Ch. 166..170: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 166-170

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Alora gently eased the window open, relishing the cool breeze tinged with rain. Her fingers extended, welcoming the delicate droplets that danced upon her palm, evoking a serene smile on her lips.

"What’s brought the smile on your face?" Magnus queried, intrigued by her expression.

"Rain has a way of painting the world anew," Alora murmured, withdrawing her hand. She reached for her handkerchief but found it was lost. Magnus, ever attentive, swiftly intervened, offering his own to tenderly dry her hand.

"It’s becoming quite a hassle to travel anywhere," he remarked, sinking back into his seat. "Tomorrow, we’ll be heading to your parental home. Are you looking forward to it?" he inquired.

"Yes, I’m excited. I’ll prepare some gifts for them tonight," Alora replied eagerly. "Griffin plans to attend the ball tomorrow. He mentioned the possibility of finding a suitor there. It’s an event specifically for unmarried individuals in the capital. Interestingly, humans will also be attending the same ball," she added, sharing the details with him.

"Do you wish to go?" Magnus asked.

"It’s a ball for those who are unmarried," Alora stressed on the latter word.

"We can make an exception," Magnus replied.

"That’s not needed," Alora said.

"But if you change your mind by tomorrow evening, you can tell me. We could be quite the attention-grabbers there," Magnus proposed confidently to her.

Alora chuckled softly. "I’d rather not steal the spotlight," she affirmed. "Besides, plenty of women still admire His Highness. I might feel jealous then," she admitted, showing her possessive side.

"So, you do get jealous. I’d be intrigued to see you in that state," Magnus teased playfully.

"Any wife will. I’ll probably look angry and annoyed. And I might even give the prince the silent treatment if he lets any woman get too close to him," Alora remarked with a hint of jest.

"Not a chance, Alora. My eyes are always on you no matter the place or situation. You know how much I adore you," Magnus stated, smiling at her.

"Your Highness, may I ask you something?" Alora suddenly questioned.

"Of course," Magnus replied.

"Does Scarlet still have feelings for you? She insists she doesn’t. You must have read her thoughts," Alora stated.

"Scarlet does have feelings for me. That’s why I warned you not to befriend her. She used to be possessive of me. I find it difficult to understand women like her," Magnus explained, his tone tinged with frustration.

"Then, why did she lie to me?" Alora got upset as she knitted her brows together.

"Because she knows how easily you can be misled," Magnus replied bluntly.

"I’m not gullible, Your Highness," Alora retorted, her lips forming a pout. "I believe I need to educate her on the distinction between love and obsession," she muttered to herself.

"You don’t need to bother with her. Just ignore Scarlet," Magnus insisted.

"I haven’t developed that ability yet. I believe Scarlet always envisioned herself by your side. I mean, I wasn’t even an initial choice for the prince. It all happened by chance. But I’ll have a heart-to-heart with her the next time we meet. A woman-to-woman conversation," Alora declared determinedly.

The carriage came to a halt and the door was opened. The coachman stood with the umbrella in his hand to cover the prince first. As Magnus exited the coach, he extended his hand to Alora.

Gently, she grabbed his hand and stepped down the coach, under the same umbrella as his. Magnus wrapped his arm around her shoulder while his other hand firmly held the umbrella.

They walked on the broad pavement covered with rain water when suddenly Alora moved away from him and went ahead.

"Alora!"

She had her arms stretched out and her face directed at the sky. The raindrops fell on her face as she swirled on her feet in happiness.

"You’ll catch a cold," Magnus interjected swiftly, reaching out to grasp her hand and sheltering her beneath the umbrella.

Observing her radiant expression, Magnus couldn’t help but notice the rain-dampened strands of hair clinging to her cheeks. Gently brushing them aside, he chided her for behaving childishly.

"I won’t get sick. Come on, let’s play in the rain. It’s so much fun," Alora insisted, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

She suddenly saw the men staring at her, the guards, and the other palace officials. She got embarrassed by her behavior and hid her face in Magnus’s chest while clutching his overcoat tightly.

Magnus ended up smiling and glanced at them. They had lowered their eyes and Magnus took Alora inside.

