Chapter 197: The Guests From Beloria [Part 5]
• DREVON •
I stormed the corridor, worried to the bones. I was at the doors and pushed them open, stepping into our chamber.
Eloise was on the bed, applying oil to her thighs, when she saw me.
"Drevon?" she questioned, surprised to see me so early. "Is everything okay?"
I should be the one asking that question.
Eloise attempted to stand, but I had already neared the bed.
"Are you alright? I heard you got sick," I said, pulling her into my lap.
I realized she was naked beneath, just wearing a red silk robe. Her skin was soft and smooth against my touch, but I was just checking for temperature.
Her eyes weren’t dilated, so I knew she wasn’t hungry for blood.
"Tell me how you feel," I asked with begging eyes, ready to find a solution to kill any discomfort she may have.
Eloise smiled, and I felt my heart melt at this angelic sight. There was always something about her smile. It was capable of tugging the strings, and each time I felt like dropping to my knees to worship this woman.
"You worry too much, husband."
"Eloise," I spoke seriously this time.
"I’m fine, it was just the pressure of the day. You know how stressed out I have been."
She has been working so hard lately, and I didn’t like it.
"How did it go?"
I never wanted her to meet them, but Eloise convinced me it was something she needed to do. I trust her enough to know that she can deal with it. She was the strongest person I knew, and sometimes it amazed me what she was capable of.
Ravyn has debriefed me, telling me how incredible she was, but she didn’t stay for lunch. I needed to know what happened.
"I regret it."
Those three words were like a knife to my heart, especially as her eyes filled with sadness. She held on the entire time, and now she was unravelling.
Eloise buried her face in my neck and wrapped her arms tightly around me.
"I wish I had never seen them. I just want to forget it now."
"You did what you needed to do, my love."
"They were all the same, worst. I didn’t expect change but..."
"Tell me."
"Father..."
That one word got my insides twisting, and I tried to hide my bloodlust and not stir her up when she needed calm at this moment.
"He was still a stone-cold person. As Stepmother and sister spoke their distasteful words, he was more worried about a meeting. Don’t worry, I didn’t show any emotion or how their actions affected me; I handled it like a queen."
"That’s my girl." I ran my hand up and down her soft curls before I kissed her forehead and added. "Rest, my love. You’re exhausted."
That was all I could say because right now, no more words can offer her ease. I could feel the heavy emotions eating her from the inside out.
I stripped off my clothes and joined her in bed, holding her in my arms, knowing this was what she needed right now.
~•~
The sun was up, and the soft rays filtered into our room.
I adjusted my black gloves, keeping an eye on a sleeping Eloise and Snow curled up next to her.
I could spend all morning just watching my sleeping beauty, but I couldn’t. There was something I needed to do.
I leaned down and kissed her on the head, using my fingers to tickle Snow’s ear a bit, knowing he liked it. I stood to my full height, took one last look before I walked out of the room.
I made my way to my study, shoes echoing. When I got to the door, it opened and revealed Garrick and Lucan already waiting.
"My liege," they greeted.
I strolled down the aisle and up the stairs leading to my table, I rounded it and sat in my chair.
"Summon the Archduke," I declared.
"Oh, so it’s time," Lucan said, amused.
Yes, it was.
~•~
I raised my gaze as Richard Ravemont came closer. He bowed. "Monarch, I was hoping to finally see you. I’m glad you called."
"Sit."
I could tell he was shaken, but he did his best to stay composed as he sat before me.
"About the reports—"
"I know Eloise is a snowblood."
Richard’s eyes went wide in shock before they flickered away, replaced with an unreadable expression.
"I need you to tell me everything about her mother. Your reply will determine your fate, for it’s sealed at this moment."
He closed his eyes. "I see. We weren’t called for an official meeting; this was the reason."
I eyed him quietly until he glanced back at me.
"I’ll tell you what you need to know, as long as you provide safety to my wife and daughter."
I said nothing, and he clenched his teeth in anger. "Is there no hope for them?"
"My thoughts on the matter will not concern you anyway, for your chances have become slim. Here you sit before me, speaking about a wife and daughter. It’s pathetic, given the other daughter you were willing to cast aside. A very careless decision when you were aware of the blood running through her veins."
Not just his selfish desires, he had also put her in harm’s way.
"She was born weak..." he said it like it was the most unacceptable thing, and I wanted to take his throat, but I remained calm.
"Nothing about her was abnormal. The doctor who had a look at her condition said she wouldn’t last a year."
I flinched at his words. "You didn’t just throw her to the beasts then, you did it knowing you’d have your expansion and that she would die after marriage."
Eloise was dying from her lingering ailment.
If I hadn’t given her my blood that day, she would have met a tragic fate, all because of this piece of shit in front of me.