Chapter 183 His deep blue sapphire eyes shone brightly…
Ahead lay a sea of crimson; the palace was ablaze with fire, and frenzied shouts echoed from within. I pleaded incessantly with the mob leader, but he ignored me, ordering two of his men to drag me aside.
I was shoved heavily to the side, staggering several steps, my head and body leaning back. A cry of alarm suddenly rang out, and I fell to the ground. Looking back, I saw a group of armored guards on horseback charging out like ghosts, heading straight for me, rampaging and kicking up clouds of dust, about to run me over. My eyes widened abruptly, my mind went blank, and a sharp bird cry suddenly rang out. A strong, long arm grabbed my waist and lifted me onto a bird in flight.
Still in shock, her waist was tightly embraced, and her entire body was pressed against another hot and strong body.
"You're really lucky!" The familiar, magnetic, handsome man's laughter came from behind.
I was shocked. It happened so fast that I couldn't believe it was real.
“If I had been a step later, or if those mobs had burned you down, you wouldn’t be standing here in a daze right now.”
I didn't dare turn around, and remained frozen in place.
The deafening shouts of battle rang out again, coming from the large number of guards who had charged forward on horseback. They fought with the rioting civilians, some beating, some killing, some rushing into the palace to rescue people. The fighting was fierce, blood flowed everywhere, and it was extremely cruel. Even those riding on birds in mid-air could feel the intense killing intent emanating from them.
Several times, I was almost swept away by this airflow, but my waist was held tightly, and if I tilted slightly, I was pulled back.
The familiar, ambiguous aura emanating from him made me flustered and a little scared. His appearance was so sudden that I didn't dare to turn around, afraid that the old man in front of me was the one from my dreams or my imagination.
The last time he appeared, he was an old man over fifty, and he imprisoned me naked.
I was suddenly terrified and started trembling uncontrollably.
This imprisoned love, confined by an old man in his twilight years, has no romantic or beautiful hues, only a tragic final struggle.
This sorrow still makes me tremble to this day.
I can't quite describe the feeling in my heart, whether it's love or not, but there's fear. Is it fear of age, or fear of that feeling of powerlessness against fate?
I suddenly felt scared.
When the bird landed in the center of the capital, which was far from the palace, my body stiffened completely and my mind went blank. When he reached out his long, beautiful hand to help me down, I didn't move.
"Do you know why I didn't carry you down?" he suddenly said. "I'm wearing armor, which is cold, hard, and stained with blood. I really don't want to touch you. Or, you would like me to carry you down like this, if you don't mind."
I looked at him blankly, and when he was about to lift me down, I suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly got off my body, which could be described as falling down in the process.
He frowned at me, then suddenly took off his armor and threw it aside. At that moment, a sharp cry rang out, and Iani, wrapped in a thick coat, rushed towards me. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to tell Prince Bernot that you were there. My daughter, my daughter was there too."
Iani's tears smudged her makeup, making her look utterly disheveled.
At this moment, Bernard removed his helmet, revealing his stunningly long silver hair cascading down, his deep blue sapphire eyes sparkling, and his alluring crimson lips glowing. His features were more refined and striking than before, exuding a captivating beauty with a touch of bewitching allure, yet also carrying a fierce and bloodthirsty murderous intent.
Don't look too closely, or you'll be overwhelmed by this murderous aura.
I closed my eyes slightly.
He breathed a slight sigh of relief.
He wasn't the old man with completely white hair and beard I saw in the illusion.
He's still here. The young him is still here.
I suddenly felt like crying.
He frowned, and two guards immediately took Iani away. Iani struggled and cried, "I haven't finished speaking yet! If I hadn't gone through all that trouble to inform on you, you might be dead here. You should thank me, I..."
Amidst her crying and fussing, she was led away. I suddenly snapped out of my daze and saw thick smoke rising from the distant palace. The fire was growing even bigger. I hurriedly cried out, "Go and save the children hiding in the girls' school's basement! Have they been rescued yet?"
He looked at me without saying a word. I didn't mention the joy of our long-awaited reunion, the feeling of escaping death, or that I hadn't contacted him since leaving the Eastern Territory. Instead, I started by saying, "It's someone else's business."
I sensed his displeasure, but pretended not to notice. I turned my back to the fire, wondering whether I should go and save Aya and the girls.
"They're alright." He finally managed to squeeze out the words through gritted teeth. "When the royal guards rushed to the palace, they received news that they were hiding in the basement. Before escaping into the basement, a palace manager released a carrier pigeon to urgently inform a nobleman."
"Oh, that's good." I breathed a sigh of relief, and my body unconsciously relaxed.
He looked at me coldly, then suddenly swept me up in his arms and carried me to a grand, luxurious dark blue carriage. Only then did I notice that there was another carriage next to us...
——
Deep within the palace halls, dazzling crystal chandeliers, luxurious carpets, elegant stone pillars, expansive gardens, and graceful fountains, flowers everywhere emit a strange glow in the night, exuding a faint sense of dreaminess.
