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Giveon returned to the castle just before lunch.
The morning had been spent on the war front, but as he rode through the castle gates, a thought unexpectedly crossed his mind.
Ivanna.
He found himself looking forward to seeing her.
Perhaps, for once, he could spend a little time with his wife without discussing war, politics, or the endless demands of the council.
He entered the castle and made his way toward the dining hall.
When he pushed open the doors, he found Ivanna already seated at the table.
She looked up at the sound of the doors opening.
A small smile appeared on her face when she saw him.
Giveon returned it.
“You're back.”
“I am.”
He walked toward the table.
The maids and butler immediately stood to greet him.
“You may all leave us,” Giveon instructed.
They bowed and quietly exited the dining hall.
Giveon took the seat opposite Ivanna.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Ivanna broke the silence.
“Where did you go this morning?”
“To the training grounds.”
“Were you training the soldiers?”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“How is everything going?”
Giveon leaned back slightly.
“We are preparing for what may come.”
Ivanna studied his face.
“Does that mean the war is getting closer?”
His expression became thoughtful.
“It is possible.”
She lowered her gaze.
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
Then Giveon asked,
“And how are you finding the castle?”
Ivanna looked around.
“It's beautiful. Though I'm still getting used to how large it is.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“You will eventually know every corridor.”
“I doubt that.”
“You haven't seen half of them.”
Ivanna smiled.
“I visited the library today.”
“I know.”
She looked at him curiously.
“You know?”
“Elvis told me.”
“Oh.”
She hesitated before continuing.
“I also met someone.”
Giveon's expression changed slightly.
“Who?”
Ivanna picked up her glass.
“Your elder brother. Prince James.”
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Giveon's body became still.
His eyes darkened.
“When?”
“On my way to the library.”
His voice lowered.
“What did he do?”
Ivanna looked at him.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“He bumped into me by accident. Elvis caught me before I fell. Then he introduced himself.”
Giveon's jaw tightened.
“Did he touch you?”
Ivanna hesitated.
“He kissed my palm.”
Silence.
Something dark flickered across Giveon's eyes.
James had his own wing in the castle.
His own chambers.
His own servants.
So what had brought him to Giveon's wing?
Why had he been there?
And why had he approached Ivanna?
Giveon forced himself to remain calm.
“Did he say anything else?”
“He asked about you.”
Giveon's fingers tightened slightly around his glass.
“What exactly did he say?”
“Nothing important.”
Ivanna noticed the change in his expression.
“Giveon?”
He looked at her.
“Did he frighten you?”
She hesitated.
“A little.”
Something inside him snapped.
But he kept his expression controlled.
He would not allow his anger to frighten Ivanna.
Instead, he reached for his glass and took a slow sip.
They finished lunch in relative silence.
When they were done, Giveon stood.
“I have something to attend to.”
Ivanna looked up.
“You're leaving already?”
He paused.
“I will return for dinner.”
A soft smile appeared on her face.
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
He stepped closer.
For a moment, he simply looked at her.
His gaze softened.
Then he leaned down and pressed a tender kiss against her cheek.
Ivanna froze slightly.
Giveon lingered for another moment, his eyes remaining on her face.
Then he straightened.
“I'll see you tonight.”
He turned and left.
But the moment the dining hall doors closed behind him, the warmth disappeared from his expression.
His face became cold.
He headed straight toward his brother's wing.
---
James was in his chambers.
The room was filled with laughter and music, several women surrounding him and keeping him entertained.
The moment the doors opened, the atmosphere changed.
Giveon stepped inside.
James looked up.
A mocking smile slowly appeared on his face.
“Well, well.”
Giveon stared at him.
“Leave us.”
James raised an eyebrow.
The women exchanged glances before gathering their belongings and quietly leaving the chamber.
When the doors finally closed, James leaned back comfortably.
“I assume this is about your wife.”
Giveon said nothing.
James chuckled.
“She is beautiful, you know.”
Giveon's eyes darkened.
“I warned you once.”
James's smile widened.
“I don't remember being warned.”
“You should.”
James laughed softly.
“Tell me, brother. How does it feel to have something worth protecting?”
Giveon moved closer.
“Stay away from Ivanna.”
James tilted his head.
“And if I don't?”
Giveon's eyes flashed.
“You know exactly what happens.”
James smiled mockingly.
“I merely greeted my sister-in-law.”
“You approached her in my wing.”
“I happened to cross paths with her.”
“You have your own wing.”
The smile disappeared from James's face.
Giveon's voice became colder.
“So tell me, James. What were you doing there?”
James didn't answer.
Instead, he smiled again.
“She has such beautiful eyes.”
That was enough.
In the blink of an eye, Giveon disappeared from where he stood.
His vampire speed carried him across the room.
Before James could react, Giveon's hand was around his throat, slamming him against the wall.
James's eyes widened.
Giveon's pupils had turned bright red.
The veins along the side of his head became prominent as his grip tightened.
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
“Stay away from my wife.”
James struggled against his grip.
Giveon's eyes burned brighter.
“You may be my brother.”
His fingers tightened.
“But that will not save you.”
James stared at him.
“If you approach her again…”
Giveon's face came closer.
“I will kill you.”
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then Giveon abruptly released him.
James stumbled forward, coughing as he touched his throat.
Giveon turned away.
His pupils slowly returned to their usual color.
The veins along his temple gradually disappeared.
Without another word, he walked out of the chamber.
---
Not long afterward, Giveon summoned the council.
The council chamber was filled with the kingdom's most powerful advisers.
Giveon sat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable.
One of the councilmen rose.
“Your Highness, our military strength is considerable, but if your brothers truly intend to unite against us, we cannot rely solely on our own forces.”
Giveon nodded.
“I agree.”
“We should seek alliances with the neighboring kingdoms.”
“Which ones?”
The councilman unfolded a map.
“There are three kingdoms that could provide soldiers, weapons, and supplies. If we secure their support before the war begins, our position will be much stronger.”
Giveon studied the map.
“We will send envoys first.”
The council discussed the possible alliances at length.
Eventually, the matter of succession was brought up again.
Another councilman cleared his throat.
“There is also the matter of producing an heir.”
The room became quiet.
Giveon said nothing.
“The kingdom needs stability,” the councilman continued. “If Your Highness goes to war, there must be certainty about the succession.”
Giveon's expression remained calm.
He did not argue.
He did not raise his voice.
He simply listened.
Another councilman spoke.
“Your marriage provides the opportunity to secure the royal bloodline.”
Giveon's fingers rested quietly against the arm of his chair.
He thought of Ivanna.
Her uncertainty.
Her fear.
The way she still looked at him as though she was trying to understand the creature she had been married to.
He knew she wasn't ready.
And he would not force her.
Not for the council.
Not for the kingdom.
Not even for the throne.
Finally, Giveon spoke.
“We will discuss the matter another time.”
The councilmen exchanged glances.
But none dared challenge him.
Giveon returned his attention to the map.
“As for the alliances, I will personally travel to the neighboring kingdom once preparations are complete.”
The council agreed.
Plans were made.
Messengers would be sent.
The journey would be arranged.
And the kingdom would begin preparing for the possibility of war.
When everything had been settled, Giveon rose from his seat.
“The meeting is over.”
The councilmen bowed.
Giveon walked out of the chamber.
But one thought remained in his mind.
He had promised Ivanna he would return for dinner.
And Giveon always kept his promises.
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