Ch. 116..120: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 116-120

Chapter 116: A gift for Prince Alaric

Alora’s eyes widened in awe as fireflies suddenly appeared, illuminating their surroundings. The waterfall took on a golden hue under their ambiance, captivating her completely. She rose from the swing and approached the shimmering water, drawn by its enchanting glow.

This was the magic that Magnus talked about a moment ago. She tilted her head as Magnus held her hand. His front body pressed against her back and he gradually lifted her hand up.

A firefly danced around her palm before delicately landing on it, filling her with wonder.

"The firefly needs warmth. Your hand has provided it, that’s why it rested here," Magnus whispered in her ear. His hand remained steadfast under hers.

"So, I am warm," Alora said.

"Indeed," Magnus replied.

Soon, the firefly departed from her hand and headed towards the tree. She turned around and found out, the fireflies were around the swing as well. Her heart fluttered with this newfound magical happiness.

"Magnus, you seem connected with nature," Alora observed, peering at him.

"I was, but not anymore. For a long time, even nature stopped making me feel happy," Magnus asserted.

"What about now? I feel you enjoy all this again," Alora said, reading his expressions.

"Well, yes, after you entered my life. I again started enjoying all this. My life had become dull. When you asked me the first time who would be happy to live such a long life, I contemplated that night. I wish I had a normal life. I wish I were a human," Magnus pronounced. He never told about his inner thoughts regarding not loving being a vampire for such a long time. In front of Alora, he could do that now.

"You are far better than any human even though you are a vampire. You have so much warmth in you. As your wife, I wish for my husband’s long life," Alora said, smiling at him.

She raised her head as a group of fireflies were now dancing above them. "Even they love us," Alora remarked.

