The Bride Of The Devil-Chapter 45: Winter Angel

Ivan slowly opened his eyes to the morning light spilling gently into the room. The first thing he saw was Lydia beside him, her face soft and glowing. She smiled as she reached out to caress his cheek.

"Good morning," she said in a soft voice.

Ivan said nothing. He smiled faintly and pulled her into a tight hug, burying his face in her neck. His arms wrapped around her with a kind of desperation, like he needed her warmth to hold himself together.

✧ Her fingers stroked his back in slow circles, trying to ease whatever storm was inside him. His breathing was uneven, and he clung to her like someone afraid she might vanish.

"Are you okay?" Lydia whispered, pulling back slightly to look at his face.

He only shook his head. "Nothing," he mumbled. "I just want to hold you like this."

Their peaceful moment was cut short as the door creaked open. They turned at once.

It was Katherine.

Her face shifted subtly, not in shock, but with an emotion that couldn’t be named. It was not surprise, not anger, not even curiosity. Just something... off.

"I’m sorry for intruding," she said in her usual calm tone.

✧ Her voice was even, but her eyes flickered toward the bed and lingered for half a second too long.

Lydia sat up slightly. "Why are you here?"

Katherine stepped in fully. "There is a matter in town that requires your attention, Your Highness."

Ivan, hearing that, immediately got up. His face changed the moment he saw Katherine properly. It was hard to read him—his eyes held hate, fear, anger... and maybe even a bit of sadness. He didn’t say a word. He just walked out.

✧ His footsteps were heavy against the wooden floor, echoing faintly as the silence between the two women grew thick.

Lydia watched him leave, her eyes filled with worry. Katherine stood still and quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line. When Ivan disappeared from sight, she turned to Lydia.

"Let’s get you ready."

Ivan walked through the palace with heavy steps. His mind was far away. Without realizing it, his feet had taken him to a familiar, dreaded place. He looked up and found himself standing in front of the door.

The forbidden room.

He stared at it, his heart pounding. His hand reached out, trembling. He hadn’t entered this room in years. No one was allowed here. Not even Lydia.

His fingers touched the handle.

A flash came to his mind. Not a nightmare.

A memory.

A little boy, screaming and crying. Dragged by a woman with long black hair. He remembered it now.

That little boy was him.

That woman was Olga.

✧ The memory tightened in his chest like a fist. Her sharp voice, the icy grip on his wrist, the sound of a door slamming shut—those ghosts had never left.

He turned the knob.

The door creaked open.

The room was still the same. Cold. Empty. The air inside had not changed. The walls looked haunted.

He walked in slowly. His knees hit the floor.

He sat there. Like he did when he was just a child. Tears ran down his face as he whispered,

"I’m sorry... I’m so sorry."

He repeated it over and over. His voice cracking with each word.

Then, a knock.

The door creaked open again.

He turned around.

It was her. A young girl. Katherine.

She stood at the door and smiled at him.

Back in Lydia’s chambers, the maids helped her dress warmly. The winter had grown harsher. She wore a soft wine-red velvet dress that hugged her gently, with a fur-lined robe over her shoulders. Her gloves were a soft cream color, keeping her hands warm. A little brooch sat on her chest, shining under the morning sun.

✧ The maids whispered about the sudden chill in the palace halls, but Lydia wasn’t listening. Her thoughts were still tangled around Ivan—his silence, his eyes, that haunted look.

She stepped out with Katherine, heading toward the exit of the palace.

Just as they passed one of the long corridors, Ivan walked by. Lydia brightened up.

"Ivan!" she called out happily.

But her smile faded quickly.

He looked... distant. Cold. Like he used to be before.

Still, when he heard her voice, something changed. His expression softened for just a second. But he said nothing.

"I’ll be back soon," Lydia said, trying to keep her voice light. "Let’s talk later, okay?"

He didn’t respond. He kept walking. Lydia’s heart dropped.

✧ The sound of his footsteps retreating felt louder than anything else in that moment. A strange hollowness settled in her chest.

Katherine’s eyes twitched slightly. As if she had just been caught doing something she shouldn’t have.

The carriage ride was painfully quiet.

