The Bride Of The Devil-Chapter 71: The One Who Is Sorry Pt2

Lydia wiped her face as she looked at Vladimir. Her eyes were tired and red, but she stood tall.

She said softly, "Your Majesty, what do you want to say to me?"

Vladimir walked to his seat slowly. His movements were calm, but there was something heavy in his expression.

He waved his hand. "Nothing serious. No need to be tense. I just wanted to say thank you."

Lydia blinked. "You are welcome, Your Majesty, but I do not know what it is you are thanking me for."

Vladimir looked down at his hands and then back at her. "For taking care of my son’s wounds last time. I heard you were the one who treated them when they reopened. And I also heard from Boris that you were the one who saved his life back then. I never really got the chance to thank you personally."

He looked up at her again. "If you ever need anything... just come to me."

Lydia shifted slightly. She did not expect that.

She replied, "Thank you your majesty. Really but it’s okay. I do not need anything."

But Vladimir’s voice grew more serious. "I’m serious. If you need anything, come to me. Just consider it as me paying a debt."

There was a brief silence.

Then he said more quietly, "You may leave."

Lydia looked at Vladimir one more time. His face looked tired. There were many words he seemed to want to say, but he kept them inside.

She gave a small nod, then turned and left the room.

As the door closed behind her, Vladimir spoke to himself, his voice almost a whisper.

"Thank you... for making my son more human."

He sat still, staring at the window.

"Thanks to you, he actually spoke to me. For the first time. He was honest about his feelings. Something he has never done before."

He remembered how Ivan had paused when he tried to confront him. Lydia had been holding his hand. Even the night before, when Olga kept speaking to provoke Ivan, he had remained calm. Because his eyes were fixed on Lydia.

Vladimir leaned back in his chair and shut his eyes. A deep sigh escaped from his chest.

Outside, the cold air bit at Lydia’s skin, but she barely noticed it. Her mind was clouded. Her heart was heavy.

Ivan was waiting in the courtyard. He stood near the carriage, his posture stiff. His hands were gloved, but he kept rubbing them together, like he was trying to warm himself from more than just the cold.

As Lydia walked toward the courtyard, Leonid came running toward her. His face looked pale from the cold, but he smiled when he saw her.

"What happened?" he asked quickly. "Is brother okay?"

Lydia looked at him but did not speak. Her eyes quietly searched for Ivan.

Leonid followed her gaze, then looked back at her.

"You will write to me, won’t you? Sister in law?"

Lydia nodded slowly.

Her lips moved, but before she could say anything, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Leonid, go to your chambers."

It was Olga.

She walked toward them, wearing her usual gentle smile, but her eyes were sharp.

She repeated in a firm tone, "Leonid I said go to your chambers now! Don’t make me repeat myself!"

Immediately Leonid turned and walked slowly, leaving for his chambers. His eyes lingered at Lydia as he waved goodbye and then at Ivan who was still standing by the carriage.

Immediately Leonid left Olga cleared her throat.

She looked at Lydia. "You are leaving now, aren’t you?"

Lydia nodded again, unsure of what else to do.

Olga tilted her head. "I feel sad that you did not come to say goodbye to me. Is it because I am your husband’s stepmother?"

Lydia stuttered. Her hands tightened at her sides. "I... I did not mean to offend..."

But Olga smiled lightly. "I’m just joking."

Her voice was soft, almost sweet. But Lydia’s body remained tense.

"You may leave," Olga said, waving her hand.

Lydia turned to go.

But then Olga’s voice stopped her again.

"You will keep your promise, right?"

Lydia froze.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She did not turn around.

She could barely breathe.

Olga’s voice was quiet but cold. "I will expect you to keep your end of the bargain. I expect a report from you by month end."

There was a long pause.

Then she added, "Have a safe journey."

It felt like the wind cut through Lydia’s coat. But it was not the cold that made her shiver.

She walked toward the carriage, her steps heavy.

Ivan stood beside it, waiting.

He saw her face and frowned slightly, but he did not ask anything.

He helped her into the carriage gently, then climbed in after her and sat opposite.

The door closed. The coachman climbed onto the seat and clicked the reins.

The horses began to move.

And just like that, the palace disappeared behind them.

Lydia sat quietly, her hands on her lap. Her heart was pounding. Not because of the journey. But because of Olga’s words. The promise. The deal she had made.

Ivan looked at her.

He noticed how pale she looked. How her lips were pressed tightly together. How she avoided his gaze.

He wanted to ask her if she was okay.

But he stayed silent.

Lydia stared at her hands.

What was she going to do?

She had thought that once they left the palace, everything would feel lighter. That she would be able to breathe again.

But it didn’t feel like that at all.

She felt like she was carrying a weight she could not put down.

Ivan leaned his head back against the seat and shut his eyes for a moment.

Outside, the snow fell softly.

The trees blurred past the window.

Their journey back to Svetlana had begun.

But nothing felt peaceful.

Inside that carriage were two hearts. Both full of silence. Both full of questions. And both afraid to ask.

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