Chapter 49: Visitors At Night

"Huh? You do?!" Samantha’s eyebrows shot up in pure amazement, and her lips subconsciously set themselves into a thin line. She wouldn’t be alive right now if Ivan hadn’t interceded on her behalf during the feast, and that Albert, why did he drag her into this royal mess in the first place? Was he either trying to shut her up permanently, or could there be more to it? That she didn’t know, but knowing Lord Ivan had more enemies had puzzledly caught her interest.

Already piqued by Ivan’s assertion, Samantha shifted closer to the man who turned his head to meet her inquisitive large round eyes. "Who... who is it?" She probed.

The light of the fire had turned brighter with a slight crackle, and it illuminated their faces with a golden warmth. Looking at her up-close made Ivan’s eyes travel down to the most dangerous part of her body, the part he had been trying so hard to avoid. Her white night dress hadn’t dried completely yet, making it look semi-transparent to outline the shape of her breast.

Averting his gaze with immediate effect, he couldn’t stop himself from swallowing hard. It’s been a long time since he studied a woman to this extent, and just thinking about her in that sinful manner made him want to jam his head into one of these rocks. Was this his punishment for avoiding women for too long? The magnetic pull of a woman, he always avoided it, but this little lamb, she was clumsily playing with fire.

"Lord Ivan?" Samantha’s eager expression dropped when she took notice of the slight frustration that was beginning to build in his demeanor. "You haven’t answered me yet."

"Ah..yes, actually, it’s a simple guess. Proper investigation will begin when we return to the palace, I’ll figure it out then." He quickly said as though he wanted to end the matter there and there, and he fixed his hesitant gaze back at the river.

Samantha continued to stare at the side profile of his handsome face, and she heaved a deep breath before returning her solemn gaze back to the water. "Wouldn’t the situation be easier to deal with if you’re crowned King? I mean, more than a decade has passed since the death of King Muzan, but no news of a new King taking the throne has been made."

"New King..."

Ivan tried to hold back a disdainful scoff at the mention of the word ’King’. ’God... How much I hate that word.’ thought Ivan as he let out a soft hiss.

The whole world keeps going on about having a new King, when will the crowned Prince take the throne? When will the crowned Prince do this or that, but no one has ever stopped to think just once about what he wants, or if he even wants the title of a king. All his life, he’s been living under the Palace rules, a victim to its treacherous games, and he could still remember the voices that advised him about creating a good example so he can bear the crown. All that advice made him sacrifice his childhood to be a greater person but what did he get in return??

Betrayal, deaths, family feuds, and the strange loss of both his parents. He was living a very.... Sad life.

He found it funny how everyone portrays the life of a King to be great. It may seem that way to everyone - physically, but the reality of it is far-fetched.

Samantha, who kept playing with her toes, stole a glance at Ivan since he had gone quiet again, and for a split second, she noticed a flicker of sadness in his eyes before it disappeared. The hell was that??

"Lord Ivan??"

"It’s time we return back to our tents." Changing the topic in an odd tone, he rose to his feet. "We’ll be leaving early tomorrow, you should get some sleep."

Samantha also stood up and lowered her head in a bow before saying. "You can go first, My Lord. I shall return in a minute."

"Nice one, but I’m not leaving you here."

"I haven’t..."

"Move." He pointed at the direction she was going to take, ordering her to walk ahead of him. "Misbehave and I will carry you, with or without your costumes."

"So mean!" Samantha muttered whilst taking a cautious step away from him. He was clearly back to his old self again, and Samantha wondered what went through her mind for her to believe there was some good in him.

Unable to hide her displeasure, she stomped her feet on the ground as she walked away in anger, taking quicker strides so she could reach her tent and not have to see his ugly face ever again!

"He’s unbelievable!" She groaned in frustration and went past the bushes.

When Samantha successfully snuck back to her tent unnoticed, the first thing on her mind was going to bed so she could wake up early and leave with all of them tomorrow. Heading towards her spread mat with lazy steps, her weary eyes suddenly caught sight of a covered dish that was neatly kept in a corner, and it felt as if the sleep in her eyes vanished instantly.

"Oh! What... what is that?!" She pointed at the dish, asking no one in particular as her eyes went round in stupefaction. Did someone come into her tent while she was away??

Bringing her head out of the tent to survey the area, there was no one waiting outside. Even if there was, she would have seen someone on her way here, but there was none. Going back inside, her eyes landed on the covered dish again, and this time around, she thought wisely about it before approaching the plate.

Going on her knees, she carefully opened the lid, and to her greatest delight, slices of well-cooked meat had been dished on the plate.

"Heavens! Someone tell me I’m dreaming!" Samantha exclaimed at the mouthwatering sight. The delicious aroma of sweet meat wafted through the air, teasing her senses. The meat was perfectly cooked - tender, succulent, and glistening under the glow of her one Candlelight.

Did Herbert leave this for her?? Surely he couldn’t have done this without Lord Ivan’s notice.... Or maybe..... Samantha suddenly gasped as she thought of something.

Did Lord Ivan send him to bring this??

It sounded impossible since he had been in a foul mood all evening, but no one except him must have sent someone to drop this on his behalf. They just finished having a conversation at the riverbank, but he never said a thing about this.

"I guess he’s more prideful than I thought." She murmured to herself, but that didn’t stop her lips from tugging into a smile.

The image of Lord Ivan taking his time to do this for her sent shivers down her spine. "He’s not a bad person, in fact, he’s very handsome! And generous!" Instantly switching tongue since he had brought the meal he promised her, Samantha lifted a piece of meat and took a bite.

The flavor danced in her tongue, a perfect blend of sweetness and tanginess. In no less than nine minutes, Samantha had emptied her plate. With her stomach contentedly filled, she was sure to have a good sleep tonight.

Arranging her mat back in place, Samantha was about to head to bed when she heard voices speaking outside her tent.

"Are you in?" The male voice asked, and Samantha knew no one else but Ivan would visit her at such times. What does he want now?? Was he here to receive a thank you for getting her a meal? She should have known him to be the least petty.

Getting to her feet, Samantha made her way to the entrance of her tent, sticking her head out.

"What do you want? We just finished having a conversa-- Ahhhhh!!" A panicked scream left her lips when Tobias and Alistair turned around to look at her.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read