Chapter 104: A Royal Display
Instead of answering, he extended his hand toward her. Eve gazed at his hand for a second before placing her hand in his. He curled his fingers around hers with a firm yet gentle grip. He bent down to bring his lips close to her hand and pressed a light, lingering kiss while holding her gaze, making her blush like a rose.
"You are so beautiful, Eve," he murmured and straightened slowly, his eyes never leaving hers .
Eve’s heart stuttered at his raw compliment, and she felt like she would combust under his intense gaze. Dropping her eyes shyly, murmured softly, "Thank you, you too."
Her eyes widened at what she just said. ’You too? Who says that!’ she screamed silently in her head. ’Great! Maybe it’s time to just dive into that ocean and disappear forever.’
A subtle knowing smile tugged at his lips as he watched her flustered reaction. Unable to resist, he suddenly tugged her hand towards him, making her stumble slightly against his chest.
"Oh!" she gasped, and he steadied her with one hand around her waist, while the other gently lifted her chin with a feather-light touch toward him and captured her lips in a soft, lingering kiss, sending electricity through her entire body.
"My apologies, I couldn’t help myself," he murmured softly against her lips. Then he brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek tenderly and asked, "Slept well?"
Eve, who was still trying to calm her rattled nerves from this handsome devil, squeaked, "Mm."
Ivan smirked and continued asking normally. "Hungry?"
"A little," she replied softly.
"Come, let’s get you something to eat. After all, I did promise you breakfast with everyone, didn’t I?" he straightened, letting go of her waist, and he offered his arm for her to hold.
Eve was surprised by his gentlemanly gesture but played along, wrapping her hand around his arm as they headed inside through the balcony door. She assumed they’d be taking another hidden passage and was about to turn towards the mirror when Ivan spoke, "Not there, Eve. We’ll be using the door today."
Stunned for a second, she looked at him, "What? We are? But I’ll be seen by others-!"
"I’m aware, and that is exactly what will happen," Ivan replied nonchalantly.
She grew even more confused at his carefree behaviour, before she could question him further, the door opened and she saw Alex and Caleb standing before them. Bowing their heads, they greeted, "Good Morning, Your Highnesses."
"Are the preparations done?" Ivan asked.
"Yes, Your Highness, everyone is waiting in the dining hall for your arrival," Alex responded.
Ivan gave him a nod and turned to Eve, "Shall we?"
’As if I have any choice,’ Eve thought while giving him a nod. Though she didn’t say it out loud, Ivan, with his keen eyes, read through her expressions and smirked, "Don’t worry, you’ll be happy to see them."
Her curiosity piqued, so she headed to the dining hall with him. As they crossed the grand corridor, she marveled at the beauty of Dracoria Palace. The corridor had soaring vaulted ceilings with ornate gold carvings and statues lining the walls. Tall arched windows flooded the space with morning sunlight, reflecting off the checkerboard tiled floor. The long corridor leads to an elaborately framed doorway far ahead. The entire space screamed luxury, authority, and timeless beauty, leaving Eve in awe.
She compared this palace to the Palace of Light in her kingdom, and even though this was a sanctuary of pure-blooded vampires, somehow it felt warmer than her own home.
She shifted her eyes to Ivan from the corner of her vision just for a second before immediately turning away when he caught her.
She hoped he wouldn’t ask her anything with his men trailing behind, but the little devil leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "Want to say something?"
Her cheeks heated up in embarrassment. "No, I’m good," she tried her best not to stammer.
She looked away, hoping he would drop it there, but Ivan pressed on, "Really? Because I saw you staring at me relentlessly."
Her eyes widened in shock, and she snapped at him, "I did not!" Her voice came out louder than she intended. She pressed her fingers to her lips and whispered quickly, "Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell."
Ivan let out a soft chuckle, unable to hold himself back any longer. The two knights following them felt like they really shouldn’t be hearing this exchange, yet their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as they saw Ivan actually enjoying bullying the lumen princess. And he chuckled! He actually chuckled, and they couldn’t remember the last time they ever heard that sound.
