Chapter 188: Chapter 188

Ivan’s hands shook as he pulled open the drawers of his chest. His breathing was uneven, his eyes darting from one corner of the room to another. His heart pounded inside him like a drum. He threw aside folded shirts, pushed aside papers, opened one box after another. But no matter how many times he checked, the small box remained empty.

"It should be here," he whispered to himself, his voice breaking. "I’m sure I left it here. Where did I keep it?"

He searched again, running his fingers desperately through the corners of the chest. Then he moved to the shelves, pulling out books, opening them as if the necklace might somehow be inside one. He pulled at the drawers under his bed. Nothing.

His mind was spinning. His thoughts chased each other in circles. Where is it. Where is it. Where is it. I know I left it there.

Then a knock came on the door.

Ivan froze, his hands still inside the chest. He shut his eyes tightly, trying to gather himself, but his heart was still racing.

The door opened gently. Katherine stepped inside with two servants following behind her, carrying towels and basins. They were there to prepare for his bath.

Katherine paused when she saw him. His chest was heaving, his eyes wild, his hands trembling.

She dismissed the servants quickly with a wave, and when they were gone, she walked closer. Her voice was soft, careful. "Are you looking for something, Your Highness?"

Ivan turned his head sharply. His voice was hoarse, almost accusing. "Did you take it?"

Katherine’s brows drew together. "What?"

"The necklace," Ivan said, his tone sharp, his eyes searching hers.

Katherine blinked in confusion. "What necklace?"

"The necklace," Ivan repeated, louder this time. "I’m sure I left it in my chest, but it’s not there." His voice cracked as he spoke, desperation clinging to his words.

Katherine looked at him carefully. He looked so tired, so restless, and yet so fragile in that moment. She had never seen him . His usual control, his usual iron presence—it was gone.

She shook her head gently. "I am sorry, Your Highness. I haven’t seen any such necklace."

Ivan pressed his hands against his forehead. His chest rose and fell quickly. He looked like a man breaking apart.

Katherine wanted to say something to comfort him, but she didn’t know if he would let her. He had not trusted her in so long, not after that day. For years he had been cold to her, always careful with her words, always cautious in his presence.

But then, unexpectedly, his voice dropped, softer than she had heard it in more than a decade. "Can you help me find it? Please."

Katherine’s heart almost stopped. She stared at him, stunned. He hadn’t spoken to her like that in eleven years. Not with that softness. Not with that word—please.

She walked closer, her steps quiet. She looked into his face, saw the red in his eyes, the cracks in his strength. Slowly she said, "Sit down. I’ll help you look."

Ivan sank onto the edge of the bed, his hands limp in his lap. Katherine bent down and began searching through the chest herself, moving the clothes and boxes carefully.

After a moment she asked softly, "How does it look?"

Ivan’s eyes lowered. His voice trembled as he said, "It’s a flower. A crystal one. To be precise... it looks like a frozen flower."

Katherine looked up at him. His hands were clasped together tightly, his knuckles white. His voice shook as he continued, "I had it made for Lydia. I know I cannot give it to her now, but... I can’t find it."

Her heart softened at his words. She had suspected, but hearing him admit it, even in fragments, was something else.

She whispered, "Do you remember the last time you saw it?"

Ivan closed his eyes, trying to recall. His hands rubbed his forehead as though he could push the memory out. "I think... it was two months ago. When I last returned to the capital."

Then suddenly his face changed. His eyes widened. His lips parted.

He muttered to himself, "That day... I was drunk." His hands trembled harder. "I must have brought it out that day..."

In a rush, he stood up, almost knocking the chair behind him. He stormed out of the room. Katherine followed a few steps, but he was already gone, his footsteps echoing down the hall. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on NoveI[F]ire.net

Ivan’s heart raced as he walked quickly to the library. He opened the doors and searched the tables, the shelves, the corners. He remembered sitting there, drinking, his head heavy, his thoughts blurred. He had touched the necklace that day. He remembered it now.

But no matter where he searched, it was not there.

His breath came harshly as his mind pieced together the truth. There was only one place it could be.

His hand trembled as he reached for the shelf and pushed it open. The hidden door creaked, the air inside thick with dust and silence.

He hadn’t been here in two months. Not since that night.

The moment the door opened, memories slammed into him. His head filled with the blurred haze of that evening. He remembered the heat of wine in his throat, the spinning of the room, the heaviness of his body. He remembered touching her, kissing her. His heart clenched. At that time he had thought it was Lydia. He had believed it with all his drunken, clouded mind. But it wasn’t Lydia.

His chest ached. His stomach twisted as shame crawled up inside him.

And then the memory came clearly. His hands on her neck. The clasp of the necklace. The frozen flower resting against her skin.

His eyes widened. "I gave it to her," he whispered. His voice shook with horror.

Without another thought, he rushed out of the hidden room and down the corridors until he reached Tatiana’s chambers.

The door opened with force as he stormed inside. Yelena was there, brushing Tatiana’s hair. Both women froze as Ivan appeared, his face pale, his eyes wild.

"Where is it?" he demanded. His voice was rough, desperate.

Tatiana turned, her face still calm though her hands trembled slightly. "Where is what?"

"The necklace," Ivan said, his voice breaking. "The necklace I put on you that night. I want it back."

Tatiana’s breath caught. Her eyes twitched, her fingers curling against her dress. She remembered. She remembered that night too.

She spoke quickly, too quickly. "I do not have it."

Ivan’s eyes narrowed. His voice grew sharp. "What do you mean? I am sure I gave it to you."

Tatiana swallowed. "I know."

His body leaned forward, his voice fierce. "Then where is it?"

Her lips trembled, but she forced the words out. "I threw it away. Obviously. What would I want with it? It was clear you never made it for me. So I threw it away. At the lake. By the palace."

Her eyes flickered, nervous. She could see the madness in his eyes. He looked like a man who would stop at nothing.

Ivan said nothing. His face was stiff, his jaw tight. Without a word he turned and walked out of the room.

Tatiana stood frozen, her heart racing. She bit at her nails, panic filling her chest. She muttered to herself, "No... he won’t. He won’t go to the lake. He can’t be that insane. He won’t find anything."

Already Ivan was striding through the palace, his steps quick, his eyes dark with determination. His whole body trembled, but he didn’t care. He would go to the lake. He would search every inch of it if he had to.

The necklace had to be found.