Ch. 206..210: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 206-210

Chapter 206: I’ve made my return

Alora, ablaze with indignation, made her way to the prison to confront Rubin. Izaak though had asked her to stay away from Rubin. But Alora, resolute and defiant, dismissed his warnings.

Her husband’s life hung with a thin thread, a consequence of the trust he had placed in Rubin. It was Alora who had implored Magnus to meet Rubin in Shadowbrook. And it was because of her plea that Magnus had shown mercy, sparing Rubin’s life.

Now, she was left grappling with the repercussions of her actions, her heart heavy with regret and anger.

"Head Witch Gloria has extracted the magic core from Rubin. However, he isn’t ready to tell the truth to any of us," Griffin informed Alora.

She remained quiet, her eyes barely holding her tears. As she walked into the prison, where Rubin was kept as a captive, she found him being upheld in the shackles.

"Why did you do it, Rubin?" Alora’s voice echoed through the cold, stone walls of the prison. "We saved your life that day. Prince Magnus didn’t just spare you, he provided a living for you. He ensured you had a place to live. Why did you betray us?" Her voice, usually so steady and strong, wavered slightly at the end, revealing a hint of the pain she was trying to conceal.

Just then, Izaak stepped into the prison, his eyes quickly finding Alora. He had arrived in time to hear her questioning Rubin, her words hanging heavy in the air.

Alora’s fists were clenched at her sides, her knuckles white. Her anger was visible, a fierce energy that seemed to fill the room.

Her eyes turned golden for a brief moment, a color that usually appeared when Alora was hurt. Last time it happened when her family gave her the betrayal. Today, she was hurt because Magnus hadn’t opened his eyes even after the royal physician provided him with the medicine.

"Don’t stay quiet. I heard you wanted to see me. Tell me," Alora demanded answers.

Rubin looked at her and said, "You don’t know what your eyes possess. I wanted them. In fact, many want them. Magnus is foolish. He has become a weak fool in love." He chuckled. "If you want him to be saved, then free me and I’ll give you the cure."

Alora shook her head. "I will do everything, but I won’t trust you. If you wanted to harness the power of my eyes, then you should have targeted me not my husband," she confronted him.

"Magnus was the key to reach you. But he chose to die for you but didn’t let me have you. How old is your husband? 300 years old, right? For years, he didn’t even get touched. But since the moment you came into his life, how many times has he been attacked?" Rubin asked her. He was sowing the seeds of self-doubts in Alora so that she would detach herself from Magnus.

"Alora, you don’t know for how long I’ve been after you. That night, on your way to Elmswood, I almost had my hands on you, but Magnus came. From that moment onward, I wanted to kill him. He gave you the confidence, or else you were nothing. You cannot even look at anyone or speak before anyone. That was the kind of personality you possessed. And you still are the same person," Rubin affirmed.

"Alora, let’s go back," Izaak held her arm, but she refused to leave.

Alora gently let go of Izaak’s grip from her arm and walked to Rubin.

She wanted to burn him alive!

But her eyes didn’t work, which meant Rubin didn’t harbor any ill feelings toward her.

"So, you wanted to kill Magnus because I married him," Alora asked.

"Yes. He will die soon. Even the witch you brought here can’t bring the cure. The arcane arts I’ve learned only one cure, which is with me," Rubin stated.

Her eyes once again shone bright. Whoever harmed her loved ones she could use the power of her eyes on such a person. Alora recalled what Stella revealed to her. How the midwife and her assistant died after her mother gave birth to her. They wanted to harm her too.

"Then, Rubin, you shall meet your end," Alora declared, her gaze ablaze with determination.

But just as she was about to act, a familiar figure stepped in front of her. The scent that wafted from him was recognisable. As darkness began to cloud her vision, she closed her eyes and reached out, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Magnus," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Alora," Magnus responded. His voice a soothing balm to her turmoil. His hand gently rested on her head, a comforting weight.

"I’m alright. Nothing has happened to me. Just calm down," he reassured her, his words a stark contrast to her intense sobs.