As I climbed the towering, seemingly endless steps, I had an incredible sense of illusion—even the steps seemed to radiate a faint silvery-white light, like the Swarovski crystal staircase I had seen on a luxury Mediterranean cruise ship, where tourists lined up to stand on it for photos.
Now, I don't have to wait in line. There's only one other person and me on the entire glittering staircase.
He took my hand and led me up the stairs step by step. I looked up and saw the dazzling crystal chandeliers in the deep palace, their gold and silver colors blending together to create another kind of dreamlike light—a light of luxury, worldliness, and extravagance.
It gives one a sense of being detached from worldly affairs, yet transcending them.
I was led along, from the lowest step to the highest, slightly out of breath, surrounded by these dreamlike illusions of light.
I rubbed my eyes, and his magnificent laughter came from beside me. "Once you get used to these lights, they won't be so dazzling anymore."
"Why should I get used to it?" I said. "I'll only be here for a short while before I leave."
In truth, if he hadn't been holding my hand so tightly, I probably wouldn't have stayed a moment longer. This place is beautiful, and incredibly luxurious, but it doesn't belong to me.
“This time, I won’t let you leave me.” His deep blue eyes shone brighter than a crystal chandelier, almost blinding me.
For a moment, I couldn't decipher the meaning in his eyes.
“I’m already married.” I avoided his piercing gaze.
“It doesn’t count in the East.” He smiled slyly and cunningly. “Your engagement to the Grand Chancellor of the North only counts in the North.”
"So what you mean is..." I said slowly.
Before I could finish speaking, he immediately added, "Be my chief mistress."
Suddenly, a large group of elegantly dressed maids approached us, their fragrant perfumes and cosmetics surrounding us warmly.
I had almost no right to refuse, not even the power to take two steps back. If I took a step back or stopped, a maid would immediately take my arm and lead me forward without any room for argument.
Besides, my right hand was being held in his burning hot palm the whole time.
You can only move forward, not backward or pause.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered gently in my ear, “our ceremony will go smoothly.”
"I hope it doesn't go well," I said through gritted teeth.
“Anyone who dares to stand in our way,” he said in a low, unwavering voice, “will face death, even my father.”
I sneered, about to say "How arrogant!", but he exerted a little force and led me up the last step, into the brightly lit and dazzling main palace.
After being stunned for a moment by the incredibly luxurious and glittering hall, I finally turned my gaze to the front of the hall.
This was the first time I had met Bernault's father and stepmother. The man who had once harmed the Elf Queen sat high on his golden throne, looking down at me.
Perhaps it was the dazzling chandelier, or perhaps the pearls and gems on the wall that were too glittering, but I thought this man was quite handsome. The light of the jewels shone on his face, a soft golden glow illuminating his sharply defined features, deep blue eyes, high and straight nose, fiery red lips, and long, silvery-white hair that cascaded down his cheeks, making his features appear even more exquisite and handsome, with a touch of mystery and allure, and an extraordinary aura.
I was stunned for a moment. I had expected to see a mean-spirited man with a sharp face, pointed cheeks, and a sharp chin, but I didn't expect him to be so handsome.
Of course, if he weren't handsome, the Elf Queen wouldn't have fallen for him, and his fiancée wouldn't have gone to such lengths to win him back.
Bernard looked about 40% like him, 30% like the Elf Queen, and 30% like himself.
The man was casually observing me—yes, casually. His languid posture—most of his body leaning against the throne, a golden cigar casually held in his right hand, a golden wine glass in his left, being carefully filled by a sexy maid—all suggested his nonchalant attitude. It was merely a ceremony to witness the arrival of the chief mistress; it didn't warrant his stiff posture and serious demeanor. A cigarette in one hand and wine in the other was already a sign of respect.
I stood quietly in the center of the hall, letting him lazily scrutinize me.
A silvery, bell-like woman's laughter suddenly rang out unrestrainedly, "Bernot, is this the superwoman you've been longing for? She's completely different from your mistresses."
That's when I noticed the other woman on the throne. Her appearance and presence were completely overshadowed by the man beside her, so much so that I hadn't noticed her at first.
Her face was covered in thick makeup, her eyeshadow a striking mix of red and blue, her eyelashes long and painted blue, and her lips a fiery red—a flamboyant display of makeup. Her original appearance and age were impossible to discern; she was hidden beneath a heavily made-up mask of beauty.
She leaned against the other side of the throne, dressed entirely in a thin veil, her legs elegantly crossed, while several sexy maids knelt down to massage her legs.
The couple, one smoking a cigar and drinking wine, the other with his eyes slightly closed while receiving a massage, hardly resembled parents officiating at their son's wedding.
Bernard replied with a smile, "Yes, Mother, it is she."
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Author's note: Thank you everyone, I took a short break yesterday~
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