Chapter 291: Four Hours Of Eternity
"By the gods....so the whispers are true?" Bennet’s voice shook, caught between horror and opportunistic excitement. "I had dismissed it as a mere rumour, but my son at the Academy confirms it! Everyone is talking! The Princess is broken, and Prince Ivan has finally agreed to cast her aside."
Another minister scoffed, swirling the dark liquid in his glass. "Why the shock, Bennet? We all knew she was a temporary fixture. That grand display of devotion in the royal court was nothing more than an elaborate charade.....a performance to keep his image intact while she kept his bed warm. Now that she is no longer useful, the mask has finally slipped."
"I had already called it first....yet I still had to bear the brunt of that display," Silas replied, his hand drifting to his neck as though recalling Ivan’s fingers tightening around his throat.
The ministers present snickered knowingly, as if remembering the incident all too well. One of them waved it off and said, "Do not worry, Silas. I am certain this is your chance to make amends."
Silas narrowed his eyes at those gathered before speaking again. "Of course, Prince Ivan’s presence is an honour," he said, swirling the wine in his glass. "But he is not the only notable arrival this evening."
Interest immediately stirred at his words.
"There is another guest," Silas continued, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Someone rather....exceptional. An individual who will soon be joining the academy."
"Who is this person?" Ozen asked, his tone betraying a calculated desire to draw near to the newcomer.
"They are not yet widely known," Silas remarked, his eyes darkening with a sharp, hidden intent. "But soon, they will be."
The mystery only heightened the anticipation of those gathered. Then, the bells began to toll, announcing the arrival of the guests. Ambition, arrogance, and impending chaos were finally set into motion.
.....
Back in Dracoria Palace, the men were already dressed in tailored three-piece suits. Each of them looked strikingly handsome, clad in crisp white dress shirts with white bow ties, paired with black waistcoats and immaculate black coats. Their hair was styled in neat push backs, with a few loose strands falling freely on their forehead, which’s slightest movement was enough to bring any woman to her knees.
They were currently lounging in Ivan’s sitting room, which connected directly to his master bedroom, where Eve and Cece were getting ready. Madame Vesper had arrived once again with her assistant to personally dress them for the occasion. This time, maids were permitted inside the room to assist the ladies, though only those who had been thoroughly vetted were allowed anywhere near Evelyn.
Alex and Caleb, along with several Ignis Blade knights, remained on standby should even the slightest need arise. It was, admittedly, excessive.
But in Ivan’s eyes, it was necessary.
Eve was his everything, and he would not allow even a single threat to circle around her. As he waited rather impatiently with the other two, he kept his keen senses fully attuned to every sound and movement coming from inside the room.
Every few seconds, his finger tapped against the armrest of the sofa, or his foot struck softly against the floor, until he caught himself and forced the restless motion to stop.
His molten red eyes remained fixed on the connecting door, anticipation coiling tightly within him as he waited to see the woman he had not laid eyes on for the past few hours, ever since Cece had firmly kicked him out so they could prepare for the ball.
Yet he was not alone in this internal battle.
Like him, there was another presence in the room, far more composed on the surface than Ivan’s slightly cracked facade, but even he could not entirely hide the subtle fidgeting that betrayed his own impatience.
Damien lounged comfortably across from them, openly observing the two men who were fighting a losing battle against their own impatience. He rolled his eyes so hard he genuinely feared they might never find their way back.
"Tch, just look at the two of you," he clicked his tongue, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "You cannot even hold yourselves together for a couple of hours."
He sighed dramatically, as though burdened by their collective incompetence, before a wicked glint lit his eyes. "At this rate, I am honestly concerned about what you are going to do if this drags on for another hour."
Damien was lying, of course.
"An hour?" Ivan snapped, turning sharply towards him with a faint scowl etched across his face. "It has already been four hours," he said, his gaze flicking to the clock on the wall.
Edward’s heart dropped so swiftly it felt as though it hit his stomach with a thud, loud enough that Damien was certain he could hear it.
Damien’s lips twitched, and he made a monumental effort not to break into maniacal laughter. Pressing his lips together, he contained the mirth bubbling in his chest and said, "Ah, brother....I think you still have a long way to go on this journey of understanding women, or in your case, I should say, one woman."
He swirled the wine in his glass lazily. "You will also need to get used to the concept of being fashionably late wherever you go, especially when you plan to bring your plus one. It will do you good."
That was when his grin returned in full force as he met Ivan’s glare head-on.
Raising a brow, he added, "What? Do not be angry with me. It seems time itself has wronged you this evening." A chuckle slipped out before he could stop himself.
Unable to endure Damien’s lessons any longer, Ivan rose fluidly from his seat and began striding towards the door he had been resisting the urge to break down all this time.
Before he could reach it, however, he caught something from the other side and paused mid-step.
Soon, the double doors yawned open, and the first people Ivan saw were Madame Vesper and her assistant. Upon meeting his gaze and realising he stood only a few steps away, they startled slightly before bowing at once. "Your Highness, we were just about to take our leave."
Ivan responded with a silent nod, his attention already shifting past them as he looked into the room, eager to find the person he had been waiting for all this time.
Madame Vesper noticed the direction of his gaze, and a small, knowing smile curved her lips. Leaning slightly towards her assistant, Lily, she whispered without turning her head, "Close your mouth, dear."
Lily immediately snapped her mouth shut and bowed deeply, suddenly aware that she had been openly staring at the breathtaking prince, whom she had never seen up close until now.
Still dazed by the sight of the royal couple, she kept her eyes firmly fixed on the floor and followed Madame Vesper out like a lost puppy, doing her best to regain her composure.
The maids followed after them as well.
Ivan remained rooted to his spot, and he finally heard the click of heels against the smooth floor. He knew immediately who it was not. Soon, Cece came into view, clad in a shimmering, off-shoulder blue gown that looked both beautiful and deceptively innocent. Her blonde hair was styled into an elegant bun, held in place by a golden accessory. She moved with effortless grace, her crimson eyes meeting Ivan’s as a smirk curled her lips.
"The one you have been waiting for is inside," Cece said teasingly. "Why don’t you go and have a look?"
Ivan did not need to be told twice. His firm, purposeful steps echoed through the quiet chamber as he disappeared behind the door to the bedchamber.
Cece shook her head at his eagerness before turning back towards the room, only to meet a pair of pale blue eyes. Her heart stuttered at the sight of Edward on his feet, looking so striking that she could not help but let her gaze travel slowly from head to toe before meeting his eyes again.
Then he smiled.
Edward moved towards her at an unhurried pace before extending his hand. Cece’s breath hitched as she heard him say, "Milady."
A blush bloomed on her cheeks as she smiled and placed her gloved hand in Edward’s. He took it gently and bent to press a brief kiss against it. Though fleeting, it was enough to make her heart skip a beat once more.
Straightening, he said softly, "You look beautiful."
"T-thank you," she replied, lifting her gaze to meet his. "You look good, too."
Edward’s smile widened before he offered his arm, which she accepted without hesitation. Together, they made their way towards Damien, who immediately began teasing them with evident delight.
While Damien amused himself by tormenting one pair outside, on the other side of the room, the moment Ivan stepped into the bedchamber, his heartbeat began to thunder louder and faster with every step he took.
