Chapter 314: A Night In The Forbidden Cave
They were currently standing outside the last shop at the edge of Crimson Hollow, where the district gave way to Raven Street.
Eve and Cece had their attention fixed on a nearby tavern that fell in Raven Street, where a performer was skilfully juggling wooden sticks with their ends lit in flame, drawing in curious customers.
Meanwhile, another voice nearby loudly advertised discounts on alcohol and an alarming variety of food items they had never even heard of.
Both ladies’ eyes sparkled with childlike curiosity, the unmistakable expression of two people who had just discovered something highly questionable and instantly decided they needed to try it.
Damien noticed at once. Leaning towards Ivan, he murmured, "Oh dear. I know that look. That is the exact look of children who have just discovered a forbidden cave and are already planning how to sneak inside."
Ivan could only agree silently as he watched Eve stare at the establishment with the intensity of someone who had already emotionally committed to going in.
Letting out a quiet, resigned sigh, he stepped closer to her, already bracing himself for the inevitable argument he knew was coming.
Damien stayed exactly where he was, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He knew precisely what Ivan was about to do, and he was very much looking forward to seeing who would win this battle of wills.
Edward stepped up beside Damien, already knowing exactly what was about to unfold.
"Lord Damien, do you not think you are enjoying this a little too much already?" Edward asked lightly.
"These are the few moments in life that truly nourish my soul, so naturally, yes," Damien replied without a shred of shame before turning his crimson eyes towards Edward. "And what about you? I see my sister wearing the exact same expression as Evelyn. Do not tell me you have already surrendered, knowing how terrifyingly strong-willed my sister can be."
Edward let out a soft laugh. "Well, you know her." His pale blue eyes drifted back to Evelyn before he added, "Besides, if the prince loses this battle against Evelyn, then we all know how this ends."
"You are absolutely right about that....and I wholeheartedly believe Ivan is about to lose this one against his beloved," Damien replied with a quiet chuckle.
Their attention then shifted back to Ivan, who had just reached Eve.
Ivan reached out and caught Eve by the wrist, quickly drawing her attention. Leaning in, he whispered close to her ear, "Eve, I think it is time to..."
But he was cut off immediately.
She grabbed his wrist in return and exclaimed, "Ivan! Let us go there for a while, please?" She pointed excitedly towards the tavern.
He opened his mouth to protest, only to close it again when he saw her bright, eager expression. Still, he knew he should not give in so easily, so he tried again. "Eve, the sun is already setting."
"I know. But we still have an hour. One hour would not be a problem, right? Besides, I have never had the chance to experience a place like that before." Her voice rose with barely contained excitement, and Ivan pressed his lips into a thin line.
"That place....it is on Raven Street. It is not the sort of place a lady should go to," Ivan explained patiently.
"Really?" She tilted her head slightly, staring at him with her large, beautiful eyes, and for a moment, he found himself completely lost in them.
Then she turned to glance towards the tavern and noticed a couple of women heading inside. Turning back to him with a questioning frown, she asked, "But there are women going in as well."
"They..." He faltered, suddenly at a loss for how to explain that those women were performers at the tavern.
"They what?" she pressed, narrowing her eyes at him.
Before he could attempt an answer, she continued, "Well....if you cannot answer, then you should head back first. I would like to enjoy this place. Cece is looking forward to it, too."
She said it with complete confidence, and at the sound of her name, Cece turned towards them, her eyes shining with excitement as she nodded vigorously like another child ready to go on a new adventure.
Ivan released another heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose as he felt a headache forming. Behind them, Damien and Edward burst into laughter. They were delighted to watch the formidable Crown Prince lose what was perhaps his very first battle against a delicate lady.
Though in truth, they both knew it was a battle Ivan had never stood a chance of winning. Not when the lady in question was not just anyone, but likely the most formidable woman they had ever known.
Not only because of her power, but because of her strong character and the place she held in the heart of the most powerful man on the continent.
Eve watched Ivan for a moment. She could not fathom why he was being so difficult.
Not wanting to waste another second, she grabbed Cece’s hand. "Let us go, Cece! I want to try everything they have!"
"Me too!" Cece replied, squeezing Eve’s hand in return.
They took a bold step forward, but before they could move toward the tavern, Ivan’s hand shot out and caught Eve’s arm once again.
"There is absolutely no way I am letting you go there alone, Evelyn." Even though he spoke in a low, stern tone, there was a hint of helplessness in his eyes, making the men behind them chuckle even more at the sight of him like this.
Eve gave him another puzzled look. "Well, I never said you could not come with us. You were the only one who mentioned heading back."
Ivan narrowed his eyes at her, catching the way her lips twitched as she pressed them together, trying to suppress a smile.
With a sudden movement, he pulled her toward him until she crashed against his hard chest.
He leaned down, his voice a dangerous whisper against her ear. "How bold of you to play with me like this. But prepare yourself, baby....especially when we get back to our room."
The way he emphasised "our room" made her heart skip a beat. A delicious sensation twisted in her stomach at the sound of his husky whisper.
Her cheeks burned with a sudden heat, made all the more intense by the realisation that she was still holding Cece’s hand on the other side.
"Y-you..." Unable to think of a retort, she quickly yanked her arm back and gave him a playful push. "Run, Cece!"
She giggled as the two of them scurried away like excited rabbits fleeing from a big, bad wolf.
Ivan stood for a moment in disbelief that she had actually pushed him away. Watching her retreat, he called out, "Stop right there, Eve!" He immediately dashed after them, refusing to let them enter such a place unescorted.
Damien and Edward followed closely behind, still laughing as the scene unfolded.
They managed to secure a table on the second floor. It offered a bustling view of Raven Street, which was now flooded with people.
The sun was setting, casting a beautiful orangish pink hue across the sky, but the two ladies were unable to concentrate on the scenery.
They were far more occupied with the chaos around them.
They watched men drinking from massive wooden mugs and tearing into meat from various dishes scattered across the tables. Some groups were huddled over cards, while others laughed so loudly their voices seemed to echo all the way down to the street below. In a far corner, a small crowd had gathered, completely engrossed in a heated arm-wrestling match.
The air was thick with smoke and the heavy scents of roasted food and alcohol. Upbeat music pulsed in the background, adding to the rowdy energy of the room.
Their table was situated along a narrow balcony, positioned perfectly so they could look down at the tavern’s interior on one side and the bustling street on the other.
Ivan sat close to the railing, his back to the street, while Eve took the seat beside him. Cece followed her, with Edward settling in next to her. On the opposite side of the table, Damien sat directly across from Ivan, with Aden and Oliver rounding out the group.
A muscular server approached their table with a weathered, brown apron tied around his waist. Though his face was stern and intimidating, his voice was surprisingly jolly when he finally spoke.
"Good day to all you fine customers!" he exclaimed in a booming voice as he placed the menus on the table. "Here are the food and drink menus for you to look over."
His light red eyes swept over their cloaked figures, and a knowing grin spread across his face. He clearly recognised the unmistakable air of nobles attempting to look like ordinary people and failing rather magnificently.
"Should you need any help with your choices, I am right here to assist!"
They each picked up a menu and began passing them around.
"Well, thank you, kind sir!" Eve replied, perhaps a little too enthusiastically, as though she had just been here multiple times.