Magnus was mesmerized by her smile. He had his hands were now her face and he kissed her lips tenderly. She responded fervently to the kiss, nibbling his lips the same way. Her hands moved to his waist, gripping his overcoat tightly.

~~~~~

The next morning in the palace:

Alaric put down the quill pen after he heard from his assistant that Scarlet had come to see him.

"Bring Miss Scarlet to the living room. I’ll be there soon," Alaric gave out an instruction. The assistant bowed respectfully and walked away.

"Why does she wish to see me?" Alaric thought as he leaned against the chair before rising to his feet. He leisurely walked to the living room, where Scarlet was present.

Seeing the prince, Scarlet promptly left her seat and curtsied him. "I couldn’t thank Prince Alaric the day he treated my wound. This is the small present I have for him," Scarlet said humbly as she picked up the robe that she ordered to prepare from the famous fabric shop.

"It wasn’t needed, Miss Scarlet," Alaric politely refused the robe, understanding the implications of accepting such a gift from a woman. He didn’t want to entertain any thoughts of romantic interest.

Scarlet hummed and apologized, ensuring him that she didn’t have any hidden motives behind the present. "I only wanted to express my gratitude, Your Highness. I didn’t have any ulterior motive," she clarified, dispelling any doubts he might have had about her intentions. In the royal princes, if she harbored any affection, it was for Magnus, who could never be hers.

Scarlet gestured to her attendant to pick up the robe as they prepared to leave. "I shall take my leave. Forgive me if I disturbed His Highness," she stated, bowing to Alaric before heading to the door.

Alaric, feeling he might hurt Scarlet’s pure intentions of merely expressing gratefulness, asked her to stop.

Scarlet turned to look at Alaric as he approached her. "Then, I will take it," he said, accepting the robe.

Scarlet smiled gratefully, thanking the prince for understanding the true intentions behind her gift. She couldn’t help but notice the ink stains on his right-hand fingers, prompting her to wonder if he was more industrious than most royals.

"Jasper, please escort Miss Scarlet to the carriage," Alaric said.

"I will go, Your Highness. Please don’t take trouble because of me," Scarlet asserted. She pivoted on her heels and left the room.

Alaric tossed the robe to Jasper, who caught it. "Don’t include this in my wardrobe," he said.

"I thought Prince Alaric would wear it. The fabric used is expensive," Jasper said, feeling its softness.

"Then, you shall take it," Alaric said with a smile.

"Eh? How can I wear such an expensive robe? Not to mention, it is a gift for Prince Alaric," Jasper was hesitant to wear that.

"Since it’s a gift for me, I can use it in whatever way I want to. And I have given it to you," Alaric replied.

Jasper thanked the prince. He always wanted to own such an expensive robe. "Did Prince Alaric hear that Princess Alora’s sister is imprisoned? She has committed treason according to Tobias," he informed Alaric, who had no knowledge about it so far.

"Treason? What do you mean?" Alaric’s interest was piqued.

"Tobias said that Miss Venus planned to murder Princess Alora with the help of a she-wolf," Jasper answered.

"How could Miss Venus do this to her own sister?" Alaric shook his head. "Poor Alora will be hurt to know this," he added.

"I think Venus is jealous of her sister. It’s not uncommon for humans to think badly of their own family members. I’ve heard many such cases when I used to look into the cases of humans. Princess Alora got married to a royal prince while Venus became a widow after creating trouble for everyone around her. This is my observation so far, Your Highness," Jasper affirmed.

Alaric couldn’t agree more and inquired of Jasper whether the King was aware of the situation.

"Yes. I heard from the Head Valet that a message has been sent to the princes for their quick return," Jasper confirmed.

Alaric pondered over Magnus’s likely decision to impose a death sentence on Venus, knowing it could strain Alora’s relationship with her family. He hoped that if Venus were possibly pardoned, she would understand her mistakes and never repeat them.

Chapter 117: You can’t be my wife’s friend

"By the evening, we will be in Velaris," Magnus announced, halting behind Alora on the balcony. She turned to him, inquiring when he returned from outside.

"Just now. My wife is deeply engrossed in her own thoughts," Magnus remarked, brushing her hair strands tenderly behind her ear.

"What is in her mind?" he asked softly.

"I will miss this place. It’s serene here, just like the place I always wanted to live," Alora answered, wistfully.

"Then, we can live here forever. Just tell me, and I’ll fulfill your wish right now," Magnus said, lowering his hand.

"But I like Velaris too," Alora stated. She noticed a tiny white feather resting on Magnus’s right shoulder. Grabbing it, she remarked, "It was on your shoulder," and placed it on the balustrade. She then inquired if they would leave by noon.

"Yes. That way, we will reach our residence in Velaris by dinnertime," Magnus remarked, confirming her.

"We couldn’t buy anything for anyone in our family," Alora murmured, feeling a pang of regret. Despite her efforts, she still cared for them deeply.

"They already have everything with them. Moreover, Lillian may only throw it away if you gift her something. She is a nasty child of my parents. She didn’t even respect our choices, so you don’t have to please her," Magnus suggested to Alora.

"And what about the King and the Queen?" Alora inquired.

"They... don’t need anything either. My mother is picky, while my father isn’t happy with the thought that you are my wife. They may not like any presents you give them, in turn, making me angry," Magnus explained to her, his tone tinged with frustration.

Suddenly, a thought flashed in her mind, and she met Magnus’s gaze. "His Highness told me a few days ago that we would no longer live in a separate residence, but in the palace."

"Yes, I think you don’t have to hide your eyes from anyone. Don’t you want to be a good daughter-in-law? So, residing in the palace is best. You are my wife, the prince’s wife. I remember the last time we went to the palace, you liked it more," Magnus replied, reminiscing about the day.

"Prince Magnus’s memory is sharp." She complimented him.

"Well, I do need something from you," Magnus told her.

"Please, say," Alora promptly responded.

"I want you to learn how to answer back. Don’t be soft on anyone. I don’t like it when you get bullied. You have to be as stern as me. Will you do that, Wife?" Magnus asked with a mused expression.

"I will try," Alora determinedly said.

"No. You have to do it. When we start living in the palace, show them your authority. When we will go to the Vampire Council, you need to do the same. Till when are you going to be humble Alora?" Magnus questioned her.

Alora chuckled and replied, "As long as I stay as human."

She realized what she said and found the smile faded on Magnus’s lips. "There will be a time when you have to change me," Alora asserted.

"I don’t want that time to come," Magnus said. He placed his index finger above her lips, "We won’t talk about this anymore."

Alora wondered what could be the reason that Magnus was so persistent in not turning her into a vampire. But asking about it now might infuriate Magnus, so she ignored her thought.