His fingers gently combed through her long hair as he held her close, enveloping her in the warmth of his embrace. The storm of her emotions seemed to quieten in his arms, replaced by a sense of safety and relief.

Rubin, meanwhile, was left in a state of shock. He had seen Magnus standing, alive and well, which seemed impossible. The poison he had administered had only two known antidotes. One was in his possession, and the other, unbeknownst to all, was with Alora.

After successfully soothing Alora, Magnus gently pulled away from her. His hand tenderly caressed her cheek as he whispered, "Return to the chamber. I’ll join you shortly."

"No. I need to–" Alora began to protest, but her words trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.

"Not now. Griffin will take you back. I’m fine," Magnus said, his thumb still stroking her cheeks. He then gestured to Griffin to come forward.

Within a few seconds, Alora was taken out of the prison.

"Unfortunate for you, Rubin. I’ve made my return," Magnus announced, spinning on his heel with a predator’s grace.

In the very next second, his hand shot out, seizing Rubin’s throat in an iron grip. "Now, I can truly see you for what you are," he declared, his eyes turned into a fiery shade of red as his expression hardened into a grim mask.

Chapter 207: Don’t choose me over your life

Rubin attempted to withdraw from Magnus’s grip, but it was impossible. The sound of shackles filled the entire prison and he felt he would die any second. However, at the very end, when Rubin left the hope to survive, Magnus let go of him.

"You have been after Alora for a long time. You found a good story to get close to me and her. What the Head Witch couldn’t find out, you found out," Magnus said, glaring at him.

"But now, I’ve delved into the depth of your thoughts, and you’ve outlived your usefulness," he declared dismissively, turning his back on Rubin.

"He should be killed now, Brother Izaak. You know how to do that," Magnus said. His eyes showed how grateful he was to Izaak to save him. If not for him, then he would not have made it. He couldn’t deny the fact that the poison was strong.

"Mag-nus... Don’t do this. I can be useful to you in future," Rubin said as he pleaded for his life.

"I don’t give second chance," Magnus said and left the prison. Izaak ordered the guardians to commence Rubin’s impending punishment.

Magnus walked slowly since his body needed time to recuperate. Izaak placed his hand on his shoulder and gave him much-needed support.

"Father has already passed the death sentence on Rubin. His fate is sealed - he will be beheaded," Izaak relayed the message to Magnus. "It’s the third time you were injured," he added.

"Did you think I would die this time?" Magnus inquired, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," Izaak admitted with a disturbed glance.

As they continued their slow walk, they encountered Alaric, who had been waiting for them. Seeing Magnus’s struggle, he moved to his other side, offering his support and helping to steady Magnus’s faltering steps.

"I’m capable of walking. You both can release me," Magnus asserted, attempting to reclaim some semblance of control.

Alaric, however, was quick to retort. "Hold your tongue," he commanded, his voice laced with frustration. "Why am I always left out of your plans? Why do you consistently sideline me?" His words were a clear indication of his growing resentment towards Magnus.

"To tell you the truth, I underestimated Rubin’s cunning behavior. I didn’t anticipate his deceit to run this deep," he confessed, acknowledging his miscalculation.

"Father will punish Alora," Izaak told him.

"Why?" Magnus asked.

"Because she asked you not to harm him. Father knows the whole truth now. Rubin had a conversation with Father previously. None of us knew what it was. Alora might hide it from you because she also thinks it happened because of her," Izaak informed him.

Magnus remained quiet, not sure what he should say on this. For now, his priority was to reach Alora and be with her for some time.

Upon his arrival at the chamber, his mother, Queen Margaret, was the first to envelop him in a warm embrace.

"Why did you go outside? You were meant to be resting," she chided gently, her voice laced with concern. As she reluctantly released him from her hold, she added, "You appear frail. Please, prioritize your rest. I’ve arranged for fresh blood supplies to be delivered to your room. If you require humans, I can arrange for that as well."

Magnus responded with a reassuring smile, "There’s no need for that, Mother. The supplies will suffice. I regret causing you any worry." His gaze then shifted to Lillian, and he could sense that she shed tears as well.

