131: Cementing the soulmate bond

Cementing the soulmate bond

Music Recommendation: Your Apartment- Na Sang Jin1

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The gates of the palace swung open for Dante and Anastasia, granting them entry as Oasis' hooves clip-clopped against the stone path before coming to a stop in front of the palace entrance. Once Dante dismounted from the horse, he helped her get down. 

"Welcome back home, Anastasia," Dante affirmed with a pleased expression, and his hand naturally found hers to hold, their fingers entwining. 

Anastasia realised that she had spent almost as many years residing in Versailles as she had in Hawkshead, and this place had indeed turned into her true home—not that Hawkshead wasn't her home as well. But it was her home in her past, and this place was her present and would be her future. She felt Dante gently squeeze her hand, and she expressed, 

"Thank you for bringing me home." 

"I will always bring you back to me," Dante let her know, and he asked her, "Shall we?" 

"Yes," Anastasia replied, gracing him with a smile while the fluttering butterflies in her stomach continued their ceaseless flapping, causing a hurricane in her emotions. 

As they began to walk through the expansive entrance, Mr Gilbert, who was deeply engrossed in his tasks, caught sight of Anastasia by the king's side. His surprise was evident, given that she was supposed to have been on the ship by now. 

"Norrix," Dante called the man, who promptly appeared, bowing respectfully before him. "Arrange for men to be sent to the dock to pick up Anastasia's trunks. They can be found next to the rock."

It seemed there was a change in plans, Mr. Gilbert thought to himself, and he bowed again. "I will see to it right away, Your Highness," he acknowledged.

"Is the celebration still going on in the main hall?" Dante inquired. 

"The guests are all still present there, along with the others. I have made all the necessary arrangements for their accommodations here," Mr. Gilbert informed him. 

"Excellent," Dante remarked, "Looks like it is the perfect time with everyone gathered." His eyes met Anastasia's. 

Mr. Gilbert didn't know what was happening, but it seemed quite important, and he promptly departed to fulfil his orders so that he could return to the main hall as quickly as possible. 

Amidst the main hall's lively atmosphere, the attendees continued to enjoy the music being played and indulged in a steady flow of refreshments, matched by the pleasant company of fellow guests. The musicians gradually softened their tunes as they caught sight of the king stepping into the vast room, prompting the attendees to shift their gazes in his direction. Their eyes fell on the king's hand, entwined with that of the woman beside him, who had worn a blue dress this noon. 

Anastasia felt her heart skip a beat every couple of seconds, feeling everyone's curious gaze on them as they made their way towards the centre of the room. 

"Lily, look!" Aiden whispered to his sister, who was being wooed by one of the esteemed gentlemen of Versailles. 

Emily's eyes followed her brother's line of sight, and a smile gradually spread across her lips. She said, "She's back."

The men and women who had been dancing hastily cleared the space for the king, who stopped and turned to meet everyone's gaze to address the assembled crowd. A hush fell over the room as the attendees realised the king had something to say to them. 

"I hope each and every one of you is enjoying this evening as much as I am," Dante spoke to the crowd, and a resounding chorus of agreement echoed from the gathered individuals. With his head held high and his gaze steady, he continued, "Today is an auspicious day, and I am here to make an announcement. In a month's time, I, Dante Blackthorn, will be marrying this woman, Anastasia Flores."

Everyone's eyes widened at this news, and a ripple of murmurs swept through the crowd. Positioned together on one side of the room were Lady Sophia, Lady Maya, and Lady Noor, their eyebrows furrowing in shared confusion. Lady Sophia said in a lowered voice, 

"That goes against the law of the palace. He cannot marry his concubine."

"Didn't she leave the palace?" Lady Noor murmured, her voice tinged with bewilderment. 

Lady Maya remarked, "You forget that Versailles is no longer under the Elder ministers' rule and is an independent kingdom. He doesn't have to follow their directives, and is free to make his own rules. It is a welcome sight to finally witness a concubine's ascent to a queen, breaking the confines that once limited the position only to the privileged women of high status." And she sipped the drink from her glass. 

However, it wasn't only the older women of the Blackthorn family who discussed this matter, as some guests questioned this development. No king in history had ever married a concubine before, prompting their curiosity. 

Dante couldn't help but subtly smile at everyone's confused expressions. He spoke with a measured tone, "Allow me to offer you a word of advice: any disrespect shown towards Anastasia will not be taken lightly. Impudence towards my soulmate will be regarded as a grave offence, equal to you courting your death."