~~~~~

"You’re a hundred years old!?" Rubin was shocked to learn Griffin’s true age. "You look 25," he muttered.

"I’m older than you. Why are you speaking informally with me?" Griffin glared at him.

"I thought you were the same age as me," Rubin replied. "Forgive me, Griffin," he apologized.

Griffin laughed at his apology. "I was jesting, my friend! You don’t have to apologize to me," he reassured Rubin, patting his back. He then turned his attention to the servants, who were loading items into a separate carriage.

Rubin was quite startled to hear ’my friend’ from a vampire’s mouth. He smiled faintly and looked toward the carriage. "I thought the vampires aren’t friendly to humans," he chimed in.

"They are! At least, I am," Griffin answered.

"Hmm," Rubin hummed, feeling thirsty, so he excused himself. As he entered the cottage and asked a servant for water, he saw Magnus and Alora coming down.

"What is it, Rubin? Why are you glancing at me with such eyes?" Magnus’s words reached his ears even though he was still on the stairs.

"Nothing, Your Highness. I was wondering if Prince Magnus considers me his-his friend," Rubin asked.

"No," Magnus replied as he finally descended the final step with Alora.

"Why?" Rubin asked.

"I can be your friend!" Alora chimed in with a smile though she had her eyes down.

"Never. You can’t be my wife’s friend," Magnus stated.

"What’s going on here?" Izaak’s voice reverberated in their ears. He had a wine cup in his hand. "I understood. We have two humans now, who desire to be friends. But my dear vampire brother is jealous," he remarked.

Rubin waved his hands in the air. "Forgive me, Prince Magnus. Griffin told me that the vampires can be friends. That’s why I asked you," he clarified to Magnus.

"What about me?" Alora asked.

"You already have many friends. How many more do you want?" Magnus felt annoyed suddenly.

"I don’t have a human friend," Alora replied.

Izaak enjoyed their sweet bickering while sipping the wine slowly.

"Then, consider Izaak a human," Magnus pointed a finger at his brother.

"Why?" Alora pouted her lips.

"You will hardly see Rubin in the capital. He will live in a human colony. Keep that in mind," Magnus finally said, calming down a bit.

"Then, there should not be any problem," Alora said with a smile. She turned her head to Rubin and added, "If you ever want to talk to any human, then you can come to see me. I’ll always be available."

Magnus rolled his eyes as he noticed the same enchanting smile gracing Alora’s lips, capable of captivating any man.

"Okay!" Rubin was happy to have such a wonderful friend in Alora. "My late sister wanted to meet Princess Alora someday."

"Meet me? Why?" Alora was surprised, feeling that nobody was interested in meeting her.

"Because she used to think you were special. I mean, the eyes of Princess Alora," Rubin asserted, revealing his late sister’s admiration for Alora’s eyes.

Alora’s eyes turned watery upon hearing Rubin’s words. She realized she had been mistaken in thinking that everyone hated her. "I wish I could have met your sister," she said. "But I’m thankful to her for not hating me."

"Why would anyone hate Princess Alora?" Rubin was perplexed by the notion.

"Because my eyes can bring peril to anyone who looks into them," Alora replied in a low voice, revealing the burden she carried.

"That’s not true," Magnus interjected. "Alora’s eyes only bring peril to those who harbor ill intentions towards her. But there’s no one who is strong enough to withstand her gaze," he added, offering reassurance to his wife.

For Rubin, it was still confusing, but he realized that because of him, Alora’s mood had shifted.

"Rubin, follow me," Izaak said and took him outside

Chapter 118: Get on your knees, Magnus

Alora pulled down the curtains on the window and turned her head to look at Magnus, who was in a slumber. A tiny smile carved on her lips as she closed her eyes too.

She jolted awake when the carriage made an abrupt stop. "What happened? Did we arrive?" Alora asked, holding the curtain as Magnus shook his head. The next moment, he was out of the carriage, and the door banged closed.