"Lily, I assure you, I’m alright," Magnus declared, his voice steady and comforting. His words were meant to alleviate the worry etched on her face.

Lillian bridged the gap between them, wrapping her arms around him in a comforting embrace. "Why would Brother do such a thing? We were all terrified," she whispered, her voice trembling as she fought back the tears threatening to spill.

Magnus responded by gently patting her head, a silent promise of his presence. After a few moments, he carefully extricated himself from the hug. "It wasn’t deliberate," he stated.

"Please, take Mother to her chamber before her worry escalates any further," he then requested, his concern for his mother evident in his tone.

Moments later, the room emptied out, leaving Magnus to retreat to the bedchamber. Selvina, with a respectful bow, made a swift exit, carefully closing the door behind her.

Alora, who had been seated on the chaise, promptly rose to her feet. A solitary tear managed to escape, tracing a path down her cheek before she quickly lowered her head as if to hide her vulnerability.

Her hands quivered slightly as she uttered a soft apology, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Magnus, in response, closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye. His hands came up to gently cradle her face, their eyes locking in a silent exchange.

He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her lips. "Don’t apologize," Magnus murmured against her lips, his words bringing solace to her. He pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers.

"It wasn’t your fault. It was mine. Understand?" Magnus implored, his voice gentle yet firm.

Alora, however, shook her head in disagreement. She lifted her tear-filled eyes to meet his, her voice barely above a whisper, "I-it happened be-because of me." She quickly averted her gaze, unable to bear the intensity of his stare as more tears trickled down her cheeks.

"That night, in the carriage, you saved my life. Rubin had given me a poisonous pill then too," Magnus confessed, his revelation pulling her gaze back to him. "Your blood saved my life. It healed me and cured me," he affirmed. "Now, please don’t cry. I’ve not recovered fully. Seeing your tears shatters my heart into fragments," he muttered, hiding his anger.

Alora moved her hands to his back and shut her eyes tightly. She was on her toes, a position that brought relief to her.

"Don’t choose me over your life from now on. I beg you," she pleaded between her sobs.

Chapter 208: A peaceful slumber

"When I asked for your hand in marriage, I promised you I would always protect you. I cannot choose me over you. Because if you were at my place, you would have done the same," Magnus asserted while gently resting his chin above her delicate shoulder.

"Do you still feel weak?" Alora asked.

"Yes, I do," Magnus admitted.

"Then, you should drink from me," Alora offered. "Since you said my blood could even cure the poison in one’s body, so you should not hesitate to drink it," she opined and pulled away from him. However, their eye contact didn’t break.

Magnus didn’t refuse it. He felt that the blood supplies present in the room could not heal him as fast as Alora’s blood could. But he had some hesitation too.

"What happened?" Alora asked. "What did you start thinking?" She attempted to study his face.

Alora decided to make a small cut on her arm and turned to take the knife from the table when Magnus grasped her hand. She tilted her head to look at him. "Let’s go to bed," Magnus said.

Making her sit on the bed, Magnus settled next to her. The grip of his hand on hers never loosened. He stared at the vein of the blood visible on her neck. His fingers delicately pushed away the hair from her neck. "I will drink from you," he asserted.

The moment those words left his mouth, Alora turned her head to peer at him.

Magnus placed his palm over her eyes to shut them for a moment. His canines grew, and his pupils already changed their color. Leaning close to Alora’s shoulder, where he already spotted the vein, he whispered, "Bear the pain."

And before Alora could answer, his fangs dipped into her skin. She convulsed and held his arm before lowering it. His hand moved to her back as he slowly drank from her. He broke the promise again to drink from her.

Alora suppressed her shaky cries by pressing her lips together. But the tight hold of her hand on his arm told the entire story to Magnus.

He drew her closer, his insides exploded as Alora’s fresh blood entered his body. The color of his skin began turning better, the way it was initially. His nails and his mouth regained the redness in them. Her blood was as sweet as honey.