As they entered the chamber, Alora said, "Will they think of me as a mad woman? I forgot suddenly that many eyes were upon us."

"They won’t," Magnus said and took off her cloak. He placed it on the chaise and looked at her neck, which had some raindrops on it. Her skin was glistening and it made him gulp.

"I shall change. His Highness shall freshen up too," Alora said and walked past him when he grasped her wrist, thus drawing her back so that she would face him.

He crashed his lips above hers. Magnus’s sudden kiss caught Alora off guard, causing her to stumble backward until he held her firmly in place. She instinctively gripped his forearms, pausing to catch her breath before whispering his name with confusion.

"Magnus," she murmured, searching in his eyes for answers.

"Why? Do you want me to stop here too?" Magnus’s gaze smoldered with desire, his longing evident as he yearned to possess her at that moment.

"No." Alora’s hand rested on his neck and she tip-toed to kiss him back. They nibbled each other’s lips. She found her back pressing against her wall. She had no idea, and she found her knees falling weak when he began sucking the skin on her neck.

Earlier, after jumping in the rain, her body got a bit cold, but now, she felt a volcanic eruption inside her. Wherever his lips touched her skin, it left burns behind

Chapter 167: Make babies then

Her hands moved to the locks of his hair, stroking them gently while pressing her lips together. She couldn’t hold back her moans for a long run. Her gown was loosened, and her sleeves fell off her shoulders, even exposing her curves.

Being a vampire, Magnus’s desires were always heightened around Alora. Only he knew how he had to control his urges.

At the moment, he even wished to taste her blood, his eyes turning a deep shade of red and his fangs grew. The scent of her blood once again stirred something in his mind and body.

However, Magnus managed to regain control, tearing himself away from her skin. As Alora opened her eyes, she caught sight of his face, his gleaming canines poised to pierce her skin, instilling a mix of fear and fascination within her.

Magnus hesitated, torn between his instincts and his love for Alora. "Forgive me, but I need to go," he murmured, attempting to distance himself.

However, Alora refused to let him go, clutching his hand and pulling him closer. "I’ve told you before, don’t hold back. You won’t hurt me," she reassured him, her gentle touch caressing his cheeks as she kissed his lips.

"I hate it when you leave like this," Alora whispered, her eyes searching his with longing and understanding. "Just accept this fact and everything will run smoothly," she added.

Magnus’s thirst intensified, overpowering his attempts to resist. Succumbing to his primal urges, he pressed his lips to the tender skin of Alora’s neck, his fangs grazing against her pulse point. The rush of her blood in her veins made his hunger unbearable as he trailed fervent kisses along her neck, unable to quench his thirst further.

As Magnus’s sharp fangs punctured her skin, Alora cried out his name in a mixture of pain and ecstasy, her essence flooding his senses. Overwhelmed by the taste of her blood, Magnus’s mind swirled with a primal euphoria.

Yet, with immense effort, Magnus managed to retract his fangs, pulling away from her neck. Gently, he licked the spot where he had bitten her.

Magnus couldn’t quite fathom how he managed to back off that easily, but he found solace in facing Alora, his hands tenderly cradling her cheeks as their noses brushed together.

"Do you feel satisfied?" Alora inquired, locking eyes with him.

"Yes," Magnus answered, licking his lips which bore a crimson tint, a faint smile gracing them.

"You don’t have to feel bad about it. Do you understand?" she reassured him.

"Yes, I do," Magnus replied, his gaze softening with gratitude and affection towards her understanding.

"I love you," Alora whispered, her fingers deftly unbuttoning his overcoat.

"Me too." Their lips met again as their hunger for each other grew more. With his overcoat slipping past his shoulders and dropping to the ground, she moved swiftly to his waistcoat, skillfully freeing it in their fervent embrace.

Magnus guided Alora to the bed, his back sinking into the mattress as she lay atop him. One hand cradled the back of her head while the other held her waist firmly.

"Mmm," Alora moaned as Magnus’s tongue traced her lips, sending shivers down her spine. Her hands paused at the last button, her mind electrified with anticipation.

Alora found herself on the mattress, her gaze drawn to Magnus towering above her. With a swift motion, he removed his shirt, unveiling his chiseled physique to her hungry eyes.