Lydia looked out of the window, her thoughts racing. First, Ivan had disappeared during the night. Then, this morning, his strange behavior. She was sure he had come from the forbidden room.

What happened there?

Why did he keep it locked?

Why was he so different?

So many questions. No answers.

Katherine sat across from her, also deep in thought. Lydia noticed and gently called her name.

"Katherine?"

Katherine blinked. "Yes, Your Highness?"

Lydia paused. She wanted to ask her if she knew anything about the room. But Katherine wouldn’t tell her anything. Not honestly.

"Where are we going?" she asked instead.

Katherine nodded. "To the bakery in town. They’ve stopped paying rent to the palace for months. His Highness doesn’t care about such matters, so it falls on you."

"Okay," Lydia said softly.

As they rode through Svetlana, the carriage passed through different parts of the kingdom. First, the wealthy part where nobles lived—grandeur in every corner, snow-dusted rooftops, and fancy gates.

Then came the poorer area.

The slums.

But it wasn’t what Lydia expected.

It was alive.

Children played in the snow. Women chatted happily as they swept in front of their homes. The place was loud, joyful. Lydia was surprised.

✧ Even the walls, though cracked and worn, were painted with colorful patterns. She saw laundry flapping from lines, laughter echoing from narrow alleys.

Katherine whispered, almost to herself, "I thought this winter would be too hard for them. But they seem okay..."

They stepped out of the carriage and walked to the bakery.

The baker, a kind man with tired eyes, bowed low. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I should have paid. This year was difficult. The snow, the food..."

He paused.

"If not for the winter angel, we would have had nothing to eat."

Lydia blinked. "Winter angel?"

Just then, the baker’s young son ran inside, his cheeks red from the cold. "Papa! Everyone got gold coins this morning at their doorstep! Maybe it was an angel!"

Lydia and Katherine exchanged a surprised glance.

They left the town quietly, both lost in thought. The snow kept falling, but the people of Svetlana were smiling.

Back at the palace, Ivan stood alone. He was staring at the large painting of his mother.

His voice was low.

"If you were alive... none of this would have happened."

✧ The flickering firelight made her painted eyes seem to watch him. He lowered his gaze, the weight of unspoken memories heavy on his shoulders.

By the time Lydia and Katherine returned, the sun had gone down. The dining table was set for dinner. Lydia removed her robe and gloves and sat down, unsure if Ivan would come.

She waited.

Then the door opened.

Ivan entered.

Lydia’s face lit up. She moved closer to him.

"The town was... interesting," she said, smiling. "You won’t believe it. The people say an angel gave them gold. Left it on their doors. Isn’t that sweet?"

She kept talking, trying to cheer him up. But he didn’t respond. He wasn’t even eating. He was lost in thought again.

Lydia stopped. Her hand reached across the table and held his.

"Are you okay?"

He blinked, snapping out of it. "Yes... I’m fine."

She didn’t believe him.

She held his hand tighter. He smiled weakly and pulled her close.

"I’m okay," he repeated.

She looked into his eyes. They were filled with so much sadness. She wanted to take all the pain away. Her hands gently cupped his face, and she leaned in to kiss him.

It was a gentle kiss at first. But Ivan kissed her back with a hunger that surprised her. As if her lips could erase his pain.

He stood and lifted her slightly, guiding her gently onto his lap.

Their kiss deepened. Her arms wrapped around his neck. He removed her gloves slowly and kissed the inside of her hands, one finger at a time.

He trailed kisses from her jaw to her neck, his hands moving up her back. She leaned into him, moving against him, their breaths growing heavier.

Outside the dining room, Tatiana’s carriage rolled to a stop at the palace gates. She stepped out gracefully, looking around with curiosity.

She walked through the palace calmly, taking in the halls and corners. She noticed two servants whispering near the dining hall and walked toward them.

Inside the dining room, Ivan and Lydia were still lost in each other.

Her hips moved slowly, grinding against him. He kissed her like he needed her. His hands explored her body, and her soft moans filled the quiet space. In that moment, nothing existed outside that room. Not the cold winter, not the forbidden memories, not the pain he carried in silence.

Then, the door opened.

Ivan froze.

He looked up.

And saw her.

"Tatiana," he said out loud.

Lydia, still on his lap, turned quickly, confused.

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This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