CHAPTER 128: THE BRIDE OF THE DEVIL RETURNS

It had been over a month. Spring was in full bloom. The flowers had opened up, the trees were lush, and the skies stayed bright longer into the evening. In the capital, everything looked beautiful and cheerful. But not everyone was smiling.

The whole city was buzzing with gossip, not excitement. Because tomorrow, the grand duke, Ivan Romanov, was going to marry Tatiana Orlova. People whispered in the streets, at the market, even in their own homes. No one could believe it. The man who had once loved another woman so deeply was now marrying someone else, and not just anyone, but the former lady-in-waiting of his first wife. It was strange, shocking, and no one could stop talking about it.

Inside the palace, Ivan sat alone in his room. The sunset outside painted the walls in gold, but it didn’t touch him. He looked through the window, but he didn’t see the flowers, the colors, or the sky. His eyes were empty. Not just sad—empty, like something had broken completely inside him. He hadn’t been the same since that morning. The morning he woke up and found Tatiana lying beside him.

There was a soft knock on the door. He didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Didn’t even seem to hear it.

The door creaked open, and Tatiana walked in. She looked calm on the outside, but inside she was tense.

"I just came to say that everything is ready for tomorrow," she said softly. "The wedding preparations are complete."

He didn’t say a word. It was like she was invisible to him.

Her chest tightened. "You’re still thinking about her, aren’t you?" she whispered. "Even now. Our wedding is tomorrow, Ivan."

She stepped closer and gently took his hand. "I’ve been by your side for fifteen years. Fifteen years, Ivan. Why won’t you even look at me?"

Finally, he turned his head. His eyes were cold.

"Don’t fool yourself, Tatiana," he said flatly. "You and I are nothing. This marriage... it’s only for the sake of that child. Nothing more. Please... leave me. I want to be alone."

She stared at him, her mouth slightly open, but no words came out. Her hand slipped from his fingers. Then she turned and walked out quickly. She didn’t care if the door slammed behind her.

As she walked down the hallway, tears streamed down her face. Her vision blurred. And then she bumped straight into Olga.

Quickly, she wiped her eyes, trying to hide the tears.

Olga smiled like nothing had happened. "You must be very excited," she said sweetly. "You’ll finally get what you want."

Tatiana forced a smile. "It’s all thanks to you."

They both smiled at each other, but those smiles were cold. Empty.

"I just came back from the ballroom," Olga continued. "It looks stunning. Honestly, even better than his last wedding. Let’s just hope this one lasts longer."

Tatiana bowed. "Thank you."

As soon as Olga walked away, Tatiana’s expression changed. Her smile disappeared, and her face twisted in disgust. Olga, walking away, dropped her own fake smile too. They were both playing the same game.

Tatiana walked back to her room, slowly rubbing her stomach. "Tomorrow," she whispered to herself. "Tomorrow I’ll have him for myself."

The next day arrived.

The kingdom was already dressed for the wedding. Banners hung from windows. Horses were prepared. The streets were cleaned, and nobles began to arrive early. Everyone looked ready. But in truth, most were only there to see the scandal for themselves.

Inside the palace, Nikolai stood in front of Ivan’s door. He knocked gently. No answer.

He knocked again, a little louder. Still no sound.

Worried, he opened the door. Ivan was already dressed, but he wasn’t ready. He was tearing through drawers and boxes.

"Where is it?" Ivan muttered under his breath. "I left it here."

He turned around and saw Nikolai.

"Your Highness," Nikolai said calmly, "it’s almost time."

He walked over and gently helped Ivan adjust the collar of his coat.

He looked into his face. "Are you really doing this?" he asked. "You don’t have to. I can see it in your eyes. You’re hurting. If you go through with this, you’ll hurt her."

Ivan closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Then what should I do, Nikolai?" he said quietly. "Abandon that child? Turn my back on him?"

He opened his eyes. "I know how it feels to grow up hearing people drag your mother’s name through the mud. I lived through that. I won’t let my child go through the same. This is the only way to protect him. To protect Tatiana’s honor too."

He put on his gloves, stood straight, and muttered, "I’ve already hurt her in the most cruel way. There’s no hope left."

At the chapel in the capital, the wedding had begun. But it didn’t feel like a celebration. It felt like gossip had taken over the room.

Nobles whispered to one another.

"He’s really marrying her?"

"I still can’t believe it. The lady-in-waiting?"

"They said she stole him."

Suddenly, the room went quiet.

The Andreyevna family had arrived. Alexander, Elena, Anya, Mikhail, and Pyotr all walked in quietly. They took their seats without looking around.

Everyone stared at them.

"Why would they come?" one woman whispered. "He discarded their own family."

"I always said she was too soft. She lost everything," another one said.

Elena glared at her father. "I can’t believe you made us come here," she hissed.

Alexander said nothing. He just looked down, his face heavy.

The royal family was then announced. Prince Leonid. Queen Olga. Czar Vladimir. The crowd rose as they walked to the front.

Inside the small waiting room, Ivan stood alone. His hands were shaking.

His thoughts were racing. All he could see was Lydia. Her face. Her smile. The way her hands had trembled on their wedding day.

Nikolai touched his shoulder. "Your Highness... it’s not too late."

But Ivan didn’t answer.

The doors opened. The announcer spoke loudly.

"His Highness, the Grand Duke Ivan Romanov."

Ivan walked slowly toward the altar. Every step felt heavier than the last. His hands still trembled. Olga, sitting among the crowd, noticed it. She smiled. She was enjoying this.

Then, the bride was announced.

Tatiana walked down the aisle slowly. Her dress flowed behind her. Her face was soft and graceful. To everyone else, she looked like a bride. But not to Ivan.

As she walked closer, all Ivan could see was Lydia again. The way she had looked at him that day. The fear in her eyes. The love. The pain.

Tatiana finally reached the altar. She stood beside him. Ivan didn’t even look at her.

The priest began.

"We are gathered here today to join His Highness, Grand Duke Ivan Romanov, and Lady Tatiana Orlova in holy matrimony. If anyone has any reason this couple should not be joined, speak now or forever hold your peace."

Silence.

Ivan opened his mouth.

Then the doors burst open.

"I object."

The voice was strong. Sharp. Familiar.

Everyone turned.

Lydia stood there.

She wore a scarlet wedding dress, lined with gold thread. Her mother’s ruby and gold necklace sparkled on her neck. Her earrings matched. A tiara rested on her head, and a red veil fell down her back.

She didn’t look broken. She didn’t look scared. She looked like a bride from fire and war. A queen who had risen from ashes.

Ivan turned around slowly.

His breath caught in his throat.

He looked at her like she was the only thing keeping him alive.

Like he had finally seen something real in a world that had turned fake.

His whole world had walked back into the room.

And in that moment, nothing else existed.