Chapter 165: The Prince And The Predator
[Music Recommendation: PIXIE-T - No! [Hard Version]]
Valen’s eyebrows lifted as he met Ivan’s blazing hostility, finding himself more amused than intimidated. He didn’t need long to guess who the man before him was, and a grin slowly spread across his face.
Damien and Cece, ever observant, caught every nuance of the silent exchange, practically seeing the sparks crackling in the air. Ivan’s aura had grown so oppressive that the nearby students instinctively took a few steps back from the vampire prince, as if to escape the pressure radiating off him.
"He looks like a tough nut to crack," Damien murmured, tilting his head slightly as he assessed Prince Valen.
"Or he’s just a nutcase for challenging Ivan so openly," Cece replied under her breath.
Eve, meanwhile, felt a wave of discomfort under the prince’s gaze; it was as though countless insects crawled beneath her skin beneath those dull, pale green eyes. Relief washed over her the moment Ivan stepped forward, blocking Valen’s line of sight. But as she sensed Ivan’s emotions turning volatile, fear twisted in her chest that he might lose control before everyone’s eyes.
Acting quickly, she raised her hand and pressed it gently against his back, feeling the tense rigidity of his muscles beneath her palm. "Calm down, Ivan," she whispered softly, her hand gliding in slow, soothing circles in an effort to steady him. The moment her touch lingered, she felt his aura waver between rage and restraint.
Her magic responded faintly, like a soft current of light slipping through her fingertips and into him, soothing the storm within. His body gradually relaxed under her touch, the oppressive air thinning just enough for those around them to breathe again.
And even though she had managed to calm him a little, Eve made no effort to step forward, choosing instead to take comfort in his protective stance. The second reason was far more practical, because even though Ivan had managed to suppress his rising bloodlust, she could still feel the anger radiating off him in waves. She knew that if she stepped forward in the line of that audacious prince’s gaze again, there would be no stopping Ivan from going for the kill.
It wasn’t just her who could sense it either. The Silver siblings, Edward, Oliver, and even the two professors, felt the oppressive aura thickening around the crown prince. For the first time, they saw a terrifying expression twist across his usually composed face, and it left them momentarily stunned.
To break the tension that hung in the air, Professor Dante cleared his throat. "Prince Valen, we greatly appreciate you personally coming here to greet us," he began smoothly, "but I’m afraid we’re a little short on time for a more formal reception, as we were just about to leave for today’s excursion."
Valen’s pale green eyes remained trained on Ivan. "Ah, it’s really no problem at all," he drawled lazily. "You certainly have an...interesting lot here."
Dante followed the prince’s gaze, his smile tightening ever so slightly. And though he was no stranger to finding amusement in the discomfort of others, something about this new prince irked him.
Not wanting the situation to end with Valen being reduced to a bloody pulp, not because he objected to the idea, but simply because he didn’t want the trouble of dealing with Dartmouth’s royal officials. Dante decided to intervene before the simmering hostility boiled over.
"Yes, we do, don’t we?" he said brightly, flashing his signature, dazzling smile. "Ah, look at the time, I’m afraid we must be going now. Please allow us to take our leave."
It was then that Valen turned his gaze to Professor Dante. "My apologies for keeping you waiting, but if I may ask, where will you be heading today?"
Dante hesitated, already suspecting that the prince’s question carried more than polite curiosity. But since Valen was the crown prince of the kingdom, he had little choice but to respond. Maintaining a neutral tone, he said, "We have a tour scheduled at the National Museum of Demos, followed by a few other stops, provided we can spare the time."
Valen went quiet for a moment. Then, with a faint smile, he said, "Very well. I shall leave you to it. However, the reason for my visit was to extend an invitation. In two days, a royal ball will be held at the Palace of Demos, and we would be delighted if you and your students would join us."
The unexpected invitation caught Dante off guard. Unsure how to respond, he briefly glanced at Professor Seira, who looked just as surprised as he felt. Regaining his composure, he replied, "That is...very generous of you, Your Highness. However, I’m afraid we weren’t exactly prepared to attend a royal ball during this excursion."
