Chapter 320: Get Your Fucking Hands Off Me

"I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about." Samantha genuinely pointed at her own cluelessness, her gaze fixed on Carmela, as if she couldn’t bring herself to look at Marius without shuddering from his repulsive sight. "What you are doing is unfair to me, to yourself and to your people. Those innocent children you keep under your captivity, including the ones you have murdered, is enough to leave you cursed for eternity, Carmela, but you can still end this before it becomes too late, and stop trying to reach a level that was never destined for you to have."

"When I say I want something, I take all risks to make sure I get them." The seriousness in Carmela’s voice could not be mismatched, it had a threatening edge to it, and after making her point readily clear, a calm, sinister smile curved her lips. "Eventually, when all of this is over, you’ll come to learn that sometimes, the darkness within is more potent than the light you choose to cling onto. Embrace the feeling, and together, we can make the most of this world." She let out her hand for Samantha to take, as if offering her a lifetime opportunity that she could grant only once, but to the least of her expectations, the golden-blonde-haired lady left her hand hanging.

"I won’t let you use me for your deceitful plans," she shook her head, staying true to her decision, "I won’t be a part of your madness!"

"It’s funny that you think you have a choice here," Carmela chuckled at her stubbornness, her voice echoing through the chamber. "You see, you are linked to the very essence of the Orb. It flows through your veins, and you can’t deny it. Why do you constantly deny the power that is within you? Power is a means to an end, don’t you want to experience what your capabilities are to its full extent? These people, all these people you think about, they aren’t worth any of it, and when they finally leave you, it will be too late to turn back the hands of time."

Carmela’s eyes gleamed with a mix of cunning and a hidden sorrow, and she said, "did you think I was born to be this way? Huh? Of course not," she shook her head, "but people, circumstances, they change you into something you never thought you’d become. They twist your reality until all that’s left is your hunger for control."

"But why world domination?" Samantha sensed an underlying pain in Carmela’s voice, and that hinted that she has a purpose for doing what she presently did. Using this information to her advantage, she pressed on. "You’re not the only one who has suffered injustice from the world, believe me when I say I’ve been through hell before making it to where I am, but aside me, there are a lot of people out there who would never choose the path you have taken. There are other ways to heal from whatever hurt you’ve endured. You have a Kingdom to look after, the people still count on you and you can’t backstab them like this! It doesn’t give an excuse for your cruelty!"

"Now you’re speaking as if the world itself deserves such kindness from me." She scoffed in disdain and turned to the draped curtains, "I’ve seen the darkest of humanity, experienced betrayals that cut deeper than any blade, so I don’t need your lectures concerning matters like this. The world and people you speak of has turned me into what I am today, and I seek power not just for control, Samantha, but as a means to mend what has been shattered inside of me. Are we clear?"

Samantha gave no response, whilst she silently absorbed Carmela’s words. For a split second, she saw a vulnerability that transcended the desire for dominance. There was clearly a story of hurt and betrayal in the young witch’s eyes, a tale that fueled her quest for power, and Samantha felt the need to figure out why she ended up like this.

Moreover, she needed to think quickly and figure out what happened to her beast plant, there was Alain, and now they have Ivan too. She hoped they were all alright, and now, they were in trouble because of her, but how will she know if they are fine? Who can she ask?

"You there, do you understand the gravity of eavesdropping?" Asked Marius, and immediately, all eyes diverted to the guard who was standing at the entranceway. The guard inadvertently locked gaze with Samantha, whilst her pupils dilated slightly at the familiarity of the brown eyes staring back at her, but she could not see his full visual’s with that helmet on.

"My apologies, Your Majesty," the guard lowered his gaze and bowed at Marius, "I wanted to inform you that the second captive had awoken."

"I’ve always wanted to see what the King of the North looked like." Carmela pondered on her chances and glanced at Marius, "you can start arranging for what is to happen tonight, I shall welcome the King of the North to my wonderful fortress."

"Are you sure?" Marius inquired, tilting his head at Carmela, "he’s not someone I’d carelessly trifle with. Are you sure you can handle him?"

"Don’t underestimate me in front of her," she quietly snapped and brushed past Marius, "I’ll be leaving." And she exited the room with the guard.

When she was gone, Marius’s gaze retracted to the woman who was entrapped on the bed, but she was lying sideways with her back facing him. Her golden-blonde hair was sprawled all over her small back to the mattress, and a glint of possessiveness flashed in his irises.

—-

In the dimness of the vault Ivan had been kept in, his eyes slowly fluttered open, whilst his sight was greeted by the burning torches hung against the stone walls, and as his senses returned, he realized his limbs were bound by mystical silver chains, sapping his supernatural strength. He strained against the restraint, only to be met by an unyielding resistance.

"You’re finally awake." Said a voice that made Ivan jerk his head up instantly.

In the shadows, a figure emerged from within, and Ivan simply sighed before letting his head hang low, his gaze fixed to the ground, and he shook his head slowly without uttering a word to the vampire in front him. Alistair gazed at Ivan as he stepped forward, and his cousin’s dull reaction was something he never expected at all. Rather, his lack of reaction only got on Alistair’s nerves.

"Is that it?" He asked, stepping closer to the point he was at Ivan’s reach. He was expecting his cousin to rage at him, to act violent and seize the opportunity he had given him to attack him. He wanted Ivan to ask him why he did this, call him the most forbidden names if possible, but no, he remained quiet and simply lowered his head at him.

"Won’t you say anything to me?! Huh?! Have you got nothing to say to me??" Alistair placed a hand on his shoulder to shake him back to consciousness, to the reality before him, but Ivan’s tired gaze momentarily darkened as his eyes moved to the hand on his shoulder, and then he retracted his icy gaze back at Alistair.

"Get your fucking hands off me."

The warning laced in his tone could not be overlooked, and Alistair took his hands away. At least, he was talking to him right now.

"So I wasn’t imagining things," Ivan scoffed as he looked elsewhere, he wanted to laugh but the realization he was forced to accept had drained him emotionally.

"Sigh... I guess this is what I get for being your brother, and to think I’d get betrayed like this. Step aside, I don’t have the energy to waste on you right now." He eyed Alistair and placed his focus on the chains that limited his movement.

"I have to find Samantha."

"You think it’ll be that easy? What will you do when you eventually find her? You’ll step out through that gate and leave all Willy-nilly." Alistair clicked his tongue, not liking the calm but distant reaction he was receiving. He knew more than anyone that his actions had hurt Ivan, regardless of how he decided to showcase it, but he didn’t want this type of expression either.

"Ivan!" He called, but the vampire ignored him.

"Ivan! Are you listening to what I’m saying?!!"

"Listening to what you have to say? What do you want to say to me?" Ivan lifted his gaze to meet the glaring ones of Alistair, "you don’t deserve to be listened to. As shocking as it is I’m not upset, too much energy will be required for that. I’m just... highly disappointed." He shook his head, but before Alistair could bring himself to utter what was in his mind, the vault suddenly opened.

Carmela entered with three guards following behind, and as she approached the vampire who remained chained, a slight smile curved her lips.

"We finally met in person."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read