Chapter 170: You Are Mine
"An existing what?" Ivan and Samantha questioned at the same time, their gazes exhibiting the same disbelief.
"The string is reminiscent of that of a thin delicate thread." Viktor elaborated as he made his way to his study desk, and he took his seat. "The thread is what’s keeping her connected to her soulmate, it is something I cannot dare to tamper with, and the blood moon must have triggered the effect. It seems to me that your soulmate is trying to lure you back using a mind trick, but whoever it is, I cannot tell you that."
"How does she have a.... Soulmate?" Ivan’s voice nearly shook upon hearing this, it was close to having his heart stabbed with an arrow as Lord Viktor’s gaze confirmed it. "If she has a soulmate, that means I can’t–"
"Be with her? I’m afraid so." Lord Viktor completed his statement for him. "Coming in between two existing soulmates can warrant natural consequences, dangerous consequences that can put both your lives at risk. Same thing with your late Father who discovered his soulmate at a later time.... She can’t be your bride if she has a soulmate elsewhere." Lord Viktor plainly asserted, and Samantha, who was still in shock, peeked at Ivan to his expression conveying his silent bewilderment, his lashes fluttering frantically as he tried to discern what he just heard, but even so, he refused to let her go.
"Isn’t there any way to cut off the bond with an existing soulmate?" He dared to ask, leaving Lord Viktor stupefied for only a fleeting moment. "Is there a way?"
"There is one way." Lord Viktor uttered as he lifted his index finger, "if her soulmate dies one way or the other, then the bond can be broken completely. The thread will snap, and although the soulmate will feel the pain of losing her mate for some days, she will become free to be with someone else... typical of a free bird." He gave the only one possible way to break a soulmate bond, and Samantha didn’t think killing anyone would be the perfect way to go about this. Knowing Ivan, there was a high chance he could consider it.
"Is there no other way?" She inquired softly, her tone laced with worry, but Lord Viktor shook his head in response, a silent answer that made her heart grow heavy as she glanced at Ivan who somehow managed to regain his composure.
"Thank you, Lord Viktor. We will leave you to your chamber." Holding Samantha’s wrist, Ivan took her out of Lord Viktor’s chamber, the door automatically closing behind them. Lord Viktor’s gaze lingered on the door, and his expressionless gaze portrayed slight concern for the two of them.
"First your Father, now you?" Viktor shook his head slightly and picked up his book to continue from where he left off.
Exiting the winged Palace, Ivan didn’t stop walking as they made it through the colonnade. The night sky was painted black with stars twinkling above. It was a beautiful night, perfect for a leisurely walk, but the same couldn’t be said for Samantha who felt confused and disoriented as she tried to make out what she just heard from Lord Viktor.
How is it possible for her to have an existing soulmate without knowing who it was? Instinctively, her gaze drifted to Ivan who walked in front of her, he was oddly quiet, and that increased her worries.
"Ivan." Samantha called his name, but she got no response from him, neither did he stop in his gait to even glance at her. He just kept walking with his gaze distant, as if he wasn’t on Earth anymore, but then, the light sobs behind him had managed to snap him out of his depressed trance. Turning around, he could see his little lamb standing far behind him, and his heart clenched when he saw the tears brimming in her eyes.