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Astrid sighed softly as she leaned against the chair. Her violet eyes trained on the papers that were spread out on the table. She was reviewing the documents that have been in the archives of the Order for her to find some evidence on how to extract blood samples from Pure Blood.
Her search was futile. Astrid was about to continue her research when someone told her that His Holiness wanted to meet her. Astrid arched her eyebrows, noticing that His Holiness met her twice on the same day.
That has never been done before, she mused as Astrid went to find him in his office. Astrid knocked on the door, twisted the doorknob, and entered His Holiness’ office. She roamed around until Astrid saw His Holiness was out on the balcony. He was leaning against the balcony, looking thoughtful in his stance.
Astrid took a deep breath. Then, she cleared her throat to get His Holiness’ attention. He turned his head around, smiling. His Holiness looked at her and waved his hand dismissively. Astrid followed his instruction as his black eyes were tracking her every step.
“Good evening, Huntress. I thought I heard you coming. I hope you were not busy when I asked you to come here,” he stated as Astrid stepped out onto the balcony. She nodded at him in greetings.
“You call, Master? Is something amiss? Has the abomination caused any trouble in the dungeon?” Astrid asked him curiously. His Holiness chuckled softly before he shook his head. Then, he nodded. Astrid arched her eyebrows as she was confused by His Holiness’ reaction.
“So, which one is it?” she asked again.
“You’re intense for a woman, Huntress. Will you calm down? Our prisoner is not causing any trouble so hold your horses,” His Holiness replied as Astrid pouted.
His Holiness stared straight ahead, looking at the bustling and hustling city of Transylvania. Silence engulfed both of them as Astrid stood silently. She was looking at his side profile. If anything, Astrid would agree to say that His Holiness was a handsome man.
His high cheekbone would be the envy of any supermodel. His aristocratic nose demanded authority towards others. His full, kissable lips can make any woman dream about it to no end.
Those eyes... his charcoal eyes like the night that can see your soul.
Get a grip, Larsen! Why are you staring at His Holiness?! Astrid barked at herself. She blinked for a moment when Astrid saw His Holiness’ mouth move. She assumed that he was talking to her. However, Astrid was not in the moment to hear anything that he said. Astrid blushed as she was smiling at him.
Astrid blinked her eyes. “I’m sorry, Master. I didn’t quite catch that. Did you say something?” she asked shyly. His Holiness arched his eyebrow before he chuckled softly.
“Did you zone out for a moment, Huntress? I only ask if you want to be my wife, Huntress,” he stated confidently. Astrid stared at him, her eyes blinked for a moment.
Suddenly, her muscles tensed inside her. Wait... what? Did... did His Holiness ask me to be his wife? Astrid mused for a moment before another thought hit her.
Holy crap, this is awesome! Astrid cheered inside her head as her face heated up. His Holiness chuckled when he stepped closer, tucking her blonde strands behind her ear.
Astrid was looking at him, fully aware that she was too stunned to speak her mind. Then, His Holiness took her hands, squeezing them. His hands were warm. Astrid was staring at his face, trying to find the reason why he proposed to her out of the blue.
Then, His Holiness smiled at Astrid. “I must say, I didn’t expect you to say yes the moment I popped the question, Huntress since you might be thinking why a person of my status was asking you, the Huntress of the Order, to be my wife,” he stated as Astrid nodded.
“Well, that thought did come to mind for a moment,” she replied honestly. His Holiness chuckled softly as he caressed her cheek.
“My honest answer, Huntress? I’ve been in love with you since I first saw you during my Ascension, Huntress. You remember that night, didn’t you?” he asked as he was looking at her.
“Umm... I guess?” Astrid replied as she was looking into his black eyes. His Holiness smiled, cupping her cheeks as his charcoal eyes reflected his sincerity in his proposal.
Astrid gulped. “I...I don’t—” she stammered, knowing fully well it was to her advantage to be engaged to His Holiness, the man that ruled over the Order of the Holy. However, her tongue was stuck in her mouth and Astrid’s heart galloped.
Why would I hesitate with this man who has everything? Astrid mused before her dark thoughts consumed her mind. You know why...
“It’s alright, Huntress. I don’t expect you to give your answer immediately. After all, it was short notice on your side. Nonetheless, I was hoping that you’d give me the right answer,” His Holiness replied. Astrid nodded. Then, he was kissing her knuckles. His eyes stared at her face as Astrid blushed under his watchful gaze.
“Just think about it at least, Astrid?” His Holiness asked. Astrid gulped as she nodded, unable to form words. Her heart was still galloping when His Holiness spoke her name.
However, it did not have the same capacity when a certain someone whispered it.
His Holiness smiled. “Then, I’ll leave you to your duties then, Huntress. Good hunting,” he said, tucking Astrid’s strands behind her ear.
“Of course, Master. I’ll do my best,” she replied. His Holiness chuckled before he shook his head.
“I should stop calling you that name and you should stop addressing me formally. I should use your given name from now on. Astrid. I like how it sounds in my mouth,” His Holiness stated. Her name was rolling off his tongue as Astrid was blushing.
She never heard His Holiness speak her given name or anyone’s given name besides the code names that they used in the Order. Despite that, he did say her name just now.
So, why did I feel empty when he said it, unlike Aaron Covaci? Astrid mused when His Holiness continued.
“I’ll give you three days to give me the answer. I don’t usually wait for anything but for you to be my future wife, I will, Astrid.” His Holiness stated. Astrid smiled, keeping her mouth shut. He kissed her temples when Astrid heard another statement from His Holiness.
“Don’t disappoint me,” he whispered. Astrid blinked her eyes as His Holiness kissed her knuckles again before he went away.
The chilly night breeze was caressing her cheeks. Astrid cupped her cheeks. She was left speechless with the turn of events before she was smiling like an idiot.
His Holiness asked me to be his wife and he said my name, she mused alone. She sighed softly, hugging her middle as Astrid stared at the night sky.