Chapter 166: Next Plan Of Action
He remained rigid, so Eve pressed herself closer, tightening her grip on him. She whispered tenderly, "Thank you for shielding me earlier." Saying that she rested her ear against his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heart that was still beating fast and closed her eyes.
That was when Ivan finally reacted. Lifting his hand, he wrapped his arms around her and released a shaky breath as if finally letting the anger that was boiling inside him subside little by little.
"You don’t need to thank me. I’ll always protect you." Ivan said in a low, deep voice. He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head.
She smiled softly, relieved that his bloodlust had finally subsided and looked up at him with her innocent blue eyes. "Come, why don’t we go to the carriage and discuss our next plan of action? It seems we have an open invitation now."
Ivan’s eyes darkened at the memory of Valon’s lustful gaze devouring his Evelyn. The mere thought made his blood boil. He wanted to gouge the bastard’s eyes out and stuff them down his throat for daring to look at her that way. That arrogant smirk before Valon left was still etched in his mind....a blatant challenge. And who was Ivan to back down when his prey had all but begged the beast inside him to strike?
His gaze shifted back to the woman before him when he felt her soft fingers brush against his cheek. Her beguiling eyes were filled with worry. He knew she was concerned he might lose control in front of everyone. Not wanting to worry her any further, he took the hand resting on his cheek and turned to press a kiss to her palm.
"Don’t worry, I’m not going to kill him....yet." Though he said it softly, his eyes were filled with silent, restrained fury.
Eve pressed her lips together at his answer, ’Well, at least he’s not going after that man right now,’ she thought. Shaking her head lightly, she tugged his hand forward. "Let’s talk on the way. I’m sure Professor Dante is already upset that his perfect schedule was disrupted."
Ivan’s expression softened at her attempt to distract him. He gave a quiet nod, intertwined his fingers with hers in a possessive grip, and they finally left together.
....
Back in the carriage on their way to the museum, Damien sat across from the couple with his arms folded, deep in thought. After a long silence following their discussion about the next course of action, he clicked his tongue and muttered, "That man is really not simple. You can bet he’s already planned something for this grand ball he’s so graciously invited us to."
His dark red eyes shifted to Ivan, whose expression remained grim, and he added, "Something like making an announcement that might corner our dear Evelyn."
Eve’s grip on the fabric of her dress tightened as she spoke through gritted teeth, "I dare him to try that without my consent."
"Well, he did corner us into coming to this event in the first place, and not to forget about tomorrow’s tour." Damien leaned back, resting his chin against his knuckles as he mused aloud, "All in all, my question is, why does he seem so fearless? He’s only a human, yet we all saw that he dared to challenge the most dangerous man in front of everyone. Just what is giving him such confidence? Either he has something up his sleeve or he is just stupid."
Eve and Ivan both fell silent, mulling over Damien’s words. Valen had seemed calculating when he pressured Professor Dante into accepting his invitation. Yet he’d taken the full brunt of Ivan’s open hostility without so much as flinching. If anything, he’d looked...amused.
When silence stretched between them, Eve said, "I’d say we go on the tour tomorrow and finish our job by entering the Vault of Ages. After that, we can talk to Professor Dante and make an excuse for why Ivan and I won’t attend the ball."
Damien’s lips curled. "Well, well, look at you, Evelyn. I must say I’m loving your rebellious streak."
She pursed her lips while Damien added, "But for this to work, we have to make sure our plan succeeds tomorrow itself."
Ivan, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "I don’t think we need to rely on tomorrow to get things done. There’s no reason to put Eve anywhere near that vermin. I’ll use the opportunity of everyone being distracted during the ball and access the Vault of Ages as I had originally planned."
"When we go tomorrow, I only need to see the layout and the security setup once. After that, I can do the rest discreetly."
Damien pondered on what Ivan said and asked curiously, "And how are you planning to do it discreetly, march in the palace like an assassin?"
Eve glanced at Ivan and saw his expression remained completely unfazed, as if he had no intention of revealing his teleportation powers even to Damien, his own trusted brother.
"I have my ways," he replied cryptically, which made Damien raise a brow.
But Eve also knew that Ivan’s teleportation sometimes didn’t go as planned. It had happened before, not often, but enough to worry, and this mission carried greater risk. What if he misstepped and ended up somewhere other than his intended destination?
She sighed and shook her head. "I think your plan is too risky right now, Ivan. When we go tomorrow, let’s casually ask about the Vault of Ages. It’s a known attraction in this kingdom, and others will want to see it too. Then we can create a distraction to draw Prince Valon away, and you can find a moment to slip inside."
Damien cleared his throat. "You both are aware that the key lies with the royals. And even if they agree to show us where it is, there’s still a chance we might not be able to enter at all. Even the royals possessing the keys cannot enter unless the Vault itself allows it, as it is protected by ancient spells."
Eve and Ivan were both aware of that possibility, yet Ivan was certain that the answers they’d been searching for lay within the Vault.
As silence settled between them, Ivan finally spoke. "Even if we’re unable to enter, it’s still worth a shot. Otherwise, I don’t know where else we could find the answers we’re looking for."
Eve pressed her lips together, then nodded. "Alright, it’s decided then. Tomorrow we’ll follow my plan. Let’s go over the details with Cece and Edward once we’re back at the hotel."
Ivan was about to object, but Eve stopped him by placing her hand over his. "I know you’re worried about me and don’t want me anywhere near that man," she said gently, "but you have to understand that there isn’t much we can do if he decides to seek us out. My father has put me in this position. But I promise you, I won’t wander off anywhere alone. Not without all of you."
When he stayed silent, hesitation flickering across his otherwise composed face, she asked softly, "Do you trust me, Ivan?"
"Without a doubt," he replied without missing a beat, making a small smile bloom on her lips.
"Then I ask you to trust me in this, too and my powers."
Ivan’s jaw tightened at the thought of Valon again, and he said with frustration as he ran his hand through his hair, "That rat will try to get close to you! I know he must be up to something more than he let on."
"But we are also up to something as well. Isn’t that why we came here in the first place? Knowing exactly what my father had been plotting behind my back. The only difference is whether we succeed in our motives or not. My father or that prince won’t succeed for sure." Her eyes turned icy cold as she spoke, the conviction in her voice leaving no room for doubt.
Damien leaned back and said with a smirk on his face, "Well, that’s true."
Ivan let out another sigh and lifted Eve’s hand to his forehead, lowering his head to rest against it. Eve watched him, seeing the conflict in his eyes. She knew how deeply his emotions were being shaken as one unfavourable challenge after another was thrown his way.
Silently, she moved closer to him, keeping her hand in his while raising her other to gently caress the side of his face. Her touch was so tender, so grounding, that even with the darkness coiling in his heart, it was her touch alone that was preventing him from lashing out.
Releasing a deep breath, he murmured, "Fine, we’ll try your plan first." Then he raised his head and looked directly into her eyes. "And if it doesn’t work, there will be no further involvement from you. I’ll handle things my way. Do you agree?"
Eve parted her lips to object, but he cut in sharply, "Eve, I agree only on this condition."
She wet her lips, hesitating for a moment before letting out another sigh, knowing he wouldn’t budge otherwise. "Fine. I accept."
"Ah, the sacred trio...communication, compromise, and trust! Finally, my prodigal lovebirds are learning the fine art of emotional maturity. I must say, I’ve been an excellent influence." He placed a hand dramatically over his chest.