Magnus realized it was the time to pull out his fangs from her skin and he did it swiftly. She yelped, clutching the fabric of his shirt tightly. The pain soon left her body as he licked that spot followed by some tender kisses. Running his tongue on his lips and fangs, thus wiping them clean, he withdrew to face her.

"I feel rejuvenated now," Magnus replied, smiling at her.

Alora returned the smile, her small hand resting on her cheek, stroking it tenderly. "I’ll be back in a minute," he asserted and left her sight like a wind.

However, he returned before a minute. "Shall we sleep now? It was a tiring day for both of us," he said. The gaze her eyes held was deeper and affectionate, which he noticed. And the next second, she leaned in to kiss him.

She stopped and whispered against his lips, "I love you. It hurts me every time you fall in danger. You know it well."

"It happens sometimes. We can’t control these situations," Magnus said softly, his fingers gently brushing a few strands of her hair aside. "Your eyes are swollen from crying," he murmured, concern evident in his voice.

"They’ll be fine by tomorrow," Alora assured him.

Magnus closed the small gap between them, his lips meeting hers tenderly. He coaxed her gently, nibbling at her lips with a delicate persistence. Alora responded in kind, matching his kiss with equal fervor, her eyes fluttering with each tender kiss they shared.

She felt her back sink into the soft mattress, her head resting on the pillow. Her hands glided from his shoulders to his neck as he pulled away from their kiss. "It’s time to sleep," Magnus murmured, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Hmm. Come, sleep beside me," Alora whispered, her voice inviting and tender.

He wasted no time in climbing into bed, quickly settling beside her and pulling the thin duvet over them. His chin rested on her shoulder, their heads sharing the same pillow. "You didn’t have your dinner," he suddenly recalled, his voice filled with concern.

"I’m not hungry. All I want is sleep," Alora confessed, gazing at him with tired eyes.