Magnus scanned his eyes around. They were in the middle of a forest, surrounded by tall pine trees, the silence of the woods enveloping them.

"The carriage drivers are dead," Griffin informed Magnus.

"Stay here," Magnus instructed him, then ran forward to check. Indeed, they were dead. A vampire had attacked them, but who could have such audacity to fight against the immortals?

"Magnus, we are–" Before Izaak could complete his words, both he and Magnus sensed the presence of more than a dozen vampires around them. Luckily, the guardians were with them because Dylan was also being taken to the capital.

Suddenly, a vampire appeared before them, and Magnus stopped from harming them. The two brothers swiftly took down one vampire after the other. One important thing they sensed was that these vampires were not from their kingdom. Something was different about them.

On the other hand, Alora was terrified while being in the carriage. She could hear strange voices. As she pulled away the curtain, her eyes widened to see some of the vampires on the ground while others were fighting with each other. The scene unfolded at a speed her eyes were unable to fully detect, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and frightened.

"Where’s Magnus?" she murmured, moving toward the door. However, the door didn’t open since it was locked from the outside. She looked out of the window and saw Griffin and Odin engaged in a fight with some vampires.

The frightening memory from that night flashed in her mind when she lost so many people in the werewolf attack. She was consumed with worry for her husband’s, and her newly made friends’ safety. Alora wanted to fight the vampires to ensure her loved ones remained safe, but she was unable to.

As she looked out of the window again, Alora saw a vampire unlocking the door of the carriage. Griffin pulled back the vampire from his neck and punched him hard in the face.

"Griffin, here!" Odin threw a sharp wood toward him, which he caught and pierced right through the vampire’s heart.

Alora’s eyes widened and she stopped blinking to witness such a horrifying sight. That was brutal in her eyes and she quickly turned away her head. She was engrossed in her own thoughts when the carriage’s door unlocked.

It all happened so swiftly that Alora couldn’t get the time to react. Her head was covered with a dark cloth and the next moment, Alora found herself on the ground.

"Stop, everyone!" Alora heard the deep voice of the vampire, who had taken her hostage.

Magnus promptly appeared at the front after killing another vampire and saw his wife in the enemy vampire’s hands.

"Leave my wife!" Magnus demanded, his fists clenched in anger.

"Get on your knees, Magnus Lukeson!" the vampire commanded, holding a sharp blade of the dagger to Alora’s neck. He continued, "Tell everyone to pierce themselves with the wooden stakes right into their hearts if you want Alora to be safe."

Izaak stood beside his brother, unsure of what Magnus would do.

"No, Magnus. Don’t do that!" Alora shouted, her voice muffled by the fabric covering her entire face.

"Do what I have said, Magnus or Alora is dead right here," the vampire instructed again, bringing the blade close to Alora’s neck.

All Magnus cared about was Alora. He got on his knees as the vampire wanted. "Everyone shall do what this bastard wants," Magnus commanded, his voice filled with urgency and desperation.

"No. Don’t do that," Alora stated firmly.

"Are you crazy? Stay quiet!" Magnus raised his voice at Alora, unable to bear the thought of losing her at any cost.

"What do you want?" Izaak asked then.

"I want all of you to be dead," the vampire simply answered.

Alora had a hold on his hand. She knew where to bite him so that this evil vampire would lose his grip on the dagger. Despite the presence of the fabric on her face, Alora’s senses, honed from years of living as a blind person, were sharper than those of normal people.

Without wasting another second, Alora bit the vampire’s hand as hard as she could. She pushed the vampire away and quickly pulled the fabric off her head.

Magnus was quick to reach her, hugging her tightly in relief. However, as he noticed the same vampire preparing to attack Alora again, he twirled swiftly, and a wooden stake pierced right into the middle of his back. It was infused with poison made from the Ash tree.

Izaak acted swiftly, reaching the vampire and grabbing its throat, snapping it off at once. He then took out the stake from Magnus’s back as he fell.

"Magnus!" Both Alora and Izaak exclaimed at the same time, holding him before he fully landed on the ground.