A stunned silence fell over the gathering, and everyone's mouths gaped in astonishment. The revelation hung in the air as they blinked in disbelief. They were soulmates?! Soon, those who looked down at the woman with a condescending gaze for being only a concubine suddenly sang effusive praises, 

"Congratulations, King Dante, on finding your soulmate! Congratulations, Lady Anastasia!!"

"This is wonderful news!" one of the ministers exclaimed, prompting the room to break into applause and felicitations for the couple. 

"T—This cannot be true," Niyasa uttered in disbelief, her face pale. "This is all made-up lies!" There was no way that the lowly woman was going to become a queen who would surpass her. 

"Brother Dante doesn't engage in jest, Niyasa," Emily responded with a serene smile as she held her hands over her heart. "It would be wise of you to choose your words carefully. You heard what he said."

"I am not going to serve her!" Niyasa hissed, furious. 

"You don't have to worry about serving her, as once you are married, you won't be here anymore," Aiden remarked, a wry smile playing on his lips. He then touched his neck and continued, "I am glad that I never tried to court Anna after the day of my mother's birthday. It feels like I spared myself from facing execution." And it was only because his brother had swooped in and pulled the woman onto the dance floor that evening before he had a chance to make a move. 

Anastasia couldn't believe that she would be marrying Dante in a month's time. It seemed that he didn't like to waste time and preferred to get things done right away. She heard him say, 

"Now, even those unaware will know not to cross you."

She turned her gaze towards him and asked, "May I have my parents present at the wedding?"

"That's precisely why there's a month's time, my rabbit, else we would have the wedding tomorrow," Dante remarked, bringing warmth to her cheeks. "There are some things that need to be dealt with here first, after which we shall visit your family. I know they are significant to you, and what is important to you is important to me."

Anastasia's eyes lowered while a smile graced her lips at Dante's words. When she lifted her gaze to meet his, the demon couldn't help but notice how her eyes lit up like fire in the midst of winter. She said,

"Thank you for being so thoughtful."

Dante's gaze remained fixed on her, ignoring the surrounding individuals as if they didn't exist. He murmured, "It is time to leave." 

"Where to?" Anastasia asked. 

"To my room," Dante replied to her. "Now that the announcement has been made, I think I would like to have you all for myself, without having to share your time with anyone else."

Without a moment's delay, Dante pulled Anastasia away from the bustling main hall, as he didn't care about the celebration when he could use the opportunity to devote that time to loving her instead. The goofy smile on her lips didn't leave her face as she followed him and saw him glance back over his shoulder, bestowing upon her a tender smile that almost had her melt into a puddle. 

When they arrived at his room, the servants and other onlookers were dismissed from the corridor so they could have privacy and space. Once inside, the door shut behind them, and Dante turned to meet her gaze. 

All it took was a few steps before Anastasia found him directly in front of her, his hands gently cradling her face beneath her jawline. His lips captured hers once again, this time igniting a fervent passion that surged through the seams of their lips. 

"Anastasia," Dante huskily whispered her name against her lips. "There is something that needs to be done to complete the bond."

Her eyes remained closed, still bearing the lingering sensation imprinted by his lips. As her eyes fluttered open, she noticed his red eyes staring at her, as if ready to devour her. A hint of unease crept over her, but she whispered, "Okay."

"It isn't what you imagine," Dante murmured with a smile, and his eyes then turned serious before he tenderly pressed his lips against her forehead, letting them linger. He said, "Come with me," and tugged her towards the bed before assisting her into a comfortable seating position. 

"What do we need to do to complete the bond?" Anastasia asked him. 

"It will only involve me, since you don't possess demon blood," Dante explained, pushing one side of her hair to rest over her other shoulder while exposing her neck. "I need to bite you, and I won't deceive you—it will be painful."

Bite? Anastasia felt her heart beginning to pound once more. She asked him, "How painful?" 

Seated at her side, Dante didn't directly answer her question but gently caressed her cheek as a reply. He softly instructed, "Hold me tight." 

When Dante leaned in and his lips touched her neck, Anastasia caught her breath in anticipation of the impending bite. However, rather than sink his teeth into her, his lips brushed against her soft skin, and he peppered her skin with a series of gentle kisses to ease the tension in her body. 

Dante's tongue languidly traced her salty skin, and a shuddered breath escaped her lips. His hands wound around her back and cradled her head. When she finally gave in to her desire, his canines elongated, and not a moment later, he sunk them into the crook of her neck. 

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