"Then, close your eyes," Magnus said, the back of his palm caressing her cheek. She shut her eyes gradually, falling into a peaceful slumber with Magnus by her side.

~~~~

Melody cleaned the table and handed the tray to another servant. "Your Highness, I am done. Please have a good rest," she said, keeping her eyes lowered.

"Are you scared?" Izaak’s question made her look up at him. "I’m sure you know what happened earlier," he remarked.

"Is His Highness’s brother alright?" Melody inquired, concern evident in her voice. She quickly apologized for not asking sooner, explaining that as a mere servant, she felt it was not her place to do so.

"Magnus is fortunately out of danger," Izaak said as he sat on the chaise, his expression a mix of relief and frustration. "I was right behind him, yet I couldn’t stop Rubin from trapping my brother inside that barrier. Anything could have happened today. How would I have faced Alora if something had happened to him?" he muttered with heaviness in his voice.

Melody remained quiet, simply listening to the prince. She sensed that he needed someone to listen without interruption. After a while, when Izaak finally stopped speaking, she gently broke the silence.

"Your Highness, what matters now is that Prince Magnus is safe. Please don’t be upset by dwelling on the past. It was indeed a tough phase, but it has passed." Her words were meant to offer him reassurance and a sense of security.

"Hmm. You are right," Izaak stated.

"Your Highness, I have a question. May I ask?" Melody requested cautiously.

"Sure," he allowed, giving her his attention.

"I heard that Princess Alora will be punished tomorrow morning. Wasn’t it Rubin who harmed the prince? Then why is the princess being punished?" Melody asked, confusion evident in her voice about the justice in the palace.

"That’s a complicated matter," Izaak sighed. "A few weeks back, we were in Shadowbrook. That’s where we found Rubin. Alora suggested to Magnus that he should listen to Rubin’s side of the story before punishing him." Izaak shortly explained everything in brief.

Melody nodded in understanding. "So, it’s not Princess Alora’s fault that she trusted a man full of deceits. Moreover, Prince Magnus had found out that Rubin was dangerous, yet he decided to confront him alone," she deduced.

"Gloria and two more witches were with us. Magnus got trapped, which we didn’t anticipate. You are right. It was not Alora’s fault, but somehow she became the cause. Magnus has become gentler than before. He never listened to any preparator before. Rubin became an exception. It’s not Alora’s fault though. She is a nice woman with a kind soul," Izaak asserted. He never blamed me for what happened in the evening.

"Princess Alora seems to be the talk of the town," Melody began, a mischievous twinkle lighting up her eyes.

"Do tell," Izaak urged, his curiosity piqued.

"Well, it appears that she has won the heart of the most adoring husband. I used to work part-time in a noble’s house, cleaning and tidying up. The daughters of the house were always green with envy over Princess Alora’s good fortune. To be wedded to a vampire prince, they considered it a stroke of extraordinary luck," Melody recounted, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Indeed, it’s no surprise that the young ladies aspire to a destiny akin to my sister-in-law’s," he responded with a chuckle resonating in his voice. "But possessing those enchanting eyes is not a simple feat. Only Alora has the strength and grace to bear such a gift," he asserted, his voice filled with admiration and respect for Alora.

Melody nodded in agreement, her expression turning somber. "I sincerely hope that Princess Alora won’t face any repercussions tomorrow. She’s innocent in all this. Even the most powerful princes were unable to see through Rubin’s deceit. How could we expect a mere human to do so?" she murmured in the last sentence.

Izaak amusedly glanced at Melody. She would speak her heart out without knowing what she said. Yet, he harbored no resentment towards her, even when she pointed an accusing finger at him and Magnus for their failure to see through Rubin’s web of deceit.

"I fear it has grown quite late, Your Highness. I must take my leave now," she said, her tone imbued with a humble respect that was uniquely hers. "I implore you to seek rest soon," she added, her figure receding out of the chamber until she was out of his sight.

Chapter 209: Alora, a magical being

Magnus gently ran his fingers through Alora’s hair, his gaze fixed on her face with an intensity that was filled with affection.

After a while, he carefully withdrew his hand, ensuring not to disturb her sleep. He silently slipped out of the bed, moving with a grace that made his actions almost soundless.

He made his way to the washroom, carrying out his morning routine before he was in the bathhouse. He hoped to meet his father, King Esmond, in this early morning, so that he could talk with him in solitude.

As he emerged from the bathhouse, he was greeted by Tobias, his loyal aide. Tobias looked at him with a hint of concern in his eyes. "Good morning, Your Highness. Are you feeling better now?"

Magnus responded with a reassuring smile, "Yes, I am feeling much better. I’ve fully recovered," he said with a smile.

"Selvina, isn’t the Princess awake?" Tobias inquired.

