the Kingdom and its empire. Fixing Marriage alliances will only distract him on the path he has forged for himself."

"What are you trying to say to me? That my decision is wrong and that I do not care about the well-being of my Grandson?" Grandmother Abrielle questioned her son who's expression remained stoic and hard. "He is the crown Prince! The people need a King to take over, and Ivan is only delaying things."

"Lord Ivan is a talented prince and a skilled warrior, he has made many progresses in his life at a young age, and I have never been more proud." Abdiel said without any slight change in his impassive tone. "He found his Father - my brother's culprit and brought justice to our Empire. Grandmother, he's already doing what a King should do, but I insist you let him figure this one out without the pressure."

"But he only needs to meet with the princesses, how is it pressure that I want my Grandson to find an equally royal spouse he can lean on for support?" Grandmother Abrielle saw it as nothing but an excuse. "Also, why argue over what is inevitable? It has been a part of the Empire's royal tradition that we must celebrate every victory achieved." She tipped up her chin, knowing Abdiel could not argue this one since she was correct.

"You're impossible, Mother." Was all Abdiel could say since winning an argument with her had always been pointless.

"I want the invitation cards to be made and sent to all the powerful Kingdom in two days. I want the invitation to reach King Aberforth, he has a really beautiful daughter and the last time she was invited for the soiree, I felt a good chemistry between her and Ivan. She is also the only woman Ivan hasn't pushed away so I still have my hope safely hanging on a thread."

"As you say, Mother."

"Now we're off to a good start." Grandmother Abrielle smiled at her son. "I need to retire to bed now, there'll be lots of preparations made tomorrow."

"Have a good night."

"You too." Ending the conversation, Grandmother Abrielle turned to take her leave, and Abdiel sighed before following the opposite direction.

Alistair, who had wandered to the balcony for some fresh air and ended up eavesdropping on the conversation, hid away when his Father passed by. After confirming they were both out of sight, he stepped out of his hiding place, and his eyes widened in surprise after recalling their conversation in his head.

"Ivan's getting married?" Blinking away his awe, he quickly left the balcony and reached the third floor, eager to share the wonderful news to his younger brother, but he spotted Ivan already going into his room and couldn't call him back.

"No, I should tell Tobias about this first." Muttered Alistair before taking another direction that led him towards the royal study.

Ivan, who didn't know his Grandmother was still going on with the idea of helping him find a bride, stepped into his chamber with his head aching terribly. After closing the door behind him, he leaned on it, resting his tired self against the door with his eyes closed. He wasn't always tired during the night, Vampires were actually more active during this time, but you could say everything about him was abnormal at this point.

Opening his eyes, his gaze landed on the petite figure who was sleeping soundly on his bed. He noticed there was a milky-colored curtain that divided his room at the center, and inside the curtain was a bed that wasn't as big as his, but looked comfortable enough for his little lamb to sleep on.

He knew the servants already did their duty by creating an extra space for his little lamb. Walking to the side of his bed, Ivan took out the key and freed her wrist from the bedpost. His eyes lingered on her face, subconsciously watching her sleep for a few minutes before he lifted her into his arms and took her to the other bed inside the curtains.

He dropped her on the bed and quickly went to take a shower before going to his own bed to rest.

The next day when the sun rose from the horizon, the light rays seeped in through the window, falling upon a young woman who was sleeping with her arms and legs spread in an unlady-like manner on the bed. With the rays of morning sun kissing her face, Samantha's eyes clenched shut to avoid light penetrating in.

When it didn't work, she stirred the other way where the sun no longer met her eyes, and when they fluttered open, her blurry eyes were staring straight into the eyes of a completely crimson dark orbs, and like a quick reboot, her eyes widened.

"Ahhh!!!" With a short panicked cry, Samantha impulsively rolled to the other side of the bed and eventually fell off with a thud sound.

Ivan, who had been watching her sleep, took notice of her sudden panic, and his eyes widened slightly when she fell off on the other side of the bed. There was this unshakable silence that lingered in the air, and what he saw next was Samantha's dainty fingers resting on the surface of the bed as she tried to pull herself up.

When she did, Ivan took notice of her morning appearance. The sleep in her eyes wasn't fully gone, they looked puffy, but her golden-blonde hair was strangely tousled and messy, sticking up in places like she had been struck by lightning in her sleep.

"What. Are. You. Doing??" Samantha's heart still raced from the mini panic attack he just made her experience. She was evidently angrily and she knew he could tell from the way she glared at him, but the way he kept staring at like he was seeing a totally new creature made her glowering eyes narrow at him suspiciously.

He suddenly moved from the other side to where she remained on the floor, and Samantha instinctively backed away until she was stopped by the wall behind her, and he crouched down to her level. The way he was staring at her, Samantha couldn't read out what it meant, and when he brought his hand forward, she didn't let him touch her.

She looked like a pet that was afraid of going near its master, and presently, Ivan saw her as that. Despite how she tried to evade his touch, he ended up touching her hair in the end, but with his bare hands this time around, and she heard him ask.

"What happened to your hair?" The question in his eyes was evident, but Samantha didn't respond as he kept touching her tangled hair, as if trying to untangle them.

"It's called a morning look. Don't you have one?" She asked, and he met her gaze briefly. There was a slight spark before he averted his gaze and rose to his full height.

"Fix yourself and prepare my bath for me. I'll be heading out soon." He turned away from her, releasing a breath he wasn't sure why he was holding it in the first place.

Samantha slowly rose to her feet. It was her first time ever having to sleep so peacefully, and all she wanted to do right now was return to that heavenly sleep that didn't remind her of the present, but then, he's here to make her life a living hell.

"Hurry up." His command immediately jolted her to move, and she had that 'what is his problem?' kind of expression on her face before stepping into the bathing chamber.

It took five minutes of her time to prepare his bath, but when she stepped out to tell him it was ready, Ivan suddenly added.

"That reminds me, I like my water at a tepid temperature, not too hot, not too cold."

"But the water only gives warm water for now."

"Then get a bucket and go fetch from downstairs."