There he was, the brooding, dark prince. Sighing inwardly, she realised it was him who had made everyone look away. 'Maybe this is for the better that he is my partner. I attract and he repels. A perfect combination' she thought while continuing to sip on her tea.
Ivan didn't acknowledge her at first and calmly poured himself a glass of blood while Eve watched from the side. Once he had the glass in his hand, he finally turned his dark red gaze to her and said, "Stare a little longer, and I might think you want some blood for yourself." He raised a single devastating brow as he asked her.
At his remark, she spat out her tea and began coughing, struggling to keep herself from choking. Suddenly she felt a gentle hand on her back that started patting her.
"Look what you did Ivan, can't let the girl enjoy her morning tea in peace?" Cece said with a teasing tone.
Hearing Cece's voice, Eve's eyes lit up and she controlled her cough and wiped her mouth gently as she looked up.
"Cece! When did you get here? I am sorry I couldn't find you guys earlier." said Eve.
Cece smiled at her warmly and moved to sit opposite Eve. Damien had already taken a seat opposite Ivan.
"It's alright Evelyn," Cece replied. "We just got here. We were really worried about you yesterday, but since Ivan was there with you, we thought it would be better to check on you later."
Damien also added, "Yeah, we were super worried. We even stopped by your room, but you didn't seem to be there.."
Before Damien could continue, Eve choked on her tea the second time. 'Oh god. What am I supposed to tell them? That was sleeping like a curled-up kitten next to their brooding cousin that too in his room?' Her distress started to show on her face, at the memory of Ivan next to her on his bed.
Cece's eyes widened as she stared at Eve, and she barked, "Ivan! Do something, she's choking again."
Ivan raised an unimpressed brow, while leisurely sipping from his glass. "What would you like me to do, Cece? She's just choking. If she passes out, I'll consider stepping in."
Cece glared at Ivan, she knew it was useless to ask him to help in the first place.
Before any of them could react, someone else stepped beside Evelyn and began to gently pat her back. The moment his hand touched her, she stiffened in response to an unfamiliar touch. There was something about the touch that felt too lingering.. ringing alarm bells in her head.
All three siblings' eyes snapped towards the man like hounds scenting blood, who dared to touch Evelyn so casually.
Eve looked up to see a man with sleek grey hair and lighter crimson eyes in comparison to Ivan and the Silver siblings. His features were undeniably handsome but his presence lacked refinement and regal grace Ivan naturally carried. Instead there was something… calculating.
He smiled kindly, his hand rubbed gentle circles on her back. Evelyn quickly straightened and cleared her throat. She took a deep breath and said "Thank you, I am alright now." Her voice clipped but polite, a clear indication for him to remove his hand from her back.
But to her dismay, he stilled his hand on her back but didn't remove it. He asked in a deep voice, "Are you sure, milady?" Though his words sounded gallant, there was something in his eyes, something dark swirling with the look of hunger that made her stomach twist.
She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could someone reacted faster than she could.
Ivan felt his vein visibly pop on his forehead. He watched the man with simmering fury as he laid an unwelcoming hand on Eve's back, ignoring her clear discomfort.
He despised men of low character, those who masked their predatory intentions behind polite smiles.
Without a word, Ivan seized the man's wrist in a bone-crushing grip and yanked it away from Eve's back. He said it in a voice as sharp as a blade, "She said she's fine. No need to act like your hand is glued to her spine"
The smile on his face instantly vanished and he glared back at Ivan, "Your Highness, please let go of my hand." He said as he tried to set it free from Ivan's iron grip and added, "I was only trying to help the lady, since none of you seemed to be making an effort."
Ivan's eyes gleamed with cold amusement, though his grip didn't loosen in the slightest.
"Help?" he echoed, voice smooth and lethal. "I didn't realize help now involved ignoring a lady's clear discomfort."
"Next time you try to touch something that isn't yours, make sure I'm not in the room. Or don't. I could use the entertainment." His voice was so chilling, it sent a shiver down everyone's spine.
Then, without warning, he released the man's wrist after giving it a crushing squeeze. The man winced and brought his throbbing wrist to his chest. He fumed internally at his words 'something that isn't yours.'
Not wanting to be looked down upon in front of so many people, he asked in a daring tone, "What do you mean 'not mine'? She's certainly not yours either, so I don't think I need to listen to someone who is just as much of a stranger to her as I am."
Then to provoke Ivan further he added, "Or has something changed, Your Highness? Are we suddenly claiming women now like they're some property?" Although he said it, his eyes flickered with unease, knowing Ivan's unpredictable and straightforward personality.
Ivan didn't even bat an eye to his intended provocation. He saw right through his pathetic attempt to salvage his dignity after being called out. So he let the silence stretch long enough for the tension to thicken in the hall.
Then with chilling air he replied, "No." That was all he said. As if toying with him.
People looked at Ivan in disbelief, as he hand just crushed their hopes for a dramatic exchange. But what do they expect? This was Ivan after all, the man didn't need theatrics before dismantling people.
"Now, if you're done embarrassing yourself, I suggest you leave. I'd like to have my breakfast in peace," he added coolly.
The man clenched his jaw in anger, as he stared at Ivan's dismissive attitude towards him. He then decided to speak to Evelyn in order to pick himself up in her eyes.
He turned back to her and softened his expression that looked more staged than genuine.
He bowed his head slightly and spoke in a voice with forced regret. "Forgive me, milady. I didn't mean to offend you in any way. I was only trying to help you when I saw you unwell."
He lifted his head and looked at her, as if searching for validation that she had accepted his apology. He added, "It seems I might have misjudged the situation in haste."
Evelyn, who was still wary of the stranger, with darkness swirling in his eyes, responded cautiously. "I appreciate you for going out of your way to help me. However, I do not take kindly to my personal space being breached without my consent. Please be mindful of that next time." she paused and then added, "Also, it's Princess Evelyn or Your Highness to you."
Ivan had his lips curl up slightly at her firm response. While Cece and Damien smirked.
Drake offered her a tight nod and said, "Certainly Your Highness. My name is Drake Viremont. I am from the Viscounts family of Versailles. If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me."
After Evelyn gave him a light nod, he finally turned around and left.