Chapter 264: An Unbreakable Promise PT 2

Ivan held Lydia tightly against his chest.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Lydia’s fingers were still gripping his clothes. Her body trembled in his arms, and Ivan could feel every small shake.

He gently rubbed her back.

"I’m here," he whispered.

Lydia closed her eyes.

She didn’t want to think.

She didn’t want to remember the past.

For now, she only wanted to stay in his arms.

Katherine stood a short distance away, watching them.

She could see that neither of them noticed anything else around them.

She quietly walked toward the windows.

The rain outside was still heavy, and lightning continued to flash across the sky.

Katherine quickly pulled the large curtains across the windows until the outside world was completely hidden.

Then she walked toward the fireplace.

She carefully lit the fire.

The room slowly became warmer.

Katherine looked back at Ivan and Lydia.

Ivan was still holding Lydia.

Lydia had her face buried against his chest.

Katherine smiled sadly.

She knew they needed this moment.

Without saying anything, she bowed and quietly left the room.

The door closed behind her.

Ivan looked down at Lydia.

"Come."

He carefully began to stand.

But the moment he moved, Lydia’s fingers tightened around his hands.

Ivan stopped.

She looked frightened again.

He immediately understood.

"I’m not going anywhere."

Lydia stared at him.

He gave her hands a gentle squeeze.

"I’m only going to take you to the bed."

She slowly relaxed.

Ivan carefully helped her stand.

Lydia immediately wrapped her arms around him again.

He didn’t complain.

Instead, he held her securely and gently carried her toward the bed.

He lowered her onto the mattress as carefully as possible.

Then he sat beside her.

Lydia’s eyes were still wet.

Ivan reached out and wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb.

"I’m sorry."

Lydia looked at him.

"For what?"

"For coming late."

His voice was quiet.

"I should have found you sooner."

"You were alone in here."

Lydia lowered her eyes.

"You came."

Ivan’s expression softened.

"I should have come sooner."

She didn’t answer.

He gently brushed another tear away.

"I’m sorry, Lydia."

She looked at him for a long moment.

Then she slowly moved closer.

Ivan opened his arms.

She immediately rested against him.

He lay beside her and pulled the blanket over them.

His arms wrapped around her again.

Lydia rested her head against his chest.

She could hear his heartbeat.

It was steady now.

The warmth of his body slowly reached her.

It didn’t erase the fear inside her.

It couldn’t erase everything that had happened between them.

But it helped.

For the first time that night, her breathing began to calm.

Ivan slowly stroked her hair.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

The rain continued outside.

It hit the windows softly, while the fire crackled quietly in the fireplace.

Lydia held onto him.

She didn’t want to let go.

Not tonight.

After a while, she whispered,

"Ivan."

"Yes?"

Her voice was small.

"Tell me something."

He looked down at her.

"What?"

"Tell me you won’t leave me."

Ivan’s hand stopped for a moment.

He looked at her face.

There was so much fear in her eyes.

He understood that this wasn’t a simple request.

She needed to hear it.

"I won’t leave you."

Lydia swallowed.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

She remained quiet for a few seconds.

Then she looked directly into his eyes.

"Promise you’ll never abandon me again."

Ivan’s heart hurt.

He knew exactly what she was asking.

He had already abandoned her once.

He knew that no matter how many times he apologized, he could never erase the pain he had caused.

Still, he wanted to give her the one thing he could give her now.

His word.

"I promise."

Lydia stared at him.

"Even if things become difficult?"

"Even then."

"Even if you are angry with me?"

"I won’t leave."

"Even if you think you have a reason to?"

Ivan shook his head.

"No matter what happens, Lydia."

His hand gently touched her cheek.

"I won’t abandon you again."

Lydia’s eyes filled with tears.

She looked at him for a moment longer.

Then she leaned forward and kissed him.

It was soft and brief.

But it carried everything she couldn’t say.

Ivan froze for a moment.

Lydia pulled back.

Her cheeks were wet with tears.

She didn’t say anything.

She simply wrapped her arms around him again and held him tightly.

Ivan slowly closed his eyes.

He pulled her closer.

His hand moved gently over her back.

"I’m here," he whispered.

Lydia pressed herself closer to him.

She wanted to believe him.

She wanted to believe that this time would be different.

She wanted to stop being afraid.

So she stayed in his arms.

Ivan continued stroking her hair.

Every now and then, his hand moved slowly across her back, soothing her.

Neither of them spoke again.

There was no need.

The room had become quiet.

The fire burned softly.

The rain outside slowly began to lose its strength.

Lydia’s breathing became slower.

Ivan felt her body relax against him.

He looked down.

She had fallen asleep.

A small sigh escaped him.

He gently moved a strand of hair away from her face.

For a moment, he simply watched her.

Then he rested his head against the pillow and closed his eyes.

His arms remained around her.

Neither of them knew how much time passed.

Somewhere between the storm outside and the pain they carried inside their hearts, they finally found a little peace.

And eventually, Ivan fell asleep too.

Hours later, sometime after midnight, the rain had almost stopped.

Only a soft drizzle remained.

The palace was silent.

Everyone was asleep.

Everyone except Tatiana.

She quietly walked through the palace wearing a black cape that covered most of her face.

Her steps were careful.

She didn’t want anyone to notice her leaving.

Yelena followed closely behind her.

Neither woman spoke as they made their way out of the palace.

Once they were far enough away, they continued toward the town.

The streets were quiet at that hour.

The rain had left the ground wet, and the cold night air made their journey uncomfortable.

Eventually, they stopped in front of a small cottage.

Tatiana looked around before knocking.

The door opened.

An unknown person stood on the other side.

Tatiana stepped inside.

Yelena followed.

The door closed behind them.

Inside the cottage, the room was dimly lit.

Tatiana removed her hood.

Her expression was cold.

The person looked at her.

"Why did you come here so late?"

Tatiana didn’t waste time.

"Because we have an opportunity."

Yelena remained near the door.

Tatiana walked farther into the room.

"The ball."

The person stared at her.

Tatiana continued.

"Is your only opportunity to get revenge."

She paused.

Then she said the words clearly.

"Make sure the Grand Duchess dies."

The room became silent.

Tatiana’s eyes were cold and determined.

"This time, I won’t let her survive."

Outside, the last drops of rain fell quietly against the roof.

And inside the palace, completely unaware of what was waiting for them, Lydia and Ivan slept peacefully in each other’s arms.