Izaak’s lips lingered above hers, their dance slowing to a halt before he reluctantly pulled away. He knew he shouldn’t have given in to his desires, but the pull was too strong to resist. Now, he feared, lody would despise him even more. He retreated a step, his mind racing to find the right words to justify his actions.
lody raised her head to et his gaze. "What just happened?" she asked, her voice a mix of betrayal and confusion.
Izaak responded, his voice laced with a strange mix of frustration and longing. "Didn’t you hear what I said? Ever since you entered my life, I’ve been spiraling into madness," he confessed. "It drives to the brink when you look at with those questioning eyes. And my heart, it’s ready to again feel love," he asserted while furrowing his brows together.
lody attempted to speak, but words failed her. Her eyes flickered uncertainly, akin to a fla dancing wildly on a windy night. Her heart, mind, and body were no longer in harmony. The thought of falling in love with the prince was a dream she was forbidden to entertain.
With a swift turn, she faced away from him. "May I take my leave, Your Highness?" lody asked in a low voice, seeking his permission. She was desperate to escape his sight. Those eyes were full of desires, which in her eyes developed because he was alone for a long ti. She found every reason to convince herself that Izaak wanted her body, her blood more than her.
Understanding the awkwardness, Izaak decided to let her go. "Yes, you may," he replied.
lody took a step toward the door when Izaak said, "I was betrayed in love... Four tis. I know it sounds absurd, but I trusted four tis. My heart, as irrational as it may seem, is prepared to risk it all for a fifth ti. Please, don’t judge . I’ll be an open book if you have any questions," he confessed. In the final mont, he rembered Magnus’s counsel. He felt it was crucial to reveal his true identity to lody.
She again pivoted on her sandals and turned to him.
"Your Highness, I don’t know what your forr late wives did, but killing isn’t the answer," she clarified. "And I never knew your help wasn’t genuine. It wanted sothing from in return," she asserted.
A muscle in Izaak’s jaw clenched tightly, a clear sign of his mounting fury. "Leave!" he commanded, his pupils shifting color in his rage. "Had it been anyone else in your place, I would have torn them apart," he threatened, his voice echoing ominously in the room.
Tears welled up in lody’s eyes at his harsh words, and she quickly cast them downward. Izaak was no different from the other n she had known. They would shower her with affection initially, only to demand more later. Without uttering another word, she hurriedly exited the chamber.
Izaak ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, the silence of the room amplifying his sense of regret and irritation. His actions had driven away the one person he had hoped to draw closer. His heart ached with a mixture of anger and longing. If only she hadn’t shown in his bedchamber, everything would be fine.
~~~~
The wedding festivities had co to a close, and the bride was escorted to her husband’s chamber, fresh from a bath and dressed in a comfortable nightgown.
Scarlet sat patiently in the room, her eyes fixed on the door. She was filled with anticipation and anxiety. Each passing mont felt like an eternity as she waited for Alaric to arrive. Doubts began to creep into her mind. Was his delay a sign of his reluctance? Did he not appreciate her presence?
She shook off the negative thoughts, reminding herself that it was their wedding night. Perhaps he was just as nervous as she was. She decided to wait a little longer, hoping that his arrival would dispel her fears.
At long last, the door creaked open, and Scarlet instinctively raised her gaze. Standing before her was Alaric, but he was not adorned in his usual night attire. Instead, he was dressed in a suit of formal elegance. It sparked curiosity in her mind.
Alaric’s fingers slowly curled into a tight fist as he bridged the gap between them, finally taking a seat opposite her. His eyes were drawn to the wedding band that encircled his fourth finger, and then to the matching one on hers. With a slow and deliberate movent, he reached out and gently clasped her hand, locking his gaze with hers once again.
Scarlet, puzzled by his unusual attire, finally voiced her question, "Why is Prince Alaric not dressed in his nightwear?"
"I’ve to go sowhere, Scarlet," Alaric said.
"Now?" Scarlet’s eyes widened.
Alaric humd in a nod. "You may not know, but lately a lot of things have happened in the palace. I wish I could explain to you now or before our wedding, but there was no ti for it. However, I promise once I return I’ll tell you everything," he affird.
"What it could be?" Scarlet asked with confusion.
"A danger is lurking over us, over this family. But worry not. I anticipate my return within two days. I regret having to leave you in such a manner, Scarlet, but I trust in your understanding," Alaric expressed. He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss onto her lips that sent her heart aflutter. But before she could reciprocate, he pulled back, their eyes locking once more.
"It was our wedding night, Prince Alaric. You could have gone tomorrow. And why can’t the other two princes go?" Scarlet questioned.
"The matter needs my attention. My two brothers can’t handle it. Moreover, Magnus is also leaving for another important work in the South. I will answer you everything on my return. I promise," Alaric stated.
Scarlet nodded in understanding. She was hesitant at first, but she hugged Alaric tightly. "Please be safe," she whispered.
"Hmm, I will," Alaric assured her, his hand gently stroking her back.
The two pulled away when Alaric stood up. With a blink of an eye, he disappeared. Scarlet found the entire chamber empty and it sank her heart.
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