Leaning down, he supported himself on his elbows, careful not to crush her beneath his weight, as he hovered tantalizingly close to her.

"I think I may get pregnant at this rate," Alora remarked as Magnus’s lips trailed kisses along her jawline.

"We shall make babies then. Sweet little kiddos," Magnus whispered huskily in her ear, nipping her earlobe and drawing a pleasurable cry from her lips.

~~~~

Alaric stopped writing the parchment when he heard Ember had come to see him.

"Shall I inform Mrs. Langford that Prince Alaric is currently occupied?" Jasper, his assistant, suggested.

"No, bring her to the living room," Alaric instructed, rising from his seat. Jasper bowed and exited the study.

Alaric drew in a deep breath, a peculiar unease settling over him at Ember’s unexpected visit. More than a decade had passed since he last laid eyes on her, on the day of her wedding.

With nerves fluttering in his chest, Alaric made his way to the drawing room, where Ember awaited. As their gazes locked, a torrent of long-suppressed emotions flooded Alaric’s heart, causing his fingers to instinctively curl at his sides.

"Greetings to Your Highness," Ember curtsied to him as she lowered her gaze.

"Have a seat, Mrs." he paused for a second before continuing, "Langford." He settled across from her and watched her sit on the sofa.

"Thank you for allowing me to see you," Ember said, her voice carried the weight of gratitude. "It’s been so many years since I saw Prince Alaric," she added.

"Indeed. More than a decade," he replied. An awkward silence existed between for them for some time.

"Prince Alaric didn’t get married," Ember stated.

"Yes." "So, why did Mrs. Langford come here?" Alaric asked finally.

"I need a help from Prince Alaric," Ember said, her eyes revealed her worries.

"Is everything alright?" Alaric’s concern suddenly grew.

Ember lowered her eyes and shook her head. "Your Highness, my husband... He is suffering from a magical curse. I have no cure of it. But a witch told me that the royalty can help me," she asserted, a tear escaped her eyes and it fell on the back of her hand. She was quick to wipe it away and the sight clenched Ember’s heart.

"A magical curse? What is it about?" Alaric queried.

"My husband... He accidentally killed the daughter of a witch," Ember stated and met Alaric’s gaze. "I can’t lose my husband, Your Highness. Please save him for me. I will ever be grateful to you," she pleaded and almost joined her hands.

"How long he can survive?" Alaric asked. His heart couldn’t take the fact the woman who was his unrequited love, was in so much stress.

"At most a week," Ember said and her voice choked as she broke into the tears.

Chapter 168: My wife is magical

Alaric couldn’t see the tears in Ember’s eyes. Though it was against the rules to go against the witch’s curse, for Ember’s happiness he would defy any rule or even any law.

"Mrs. Langford, I will save your husband." He was quick to rise to his feet and forwarded a handkerchief to her. "Please wipe your tears," he said.

Ember thanked him as she took the handkerchief from him. She wiped her tears with it and saw Alaric settle back on his seat.

"I’ll see Mrs. Langford tomorrow. Jasper, please escort her back safely," Alaric instructed. Ember stood up from her place and bowed to him, thanking him one more time. She left with Jasper while Alaric decided to talk with Izaak about this.

He knew Izaak would reprimand him, but for Ember’s happiness, he needed to get the cure. Going back to his study, Alaric couldn’t focus on the work. Slumping back into the chair, Alaric felt that he should have gone with Ember to her home.

"Your Highness, why did you agree to help Mrs. Langford? The curses aren’t cured easily," Jasper’s voice reached his ear, making Alaric gaze at him. "Mrs. Ember left in the carriage," he informed.

"Did you not see how much vulnerable Ember looked?" Alaric asked.

"I saw. However, the witch, who lost her daughter if finds out that His Highness will cure Mr. Langford, then I don’t think that will be good," Jasper asserted. "She may take out the anger on you," he proclaimed.

"I will find the way to tackle everything," Alaric stated. "Is Prince Izaak free? I would like to see him," he expressed.

Jasper realized Alaric would not even care for his life when it came to Ember. If the witch got mad, she might put that life-threatening curse on Alaric. He didn’t wish it to happen.

"Pardon me, Prince Alaric. But so many people die of curses. You don’t save everyone," Jasper commented. Though it was harsh, it was also a bitter truth.

"I know." Alaric didn’t explain him further. Everyone thought he was a fool in love and he was. However, he couldn’t make everyone understand he promised to protect Ember even though she was his unrequited love.

Jasper sighed as he watched the silent prince. "Prince Izaak is free since it’s the evening time," he replied, though he looked disappointed.

"Great! Then, I shall see Brother Izaak now," Alaric left the chair and went to see his elder brother.

"I wish His Highness could see that Mrs. Ember is selfish," he mumbled.