Griffin, Odin, and Frederick ran toward them.

"It’s a poison. We need to take it out," Izaak said as Magnus’s face instantly turned purple.

"Take away Alora. Sh-she needs to be safe," Magnus requested his brother.

"No. I’m not going anywhere." Alora’s eyes welled up in tears. "Brother Izaak, how to take out the poison?" she asked.

Frederick decided to check if all the vampires, who attacked them were dead. Rubin, who was inside the carriage, finally came out and ran toward them. He was shocked to see Magnus’s condition.

"We need an antidote. But I don’t know if it’ll be available here. We are still far from the palace," Izaak told Alora.

"Is His Highness poisoned?" Rubin questioned.

"Yes," Izaak replied. "It’s an ash tree," he added.

Rubin got down on his knees to check what it was. "Ash tree," he murmured and was confused thinking how someone got his hands on such a rare poison for the vampires. Luckily, the hunter group he belonged to gave him its antidote as well.

"I have the antidote," Rubin answered. He ran toward the carriage while Griffin followed him. Rumbling through his items, he found the tiny wooden box and took it out. He took it back to Magnus and gave a pill to Magnus.

"How do you have it?" Izaak was confused.

"It’s a long story. I can later," Rubin replied.

Magnus chewed it before swallowing it. The pill worked like magic and its reaction was quick too. His facial color changed back to its original one, but now, he needed fresh blood.

"We should hurry back to the palace," said Odin. Both Izaak and Odin helped Magnus stand up. They took him to the carriage while Alora closely followed them.

Once seated inside the carriage, Odin told them he would drive and close the door from outside.

"Magnus’s wound on the back is still open. We need to at least cover it," Alora said, looking at Izaak.

"Just provide him your fresh blood. He will heal at a faster rate," Izaak said, looking at Magnus, who was controlling his thirst.

"No, I won’t do that," Magnus refused.

"Why? Your life is more important to me." Alora held his hand, convincing him to drink from her.

Chapter 119: Will you please stop, Izaak?

"What about the blood from Rubin then?" Izaak suggested to him.

"No. I’ll drink the blood once we arrive at the palace," Magnus asserted. "I won’t die this way," he added with a chuckle.

Alora hit his shoulder, telling him not to take his injury lightly. "When a vampire is heart, the healing takes time." She took out the hairpin from her hair bun. Without fearing, Alora made a cut on the center of her palm using it.

Izaak gulped as he saw the fresh blood pouring out of her hand. His pupils changed color, but he shook his head to keep himself in his senses.

Magnus who was injured, couldn’t hold control of his blood thirst when the blood streamed into her palm, grasped her wrist, and drank directly from her palm. A new energy channeled through his entire body as Alora’s blood filled his veins.

However, this time, Magnus wasn’t completely out of control. He pulled away at the right time and took out the handkerchief from his pocket. He couldn’t either scold Alora for doing this. "Thank you," he whispered and tightly wrapped it around her palm.

"Your Highness, Dylan isn’t with us!" informed Griffin as he suddenly opened the carriage’s door. He saw Magnus was in a much better state and looked at Alora’s hand.

"Was it his plan to get freed like this?" Izaak glanced at his brother.

"Let’s discuss this once we reach the palace. Prince Magnus needs more blood," Alora intervened. Griffin nodded at her and closed the door from the outside again. The carriage moved finally and their journey to Velaris began.

"Alora, your power didn’t work this time when we needed it the most. Instead, you were taken as hostage," Izaak taunted her.

"Brother, don’t say anything to her," Magnus eyed at his brother, gesturing to him to stay quiet.

"You were ready to sacrifice others’ lives for Alora. Don’t you think Griffin and Odin may have gotten hurt?" asked Izaak. He didn’t intend to stay quiet because his brother got hurt just to save a human.

"Do you think I would have let them die?" Magnus argued with his brother.

Izaak chuckled in frustration. "You got on your knees just for the sake of Alora. You never bowed like that before in front of anyone. Her magical eyes were supposed to save her, but it didn’t happen," he remarked with a fit of sarcasm.

Alora curled her fingers while keeping her head low. "Please forgive me for causing the trouble," Alora said in a low voice.