"Let her rest," Magnus replied. "She is exhausted since yesterday’s activities," he added.

With that, Magnus turned on his heel and strode away, his steps echoing in the quiet corridor. Soon, he found himself standing outside the chamber where his father, King Esmond, was present. The guard at the entrance immediately stepped aside, allowing him to enter.

Magnus’ gaze fell upon his father, who was seated comfortably on the couch, sipping from a cup of blood. He paused in his stride, offering his father a respectful bow before straightening up to meet his gaze.

"You appear better from last night. Your healing is remarkably swift," King Esmond observed, a note of surprise coloring his words. As a servant stepped forward to relieve him of his now empty cup, he gestured towards an empty seat, inviting Magnus to join him.

"I presume you’re here to advocate for Alora’s actions," King Esmond remarked, his tone neutral yet probing. With a final nod, the servant retreated from the chamber, leaving the father and son alone for their discussion.

"Father, it seems Rubin told you a lot of things against Alora while hiding most of the truth about Alora," Magnus began, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Rubin was following Alora even before I met her. He was finding the right time to abduct her. When I entered her life, his plans changed and he came up with a strong story, which I believed," he admitted his fault.

"Dylan, too, was ensnared by Rubin’s manipulations, a victim of the sorcery Rubin employed. And the attack that night? It wasn’t Rubin’s doing. Those were different individuals, while Rubin seized the opportunity to attempt to take my life."

As Magnus began unfolding the truth about Rubin, King Esmond furrowed his brows together.

"Didn’t Rubin save your life that night?" Esmond questioned.

"That’s not the truth. It was Alora who saved me. Rubin gave me a pill, saying it would heal me. However, right after that, I drank from Alora since I needed fresh blood to heal faster. Alora’s blood has magical properties. It worked as an antidote that night. And the current condition of mine is also because of Alora. She offered her blood to me and I instantly felt replenished with energy."

Magnus never wanted to reveal that he drank from Alora a few times, but now, it was necessary to reveal the truth.

"Rubin has unearthed a secret that eluded even the witches. Father, do you recall the harrowing night when Brother Izaak teetered on the brink of death?" Magnus asked, his voice taking on a grave note.

"How could I possibly forget such a night?" Edmond’s brow furrowed deeply in remembrance.

"Damien Von Grimm uttered something disconcerting. I wonder if it still lingers in Father’s memory. It certainly haunts mine. Damien claimed that Alora held some value to him. He seems to be privy to Alora’s concealed abilities, of which we are ignorant. Fortuitously, delving into Rubin’s thoughts led me to the whereabouts of a legend, lost thousands of years ago– a reason why even Father is oblivious to it," Magnus expounded, shedding light on the matter for Esmond.

"A legend? Did Stella not tell you about it? Wasn’t she a Lunar Goddess?" Esmond queried.

"Gods are enigmatic, providing guidance but never the complete answer. That’s precisely what Stella did. As for the legend, it was entombed with the most formidable witch in history, a secret Rubin managed to unearth," Magnus declared, unveiling a profound truth to his father.

"The most formidable witch?" Esmond racked his brain, trying to remember if his father or grandfather had ever mentioned such a witch. "I recall one, a witch of notorious repute. She was sealed away, as far as my memory serves. But her name eludes me," he confessed.

"The witch has been resurrected since Rubin took out something of great value from her grave," Magnus revealed, "She is Qasima Orlock," recalling the grave that he saw in Rubin’s memories.

The mention of the witch’s name sent a shiver down Esmond’s spine as he finally remembered. His grandmother was the one who had sealed her away.

"Father, Alora is not deserving of punishment. Rather, she needs to be awakened to her true self. Alora is not an ordinary human, but a magical being, blessed with eyes capable of vanquishing such evils from the earth," he took a brief pause.

"I urge you not to misjudge Alora, who possesses a soul as pure as the driven snow. I may appear transformed to you, but it is Alora’s presence in my life that makes me feel truly alive," Magnus pleaded, his feelings for Alora laid bare.

Esmond was well aware of Magnus’s deep affection for Alora. However, his son’s heartfelt words struck a chord within him. His son had found a purpose, a reason to relish life, in Alora.

"Fine, I won’t punish Alora. I may hate to admit this, but this time my sons were fooled by Rubin. I hope you take it as a lesson. You cannot get injured all the time," Esmond stated while being anxious for him.

Chapter 210: A strange nightmare

"You’ve to die, Alora!"

Alora’s eyes snapped open, her breath hitching in her throat as if she’d been submerged underwater. Her hand instinctively flew to her throat, half-expecting to feel the phantom grip that had seemed so terrifyingly tangible in her dream.

The ominous grave, she again saw it in her dream after more than a month.

But why?

