Chapter 130: A Promised Date
"Yes...I want to understand what our connection is to all of this, because something tells me that something crucial is tied to it," Ivan replied calmly.
Suddenly feeling guilty for judging the situation too quickly, Eve lowered her eyes and said softly, "I’m sorry for misjudging your actions...but anyone would’ve-"
"I know...I understand," Ivan said gently, leaning in to rest his forehead against hers. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath of relief, grateful that the misunderstanding between them was cleared. The thought of her ending their relationship had terrified him. His entire being had instinctively rejected the idea. He had rushed to her before she could complete her sentence. ’That was close,’ he whispered to himself.
Wanting to be close to her was like air he needed to breathe...so all the heavy questions he had been avoiding yesterday didn’t matter to him right now. All he wanted was for her to feel better...for them to be better.
Feeling her lean towards him, he sensed the tension slowly ease from her body, until she realised she was giving in again. Hesitantly, she pulled back slightly to meet his gaze, and asked, "It still doesn’t change the fact that my father wants me to marry him...Ivan-"
Ivan cupped her cheeks gently and asked, "Do you want to comply with his wishes?"
"No." The words left her lips instantly, without a hint of doubt.
"Then I won’t let it happen," he replied, a fire burning in his eyes so fierce that she couldn’t look away.
"But...my father isn’t someone who gives up once he’s made a decision," she said with slight panic in her eyes.
"Do you trust me, Eve?" Ivan asked in a low, unyielding voice. "Trust me enough to know that I will raze anyone from existence who tries to take you away from me?"
When she didn’t respond, only staring at him, he continued, with his molten red eyes blazing orange like burning coal, "You should know, Evelyn Lumeath Starforged...I’m not letting you go. Not now or anytime in the future. You’re mine, and I won’t let anyone take you away from me. I know you must have questions about our future, but when that time comes...let’s decide together?"
Watching her stare at him silently with her wide eyes, he took her hands and brought them to his face. Leaning down, he pressed a lingering kiss to her palms. His eyes softened as he took in her beautiful features and whispered, "I like you, Eve... a lot. Please don’t ever think of parting from me. Stay with me...please."
Eve couldn’t believe she was hearing such raw words from Ivan. ’Did he just say please?’ Her heart shuddered violently in her chest. Never in her life did she think that she would hear this formidable man plead with her to stay. And just like that, all her defence came crashing down. Every doubt she had about him and his feelings for her evaporated into thin air.
Her gaze softened as she slipped one of her hands free from his grasp and tenderly caressed his cheek. Leaning forward, she whispered, "I like you too... a lot." With that, she closed the distance between them and kissed him...slowly, softly, with unspoken emotion between them.
But Ivan, who had been starved for her touch since yesterday, released her hand and wrapped one arm around her waist and another around her neck, pulling her gently off her seat until she was on his lap. Eve melted under his fervent touch, wrapping her arms around his neck, as she pressed herself closer to him.
She parted her lips like an open invitation, for Ivan plunged his tongue inside her mouth, only for their tongues to tangle in a slow, rhythmic dance. Ivan’s hand tightened around her waist, the other brushing against her exposed back through the deep cut of the summer dress, making her shiver in delight.
His hand moved slowly upward, until he weaved his fingers into her silky hair to tilt her face just so he could deepen their kiss. Eve’s hands didn’t remain idle either; they trailed from his neck to his chest, tracing the stray thrum of his heartbeat through his suit before gliding up to his cheek. When they finally pulled apart for air, their forehead rested together, their breaths mingled in quiet longing they had felt for each other since yesterday.
With a lovely flush blooming on her face, Eve breathed through her plump, swollen lips. Her eyes took in his gorgeous features as she continued caressing his face. Ivan, also breathless, rubbed his nose against hers and asked softly, "So...since we’re out, what would you like to do now?" It was still around noon, and they had plenty of time before returning to the academy.
"I don’t know...you tell me?" Eve replied breathily.