~~~~

Alaric stopped by the common room, where they all siblings would use to gather long ago in the evening. Today, he found the presence of all his siblings and even Alora.

"Alaric, finally you are free from the work. Come, join us," Izaak said, lifting the cup in his hand.

Magnus glanced in Alaric’s direction and sensed he was there to discuss an important matter. Alora waved her hand at Alaric, thus greeting him in a friendly manner.

"Drinking wine?" Alaric saw the table filled with jars and cups.

"Except for Alora. She prefers juice," Lillian answered. She gestured to the servant to pour a cup of wine for Alaric.

"What happened? Why do you look troubled?" Izaak inquired. As he sipped the wine, he waited for Alaric’s response.

"Ember has come," Alaric told them after he took the wine cup from the maidservant.

The sudden smile from Izaak’s and Lillian’s faces disappeared while Alora got confused to hear the name.

"Why did she come here? Does she not have a family that she decided to trouble my brother?" Lillian harshly remarked while furrowing her brows together.

"Lily, that’s not the issue. You don’t have to speak in such a way," Alaric said, glancing at her. He then took a few sips of the wine to calm down his nerves.

"Why was Mrs. Langford here?" Magnus inquired. "I think it’s been a decade since she last visited Brother Alaric," he said.

Alora understood what they were talking about. Ember was the woman whom Alaric liked and still did.

"Ember’s husband got a witch’s curse. He is on a deathbed," Alaric told all of them.

"Don’t tell me you want to cure it," Izaak said with a chuckle. "Foolish Brother, do you even the consequences of that?" He reprimanded Alaric.

"I think that’s what Brother Alaric wants. He cannot see Ember in pain," Magnus stated.

"It’s about her kids too. Her husband is dying. Caden accidentally killed a witch’s daughter. I have given her my word. She was crying profusely," said Alaric. His tone and his eyes showed how bothered he was.

"Alaric, that was destined to happen. You cannot stop someone’s death. That’s against the law and the rules. Moreover, the wailing witch’s mother won’t be happy to find out that Caden got saved because of our intervention," Izaak elucidated to him. He understood that Alaric was soft-hearted, but he couldn’t risk Alaric’s life.

"But it wasn’t Ember’s fault or her kids’ fault. I mean, why should they be punished?" Alaric questioned with a frown.

"What if we talk to the witch, who put this curse on Mrs. Ember’s husband?" Alora suggested to them.

"And what will you say to a wailing mother?" Magnus inquired her. "Do you want to undergo the wrath of a witch?"

"But... What’s the fault of Mrs. Ember and her kids? I think if we don’t wish to go against the rule, then talking is the only way. I understand a child’s loss is the biggest loss in this world," Alora affirmed.

"It’s complicated, Alora," Izaak said and gazed at Alaric.

"You still haven’t forgotten about Ember. Tomorrow again if any of her family members fall in danger, then she may come to you. You can’t keep agreeing to her all the time. And she shouldn’t use you anymore," Izaak advised him.

Alora looked at Alaric and empathized with him. His unrequited love came for help and it would become difficult to ignore the person you love.

"Brother Izaak, let’s not judge Mrs. Ember like that. She didn’t come to see Brother Izaak for so many years. I think it’s not wrong to help someone. I believe we need to talk to the witch. Perhaps, we find a solution. No wife would ever like to see her husband dying slowly. It must be a hard time for Mrs. Ember," Alora stated.

"Prince Magnus at least you should convince your elder brother," Alora stated.

Lillian rolled her eyes. She was still angry at Ember because she chose Caden over Alaric. A man like Alaric wasn’t easy to find. She felt Ember should undergo the pain.