Valen waved his hand lightly. "Oh, please, there’s no need for concern, Professor," he said smoothly. "I’ll see to it that all the arrangements are made, and that you’re treated as my honoured guests. The outfits and any other expenses will be taken care of by the palace. So, I must insist, you all simply must come."
When Dante didn’t respond right away, Valen added, "It is, after all, my birthday celebration."
Dante’s polite smile didn’t falter, though inwardly he cursed the prince for placing him in a tight spot. He knew they were in no position to decline such an invitation; to do so would be considered a grave insult to the royal family of the kingdom they were currently visiting.
"Very well, Your Highness," he replied politely. "We would be honoured to attend. On behalf of the academy, I gratefully accept your invitation."
Valen’s grin widened with satisfaction. "Splendid," he drawled. "Then it’s settled. And to make up for this unexpected interruption," he clasped his hands behind his back, "I shall personally give you and your students a private tour of the royal palace tomorrow. Consider it...a small gesture of goodwill."
Dante’s smile remained fixed, but his mind was already working several steps ahead. ’A private tour, is it?’ he thought. He’d encountered enough nobles in his life to recognise that no royal offer ever came without strings attached. And this one was wrapped in charm but reeked of deception.
And although Valen spoke with politeness, there was something deliberate in his phrasing, a faint ownership in the way he said ’my guests’. A subtle reminder that they were under his domain now.
"Tomorrow then," Dante said finally. "We look forward to it."
Valen’s grin didn’t falter. "Wonderful," he said, clasping his hands together in satisfaction. "Until then, I wish you all a pleasant day. I do hope the museum proves...enlightening."
With that, he was about to turn when his eyes briefly met Ivan’s cold ones. Then, deliberately, Valen’s gaze shifted past Ivan to the woman standing just behind him. The movement was subtle but intentional, making Ivan’s jaw tighten until he could hear the grind of his own teeth.
Satisfied, Valen smirked and finally turned away, his robe sweeping through the air as he strode off. His entourage followed him, leaving behind an invisible trail of tension in the air.
Ivan could feel his body heat rising again, his hands curling into tight fists as he used every ounce of restraint to hold himself back. Only Eve’s tender caresses from behind kept him tethered to his senses, otherwise, that audacious man would have been dead where he stood.
Those standing close to the couple could feel the tension thick in the air, making it suffocating. Professor Dante, watched his prince struggle to contain himself and sighed inwardly. ’Seems whatever game Prince Valen Kaine is playing, he’s certainly chose the most dangerous opponent on the board.’
Snapping out of his thoughts, Dante clapped his hands once, gaining everyone’s attention. "Alright, everyone," he said brightly, yet his voice was laced with unmistakable sarcasm. "Let’s head to the main gate and board our carriages before any other royal surprises decide to grace us today. We’re already running behind schedule, thanks to...."
Professor Seira cleared her throat pointedly, a silent warning that some of the hotel staff were still within earshot. Dante just gave a languid shrug, muttering under his breath, "What? I’m simply encouraging punctuality," before striding ahead, completely feigning ignorance.
They were followed by the other students, who couldn’t help but whisper among themselves about everything that had just happened. Though they refrained from mentioning the silent showdown between the two princes, as they knew better than to speak of it, especially when Ivan was still radiating that unmistakable aura of bloodlust.
Eve let out a quiet sigh of relief as Valen finally left, though Ivan’s current state did little to ease her nerves either. Stepping forward, she glanced at Damien and Cece. The twins exchanged a silent look of understanding before moving ahead with the group, leaving the two of them alone.
Eve turned back to Ivan and finally took in his expression. His face was blank, too blank and she knew that was as deceptive as it could get. Another soft sigh escaped her lips as she stepped closer, wrapping her arms gently around his waist and burying her face in his chest.
"Ivan," she whispered with worry, "please don’t be angry anymore. He’s not worth it, okay?"