A cold sweat broke out on her forehead, the droplets glistening like tiny pearls. This was not just fear, it was a terror that was unfamiliar, creeping into her very being.

Her labored breath turned normal after a while as she caressed her chest. She looked for Magnus, but he wasn’t around. "Did he wake up earlier than me?" Alora mumbled and looked toward the door. After taking a moment, she got down from the bed and went to freshen up to start her day.

While having a bath, her thoughts were only on the nightmare she had. Selvina gently washed her arms, and spoke, "Your Highness, are you still worried about the last night?" Since Alora was deeply engrossed in her own thoughts, she didn’t hear what Selvina said.

Getting no response from the princess, she spoke loudly this time, thus bringing Alora out of her reverie.

"Yes, I am," Alora replied.

"Your Highness, the dark clouds have gone now. Prince Magnus is absolutely fine. He looked like before," she informed Alora.

"Selvina, but I couldn’t even help my husband last night. Why do you think it all happened? If I tell Magnus that I was the cause, he won’t agree. It makes me more guilty. While he is protecting me, I’m unable to do so," Alora said, feeling a bit low and upset.

Selvina turned quiet since she had no answer for this. She gently cascaded water over Alora’s shoulders, the droplets tracing the contours of her form. As the bathing ritual concluded, she assisted the princess, her hands deftly maneuvering the chemise, followed by the corset and gown onto Alora’s frame.

Selvina dried Alora’s hair using the towel before brushing it. With the strands still slightly damp, she began to untangle them, her brush gliding through with practiced ease.

"Your Highness, don’t be upset. Whatever comes your way, you need to fight it. Perhaps you’ll next time save Prince Magnus from falling into any danger," she gave Alora some words of encouragement.

Catching Selvina’s reflection in the mirror, Alora’s lips curved into a small, appreciative smile.

"Thank you, Selvina," she expressed, her gratitude evident in her tone. In the vast expanse of the palace, Selvina was the only woman who was always there for her, a comforting presence in times of need.

With a sense of contentment settling in her heart, Alora made her way to the drawing room, hoping to find Magnus there. As if the universe had heard her silent wish, Magnus was indeed there, engaged in conversation with Tobias on the couch.

"Good morning, Princess Alora," Tobias greeted her, his voice resonating with respect. A warm smile graced her face as she returned his greeting. She then gazed at Magnus, silently exchanging words with him.

Tobias and Selvina left quietly, not wanting to disturb their moment.

"You didn’t wake me up. Why?" Alora queried, her eyes drawn to the artfully arranged fruit salad that adorned the plate before her. She sat down beside him and held the plate along with the tiny fork to eat them.

"I thought you should rest well," Magnus replied and tilted himself to look at her. "Why do you look gloomy?" he inquired.

Alora simply shook her head in response, her fingers deftly spearing a slice of apple with the fork. "It’s nothing," she dismissed lightly, bringing the crisp fruit to her lips and savoring its sweet tanginess.

Magnus watched her, his gaze thoughtful and intense, studying the subtle nuances of her expression. He allowed her the quiet comfort of her meal, the silence between them filled with unspoken words. Once she had finished and placed the empty plate back on the table, he wasted no time in gently capturing her wrist.

Alora’s face hung above hers and the distance between their lips was mere an inch away.

"I love to communicate with you rather than reading your thoughts, Wife," Magnus said. His fingers traced a gentle path through her loose tresses, each stroke a tender evidence of his affection.

"I still feel anxious," Alora admitted truthfully. "Unlike you, I am weak. I have always been like that. And..." Her voice crackled slightly, "Without you I’m nothing. It’s the truth. I was no one when you were not in my life. I was a jinx, whom everyone wanted to avoid." Her gaze dropped as she didn’t wish to cry.

Magnus tenderly cradled her cheek in his warm hand, his touch as soft as a whisper. His nose brushed against hers in an affectionate nuzzle.

"Do Rubin’s words affect you this deeply that you ignore all the nice things I say to you every day?" he asked, his voice a gentle caress. "You’ve always had a distinct identity, independent of my existence in your life," he asserted.

Alora’s gaze met his, her eyes shimmering pools reflecting the depth of her emotions. Tears glistened at the corners, threatening to spill over any time.

"Tobias labeled you as the ’Curse of Velaris’ when I first brought you home," Magnus continued. "But I’ve always known you to be a woman of magic," he affirmed, his thumb tracing a soothing path across her tear-streaked cheek.

"Rubin has awakened an ancient witch, which was known to be her notorious acts. There’s a legend, that mentions you. That was why Rubin wanted to abduct you. His plans failed one after the other. He was the one, who found out why you have these eyes. Stella told us that you needed to fight the evil with these eyes. Now, is the time for that. You can’t be weak anymore. You were never weak. Keep that in mind," Magnus affirmed in a serious tone.