Chapter 53: Final Warning
Claire’s question hung heavily in the air, a tense silence enveloping the still hallway as no one uttered a word. The friction felt so overwhelming that Samantha, who still hid herself behind one of the pillars, could feel the atmosphere change drastically, as if time itself had frozen, and she quickly covered her mouth before a loud gasp could escape.
The young woman could swear she had no intention of eavesdropping on their heated conversation. Whatever they argued about was clearly none of her problem or business whatsoever - she wished for them to take their argument elsewhere so she could leave, but that thought dropped when she heard Claire speak of the late Queen with no remorse, she shouldn’t be surprised, but she was, and to be frank, that vile statement affected her too.
The death of Ivan’s mother, Queen Mila was mourned by the people of EmptyHollow, according to them she had been a remarkable Queen who stayed true to her words. The Herald made mention of the Queen dying from some sort of sickness, Samantha could hardly recall the name as it had been a long time ago, but to think the Late Queen committed suicide??? Strangely, Samantha could not bring herself to believe it too!
Suicide was considered a disgraceful act by the kingdom itself. Anyone who commits this ignominious act would be denied their death rites as per the rules of the Kingdom. Reminding herself of the rules, it sounded strange that the ones who abhorred this dishonorable act were indulged in it.
"But.... How can it be?" She whispered to herself, her gentle eyebrows knitting puzzledly at the shocking revelation.
The heavy secrets that have been locked within the Palace walls were too much for her poor mind to keep record of. All the royals of the family were targeted, but Samantha found it ambiguous that only those who shared a deep relationship with Lord Ivan were killed, or committed suicide - whichever one it was, nothing about it felt explainably right.
She wondered how long until her visit to the orb room would remain a secret. Her blood on the pedestal hadn’t been detected yet, and she hoped it stayed that way.... forever.
Peeping once again, Samantha was more than ready to hear Ivan give that irritating hag a taste of her own medicine, but to her greatest shock, the Vampire Lord seemed to have mellowed as his clenched fist slowly unclenched beside him. The look in his eyes - she had caught a glimpse of the same sadness at the riverbank, and it lasted only for a fleeting moment cause in a nanosecond, he was smiling - the usual insane, cold smile that did an excellent job in concealing his real emotions.
Lord Ivan really is an epitome of control.