The Lady With The Green Hand Admired By The Dhampir Prince's Of The Neighbouring Country - Chapter 22-Part 3
Chapter 22: Ambush—Part 3
When Eva informed him that she was leaving the royal palace and returning to her territory after the count and margrave were executed, Lucas was too surprised to react.
It had become natural for Eva to be within reach and sight of Lucas. He felt a sense of resentment when he couldn’t get information about where Eva would settle after returning to her territory, feeling as if she was pushing him away.
On a day when his emotions remained unsettled, news arrived in the evening that Eva’s aunt had escaped from prison. A sense of foreboding prompted Lucas to head to Eva’s room, but she was not there, causing his anxiety to rise.
(Where did she go? The garden?)
“Sir Lucas?”
Greta, who came to fetch her shawl, noticed Lucas and spoke up.
“Where is Eva? Her aunt has escaped from prison, and there’s a possibility she might be attacked.”
Greta’s expression changed rapidly.
“It’s a rose garden. A knight from the Kingdom of Tifris is guarding the entrance to the rose garden, but I’m not feeling up to it, so I’ll be right back.”
Upon hearing Greta’s words, Lucas started running.
When Lucas found Eva in the rose garden, she was staring in the direction where murderous intent was coming from with a lifeless expression.
(Is she prepared to die?)
A chill ran down Lucas’s spine.
Before he realized it, he jumped in front of Eva and cut down the knife aimed at her.
“…Eva, why are you doing something reckless like this?”
Remembering that Eva had accepted death, anger welled up within him.
“Why did you give up on living?”
Looking at Eva, who remained silent, he recalled something.
On the night when Count Burke attacked, what did Eva say before falling asleep again?
“I have lost my place.”
Maybe he misunderstood.
Although she behaves with determination and strength, she has been lost, searching for a place to return to.
Staring at the lost girl.
(I don’t want to lose Eva; I want everything about her.)
Realizing his feelings for Eva, Lucas took a deep breath to calm himself. Kneeling down, he took Eva’s hands and frowned.
“You’re injured.”
Numerous cuts covered her hands and arms. Some were bleeding, and blood was seeping out in places.
He lifted Eva’s hand and began to suck on each of the cuts. Responding to the voice calling his name with urgency, Lucas looked into Eva’s eyes, but he didn’t stop sucking, keeping their gazes intertwined.
Having placed his lips on most of the wounds, Lucas finally released them. It seemed that Eva accepted the healing action. Though Lucas felt a twinge of guilt for using Eva’s injuries as an excuse for his bloodsucking behavior, he decided to embrace his newfound feelings.
(What does Eva think of me? I believe she has some affection for me. However, it might be akin to the feelings of a sister or a friend. Either way, I will make her mine, slowly and surely.
Eva describes me as kind, but I am not kind to everyone. In fact, with the nature of a vampire, I can be quite ruthless. However, I am just obedient to my desires.)
Using calculated words, Lucas invited Eva to go to the Dacian Empire with him, and she nodded in agreement. The proposal had a calculated motive – if he whispered about creating a place for the lost Eva, she would surely follow.
Due to Count Burke, Lucas wanted to indulge in and heal the emotional wounds that had been created. He had no intention of letting anyone else take care of it, and he was the only one who knew Eva’s vulnerable side. Lucas was surprised by his own thoughts.
Though irritated by his brother’s teasing, Lucas knew he needed to urge Eva to depart for the country as soon as possible before her feelings changed.
─ I won’t let her go.
Lucas flashed a triumphant smile.
