Chapter 257: Where Forever Begins

(I apologize if the update took a while. I was dealing with personal problem, health and financial, so I had to deal with a lot of things leaving me no time to write. Now here comes the ending Chapter of Kissing Hellfire: Marry Me, Evil Lord. Hope you enjoyed Lauren and Alec’s journey. This is a long Chapter btw. Enjoy!)

Lauren heard everyone’s audible gasps.

But everything faded and she could no longer hear anything but her loud heartbeat.

He was kissing her! Alec Everston, the king of Evardin, was kissing her!

She could only think of one reason why: she reminded him of his dead wife whom he was obsessed with. But still, she couldn’t bring herself to step away or move. Maybe because he was holding her so close and firm. Maybe she was too shocked.

Or maybe...

Maybe she felt something. She didn’t want to let go.

She closed her eyes and, in that instant, everything started to come back.

Kisses, whispers, caresses, rings, wedding...forgotten memories buried deep within her. It was like she had been caged for a very long time and now she was finally freed.

"Who is that girl?"

"Why is the king kissing her?"

"This is atrocious!"

From the corner, Ethan’s group was shocked at the scene that unfolded.

"He shouldn’t be doing that," said Ethan, worried that Alec kissing Lauren might only trigger the seal in her soul.

"I’m going there," Julian was immediately stopped by Edith’s hand on his arm.

"Trust His Majesty. He knows what he is doing. He wouldn’t do anything that would hurt her."

Julian sighed. Vivian held onto Ethan’s arm tightly while Darius stood next to them, silently watching the couple in the center of the ballroom.

Despite all eyes on them, for a moment, Lauren forgot everything that surrounded her and Alec. Their lips were still on each other and he was kissing her tenderly like feathers, warm and comforting. His arms were around her as if they were protecting her from the world.

It was then that Lauren’s tears started to flow.

Feeling her tears, Alec stopped and looked Lauren in the eye. His lips parted.

Her eyes were back to their original color. Sapphire blue.

There was confusion at first but staring into Lauren’s eyes looking at him, Alec knew.

"What is the meaning of this, King Alec?"

In the middle of it all, King Andrius of Bodeville stepped forward and his voice boomed in the hall.

"I thought you considered marriage with my eldest daughter, Seraphine, but why are you kissing another lady for all eyes to see?" Although the older king had known Lauren by name years ago, they didn’t have significant encounters for him to recognize Lauren’s face.

Alec wished in his mind for all the people around them to disappear at the moment.

Holding Lauren’s hand, he turned to the older king with an impatient gaze.

"I’m afraid we had a misunderstanding, King Andrius. I said I would consider it but I have not expressed my approval. And unfortunately," he paused, looking at everyone else as if he were to announce an important matter, "I am a man who wouldn’t dare dishonor my marriage with my wife."

Because of embarrassment and anger, the fuming king didn’t hold back.

"Your wife is long dead! You’re a widower—"

"My wife is here," Alec’s voice boomed and it silenced the chattering.

"The Queen of Evardin is back."

His steely gray eyes were cold and hollow when they looked at the older king but when they went back to the woman beside him, his eyes softened and now they carried warmth.

The main hall turned silent after everyone’s audible gasps.

"What do you mean-"

"It has been a long time King Andrius," came Lauren’s voice. She took one step forward so that the older king could take a better look at her. The people near them, especially the king’s family, had their eyes widened in shock when they saw Lauren’s brilliant blue eyes – the eyes she was famous for.

"How is this possible?" King Andrius’s wife, Queen Celeste, stepped forward with her daughters by her side. "It was declared five years ago that the young Queen of Evardin died...."

Princess Iris stared at Lauren with scrutiny and disbelief.

"Isn’t she that maid," her voice was sharp and it implied something. She turned to Alec, "Your Majesty, I do not know the former queen personally but I think this maid must have done a spell or something to fool you!"

Princess Iris refused to believe that the maid who offended her was Evardin’s queen. She was upset at her father’s decision to marry her sister to Alec, but she would rather accept that than have Alec marry an impostor and a lowly servant at that.

Lauren’s lips curled up into a polite smile. She didn’t have any recollection of the second princess of Bodeville but she didn’t like her attitude or how she treated her in her own castle. Now that she has regained her memories, she couldn’t believe she really served such a brat.

"Watch your word, Princess Iris. This is not your territory but mine," her words were delivered calmly yet full of authority.

From a distance, Ethan’s group went emotional at the scene that unfolded. Vivian couldn’t help but cry and she was fighting the urge to run to her best friend whom she thought was dead. Julian and Ethan got teary-eyed, relieved that finally they could talk to Lauren without worrying about harming her. Darius was silent, yet his mismatched eyes screamed relief and happiness.

