Chapter 75: The Prince’s Sanctuary
When Ivan walked out, he saw Alex speaking to Caleb, who had just arrived along with twenty other elite soldiers. Caleb was a tall, muscular man with brown hair and light red eyes. He was the third in command of Ivan’s personal elite force, and the very man who had uncovered Marquess Lester Viremont’s corrupt practices.
Ivan’s elite men were known as the Ignis Blades. They were deeply rooted in every city, acting as Ivan’s extended eyes and ears throughout the kingdom. This is how Ivan was able to maintain strict control over everything within his kingdom.
They were not just any elite soldiers; they were fiercely loyal only to Ivan, highly skilled with everything they did, and answered to no one but Ivan. King Iskra had no objection to his son’s vast personal army. On the contrary, he took great pride in it, believing it was a mark of Ivan’s capabilities as he was not only able to command such skilled personnel but had also earned their absolute loyalty.
As soon as Ivan stepped out of the castle, Caleb and the newly arrived Ignis Blades were stunned to see their prince carrying a woman so tenderly in his arms. Unaware of who Evelyn was, Caleb quickly rushed to him. Placing one hand across his chest, he bowed deeply and greeted, "Your Highness."
Ivan glanced at him and gave a slight nod, "Good to see you here, Caleb, and good job on uncovering the nexus here."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Caleb replied, still bowing.
"You may rise," Ivan commanded.
When Caleb rose to his full height, his eyes fell on the unconscious woman in Ivan’s arms. "Allow me to carry her, Your Highness?" he offered.
The moment the words left his lips, he felt a drop in the temperature around them. Alex, who was watching, could only sigh and shake his head inwardly at Caleb’s boldness in asking something that no one had dared to until now.
Ivan narrowed his cold eyes at him and spoke in a commanding tone, "No need. Prepare a carriage for my return." At the sharp voice, Caleb and the other soldiers instinctively straightened their backs.
Caleb didn’t understand why he was suddenly facing the full brunt of Ivan’s cold demeanor. Swallowing hard, he replied, "Right away, Your Highness," before quickly scurrying away to prepare a carriage.
Alex held back a chuckle that was threatening to escape his lips, fully understanding Caleb’s plight, after all, he too had endured Ivan’s glare the first time he dared to look at the princess longer than he should have. ’Good lord, I never thought I’d get to see our prince so smitten by a princess,’ he thought inwardly as he stepped towards Ivan to give him further report.
After discussing the necessary matter, they decided to head back to Bastian. A separate group of Ignis Blades was assigned to escort the prisoners back under heavy security, to await the King’s judgment.
Soon, the carriage arrived for Ivan. Just when he was about to step in, Alex cleared his throat, making him pause.
"What is it, Alex?" Ivan asked.
"Uh..yes, Your Highness," Alex’s eyes flickered to the princess in his arms before quickly moving back to Ivan and asking, "Once we reach Bastian, will we be returning to Blood Moon Academy?"
Ivan’s gaze lowered to Eve, who was clearly injured, "No, to Dracoria Palace."
With that, he stepped into the carriage, leaving Alex speechless for a few seconds. He wondered how the king would react upon learning that Prince Ivan was bringing a woman to the palace for the very first time.
"Understood, Your Highness," Alex replied, bowing before closing the carriage door.
It would take nearly seven hours to reach Bastian, and though it was already five in the morning, sleep was nowhere in sight. The sun had yet to rise, leaving the world still cloaked in darkness.
Ivan gently adjusted Eve on his lap, letting her head rest against his shoulder, while the rest of her body lay along the carriage seat. By now, she was in deep slumber, while traces of blood still stuck to her lips. Gazing at it, he recalled the intoxicating taste of her blood, but seeing her in such a fragile state, he had no desire to indulge in it at the moment. His gaze then fell upon the dark bruise marred on her pale cheek, and he clenched his jaw tightly, forcing himself to control his rising temper.
He gently brushed a few strands of hair from her face, studying her exquisite features, and wondered just how she had fallen under their grasp in the first place. Damien had reported only that evening that everything was fine, so did that mean that the darkrots had infiltrated the academy at night and captured her? His brows drew together as he continued to gaze at her. It had been nearly a week since he had last seen her, and now, when he finally did, it was in this state.
He lightly brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek, where it was not bruised, and whispered, "Always getting into trouble..." Then, wrapping one arm over her head and another around her waist, he drew her closer and took a deep breath, as if he could finally breathe with her near him.
He didn’t know why he was growing so attached to this lumen princess, but he no longer cared. Every fibre in his being compelled him to protect her, wanting to keep her near him...always. His thoughts shifted to the figure in the red clock who had escaped before he could reach him, and realization struck him that they all saw Evelyn’s powers. There was no way they wouldn’t target her now. The thought of her being under constant threat greatly unsettled him.
He released another sigh, unwilling to dwell on the dangers that lay ahead. He closed his eyes as he felt the weight of exhaustion settle over him. Though a powerful vampire, even he was worn down after five days of relentless missions, and his body demanded rest. Leaning back against the cushioned seat of the carriage, he told himself he would only rest his eyes for a moment, yet after five minutes, he too drifted into a deep sleep.
.....
It was almost noon when they reached the majestic Dracoria Palace. Perched on top of a hill, the massive castle blended Gothic and Elven architecture, ornate, ancient and beautiful. A vast stone bridge extended outward from the main body of the castle, supported by intricately carved arches and columns.
Although a fortress, it was more like a radiant sanctuary of ancient pure-blooded vampires. Built high against a mountain backdrop, with a river flowing beneath that ajoined the vast sea ahead, the structure stretched wide across multi-tiers, glowing under the sunlight pouring over it. Tall towers rose majestically with pointed spires, while rows of arched windows and balconies lent the palace an air of regal elegance.
The carriage steadily crossed the massive stone bridge before finally halting within the palace grounds. A few of Ignis Blades had already ridden ahead to inform the palace staff of Ivan’s arrival. Alex dismounted his horse and came to stand at the carriage door.
"Your Highness, we have arrived," he announced from outside as he awaited Ivan’s command.
Ivan, who had been in a deep sleep, finally opened his eyes. He blinked in mild wonder at how he was able to fall asleep so easily in a carriage, which was a rarity for him, as he was usually too alert. Glancing down, he found Evelyn still asleep. He spoke softly, "Open the door."
When he carefully stepped down from the carriage, the royal staff, along with the butler, were left in utter shock at the sight of their prince carrying a woman in his arms so protectively.
The butler named Arthur, a middle aged man with salt-and-pepper hair and a neatly kept mustache, felt his composure waver. For the briefest moment, disbelief flickered across his face, which was quickly chased by curiosity. But he swiftly schooled his expression and stepped forward to give a deep bow in greeting, "Welcome back, Your Highness."
At his lead, all the other staff members lined up and followed suit, bowing low, though a few could not hide the fleeting glances of astonishment at the sight before them.
Ivan began walking inside as he spoke, "Arthur, call the royal physician to my room."
Had Arthur been less disciplined in his etiquette as a royal butler, his eyes might have popped from their sockets at what he had just heard. The prince was taking a young lady to his private chamber. Yet, he mastered his composure and replied at once, "Right away, Your Highness."
Ivan paused briefly before adding, "Send a maid to tend to her."
Without waiting for a response, he strode off and disappeared down the corridor.
His chamber lay at the far end of the west wing of the palace on the second floor, which overlooked the sea. Once inside, he gently placed Evelyn upon his bed, a space that no soul had ever been permitted to enter. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before a soft knock pulled him back to the present.
"Enter," he commanded. The door opened, and two maids entered alongside a physician.
