Chapter 239: Before It Is Too Late
When Iskara fixed her with an intimidating look, Elara shifted uncomfortably, suppressing a squirm, and whispered to Solan, "Calm down, my king. Let us speak of this later, in private."
Solan clenched his jaw as he continued to glare at Lucian. Then his gaze swept over the sea of onlookers before him, each powerful in their own right, and he realised the situation did not cast him in a favourable light.
His deep blue eyes shifted to the vampire prince, who met his stare with open arrogance, daring him to act, and then to his daughter, whom the prince held protectively against his chest.
Just then, Cece, Damien, and Edward joined Ivan and the others. Damien clapped his hands together, cutting cleanly through the tension. "Well, shall we get going? I certainly do not wish to spend the rest of my night in a carriage instead of enjoying the comforts of my cosy bed."
Ivan gave him a nod before turning to King Alaric. "Thank you for your hospitality, King Alaric. I shall take my leave now."
"You are always welcome here, Your Highness. Do let me know if you ever plan to visit again. I only hope your next stay is far more pleasant than this one," he replied humbly, a tinge of regret colouring his words.
Ivan inclined his head slightly, then turned his crimson gaze to his father. "I will see you at Dracoria Palace, Father."
"Go on, my son. Princess Evelyn’s well-being must take precedence," Iskara replied, casting a subtle jab towards Solan. "Unlike others, we understand the importance of not delaying the convoy."
Solan’s hands curled into fists as fury shimmered in his eyes. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he turned to Iskara and demanded, "Is there something you wish to say to me, King Iskara?"
Iskara met the eyes of the man who had once stood beside him in better days, when both their wives were still alive. Now, only a cold, bitter man remained, "No," he said at last.
"I have no words for a man who cannot see beyond his own selfish reasoning. Such men are deemed lost, and all I can do is pray that the lost find their way back....before it is too late."
Those gathered around them felt they should not be witnessing such an exchange unfolding so openly. They all knew this would soon become the subject of whispered discussions among nobles across the continents.
Ivan took a step forward, intending to leave, when a voice called out behind him. "Prince Ivan."
He turned only to find Lucian with a faint smile, "Please tell Princess Evelyn that I kept my promise when she wakes."
Ivan’s brows creased at the words, but he did not question him further. Lucian then added, "I wish you a safe journey. I hope to see you again someday," before bowing respectfully.
Ivan returned the gesture with a subtle nod before finally moving towards the waiting carriage.
Solan, on the other hand, felt deeply humiliated, his eyes burning with a thirst for revenge against them all for the treatment he had endured since his arrival. His blue gaze remained locked on Iskara before shifting once more to Ivan, who carried his daughter carefully and stepped into a black luxury carriage encrusted with the royal insignia of Versailles. Solan carved the sight into his memory before finally turning away, leading his own departure, followed closely by the rest of his people.
As Ivan settled inside the carriage, to the students’ surprise, Cece, Damien, and Edward climbed in after him, taking their places within the same carriage.
Once everyone had boarded their respective carriages, the magnificent convoy, led by the vast army, began its journey back to the Kingdom of Versailles. It was a true spectacle beneath the clear morning sky, one that the people of Demos witnessed with bated breath.
Lining the streets, they watched the army depart the capital in peace, and the terror that had gripped them through the night slowly lifted as the procession moved on. With crimson flags embroidered with the golden dragon, the royal crest of Versailles unfurled proudly, almost seeming like a grand parade that left the onlookers in quiet awe.
Cece peeked through the carriage curtains and spotted a familiar little girl, Heidi, standing among the crowd with wide, wonder-filled eyes fixed on the procession.
For a brief moment, the child’s gaze met hers, and Cece silently mouthed, "Take care."
The girl’s eyes widened before they brimmed with tears at the sight of Cece. Then a soft smile bloomed across her face as she waved enthusiastically at Cece. Cece returned the smile before the carriage sped ahead, carrying them farther down the road.
Damien, who sat opposite Cece, noticed the exchange and teased, "I did not know my sister was such a softy."
Cece scoffed. "Only towards those who deserve it." Her gaze drifted to Edward, who was watching her with a gentle smile. A faint flush coloured her cheeks before she looked away shyly, prompting Damien to roll his eyes at yet another pair of lovebirds.
After an hour, once they had finally crossed the borders of Demos, Damien turned his crimson eyes towards Ivan. "So... we are out of there now. What is this trick you plan to use to transport our Evelyn?"
Ivan met their gazes and said firmly, "Close all the curtains. And Cece, you should move away from Evelyn and me. Make sure you do not touch either of us."
Cece frowned at her brother’s unusual request but did as told, moving to the far corner of the moving carriage. The other two drew the curtains shut, plunging the carriage into darkness.
"Remember," Ivan said quietly, "do not speak a word of this, and do not panic." He then pulled away the white blanket draped over Evelyn and placed it into Cece’s hands.
Cece took it without complaint, and before anyone could ask anything further, they heard Ivan say, "I will be back sometime before we reach Versailles."
With that, he gently adjusted Eve in his arms before pulling her close and holding her tightly. In the next instant, flames engulfed his entire body along with Evelyn, making all three of their hearts spike in shock before he vanished into the air, as though he had never been there at all.
For several long seconds, the carriage remained frozen in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on the empty space where Ivan and Evelyn had stood moments before. He had not even spared them a glance, leaving behind nothing but scorched air and disbelief.
Damien was the first to move. He let out a low, breathless whistle, his hand pressed briefly to his chest. "I genuinely thought I was about to have a heart attack," he muttered.
He was not alone in that thought. Edward, seated opposite where Ivan had been, murmured in disbelief, "Honestly, is there anything he cannot do?"
Cece finally released the breath she had been holding, clutching the blanket tightly to her chest. As her thoughts caught up with her, she muttered, "Could he not have warned us first?"
Damien’s lips curved into a crooked grin as he leaned back. "And where would the fun be in that?"
.
Coming back to the present....
.
Eve, who had been listening carefully to everything until now, was feeling incredibly warm in Ivan’s embrace.
She gasped softly and asked, "So you finally revealed your teleportation to them?"
"Hm, I had to," he replied, watching each of her reactions as she quietly took in his words.
Her brows knit together at his answer, and she said softly, "I’m sorry..."
"And why are you sorry?" he asked, gently tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
Eve shrugged her elegant shoulders, "Because you kept it a secret all this while....and I am guessing you revealed it only because of me." Her big blue eyes lowered in guilt at the thought of Ivan having to take such a step for her.
"Eve," his deep, quiet voice reverberated beside her ear, and in the next instant, her world shifted abruptly. She let out a sharp gasp as she found herself lying atop him, her hands braced against his hard chest. His molten red eyes locked onto hers with such raw intensity that she swallowed every word she had been about to say.
One of his hands held her firmly against him while the other cupped her cheek. Looking into her eyes, he asked, "Was it your decision to reveal my powers?"
She pressed her lips together before slowly shaking her head. "But..."
He placed his thumb gently against her plump lips, silencing her once more. His voice softened. "What did I tell you about looking away from me when you have done nothing wrong?" He dragged his thumb lightly across her lips, and a familiar heat pooled in her stomach. His hand then slid up to weave his fingers through her silky hair, drawing her face closer to his, and Eve felt herself melting beneath his touch.