Bodeville’s royal family walked out of the hall, embarrassed by how things turned out. King Andrius’s ego was hurt and although he and the rest of his family didn’t understand Lauren’s sudden reappearance, they felt the need to leave for their pride.

As if he couldn’t think straight, Alec announced the end of the royal banquet and that he wished for everyone to leave as he wanted to retire for the night. To not come off as rude, Matthias immediately announced that everyone in Evardin would be properly informed about the Queen’s reappearance.

While Matthias was busy appeasing the guests, Alec pulled Lauren to a quiet corner in the castle and his blue fire portal appeared. He pulled her to the other side and the next second, they were on the castle’s tower with only the moonlight as their light.

Lauren sucked in her breath. The familiar, piercing gray eyes were on her, staring at her with longing, relief, and joy.

For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

"I am sor—" before the apology could leave her mouth, she was met by his lips, and she was again lost in his kisses.

He held her waist and nape, pulling her so close into her arms while at the same time being careful not to break her.

"I’ve been..." he said breathily in between their kisses, "praying for this day to come. Wishing so hard...begging for you to come back." His voice was strained, and Lauren felt hot tears forming in her eyes. She could feel so much pain in his voice. "This is too surreal, my love. I feel like I am dreaming."

"Shh," she hushed him. "You’re not dreaming. I am so sorry for not remembering everything sooner. For...forgetting about you," her voice broke. It broke her heart that he had to live alone in misery all those years. It must have been hell for him.

They stared at each other so close, their foreheads were touching.

"Don’t you ever leave me again. Do you understand me, Lauren?" his voice was firm and resolute, yet his bloodshot eyes were tender, gazing at her like she was the only light in his darkness.

"I don’t think I would ever have a reason to. This time we’d brave our fights together and we will never let go," she promised like she carved her oath to a stone.

"I know you must have thought I was insane to do it but there was no other way, believe me. It was a miracle that I survived," her voice was a mere whisper in the dark, like a soft hum carried by the wind but it was all clear to Alec.

"I know...I know..." he chanted as if everything that happened in the past was now a blur and all that mattered was that she was back in his arms again. "I promise I will never let that happen again. I’d do everything in my power so you’d never get hurt again."

Lauren’s life for the past five years didn’t come easy but she was glad she managed to survive. When she died, she saw the great priestess and she said she would help her, but that help came at a great cost. She said yes to it, ready to do anything to come back and see her husband again.

She believed the great priestess did it because of what she had done in the past, and she wanted to make amends. But her powers from the afterlife had their limits. Lauren had to bear the soul-sealing spell and her body was found in Acheron where she lost her memories. It was all part of the price she had to pay to live again.

"I would never let you go again," Alec whispered so lowly that it barely made any sound. It was not a promise he made to Lauren but a promise to himself.

Lauren smiled as Alec kissed her and showered her with kisses. From her lips, cheeks, eyes, hair, it was like he was trying to take everything from her. And yet he couldn’t get enough.

They remained in each other’s embrace for a while. Silent yet their eyes full of emotions and dazzling stars.

The silence they shared was more than enough.

When they stepped back into the hall, Lauren wasn’t surprised by what was waiting for her. She knew it and she was expecting what was going to happen right after she remembered everything.

Her friends and Alec’s subordinates were there, waiting. Most of them were teary-eyed.

"Welcome back, Your Majesty," Matthias said with a curt bow, a genuine smile etched on his face. Edith did the same.

Julian’s tears were shamelessly pouring down and Lauren couldn’t help but chuckle. Darius was motionless yet respect and joy were in his eyes. It was Vivian who ran first to her and hugged her. Ethan was right behind Vivian, watching the two women he loved the most closely.

"How could you do this to us?" Ethan snorted as if he were blaming her for disappearing for five years. But Lauren knew better. She smiled and hugged Ethan next.

Alec just let her be even when he wished he could bring Lauren to their room and wrap his arms around her for as long as he could. But despite the strong urge to take away his wife, Alec felt peaceful and happy that Lauren was reunited with the people she cared for. He wanted that for her.

"I really thought you wouldn’t be coming back and the thought haunted me at night," Ethan whispered to Lauren. She was his sister. Not by blood but by heart. "I almost couldn’t believe it."

Lauren grinned when she noticed Ethan and Vivian’s rings.

"It’s a shame I did not witness your wedding."

