Chapter 137: Where Love Blooms, Chaos Awakens
Just like right now, as she was slowly coming down from the high, how she had lovingly threaded her delicate fingers through his hair.
No one had ever done that, nor had he ever allowed such a simple, intimate gesture. Yet he knew that nobody could make him feel the way she did, even if he allowed it. Just as no one could match her blood or the way she was able to make him experience intense emotions, and now intense pleasure, which he had never experienced before.
While thinking of her, he finished drinking her blood and drew back after giving another lick to her neck. With his fangs retreating, he slowly lifted his face to look at her incredibly flushed and breathless expression. He looked into her glazed eyes, lifting his hands to caress her cheeks. He whispered, "How are you so delectable?"
Suddenly feeling shy, she lowered her gaze, a complete contrast to how wild and bold she had been just a few moments ago. Ivan’s lips curled into a faint smile before he leaned down and gave her a slow, lingering kiss.
He then gently untangled her legs and shifted back, "Have any strength left to continue your lessons?"
Blushing crimson, she muttered, "I can ask you the same."
He let out a low, sexy chuckle, "Hm..since we have some time before the sun sets, why don’t we start somewhere? We’ll soon have to head back to the academy after that."
Hearing that they would soon be leaving this beautiful paradise dampened her mood slightly. Noticing her sullen expressions, he added, "We can come here again, baby. Whenever you want."
Her eyes brightened, "Really?"
"Really.." his words trailed off as his eyes wandered to her still exposed, beautiful breast that was covered with his love bites. Eve followed his gaze before letting out a startling gasp. She quickly raised her hands to cover it and lightly glared at him.
"T-turn around!" she exclaimed.
Ivan smirked, "Why? I’ve already seen and tasted it. You shouldn’t be shy, Eve. They’re so beautiful," he said unabashedly.
Eve turned red as a cooked lobster and turned around herself, "Gosh, Ivan! You’re so shameless!" she muttered under her breath as she fixed her garment.
Ivan held her from behind and whispered near her ear, "Only for you..."
With that, he scooped her up bridal style, and she let out a yelp as he carried her under the waterfall, before leading her to the deeper part of the stream to continue their swimming lessons...the actual lessons this time.
Away from Bastian in their safe haven, the laughter of lovers and the sound of splashing water echoed through the quiet, serene place.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Luminear, King Solan seethed in his study upon hearing the latest report that his "useless" daughter had been seen prancing around with the vampire crown prince in broad daylight before disappearing somewhere again.
He smashed his glass of wine against the wall after listening to Gideon’s report. He growled, "That useless headmaster failed to follow my orders to send her back! Me! King Solan!"
Gideon, on the other hand, only stood quietly in the corner, waiting for the king to vent his anger. While he waited, he couldn’t understand why King Solan could not just accept Prince Ivan with his daughter, whom he hardly ever cared for. It couldn’t simply be because he is a vampire. A crown prince destined to be king of vampires one day, the strongest man alive across all twelve kingdoms. Any other king would have rejoiced at the prospect of an alliance with such a powerful kingdom and ruler. So what was he missing?
Moreover, he wanted their princess to marry the Prince of Dartmouth, a man shrouded in mystery, with reports of missing women increasing in his kingdom day by day. Gideon couldn’t help but wonder if King Solan cared even the slightest for his daughter, his first child, hellbent to tie her down to such an alarmingly suspicious human prince.
Perhaps it was because of Queen Elara, who had close ties with that human kingdom, that the king agreed to the match. But still, regardless of the queen’s influence, did the king have no concern for his daughter as a father?
At this point, Gideon could only sigh inwardly and feel incredibly sorry for the princess, realising he himself could not predict what the king might do next, with his rage consuming him more with each passing day.
He was pulled back from his thoughts when King Solan asked, "Have you sent word to the Kingdom of Dartmouth about the excursion taking place in their territory? They should be prepared for Princess Evelyn’s arrival."
"Yes, Your Majesty. The messenger has already gone to inform the Prince of Dartmouth of the latest update. The Queen of Dartmouth has accepted the proposal for marriage between Prince Valen Kaine and Princess Evelyn."
"Hmm...good. Very good! Now all lies during the excursion. The prince can pursue Evelyn, and we can move forward from there." King Solan looked out of the window, deep in thought, as if devising a new plan.
While King Solan schemed against Evelyn and Ivan, not too far away in the East wing of the palace, Septimus was in the midst of his prayers to the Goddess of Light. The temple was a massive dome structure, supported by tall pillars at regular intervals, with everything crafted from exquisite white marble. At the center, beneath the dome, stood a towering statue of the ethereal Goddess of Light.
Septimus was currently kneeling in front of the statue, hands joined together and eyes closed, fully immersed in a meditative state.
Septimus was a high priest in the Kingdom of Luminear, holding an irreplaceable position for years. He was highly respected, not only by the public but also by the royals, due to his exceptionally strong spiritual powers. He was also a clairvoyant, gifted with the ability to glimpse the future or hear the Goddess’s voice when a prophecy arose.
Deep in meditation, his silver brows creased as another vision appeared before him. He saw people screaming, someone howling...a woman. And fire, fire everywhere. A complete mayhem...and then he saw King Solan clearly: his blue eyes wide with terror, fire reflecting in his pupils, gasping for breath. His long blonde hair was in complete disarray, and the flames danced across his horrified expression.
And Septimus’s silver eyes snapped open as cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He bent forward, bracing himself with both hands on the marble floor as he tried to make sense of the vision.
"Oh Goddess, what was that terrifying vision?" he whispered in his trembling voice.
One of his apprentices, who had been on standby in case the High Priest needed anything, heard Septimus muttering under his breath. He turned around and saw the priest drenched in sweat.
The apprentice ran toward him and exclaimed, "Your Holiness! Are you all right?!"
Septimus continued to gasp for air, his silver eyes lifting toward the towering statue of the Goddess. Then, amidst the silence of the grand temple, a voice unlike any mortal’s drifted through the air...soft yet resounding, echoing in his very soul.
"Consequences..."
The word lingered, ethereal and chilling, as though whispered by the wind itself.
"Consequences?" Septimus repeated, his brow furrowing as his heart began to race.
He bowed completely, his trembling voice rising in desperate prayer.
"Oh Goddess, what are these consequences for? Please... help this servant understand." Septimus begged the goddess to speak to him once again. But as he waited, his question was met with nothing but...silence.
He racked his brain and suddenly remembered King Solan from his vision, and all at once, realisation struck him. His eyes widened and his pale, noble face lost what little colour remained as the truth dawned on him. They were the consequences of King Solan’s defiance, of him daring to play with fate itself. A cold shiver ran down his spine at the thought that divine retribution awaited the king if he did not stop now.
Scrambling to his feet, Septimus clasped his hands in a hurried prayer to the Goddess before whirling around to face his worried apprentice. Septimus told him in a firm voice, carrying a tone of urgency, "Inform the King that I must have an audience with him at once."
"Yes, Your Holiness!" The apprentice didn’t ask a single question and rushed off to follow the order immediately.
As Septimus waited for a word from the palace, unease gnawed at his mind. His thoughts kept returning to the innocent princess caught once again in the middle of chaos, which was not of her making. Lowering his gaze, he whispered another prayer, pleading for her safety and forgiveness from the gods for the storm that was about to unfold.
While love bloomed on one side of the continent, chaos brewed on the other.
In the beautiful city of Bastian, two people who had earlier been caught up in between lovers’ quarrel sat on a bench watching the peaceful sunset while munching on honey biscuits.
