The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 305: An Unexpected Surprise

Chapter 305: An Unexpected Surprise

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the castle as Annalise finished her breakfast along with her husbands and friends.

Yes! At this point - Ezra, Marley, Elijah, and Leela were definitely more like friends to them instead of being their guests. The eight of them were together in the difficult battle that they were facing against their secret enemy.

She wiped her mouth with a napkin and rose from the table, determined to help Aunt Claire and Vladiya with the sweet dishes they were preparing for the castle residents.

As she worked alongside Aunt Claire, Annalise’s thoughts drifted to the serene morning she had imagined. Little did she know, her plans were about to take an unexpected turn.

"My Lady, could you please pass me the rose extract?" Aunt Claire asked, breaking her reverie.

Annalise reached for the bottle and handed it to Aunt Claire. "Of course, Aunt Claire. Is there anything else you need?"

Aunt Claire smiled warmly. "Thank you, My Lady. We’re almost done here. You’ve been a great help."

After the sweet dishes were prepared and set aside, Annalise was ready to skip to the top floor to look for Esmeray once again as it had been quite a few days since their last meeting, but she was stopped in her tracks when she saw Damien entering the kitchen.

"Princess, come on! Valerius and I have something fun planned for you in the backyard." His expression was so calm and devoid of any feelings that Annalise could hardly fathom what sort of surprise he could be referring to.

If she had to be honest, she wasn’t really a great fan of surprises at this point as she rarely got any good surprises.

Curious, she followed Damien to the backyard, where she found Valerius waiting. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. He had pulled his long silver hair in a braid and the absence of hair around his face made his sharp jawline and facial features more obvious.

Even after such a long time after her marriage with the Dark Lords, she kept having a hard time believing just how good-looking and magical these three men were. They were just too perfect to be real.

She felt a mix of anticipation and uncertainty filling her as she waited for them to reveal whatever surprise they had planned for her.

Valerius smiled warmly at her as she approached him. However, just like his brother, he too had his expression under control which made it hard for her to guess what these two were up to. Thankfully, he didn’t keep her guessing for long - "Annalise, I hope you’re ready for a challenge."

Annalise eyed the two of them suspiciously. "What kind of challenge?"

Damien chimed in, his eyes gleaming as if he was really excited about this so-called challenge. "We’re going to have a combined training session. You against both of us."

Annalise blinked in surprise. "Wait, what? Both of you?"

Valerius nodded. "Indeed. I’ll be your magical opponent, and Damien will be your physical opponent. It’s time to test your skills, dear wife."

Annalise’s heart raced, a mixture of excitement and apprehension building within her. "Alright, I’m up for the challenge." Or at least that was what she wanted to believe.

And so, the training session began. Everything happened so suddenly that it left Annalise bewildered for a couple of moments.

Damien’s swift movements and powerful strikes pushed Annalise to her limits, her body moving on instinct to defend against his onslaught. She could feel the strain in her muscles as she parried his attacks, sweat forming on her brow despite the cold weather.

Meanwhile, Valerius weaved intricate spells, sending bolts of magical energy hurtling toward her. The men didn’t show her the slightest mercy and just bombarded her with their attacks.

Annalise focused her energy, on creating protective barriers to shield herself from Damien’s formidable magic. Her concentration was intense, her determination unwavering.

As the training continued, Damien’s voice echoed in the air. "You’re doing great, Princess! Keep pushing!"

Valerius added, his tone encouraging. "Remember your training. Trust in your abilities."

Despite playing as her opponents for the time being, these two were also her biggest motivator.

The hours stretched on, the sun moving across the sky, and Annalise’s fatigue began to take its toll. Her muscles ached, and her breath came in ragged gasps, yet she pressed on. She knew this was a test of not only her physical strength but her mental resilience as well.

Finally, Damien called a halt to the session. "That’s enough for today. You’ve done well, Princess."

Valerius nodded in agreement. "Indeed. You’ve shown remarkable progress."

Annalise leaned on her knees, panting heavily. "Thank you, both. I... I didn’t know I had it in me."

Damien smiled, offering her a hand to help her up. "You’re stronger than you realize."

Valerius wrapped his arm around her shoulders, his expression softening. "We pushed you hard because we believe in your potential."

As Annalise stood between her husbands, a sense of accomplishment flooded over her. She had faced their combined challenges head-on and emerged stronger for it. With a newfound determination, she looked at Damien and Valerius.

"Thank you, both. I’m really feeling a lot more confident in myself now."

And so, as the sun began to set, the trio walked back to the castle, their bonds stronger than ever, and their spirits united in the face of the trials that awaited them.

* * * * *

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the landscape, the bustling sounds of the day gradually gave way to the soothing melodies of the evening. The servants had cleared away the remnants of a sumptuous dinner, leaving the castle’s halls bathed in a gentle, flickering light from the strategically placed candles.

Annalise, with her light yellow gown flowing behind her like a waterfall of silk, gracefully ascended the grand staircase. Her heart fluttered with a mixture of weariness and anticipation. She had been looking forward to this quiet moment alone, a respite from the responsibilities she had to shoulder every day as the Castle’s Lady.

Unbeknownst to her, Kenric had lingered behind, watching her with an affectionate gleam in his eyes.

As Annalise reached the door of her bed-chamber, she turned the ornate brass handle and stepped inside.

Before she could fully take in her surroundings, Kenric slipped through the door, his presence announced by the soft rustle of fabric. He moved with a silent grace, the corners of his lips curling into a playful smile as he approached Annalise.

"Leaving the feast so soon, Little Bird?" His voice, like velvet, caressed her senses.

Annalise’s heart skipped a beat, and she turned to face him, a mixture of surprise and delight in her eyes. "I thought I might find a moment of solace before retiring for the night."

Kenric closed the distance between them, his fingers tracing a gentle path along the curve of her jaw. "Solace, you say? And here I was, thinking you might be in need of some company."

A soft giggle escaped Annalise’s lips as she playfully swatted at his hand. "You always have a way of finding me, don’t you?"

Kenric’s arms encircled her waist, drawing her close against the solid warmth of his chest. "Ah, my Little Bird, it’s a talent I’ve cultivated over the years."

Their laughter mingled in the air as Kenric lowered his head, his lips brushing against the delicate shell of her ear. "Shall I share a secret with you?"

She tilted her head, her eyes dancing with curiosity. "Oh? And what might that be?"

He nuzzled her earlobe, his voice a seductive whisper. "I find it quite impossible to resist the allure of your presence."

Annalise’s cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and she leaned into his embrace. "Flattery will get you everywhere."

Kenric’s fingers traced a languid pattern along her spine, sending shivers of pleasure through her body. "Is that so? Then perhaps I should continue."

Their playful banter dissolved into a shared, wordless understanding. Kenric’s lips captured hers in a tender kiss, a symphony of emotions passing between them. As they embraced, time seemed to stand still, the outside world fading into insignificance.

Hours later, nestled beneath the covers of their bed, Annalise and Kenric found themselves wrapped in each other’s arms. Their breaths synchronized, the rhythm of their heartbeats echoing the tranquility of the night.

"Kenric?" Annalise murmured, her voice a mere whisper in the hushed darkness.

"Yes, Little Bird?"

She shifted to look into his eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I am forever grateful for these stolen moments, for the love we share."

Kenric’s gaze held a depth of emotion that words could never fully convey. "And I, Little Bird, am eternally captivated by the light you bring into my life."

With a contented sigh, Annalise nestled her head against his chest, feeling the steady cadence of his heartbeat. As sleep gently claimed them both, the world outside faded away, leaving only the embrace of their love to guide them through the night.