Chapter 204: A Meaningful Gift
The sky was painted with hues of purple and orange, whilst the night drew near after everyone’s return from the field that evening. The sounds of Blaze’s hooves echo through the air, and when the gates to the Palace swung open, Blaze galloped into the palatial building with Cassian’s steed trailing right behind him.
Samantha laid her eyes on the Palace that proudly stood tall, and unlike the first time she was brought here, there was an inexplicable homely feeling that came with being here again, and maybe she only felt this way because she had built new memories– both the good and the bad in this Palace. She will forever keep Fernwood in the depths of her heart, but as for the future, her future lies nowhere else except with Ivan, and being with Ivan meant accepting the trials that came with ruling a Kingdom... a trial she believed she was ready to face.
At the entrance of the Palace which led to the vestibule, stood Ivan’s Entourages who were patiently waiting to welcome him, and a look of relief dawned on their visage the minute they sensed his presence. Ivan dismounted from Blaze, and everyone, including the servants who stood outside the front building watched as he extended a hand to Samantha, offering her his guidance. With the help of Ivan, Samantha dismounted from Blaze, and their fingers naturally interlaced as they stepped inside the Palace together.
"Welcome home, Your Majesty." His Entourage lowered their heads in a deep respectable bow, and Ivan simply led Samantha in after acknowledging their presence with a curt nod. Passing through the grand foyer, Albert, who had also been waiting at the main door to the hall room eagerly stepped forward to greet Ivan, and he didn’t miss the interlaced fingers.
"Your Majesty, there are important guests waiting in the hall room to welcome your arrival. It will be better if you take the other way so you won’t be surrounded. Your outfits for tonight have been laid in your chamber." Albert informed Ivan with a polite tone, and when he glanced at his little lamb who must be exhausted already from the trip, he wouldn’t want to place her under any more stress for the night.
"We’ll take the other way." Ivan said to the butler who nodded. "I’ll send some servants to your Chamber." And he left to quickly get them.
"Your Majesty!" Madeline, who had followed the empty route Ivan had taken, expressed her surprise and relief at his and Samantha’s arrival. Her eyes lit up when her husband and son followed next, whilst her smile broadened when Alain ran away from his Father’s side into her open arms.
"Mama!" The excitement in his voice was enough to express how much he missed her, and Madeline carried him in her arms before turning her attention to Samantha and Ivan. They exchanged smiles, and she moved aside to give them enough chances to make their way through.
"Please, do not let me delay you with my greetings. We can all have a conversation when you’re settled." Madeline suggested, and the group of men and servants who followed Ivan nodded their heads in approval.