May Death Do Us Part

280 Chapter 280 : Snow blossoms

“You’re in luck lord Bertram,” the man sitting behind a small wooden table spoke as he dipped his quill in ink. “If you weren’t a man of your stature, I would not have been able to add your son over here to the list of suitors. We already submitted the list to the king for review but I’m sure we can make an exception for umm... what was the boy’s name again?”

Bertram turned to the young elven man and gave him a nod.

“Maxim,” the young elf spoke with a gentleman’s bow, “Maxim Adalbert.”

The man penned down Maxim’s name on the list of men who most likely were his competition. Some names at the top were crossed out, and Maxim assumed it was the men who had had their chance to try and woo the beautiful princess.

“If you like,” the man spoke to Maxim with a friendly smile. “I can schedule you in to meet princess Eira by as early as tomorrow.”

The young elven man shook his head. “Thank you for the offer,” he responded politely, “but if it’s alright I’d rather be in the last group of suitors.”

The man arched his brows at Maxim. “Last? You know she may be tired and lose a lot of interest in this whole activity by then. I was thinking you would prefer to meet her now while she’s still a little enthusiastic.”

The young man shook his head. “Thank you for your kind offer and consideration, but I have a good feeling I’ll make a better impression this way.”

The man glanced at Maxim’s supposed father who just nodded.

.....

“Well alright then,” the man responded. “You’re all set to meet her on the last day. I wish you luck son.”

“Thank you,” Maxim responded before turning around and heading out of the small confined room, followed by Bertram.

Maxim knew what he was doing, meeting Eira the next day would not be ideal. Not only did he have to polish up his act as a noble, but he also wanted to learn more about the hybrid princess during that time. He would go round meeting with people who had interacted with her before, he would find out what she was like, what she disliked, and what she enjoyed doing.

Maxim was not an expert on women but he knew that one of the keys to woman’s heart was through her mind. Stimulate and excite a woman’s mind, and she’ll be yours for the taking. And that, was his plan.

*

The entire carriage ride with Jacob, Eira was feeling very uneasy, she felt like because he had previously asked to court her before all of this happened, he felt somewhat entitled to having a chance with her. And in fact, she was right. Jacob did in fact feel he deserved to be with Eira, as if he had called some sort of dibs on her. And the words that his father had told him earlier that morning, only proved to fuel his drive even more.

If by any chance there was someone who Eira had her eye on, Jacob had to make sure to boot him out and outshine him.

Eira looked outside the little window of the carriage that felt like a miniature prison with wheels. “Where are we going?” She asked the man who had been staring at her for the past few minutes.

“It’s a surprise,” Jacob mumbled and took the princess’s hand in his. “I’ve prepared something very special for you, and the two of us can have another beautiful moment together just like the time at your birthday ball.”

Eira narrowed her eyes at the dark haired elf. At the ball? She did not remember seeing Jacob at the ball, so what moment had they shared together?

“I could sense that we had connected in a way during our dance,” Jacob explained further. “And I believe we can further connect Eira, we just need the right setting and the right mood.”

Eira was struggling to remember any moment where she had encountered Jacob, let alone connected with him. The only person she had danced with the night of the ball was Elric, and another man who she had mistaken for the silver haired lycan.

Hold on a minute! Eira threw her gazed at Jacob and gulped. Was that him? Was the first man she had danced with Jacob? Oh gods! How had she not noticed that?! The sly smile, and the forward comments, it was indeed Jacob!

The red haired princess didn’t know what to do, she didn’t want to tell him that the only reason they had connected that way was because she thought he was someone else, it would break him.

A few minutes later, the carriage came to a halt and the carraige man opened the door for them.

“We have arrived at your destination,” he spoke politely.

Jacob was the first to disembark, and then he turned and offered his hand to Eira. “This way my lady..”

Eira stepped out of the carraige and lookedaround her. The place Jacob had brought her was very familiar. When she was fully out of the the carraige is when it hit her, they were in the forest, the very forest that her father had banned her from going to.

Jacob held Eira’s hand tightly and led her further into the forest. And within, what Eira saw made her gasp.

There on the snowy ground of the forest, was a thick blanket, and on that blanket was a variety of fruits, cheeses, bread, and a lot of wine. The surrounding had also been decorated with a few candles and some icy blue flowers, making it look even more enchanting and beautiful.

The elf smiled proudly to himself when he saw the reaction on Eira’s face, he was glad he had chosen to do this.

“Please..” Jacob spoke sweetly to the dumbfounded princess. “Sit down, this is all for you.”

*

When they arrived at the palace gates, two heavily built lycans walked ahead of the carraige Elric and his father were in and pushed open the two large gates.

The palace grounds within were even more enchanting than the rest of the snowlands. The entire place was covered in a thick blanket of snow, with statues that looked like they were made of ice, decorating the terrain. There were trees grown in two rows, lining the paved pathway to the entrance of the palace, baring small white flowers.

“Flowers in the snow?” Elric asked in surprise. “Back in the central continent, very few plant life can be seen around this time of year, especially flowering ones.”

“Those are called snow blossoms,” Edron explained as they moved past the beautiful trees. “They are the only flowers here in the snowlands that are in heavy bloom when the winter is at its peak. Beautiful aren’t they? They are your mother’s favorite.”

“They sure are intriguing,” Elric admitted. The snowlands were definitely a hidden gem. He did not expect the place to be so beautiful.

“Ah here we are,” Edron spoke with a relieved smile, “finally home.”

The rows of trees opened up, revealing a large majestic grey palace with a flowing fountain in front of it. As they circled the fountain, Elric saw a woman dressed in a thick fur coat standing at the entrance with two gaurds, one on each side.

“Is that?...”

The carraige came to a stop and the alpha practically jumped out of it. He walked rashly towards the woman in fur and embraced her in his arms, swinging her around and laughing like she was the most precious thing in the world.

Elric found himself smiling, that was the beauty of marrying your mate, the pure bliss could not be compared. He didn’t even need to ask in order to know that the woman his father was embracing was his mother, the affection in both their eyes said it all.

Edron turned to the carraige where his son had not yet disembarked and called to him.

“Elric! Come over here and say hello to your mother!”

The silver haired lycan got up and slowly got off the carraige. The last time he had a mother, she was not very affectionate towards him so he really didn’t know what to expect. He made his way to where the couple was standing and smiled at the woman.

“Hello-”

The lycan had barely finished his statement and the woman pulled him into her embrace. She held him tightly, a little too tightly actually. Gods she was strong for a woman.

Layla buried her face in the nook of her son’s neck and tried hard to hold back her tears, but the struggle proved to be futile. The Luna was overwhelmed with emotions, at one point she thought she would never get the chance to ever hold her son, and now here he was in her arms.

The Luna pulled away and cupped Elric’s face in her palms. “You look just like your stubborn father,” she spoke with a smile and tears rolling down her face. “I’m so happy you’re home.”