Bride To His Darkness-Chapter 276: Celebrating Autumn

Alain’s eyes shifted to his Mother, and she was giving him one of those looks that told him he needed to return to his seat. When he turned his gaze back to the interesting figure that beckoned him over, whoever it was no longer seemed to be there, and that made the interest in his eyes diminish.

For some unblinking seconds, this left little Alain confused, cause he was sure he saw someone there. Did his Mother scare the person away? He wasn’t surprised if it did. Alain knew if he defied his Mother, she was going to bring out a little stick she always preserved for him when he misbehaves past her boundaries, and knowing the kind of Mother he had, he obediently returned to the bench, sitting back up and deliberately avoiding her watchful eyes.

Madeline sighed with relief upon seeing him seated, and only she can understand the stress she’d have to undergo if he ran off without a trace. Finding him in a Palace as big as this would drain her out, and she wasn’t ready for that presently. However, the news of them not being able to return with the odd stop of the blood moon, had her worried.

—- freēwēbηovel.c૦m

At the balcony, Ivan remained seated on a chair, legs crossed on the table in front of him. His gaze remained fixed on the afternoon sun, whilst he watched the day slowly unfold before his very eyes, but in all honesty, he wasn’t really paying attention. He had chosen the balcony because not everyone comes up here, and he had dismissed his entourage with a glare, knowing they wouldn’t leave unless he acted otherwise.

"The stress..." he sighed wearily.

Deep in his thoughts, a familiar scent wafted through the air, and his lips, which had forgotten how to smile for many hours, slowly curved into a tender smile as he knew who was making her way here. In no time, his unfocused eyes moved to settle on the woman who had entered the balcony, and behind her, was Lady Seraphina whom she dismissed after seeing she had located his presence.

She returned his smile while moving towards where he sat. In her hand was a board chess she had kept on the table before going to stand behind her husband, her hands on his shoulder, and he tilted his chin up to look at the beautiful woman who had brightened his day with merely her presence.

"Did you come to see how your husband is faring?" He asked, even though it was obvious, and when she nodded, she lowered her head to kiss him on the lips, as he seemed to have been expecting it. His hand found her small ones that rested on his shoulder, and he brought her in front of him so she could sit on his legs.

"Rough day?" She asked, but his arms went around her waist. He rested his head comfortably on her bosoms while she caressed his hair, and he didn’t need to say it for her to know he was stressed. She heard him sigh in satisfaction as they remained in that intimate embrace, and she could tell he needed someone to hold, whilst she gave herself to him.

"Now I feel alive." He said without pulling away, his eyes closed shut, and Samantha kissed the top of his head and gladly gave him the comfort which he sought from her. They remained quiet, enjoying the tranquility of each other’s company until she said,

"How about we leave the Palace for a few hours?" She suggested, making him pull back to gaze at her, "it’ll be like in Fernwood, where we can be free. Away from the prying eyes of the Palace, it’ll be just us two against the world. The people are celebrating Autumn as I’ve heard, it will be a good distraction."

Ivan’s crimson eyes gleamed at her suggestion, and getting away from the Palace for a while could do him some good. He smiled in approval, then pressed his lips into a thin line as he thought of something else.

"We can’t step out looking like this, we’ll have to change first." He insisted, and Samantha nodded enthusiastically before getting off his legs. Ivan stretched both his hands forward, and Samantha held them, whilst pulling him off the chair and onto his two feet. He was taller than her again, and she hooked her arm around his before dragging him away from the balcony so they could get ready.

They both changed their outfits into something more simple, getting rid of everything that spelt royalty. For privacy, Samantha had kept little Viney in the same box, but not after bribing the demanding plant with some affectionate strokes on its belly.

When they were done, they got on Blaze and exited the Palace. Albert watched them go, and a smile dawned on his lips as he knew some time away from the burdens of the Palace would heal the couple.

Entering the capitals, the sun had dipped below the horizon, allowing the streets to come alive with lanterns, music and the delicious aroma of street food. They both wore simple, yet charming attire, cloaked in anonymity. It was a rare occasion when they could escape the confines of the Palace and experience the city as ordinary citizens. It felt like a burden had been lifted from their aching shoulders.

Samantha’s golden curls were concealed under a hood, and she wore a plain, earth-toned dress. Ivan on the other hand, tall and striking, had his hair hidden under a cap. His eye color had switched to the alluring blue, his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, and he donned a worn cloak to blend in with the crowd. Despite their disguises, their beauty and grace drew the attention of passersby.

Ivan had kept Blaze in the hands of a stable man he knew well in the town, and hand in hand, he and his beloved meandered through the crowded thoroughfare. They noticed the vibrant decorations adorning the building, and the joyful chatters of the people around them. The city was alive with an infectious energy, and Samantha couldn’t help but smile, her eyes twinkling with the warmth of the festivities.

"It’s been so long since we’ve been out like this." She remarked, her voice filled with a sense of wonder.

"I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen our people celebrate with such enthusiasm." He noted as they savored the sights and sound of the autumn festival.

Colorful banners adorned the buildings, and vendors peddled trinkets, roasted chestnuts and apple cider. Laughters filled the air as children played games on the cobblestone squares, and the musicians played lively tunes on street corners.

Samantha and Ivan exchanged smiles as they tasted sweet pastries, and he bought some of the roasted chestnuts for his lovely wife who seemed to have taken a great liking to them.

As the moon rose high, the people had gathered around, and a troupe of entertainers were putting on a colorful performance. They watched the dancers twirl in the central square, and even listened to some old tales in the storytelling shops. The people were captivated by the acrobatics and fire-breathing, whilst Ivan and Samantha found a quiet spot on the edge of the square and watched the spectacle unfold.

Ivan continuously peeled the roasted chestnuts and fed them to Samantha who gobbled it down. In these fleeting moments, they didn’t feel like rulers, but revelers in the human world.

"Coming out here wasn’t a bad idea." Ivan finally spoke up as he watched the fireworks go out in the night sky, bursting into distinguishable light above the heavens. The feeling of unity and camaraderie warmed his heart.

"This is my first time experiencing how people celebrate Autumn." He looked at Samantha who was also gazing at the fireworks, the lights reflecting in her eyes, and as though she sensed someone’s eyes on her, she turned her head to catch Ivan staring.

"Thank you." He suddenly said, to Samantha’s evident surprise.

"To me? What did I do?"

"You’ve done so much, but I’m thanking you for bringing the light into my dark world." He pulled her close and kissed her lips, just as another firework went up in the sky.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by f(r)eew𝒆bn(o)vel.com