"I won’t forgive you," Izaak sharply said.

"Will you please stop, Izaak? She is my wife. Respect her," Magnus angrily told his brother. He was still too weak to argue with Izaak, but his elder brother seemed to be ready for a dual. He then turned to look at Alora, "Don’t listen to him." He rested his head on her shoulder as he wanted some rest.

As they arrived at the palace under the cover of night, Magnus was escorted to his chamber. The news about the attack was relayed to the King, Queen, and his two siblings.

"How did this happen?" King Esmond inquired, directing his gaze at Izaak for an explanation.

"I want to rest," Magnus interjected, sensing the impending blame on Alora. He wasn’t in the mood for a heated argument. "So, everyone should leave. We’ll talk in the morning," he requested, clutching the vessel of fresh blood.

"I’ll stay with you, Magnus," Queen Margaret offered to her son.

"That’s not needed, Mother. I’m fine now and I want to rest. It was a tiring journey," Magnus replied. "Alora gave me her blood and my wound is healed, so don’t be worried for me," he asserted.

Both the King and the Queen glanced at each other. "Alright. You should take a rest. The physician will examine you before you go to bed," King Esmond answered.

"Hmm. Thank you, Father," Magnus expressed, acknowledging his concern.

Margaret kissed Magnus’s cheek affectionately, running her fingers through his hair before departing with the King. Izaak also followed his parents.

"Take care, Brother," Lillian said softly, then left with Alaric.

"Your Highness, let me treat your wound," the royal family physician humbly offered.

"You should leave too," Magnus dismissed him as well. He then gazed at Tobias and asked to set dinner for Alora in the adjacent room. Once the chamber was empty, Magnus asked Alora to sit with him. "Why are you so far from me?" he complained and took off his overcoat.

Alora walked to him and helped him remove his shirt. "The wound needs attention, Magnus. You should have let the physician dress it," she stated.

"Why don’t you do it for me?" Magnus suggested. "And look into my eyes," he demanded.

Alora lifted her eyes to meet his. They were watery, filled with fear. "You were brave there," Magnus said with a smile. "You saved all of them from dying," he added. His eyes finally landed on her neck as he witnessed the clotted blood there.

"Did that bastard harm you?" Magnus moved his fingers to her neck and found there was a slight cut from the blade. "Why didn’t you tell me? Does it hurt?" He questioned and then answered himself, "It must be hurting, right?"

"It doesn’t hurt," Alora said. "I didn’t make any smart move. Prince Magnus got injured because of me," she added.

"That’s better than seeing you getting injured. I can heal faster than the humans," Magnus said. He ran the pad of his fingers on her face. "Don’t take Izaak’s words to your heart. He is born to be bitter. Your eyes were covered. You could do nothing in that situation," he affirmed and pulled her into a hug. His hand rested on the back of her head while the other embraced her back.

After a few minutes, they pulled away, and Alora slowly took off Magnus’s shirt. She checked his back and saw that the wound wasn’t healed. "It’s not healed yet. What should we do?" Tears streamed down her cheeks as the sight ached her heart.

Chapter 120: Crushed her confidence

Alora’s tears were not merely because of the wound, but her failure to protect Magnus when she could have easily. She could have turned to look at the vampire and burned him with her fiery gaze, but her body reacted the other way.

Magnus turned to her, cupping her face gently. He wiped away her tears and lifted her face. "It happens sometimes. You were scared at that moment. I know. But you were brave enough to push the vampire away to come to me."

He held her like that for a few seconds, comforting her. "Let me dress your wound," she offered.

"Sure," Magnus affirmed.

"Did my blood even heal Prince Magnus?" Alora asked as she picked up the cotton fabric and dipped it into the water.

"It gave me strength to come here in my conscious state," Magnus stated as he sipped the blood from the vessel. She wrung the cloth well and gently wiped the wound on his back. Magnus tightly clutched the vessel, but he didn’t let even a hiss out because of the burning pain he felt at that moment.

Once cleaned, Alora wrapped a bandage around it, securing its knot at the front of his torso. Alora wondered if the wardrobe carried any robe for him to wear when Magnus directed her to check the left one.