Then she turned to Julian who was still crying. "Stop it, Julian. You’re such a crybaby! You would embarrass your wife." She was happy to see that Julian ended up with Edith. He only deserved a woman as strong and beautiful as her.

Lauren gave Julian a hug like how a big sister would hush her brother. Ethan chuckled and Matthias was grinning.

After hushing Julian, she turned to Darius. Before she could speak, Darius had gone down on one knee, head down.

"It was my fault, Your Majesty. If I were only wiser-"

"You did as you were told, Darius. It was nobody’s fault," she was quick to cut him off. She held his elbows and led him up. "Let’s forget about that part of our past and live a better life now. I am just so glad I’ve seen all of you again."

"Just them? How about me?"

A voice echoed from the distance and they all turned around to see who was coming.

It was Vincent.

Lauren smiled.

"Thought you already left," said Alec with disinterest.

"Oh, you are too eager to get rid of me now that you no longer need my help, King Alec. That hurts." Vincent smirked. "I only helped a lady who tripped on her way out of the castle so I had to leave for a moment. But why would I miss such a grand reunion?"

Vincent turned to Lauren, flashing his perfect set of white teeth.

"Welcome back, Queen Lauren."

Vincent spread his arms wide, walking straight towards Lauren but before he could reach her, Alec pulled the collar of his coat from behind.

"I don’t see why there is a need for you to be so intimate with my wife, Lord Vincent. You are neither her friend nor her family."

Vincent’s eyes widened as if he heard something so ridiculous. He looked at Alec with disbelief.

"Are you serious? Lauren is my friend that’s why I am here. How could you say such nonsense?" He shook his head with disappointment, smirking. He turned to Lauren. "We have shared a friendship in the past, Queen Lauren. I hope that did not change."

"Of course, Lord Vincent, nothing has changed." Lauren looked down at Vincent’s fingers and didn’t see anything on his ring finger. "I see that you have not married yet."

Vincent smiled. "I guess marriage is not for me."

It was a long night of catching up. They sat at the dining table together and enjoyed drinks and food, celebrating the Queen’s return. Lauren told them what she had been doing for the past five years, and not a second did Alec’s eyes leave her. He was silent yet he was watching her the whole time as if admiring a beautiful work of art he would forever admire.

Lauren thought about the friends she made back in Acheron, Jenny and Isabel. She hadn’t seen them after what happened but she knew they must have been shocked. She planned to go see them first thing in the morning.

"The whole time I was wishing to have you alone with me," Alec whispered when they were finally in their room later that night. "But I was also happy to see you reunite with your friends. I know you have missed them."

They were standing on the balcony of their bedroom, the soft wind blowing their way. But the night’s coldness didn’t bother Lauren. She was in Alec’s arms, safe and warm.

"I can see that you have grown considerate, Your Majesty," she said, laughing at the formality. Then her eyes turned sharp when she remembered something.

He noticed the sharp glint. "What is it? Something is bothering you?"

"You made it seem like you were marrying Princess Seraphine. How could you do that?" She clenched her teeth, "or did you really think of marrying her?

He ran her fingers from her waist up to her back, caressing her softly, soothing her.

There was mirth in his eyes. "It was a ploy. I thought it would make you feel something at least. I hoped it would make you feel jealous and that you’d regain a bit of your memories. I’m glad I tried it."

"But I hated how you danced with her," she said under her breath and she received a feathery kiss in response.

"That was a ploy too. My apologies, my queen." He chuckled at her hair, kissing her temple, her jaw, trailing down to her neck. He breathed in her scent. His hot breath made her skin tingle with pleasure and contentment.

She was happy. Satisfied. She felt whole.

"Do you still want to leave the castle?" he asked all of a sudden, as if he were willing to give up everything he had here just so he could give her what she wanted.

Lauren remembered how she said before that she would want to lead a simple life out of the castle.

She smiled at him, shaking her head.

"If it’s because of our responsibilities here, you should not worry," he said thoughtfully. His fingers caressed her hair. "I can have things arranged. The Supreme House can choose an eligible king, maybe Vincent can handle it."

She shook her head softly again.

"I don’t want that anymore," she said, reaching out to his face. Her palm was on his jaw. "I want to rule this land with you just as you ruled it for the past five years without me. This is where everything started and this is where our love grew. I cannot leave it, and neither do I want you to leave it for me."

He tipped up her chin. "I can do everything for you and I’d be happy and content." He smiled. "With only one exception though: living without you."

She rolled her eyes and giggled. "As if I would ask you that."

"As if I would let you."

He kissed the tip of her nose, and it gently traveled down to her lips.

She felt him smile as he kissed her.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read