They glanced at the lumen princess in amazement and thought that she was the only woman who ever spoke to His Highness so freely, let alone make him laugh.
Their stoic faces threatened to crack as they listened to the pair’s light banter, but they somehow managed to keep their composure.
Soon, they descended the grand staircase, where staff bustled about their morning duties. As they moved down, Eve felt every single gaze focused on her, and she instantly tightened her grip on Ivan’s arms.
The staff, though trained to keep their eyes on the ground whenever a royal passed by, momentarily slipped into a stupor at the sight of the stunning couple making their way down. They had always believed no woman could ever match their handsome prince’s appearance, but as they gazed at the rumoured mysterious lady finally revealing herself, all such thoughts died instantly.
She moved with such effortless grace, her hand resting on the prince’s arm as though it had always belonged there.
The maids, in particular, were floored. Some who had once dared to imagine they might catch even the slightest attention from Prince Ivan, but one look at Eve’s ethereal beauty shattered those daydreams in an instant. How could anyone possibly compete for his affection when she stood beside him?
Meanwhile, the male staff blushed like flustered schoolboys, utterly undone by Eve’s presence, secretly wishing they could worship the ground she walked on.
They sighed inwardly in reverence, convinced they were witnessing the most beautiful couple one had ever seen.
Ivan heard Eve’s pulse quicken and felt the way she squeezed his arm nervously. He leaned in and whispered, "Don’t worry, they’re just curious."
She drew in a deep breath and released it slowly, careful not to let anything show on her face. When her gaze drifted to the end of the staircase, she spotted Arthur standing there with a few maids lined up to greet them.
As their feet touched the ground, Arthur bowed low in greeting, "Your Highness, the guests are waiting this way."
Ivan’s molten red eyes shifted to him, his voice laced with authority, "Arthur, has the staff forgotten how to behave before royals, or have they simply decided they’ve lived long enough?"
At sharp words and piercing gaze, every servant immediately straightened and bowed deeper, fixing their eyes firmly on the ground, not ready to say goodbye to their lives.
Arthur straightened as well and replied smoothly, "I’ll see that strict disciplinary action is taken at once, Your Highness."
"Hm, otherwise I don’t mind reminding them where they work." As Ivan spoke, his eyes suddenly glowed crimson, and an oppressive pressure filled the air, forcing every single staff member present to fall to their knees.
Eve’s eyes widened in shock at the scene before her, and when she looked behind, she realised it wasn’t just the staff; it had even affected his own knights, along with Arthur. Everyone, except her.
She didn’t know what Ivan was doing, but she slowly raised her free hand and gently brushed her fingers against his arm, calling his name in a soft, alluring whisper, "Ivan?"
And just like that, the suffocating pressure vanished, his eyes turning back to their normal shade. He turned towards her as if nothing had happened and murmured, "Yes?"
"Nothing, we should hurry...I’m....I’m hungry," she blurted out in the moment.
’"Alright," he said, directing her towards the dining hall as if the incident had never taken place, leaving every other person stunned.
Their prince had been pacified, just like that, and moreover... she called him by his name. They didn’t know if they should worship the lumen princess or kiss the lady’s feet for saving them from what had nearly become a catastrophic moment.
Alex and Caleb just sighed inwardly, thinking, ’What a time to be alive.’
Once they reached the massive double doors of the intricately carved dining room, the guards stationed there immediately pulled them open for the pair to enter.
When Eve looked inside, her eyebrows raised in surprise at the sight of familiar faces. Her brain barely had time to register them before a blur of light-blonde hair launched at her and wrapped her in a crushing hug.
’What in the-?’ Eve’s thoughts scrambled as she was smothered, her arms awkwardly half-lifted in midair.
"Evelyn!" Cece’s excited voice rang in her ear.
Eve, who was trying not to wince at Cece’s crushing hug, replied, "Cece! You’re here!"
Before Cece could respond, Ivan’s displeased voice cut in, "Are you planning to crush her, Cece?"
"Oh my!" Cece quickly loosened her grip around her and wore a guilty expression, "I’m so sorry! I was just so excited to see you again!"
