Chapter 191: Let Them Come
"I know you want to invite the Archduke to Valkanor," I changed the topic, tickling his sharpened jawline.
Drevon’s body froze, shooting me a questioning look.
"Lucan gets chatty when he eats."
"I talked about it once. Then, when I was trying to uncover your bloodline. No plans were made yet." He caressed my cheek. "You could have asked me. I wouldn’t have taken any actions without discussing it with you first."
"Let him come, let them come."
A slow smile touched Drevon’s lips. "Are you sure about that?"
"I think it’s time I knew about my mother and why my father chose to treat me like he did."
"The answer is simple. He failed you, no matter what his choices were; he failed you as a father."
"What do you intend to do when you see him?" I asked with narrowed eyes, sensing his bloodlust.
Drevon didn’t reply, simply kissing my forehead and picking me up. "Time for you to eat, my love."
~•~
"So we’re going to see the highly esteemed in-laws from Beloria. That ought to be the talk of the century, louder than even when you came to Valkanor as Drevon’s human bride."
"Highly esteemed?" I sipped my tea. "A bit of a stretch, don’t you think, Diana?"
Diana smirked. "How else are we going to honor them?" She placed her arm on the table. "Now tell me, what do you have in mind? I trust you do, for I know you did not simply agree to have the Ravemont here without plan..."
"Oh, Diana, it’s like you can read my mind sometimes."
"Which is scary for me, given what goes on in that head of yours."
I chuckled. "Fret not, I think of only the essential. For now we shall welcome our guest. They are coming for official matters."
"Not just the Archduke then?"
"The Archduchess and her daughter, Fiona. Fiona’s husband will take charge of Beloria while they are gone."
"The Archduke’s daughter is married?"
"Yes, I heard the news from Aria, who recently got some tea supplies. Fiona got her dream, marriage to a reputable man, living in one of the new lands as Baron."
"You don’t sound pleased or unpleasant."
I huffed, dropping my cup. "I already knew that was how her future would play out, after all, her life was perfect. The Archduke saw her as his precious daughter, the only reason he sacrificed the bastard."
"He’s your father. Sadly, you can’t change that."
"Years ago, that is what I told myself." I faced the view. "Not anymore. Some blood is meant to be washed away."
The weather in Valkanor was strange... It was snowing again. A magical sight with the moon shining, the stars covering the sky.
My vision suddenly blurred, and I groaned, holding my head.
"Eloise, are you okay?"
"Yes, I just feel faint."
It’s been so long since I felt faint, and having this sudden feeling made me recall the times I was dizzy and weak. Every walk was like I was heaving through a climb of a mountain.
"Why are you smiling?" Diana questioned in a scolding.
"Nothing, just having this feeling made me feel nostalgic."
"Well then, no time to recall, you must be tired. We should head back to your chambers." She helped me up. "Giving Talia and Osha the day off should have come later."
"I wanted them to rest. It’s been a busy week."
"Whatever, come on now."
"I’m not a child," I said, walking on my own.
Diana rolled her eyes.
"So how was your meeting with the Dowager?"
"The worst. Having tea with her feels like I’m at a warfront."
I giggled. "Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it."
The Dowager had been requesting meetings with Diana for the past week. Although Diana at first declined the invitation several times, she eventually started seeing her.
I don’t know what the Dowager was trying to accomplish; I felt it was too late to connect with Diana. She might have been searching for a mother’s love for years, but after everything, she’d sealed it entirely.
"How do you feel about the meetings so far?" I asked, hoping to know her thoughts.
"I can’t explain it. So don’t ask."
"Oh, come on!"
"What do you want me to say?"
"Whatever you have in your mind." I shrugged. "It’s obvious what the Dowager is trying to do, and even though she masks it with official meetings, I think she wants to connect with you."
She sighed. "Heavens! You’re—"
"Shh!" I hushed her quickly.
"How dare you—"
"Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
She looked around the lonely courtyard as I did.
"What is it? You’re scaring me!"
I shot her a look.
"What? Can I not be scared?"
"This place is a fortress, so the answer is no."
"I find that hard to agree with because you just acted like something’s out there!"
Gosh! She was overreacting for no reason at all.
"Just listen," I said, passing a look around.
"Eloise, I don’t hear anything. I may not have Lycan traits, but we share the same hearing, which means if I don’t hear anything, then you shouldn’t!"
"Maybe it’s a ghost."
"G-Ghost? Oh, Eloise, don’t be silly!" she said, chuckling nervously.
I grinned deviously when an idea came up. "Sloane did scream at me that she will haunt me forever. Maybe her ghost has come to seek vengeance."
"B-But you had her body burned."
I placed a hand beneath my chin. "It may not have worked, so..."
Diana gulped audibly. Suddenly, there was a soft rustle, and she jumped behind me.
I laughed.
"Eloise, this is not funny!"
Amidst my amusement, I heard the sound that first caught my attention...A squeaky yip.
My eyes moved quickly to trace it, and I neared the bushes.
"Eloise, you’re scaring me!"
"Ease yourself, Diana. I was only joking with the ghost. Do you not hear it?"
"For goddess’ sake, hear what—"
A high squeaky yip came through before she could finish.
"That’s..."
"See? I told you I heard something."
We both crouched near the bush, waiting for the rustle again. But I didn’t have the patience, so I searched through it.
"Eloise!"
I cleared the snow, but it wasn’t it, but something fluffy. It scooted.
I yelped, and Diana screamed in fright.