"Alora, you are sweet. What if the witch curses you? Brother Magnus, would you like to see your wife in pain then? Why should we take the trouble? In this way, every vampire will come to us in the future for the cure," Lillian said while being pragmatic.

"Lily, for the first time my thoughts match with yours," Magnus said. "I don’t want any trouble on you, Alora, or anyone here," he asserted.

Alaric sensed that they would not understand him, his love for Ember wasn’t like the others. He believed in giving away love while not expecting anything in return.

"How could you all be sure that the witch will curse any of us? A woman understands the other woman. I’m sure she will understand the pain of a woman. Brother Alaric, I will accompany you to the house of this lady. I will help you," Alora stated. She could feel Alaric’s discomfort. He was a man with limited words, but his eyes and actions said a lot. As his friend, she was willing to help him in this tough time.

"Alora," Magnus sighed as he glanced at Izaak. "I need to help my wife then," he added.

"Really?" Lillian widened her eyes.

"Sister Lillian, it’s not wrong to find a solution. Even people found my eyes cure was impossible. However, I knew Prince Magnus was the answer to my eyes. So, we should help Mrs. Ember too. Perhaps we find a solution," Alora stated softly.

"Alora, I don’t involve myself with such matters. I love to live peacefully," Lillian affirmed. "So, I’m out of this trouble. Forgive me, Brother Alaric," she apologized.

Alora looked at Izaak. "Please don’t say no. Friends help each other," she asserted.

"Friends? When did Brother Izaak become Alora’s friend?" Lillian chuckled as she was unable to believe all that.

"It happened long ago, Lily," Izaak said. Looking at Magnus, he said, "Your wife knows how to make me do the work against my wishes."

"I told you, my wife is magical," Magnus said with a smile.

Alora told him not to praise her everywhere.

"That’s showing affection with words," Magnus proclaimed with a smile. "Brother Alaric, now you should be worry-free. We three will help you," he added.

"Include me too," Lillian said. "I can’t see my brother suffer. I’m not heartless after all," she remarked.

Alaric thanked all of them, especially Alora.

 

Chapter 169: Uniting our hearts

The following morning, Alora and Magnus set off for her childhood home. Prior to their departure, they exchanged warm farewells with the King and Queen.

Margaret, Alora’s mother-in-law, made a thoughtful gesture by ensuring that gifts were sent to Magnus’s in-laws—a gesture she hadn’t extended after Alora’s marriage to Magnus.

The carriage wheels moved forward and soon, they were out of the palace. Alora’s face was radiating since the early morning. She was unable to contain her excitement to be at home and enjoy the time with her family, especially her siblings.

"Magnus, when do we have to see the witch? I almost forgot about that," Alora stated.

"Tomorrow," Magnus replied.

"Okay. I never saw Brother Alaric so gloomy. Even at the breakfast table, he was lost and looked upset," Alora said, feeling bad for him.

"Brother Alaric holds unrequited feelings for Mrs. Ember Langford. He always desired her happiness even after she rejected his proposal. Seeing his first love in so much pain, Brother Alaric’s emotions had turned upside-down," Magnus explained to her.

"Can Brother Alaric not forget about his first love?" Alora questioned.

"I have no idea, Darling. It seems Brother Alaric doesn’t wish to forget her. Only a miracle can stop his one-sided feelings," Magnus asserted.

"But isn’t that too painful for him?" Alora queried. "Brother Alaric has to move on," she added.

"Perhaps, he will move on after he sees a woman, which is impossible for now," Magnus stated. The carriage’s wheel hit a huge pebble and the coach wobbled a little.

"Unless something magical happens," Alora said, smiling at him.

"Uh-huh. But not every time magic happens," Magnus remarked. "Though I hope Brother Alaric forgets Ember."

"Royal Mother is upset thinking that her two sons aren’t married yet. Princess Lillian is unmarried too. She talked with me about it once. She said how she hoped all of her three children to get married soon," Alora stated.

"I know. Mother is constantly in worry for those three," Magnus proclaimed. "Even I gave her a headache for a long time. I think, Alora, with your return, we, as a family came together. Earlier, we were together, but we didn’t bother about each other, especially me. I was a kind of selfish person." He didn’t refrain from showing the bad in him.