Alora hummed and opened the left cupboard. Beautiful robes were hanging on one side. She took out one and turned to Magnus. "I thought your clothes won’t be here," she asserted.

"Mother was already informed about our arrival. So, she must have asked the servants to stock the cupboard," Magnus answered her. He extended his arms out and slipped them into the robe’s sleeves.

As Alora made a knot, Magnus put the vessel on the table. He pulled Alora down on his lap, his hands securely wrapping around her.

"Smile," Magnus urged her.

"I’m not in a mood," Alora replied while keeping her gaze low.

"Your smile is a medicine to me."

The moment he said that Alora smiled a little while barely holding her tears.

"Don’t cry," Magnus said while chuckling.

"Why are you laughing? It’s not an occasion to laugh," Alora said. She left his lap and turned her back to him.

Magnus rose to his feet as well and hugged Alora from behind. His chin rested on her shoulder as she cried in silence. "Calm down. If you will keep crying, it makes me heal slower," he whispered.

"That won’t happen," Alora stated.

"It happens, Dear. Seeing tears in your eyes will upset me and then, my body will take time to heal," Magnus asserted.

Alora stopped weeping as she wiped the tears from the back of her hands. When Magnus realized, she turned better, he withdrew too.

"Come, I’ll take you to the dining room," Magnus said.

"I’ll use the washroom first," Alora replied.

"Ahh, yes. You should." Magnus called in Tobias and asked him to send a female servant. When he did, Magnus instructed her to help the Princess.

After Alora left, Magnus thought to use one too. He washed his face and wiped it well with the towel. "Izaak was harsh on her. He crushed her confidence. It was a mistake to let him sit in the same carriage," he murmured.

~~~~

Both the King and the Queen were shocked by the revelation of the incident.

"Father, Dylan has disappeared. Those vampires helped him escape," Izaak informed them at last. "Dylan had ordered the massacre of a human family. Only one remained alive, who later became a vampire hunter," he stated, glancing at Rubin.

"I heard Rubin saved my son," King Esmond asserted. "I’m grateful for what you did for Prince Magnus. Justice will be served to you as soon as Dylan is caught. Also, you can ask anything from me. I’ll fulfill your wish," he offered.

Rubin was stunned to hear the King. He didn’t know how to react in front of him. "Ahh, I’ve nothing to ask, Your Majesty. I’m glad that Dylan will be punished for what he did to my family," he declined the offer politely.

"Alright. Stay the night in the palace. Rest conversation will be done in the morning," said the King and briefly glanced at the valet. Once Rubin left the valet, the King asked about Alora.

"Why her eyes failed to save anyone there?" King Esmond questioned. "I remember the last time she stood in the court, she threw away the guardians with the power surrounding her."

"I have no answer for that, Father," Izaak responded truthfully.

"It’s been a long journey for our eldest too. Let’s end the conversation here," Queen Margaret interjected. The King agreed with her and told Izaak he should retire to his chamber. Izaak bowed to his parents and left.

"Strange! Alora was unable to do anything when she was caught in such a situation," King Esmond furrowed his brows, perplexed.

"I don’t even understand that magical woman. All she brings is unhappiness and trouble for us," Queen Margaret bitterly remarked, her anger fueled by Magnus’s injury, especially considering it was the first time he was hurt and with a poisoned stake no less.

"I don’t want Alora in my son’s life anymore," Margaret said.

"As if Magnus would allow us to throw out Alora from his life," Esmond remarked. He, then recalled his conversation with Magnus the day before he left for Shadowbrook. How connected he felt with Alora? And why his family should support them.

"Magnus loves Alora deeply. We cannot do anything, that will hurt our child," Esmond clarified to her.

"But with Alora, he may get hurt again and again. For her, he took that stake. It would be Alora in his place," Margaret stated.

"I understand your concern. However, Magnus isn’t happy with us. He hates the fact that we care for him at a time when he doesn’t need us any longer. Alora has filled the void of loneliness in his life. I don’t wish to lose Magnus since he is dear to me," Esmond explained to his Queen.