Inside the luxurious bedroom, a young woman stood in a state of high anxiety. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she cast wary glances around the opulent space.
"What… what if it's him? If it is… can I ask him to let me stay?" she panicked, her thoughts spiraling. "What if he doesn't recognize me? What if he doesn't like me? What if it's not him at all?"
Just as she became lost in her spiral of doubt, the bathroom door swung open. A strikingly handsome man stepped out, a single towel wrapped loosely around his waist. Droplets of water clung to his damp hair, tracing slow paths down his muscular chest and over a well-defined eight-pack that could make anyone's pulse race. His piercing blue eyes provided a breathtaking contrast to his raven-black hair; he looked utterly irresistible.
He paused, sensing another presence. Initially, a frown marred his features, but upon seeing the lady, his expression softened into one of pure surprise.
"Annie," he murmured. His voice was melodic and tempting, causing her to freeze in place.
"How… how does he know my name?" she wondered, her heart accelerating. She watched, mesmerized, as he approached and took her hand. His warmth and gentleness were identical to the sensations in her dreams. "Maybe this is all just another dream," she thought, staring at him without blinking.
Observing her dazed expression, the man chuckled softly. He reached out with a gentle hand to remove her mask.
Devannie didn't resist; she was convinced this was another vivid dream, and this time, she desperately didn't want to wake up.
As the mask came away, it revealed a peerless beauty capable of toppling empires. Without the mask, her eyes lost their haunted look, appearing instead deep and alluring.
"So beautiful," the man praised, drawing her closer. "Won't you say anything, my Queen? Or are you content to just stare at me?" He flashed a stunning smile that made Devannie's face flush a deep crimson.
She lowered her head shyly her fear completely vanished. "Your… name… I… don't… know," she finally whispered. Her voice was as delicate and fragile as silk, instantly sparking a protective instinct within him.
The man chuckled again. "How about you give me a kiss? Then I might consider telling you," he teased, his blue eyes locking onto hers.
Devannie's heart quickened. "This isn't the first time in a dream, so why does it feel like my heart wants to jump out?" She looked up at him earnestly. "You… help me with… with here," she said, pointing to her chest. "Something is trying to come out. Help me bring it out… it's painful."
She immediately tucked her head back down. "How can I say such things to him? Forget it; it's just a dream anyway," she consoled herself.
The man couldn't suppress a laugh as he lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "My Queen doesn't even realize she's falling in love with me?" he prompted.
Devannie opened her mouth, but the words failed her. "I don't know… is it dangerous?" she finally managed to ask.
The man's brow knitted for a fraction of a second before he smiled warmly and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Not dangerous at all," he replied. He lifted her effortlessly with one arm and placed her gently on the bed. "Are you tired? You should rest for a while."
Devannie immediately clung to him, hugging him tightly. "I'm… I'm not sleepy. I… I don't want to sleep," she protested, her voice choking with emotion. "You always leave me every time I sleep. I don't want to sleep again!"
He immediately returned the embrace, patting her back soothingly. "I won't leave you again, alright? Don't cry, my Queen. I promise, I'm staying."
Devannie fell silent, but she was inwardly determined to stay awake. No matter the cost—even if she were dead in the waking world—she refused to return to her life of loneliness.
Sensing her iron grip, the man accepted his fate; he couldn't bear to go against her wishes. He smiled and lifted her into his arms again.
Devannie wrapped her legs around his waist, refusing to let go.
The handsome man offered no objection, simply stroking her hair. "My name is Evarion," he stated.
Devannie raised her head to look at him. "I haven't kissed you yet," she remarked, blinking with a look of tempting innocence.
"Well, you can do that now," Evarion replied with a cunning grin.
Devannie didn't hesitate. She pressed a quick, soft kiss to his lips before flushing and burying her face in the crook of his neck.
"Still not used to it, I see," Evarion thought, suppressed a chuckle. "So cute," he whispered. "Are you hungry?"
Devannie shook her head, then remembered he couldn't see her face. "No," she breathed. She reached out to touch his damp hair. "Let me dry your hair."
"As my Queen wishes," Evarion replied. He set her down gently and took a seat at the dressing table.
Devannie looked around, searching for a tool, then looked at him in confusion.
"Here is the hairdryer," Evarion pointed out, gesturing to the device on the table.
Devannie stared at it with a blank expression. "How do I use this?" she asked.
"You… haven't used one before?" Evarion asked, his voice losing its warmth for a moment.
Devannie shook her head. "We don't have such things in our village."
"Village?" Evarion's voice turned icy. "Don't tell me she's been stuck in some trash village all this time," he thought. "No wonder it was so hard to reach her—I could only find her in her dreams."
"Ev… Eva… did I annoy you?" Devannie panicked as his smile faded. She rushed to him and hugged him. "I'll learn how to use it! Please don't be angry!"
Evarion took a deep breath and smoothed her hair. "No… I could never be angry with my Queen," he reassured her, his warm smile returning. "Will you live with me from now on?"
A beautiful smile broke across Devannie's face as she nodded vigorously. "Yes!"
Evarion nodded back. "Good. Now, sleep. You are exhausted," he commanded gently, caressing her hair.
Though she wanted to object, a strange, overwhelming tiredness washed over her. Her eyes grew heavy, and she eventually drifted off.
The moment Devannie was fully asleep, a murderous aura erupted from Evarion. He placed her tenderly on the bed, dried his hair through sheer will, and dressed. He looked at her and frowned. "While I was weak and busy conquering the world, it seems the Drake family grew bold enough to defy me," he thought, his eyes glowing a deep, bloody red.
"Eva… I finally know your name…" Devannie murmured in her sleep. The sound of her voice stopped Evarion from fully transforming.
"It seems they require a personal visit," he thought, a cold smile playing on his lips. He scooped Devannie into his arms and walked out of the room.
As he descended to the first floor, the bar fell into a deathly silence. No one dared make a sound. The bald man from earlier rushed forward, but stopped dead when he saw Evarion carrying a woman. "Is that the masked girl? How did she charm this devil?" he wondered, forced to offer an awkward smile.
"Boss—" he began, but Evarion's cold voice cut him off.
"You're the one who bought her, right?" The voice held no warmth—only the promise of death.
The man froze. He knew that tone all too well. It was the tone Evarion used for the dead.
"Boss… I… I didn't know she was yours! Please, spare me!" The man dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "I didn't even know she was taken to his room!" He thought.
Evarion stared at him with emotionless eyes. "There is no need for further words," he remarked, walking past him. The man's legs gave out, and he slumped to the floor, knowing there was no escape.
.....
The Drake Mansion – Evening
Evarion sat in a high-backed chair like a king on a throne. His gaze was icy, and the aura of death surrounding him made everyone in the room feel their end was near.
An elderly man, accompanied by several family members, descended the stairs. Terror was etched into their faces; they didn't dare meet Evarion's eyes. The old man dropped to his knees immediately, shivering.
"Your… your presence is unexpected, Master, but this old man is honored to see you," he stammered.
Evarion's brow arched, and a predatory smile spread across his face. "Old Drake, it has indeed been a long time. How is my bride doing? It is time to take her home," he commented calmly.
The atmosphere grew even more suffocating. Silence took over as everyone realized the gravity of the situation.
"This… she…"
The murderous aura intensified the moment the old man tried to speak. "And what explanation do you have for me?" Evarion questioned icily.
The entire family shivered uncontrollably.
"Please, spare our family!" the old man begged. "The young madam was spoiled and ran away from home! We… we have been searching for her. I promise to find her for you!"