"I’m delighted to have played a part in uniting our hearts," Alora expressed, her smile directed at Magnus. She extended her index finger, displaying a ring.

"Royal Mother gifted me this yesterday. Isn’t it exquisite?" she inquired, admiring the ring’s gold and diamond craftsmanship.

At its center shimmered a rare emerald green diamond, encircled by smaller white diamonds. "She mentioned it was passed down from your grandmother," Alora informed him, a hint of awe in her voice.

"It looks beautiful in your hand," Magnus said. He was delighted to see that Alora’s relationship with his family members had turned much better than before.

Their journey concluded upon their arrival at the Wilson Residence. Alora and Magnus stepped out of the coach, relieved to find that the rain had ceased. They were warmly welcomed by Alora’s family members awaiting them.

Norman, accompanied by Rhea, approached the prince and courteously bowed, extending a gracious welcome to their home.

Magnus holding Alora’s hand walked into the house, followed by the others.

In the living room, Alora hugged all of them. Her hug with Venus was longer because she found her sister needed it. As Alora withdrew from the hug, she asked Venus if she wasn’t disturbed by anyone’s presence.

"No one came after that day," Venus confirmed, gesturing for them to take a seat. Alora settled beside Magnus.

"Mother has sent these gifts for all of you," Magnus announced as servants brought in the valuable presents.

"It wasn’t necessary, Your Highness," Norman politely declined.

"Well, it’s Alora’s first time staying at her parents’ home after the marriage for a few days. Mother didn’t want us to arrive empty-handed. After all, you all are my in-laws now," Magnus reminded them warmly.

As the servants arranged tea and snacks, they struggled with accommodating Magnus’s dietary needs.

"Tobias will send over blood daily for the duration of my stay here," Magnus assured them, clarifying their confusion.

"And I don’t take tea. Alora, you should drink," he directed, casting a glance her way.

"What about these cookies?" Rhea interjected.

"Pardon me, but not those either. I can only consume a specific type of food," Magnus responded politely.

"Prince Magnus’s dietary needs differ from ours. His main sustenance is blood, but he does enjoy wine," Alora explained to her family.

"Wine it is then. We’ll enjoy it together in the evening," Elliot eagerly suggested, displaying his enthusiasm to share a drink with his brother-in-law.

"Why not? I’d love to join you," Magnus agreed with a smile, looking forward to it.

"But weren’t you supposed to attend the ball today with Venus?" Rhea interjected, reminding her son of their plans.

"The ball where vampires are also present, correct?" Alora confirmed.

"Yes, but we can postpone it," Elliot offered.

"No, don’t cancel. You two should attend such an event. It only happens twice a year," Alora advised, encouraging them to stick to their plans.

"Alora, why don’t we attend it too? Indeed, it’s for unmarried people, but there’s no such thing as married ones can’t come. What do you say?" Magnus queried, asking for her opinion.

"Oh, that will be better," Venus stated. She was awkward to go out, but with Alora’s presence, she might feel insecure in her presence.

"Sure." Alora felt Venus was hesitant to go out, so she decided to accompany them.

"I think then all eyes will be on us. Elliot, I suppose you plan to get married, right?" Magnus asked.

"Yes, I do." Elliot then glanced at his sister, Venus. He wanted to go to this call for her. She had been distressed lately. Being betrayed in the marriage and later, scheming wrongful plans toward Alora, Venus was mentally exhausted. Elliot truly wished to see his sister happy.

Chapter 170: Making her heart pound

"What’s wrong, Venus?" Alora inquired as she entered her sister’s room. "You left the living room. Here, I brought some cookies for you. They used to be your favorite, if I recall correctly," she mentioned, placing the cookies before her sister.

Venus watched as Alora sat before her, picking up one of the cookies. "Open your mouth," Alora instructed her younger sister gently.

"Open your mouth," Alora told her younger sister.

Venus didn’t do that. Her eyes turned misty and she lowered them. "Don’t you hate me?" she then asked. "Every day I think about what I did to you, Alora. I don’t feel like living anymore," she truthfully told Alora, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Alora’s heart broke to see the condition of her sister. She lifted Venus’s face and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Don’t say that. You have already repented enough. Please don’t cry," she said in a low tone.