"Since I had promised you a date, why don’t we have one now?" he suggested gently while tugging a strand of hair behind her ear, and noticed how her blue eyes brightened instantly at his words.
A small smile tugged at his lips at her reaction, "Shall I take that as a yes?"
She beamed like an excited child, nodding eagerly, "Yes..I’d like that."
"Alright then, let go." He unwrapped his arms from around her and stood up after steadying her on her feet. Intertwining his fingers with hers before calling, "Alex."
Alex swiftly opened the door and bowed to them. As he raised his head, his eyes met Evelyn’s, and he greeted her respectfully, "Your Highness."
She gave him a soft smile and looked at Ivan, "You never really introduced them to me."
Ivan met her gaze, "Hm....my apologies. This is Alexander Valehart, commander of my elite unit, the Ignis Blades, and my right-hand man. Alex, as you already know, this is Princess Evelyn, my girlfriend."
Colour quickly rose to Eve’s cheeks, and she cleared her throat, "Nice to meet you, Sir Alexander." She offered him a warm smile.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Your Highness, and please you can just address me as Alex," Alex replied warmly while smiling, bowing again.
"Alright," Eve said with a small smile.
When they were about to move, someone else standing beside Alex cleared his throat. Their eyes shifted to Caleb, who was silently asking for an introduction as well, prompting Ivan to say, "And this is Caleb, third in command of the Ignis Blade."
"I remember you, Sir Caleb," Eve said softly, smiling at him.
"Your Highness, I am honoured that you remember me." Caleb grinned widely before bowing respectfully, careful not to raise his eyes to meet Evelyn’s under Ivan’s sharp gaze, as he didn’t trust himself not to be dazzled by her beauty again.
Ivan then added, "We are going to the market first."
"I’ll get the robes ready, Your Highness," Alex offered immediately.
"No, we don’t need those. We’ll be going out like this only," Ivan said calmly, making all three of them snap their heads towards him in surprise.
Eve was the first to speak, "But... others will see us. They’ll recognise you."
Ivan gave her a small nod, "Let them, it’s fine," He then looked at Alex, "Just increase the security."
Alex quickly schooled his surprised expression and bowed, "Right away, Your Highness."
With that, Alex left to scout the area and update his men, while Ivan guided Eve toward the café’s exit, the owner still lingering behind them, fawning over him.
As they walked, Eve couldn’t help but notice the curious eyes following their every step. At first, she felt a flutter of self-consciousness, but as they strolled through the bustling streets of Crimson Hollow, she gradually relaxed, especially with Ivan keeping her absorbed in conversation. She found herself stealing glances at the way he moved, confident yet casual.
She let her gaze drift over the colorful boutiques before turning to him, a small smile playing on her lips. "Do you ever come here to shop?"
"My tailors come to the Dracoria Palace, but I’ve disguised myself as a commoner sometimes and visited with Damien," he replied
"Oh.." she murmured, feeling a flicker of curiosity.
"When we were kids, Damien and Cece often used to visit the Palace and drag me out here in secret," Ivan added.
A soft smile tugged her lips, "Seems like Damien was the same as a kid."
"Hm...he loves adventure, but he believed it was more enjoyable when he dragged me along with him," Ivan said, subtly rolling his eyes at the memory.
Eve let out a soft chuckle, picturing little Damien tugging Ivan through the crowded market of Crimson Hollow.
After a pause, she asked, "Are you close to your extended family?"
"Only the Silver family and my grandfather on my mother’s side," Ivan replied, his gaze drifting briefly as if recalling them.
"I see...where might he be now?" Eve inquired.
"He doesn’t like populated areas," Ivan explained. "He prefers to stay in a secluded mountain, far away from Bastian."
"I see..." she murmured, her wandering eyes catching sight of a jewelry shop where a beautiful brooch sparkling behind the glass drew her attention.
Ivan followed her gaze from the corner of his eye, and his expression softened. "Shall we go in?"