"People hate me. Do you think I am worthy of living?" Venus asked, meeting her gaze. "Now, I think I should have stayed imprisoned. You’ve no idea how people call names for me and our parents have to hear all bad things," she stated.

"You are a strong-willed woman. You need not to think like that. Now, that I’m here, no one will dare to say anything bad to you. I will make sure things go smoothly for you, Venus. And I’m sorry for being harsh to you." Alora felt she should have found another way to deal with Venus. Now, her life was at stake because of the punishment she provided to her.

"Knock! Knock!"

The two sisters turned their glances at the door and found Magnus standing with Elliot. "Can I come in?" he asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," Venus said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"So, how is the life, Venus?" Magnus asked.

Alora pleaded with him through her eyes not to say anything harsh to Venus.

"I only wish to know if Alora’s younger sister finally understood the pain she gave to Alora all these years," Magnus asserted, sliding his hands into his pants pockets.

Alora left Venus’s side and walked to him. "Magnus, don’t talk to her like this. She is not well. Please," she requested and held his arm. Glancing at Elliot, she gestured to him to help her.

"I can make things run smooth for her. So, let me have a conversation with Venus. I need to see how much she has changed because I’ve trust issues," Magnus affirmed, pushing Alora slightly from his way.

Venus thought to get up when Magnus told her she should remain seated. He had already read her thoughts and sensed the insecurities had engulfed her mind.

"The world hasn’t ended for you, Venus, yet. If someone makes you feel low, you need to walk up straight not back down. You used to be a pretty confident girl, so keep it with you. Since my wife’s heart sinks every time she thinks about you, I will give you one privilege," Magnus stated, causing Venus to look at him.

Alora wondered what would Magnus provide Venus that would end her sorrows.

"You can use my name to threaten such people. I don’t need enmity with my in-laws as long as they give love and respect to my wife. As Alora’s husband and the son-in-law of this family, I can do this much for her sister," Magnus proclaimed.

Venus was surprised to hear him. She thought Magnus would never forgive her or would never even consider her as a good person.

Magnus offered Venus profound advice about facing her challenges. "People fear me, so they won’t dare to speak ill of you. But if you don’t want others to fear you simply because of my name, then you must forge your own path. You can pursue either of these two options and earn respect from the people around you. True comfort can only come from within, and you must confront the obstacles in your life on your own," he imparted, sharing his wisdom.

Venus nodded thoughtfully, feeling grateful to Magnus for granting her this opportunity for self-discovery and growth.

Magnus glanced at Alora and said, "Darling, let’s rest for some time. I am tired from such a long journey." He was the first one to exit the room.

"Venus, I would love to stay–"

"Don’t worry about me. You should rest for some time. And thank you for coming here," Venus said. She suddenly felt better and could see that there was hope for her to live with dignity.

~~~~

As Alora entered her bedroom, she found Magnus casually reclined on the bed. "Thank you for not scolding my sister," she said and closed the doors behind her.

"I couldn’t bear to see my wife upset by scolding her sister," Magnus replied, turning to face her as he reclined on the bed, his head resting on his hand with his elbow propped up to support him.

He held Alora’s hand and stroked it gently. He pulled her down and lightly brushed her loose hair strands from her forehead.

"This bed is quite tiny. What if it breaks down?" Magnus asked.

"What?" Alora chuckled and hit his arm lightly. "Don’t speak so immorally here."

"What did you just think in your mind?" Magnus smirked while gazing into her eyes. "Something very sensual and–"

Alora lightly slapped his mouth while having a smile on her face. "I thought nothing. And here we won’t do anything. It’s my parents’ home. You need to be in control. Do you understand?" she asked.

Magnus shook his head as she sat straight. "My understanding on such matters is so poor, sadly. How to resist your charm? And what if you lose control, wife? What will you do then?" Magnus asked, inching closer to her lips.

"That won’t happen," Alora turned away and now, her back faced him.

Magnus chuckled softly and kissed her bare shoulder. "We will see that. You lose control earlier than me," he whispered in her ear, making her heart pound.