Ch. 221..225: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 221-225

Chapter 221: Say that again

Magnus carefully laid a parchment on the table, his gaze firmly fixed on Tobias. "In three days’ time, we set forth for the South. Ensure the arrangements are in place, Tobias, and particularly instruct the carriage driver to adhere to this specific route," he ordered with an authoritative tone.

Tobias gingerly picked up the parchment, unfolding it to reveal a map. It depicted a quicker path to the South, albeit one fraught with navigational challenges. "Wouldn’t it be wiser to take the more straightforward route, Your Highness?" he proposed cautiously.

Magnus responded with a knowing smile, "I understand your concerns, Tobias, but this route, despite its complexities, is the most advantageous for our journey. Have faith in me."

Tobias bowed in compliance, prepared to carry out the command. "Also, inform the spy that he will be joining me," Magnus stated assertively.

"Will His Highness not be accompanied by Griffin?" Tobias asked with a hint of surprise in his voice.

"No, he will not," Magnus responded, his figure receding from Tobias’ view. "You must relay a message to Ralph to meet with me," he added, "I will be available in the morning." With those final words, Magnus disappeared.

Tobias pondered what was going on in the prince’s mind. But who could even fathom in his mysterious mind? He just stared at the route, hoping Magnus’s decision would be wise.

On the other side, Magnus arrived at his chamber, only to spot a human with Alora.

"Magnus! I hired a new attendant for me. This is Melody. She is a human and was in Brother Izaak’s service," Alora informed him quickly.

Magnus was amused to learn that. ’Why did Izaak let her be Alora’s attendant?’ he thought and gazed at Melody. She greeted him with a respectful bow and assured him she would do her job well.

"I wish to have some privacy with my wife. Both of you may leave," Magnus directed Selvina and Melody. At the prince’s command, they promptly exited the chamber.

"Did you not like Melody? Did you not like the fact that I hired one more attendant?" Alora queried with a puzzled expression.

"Why should I like Melody? About the hiring, it doesn’t bother me," Magnus stated.

"Then?" Alora arched her eyebrows.

He hung her arm on her shoulder and walked ahead with her. "Brother Izaak visioned about Melody. But you’ve appointed her as your attendant," Magnus revealed to her.

Alora recoiled in surprise, stepping back from him. "What!?" she gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in shock.

"Yes, my dear wife," Magnus responded, clasping his hands behind his back.

Lowering her hands, Alora looked at him, her eyes filled with questions. "So, what am I supposed to do now? Oh, I recall now. Melody was planning to leave her service. I thought Brother Izaak was being harsh to her, so I decided to hire her as my attendant," she explained her actions to him.

Magnus looked stunned. "He was actually letting her go!" he exclaimed, his face reflecting his confusion. Alora simply nodded, confirming his statement.

Magnus felt strange. Izaak wouldn’t have let Melody leave his service given the fact how excited he was to find love in a woman again.

"What is His Highness thinking?" Alora queried, bringing him out of his reverie.

"Nothing," Magnus replied.

"Don’t lie. Brother Izaak seemed nonchalant when he allowed me to appoint Melody," Alora stated. She lowered her eyes, feeling she might have created a rift between them by pulling them apart. But it was not her intention. She was unaware of all this.

"Izaak must have his reasons. Don’t fret. I’ll talk to Izaak once he is free," Magnus assured her.

"Then, that’s good," Alora replied. "Are you perhaps tired? Do you want to take a nap?" she queried.

Magnus shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "No, I’m not tired, and I don’t need a nap," he assured her, leading the way to their bedchamber.

He already had removed his boots and lay on the mattress in a halt-laying position, he was rolling his ring while looking at it.

"Magnus, I’ve something to tell you," Alora said as she sat before him at least half a meter away.

"What is it?"

"Umm... I’ve decided to let Venus accompany me tomorrow for the training. She had turned alone. The way people talk about her prevents her from going out, and at home, she feels like she’s a burden. She became a widow at such a young age, and it’s something that deeply troubles our father," Alora shared her worries about her younger sister.

Magnus responded with an indifferent expression, "Well, she got what she deserved."

Alora stared at him, her eyes wide in disbelief, not expecting such a response from him.

"Why? Are you again trying to mend my thoughts about her?" He questioned. "I told you let Venus survive on her own. You did the same," he asserted.

Alora clenched her hand into a fist and moved to strike his arm. After her third attempt, Magnus swiftly caught her hand, pulling her closer to him.

"Let me go. You’re so insensitive to others’ suffering," Alora retorted, struggling to free her hand from his firm grip while shooting him a glare.

Magnus chuckled and swiftly pinned her to the mattress, her hands above her head.

"Why? Do you hate me now? Too bad, you are deeply in love with me," Magnus stated with a smile.

Alora pursed her lips together, averting her gaze from him. "I don’t like you," she said in anger.

"Huh? Say that again," Magnus challenged her, his pupils darkening and so were his expressions.

"You heard me," Alora murmured.

"Really, wife?" Magnus whispered, his lips hovering dangerously close to hers, momentarily taking her breath away.

Without wasting another second, he kissed her hard, his lips coaxing hers with gentle nibbles. His other hand caressed her waist before slowly moving upwards.

She mewled in his mouth when he nipped her bottom lip, a smirk appearing on them. Quickly, he shoved his tongue inside her mouth, ready to devour the feast he hadn’t enjoyed in a long time.

Chapter 222: Cowards use such methods

Alora’s breath hitched, her lungs aching for the oxygen that had been denied a moment earlier. Magnus, however, was unyielding, his eyes smoldering with an intensity that was both thrilling and terrifying.

She shifted uneasily, her leg sliding upwards in a subconscious attempt to alleviate the tension that was building within her.

"I was merely jesting, Magnus. Surely, you know that" Alora managed to utter, her voice barely more than a whisper, "Please, release my hands."

Without a moment’s hesitation, Magnus relinquished his hold on her hands. Yet, his touch did not entirely leave her. Instead, it migrated to cradle the delicate curve of her neck, a gesture that was both protective and possessive.

"Allow Venus to face her own challenges. I understand that as her sister, it distresses you, but you cannot always be at her side. Each individual must confront their own battles. I am confident that Venus would desire the same," Magnus articulated, his words laced with wisdom and a hint of sternness.

"Hmm. I understand," Alora answered. She felt the brush of his fingers on the temple of her forehead.

"Don’t ever say that. Not even in jest. I find it unbearable," he confessed. Alora nodded in understanding, her eyes meeting his.

"I never intended to do that. Forgive me," she offered in an apology.

He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. "I can’t bear the thought of you not liking me," Magnus murmured.

"It will never happen," Alora pulled her down and hugged him. Her fingers delicately tangled with his hair locks, caressing them. His face rested just above his chest, feeling relaxed and contended. His hand rested on the top of her belly and he closed his eyes.

"Magnus, I was visited by an unsettling dream this morning," Alora confessed, her voice a mere whisper. He gently lifted her chin, his gaze searching hers.

"What did you see?" Magnus inquired, his tone careful, not daring to intrude into her thoughts.

"It involved a grave. And..." Her voice faltered, and he completed her sentence, his intuition guiding him.

"A woman... You felt her hands around your neck," Magnus echoed her thoughts, his face etched with worry.

"I believe it was Qasima," Alora admitted. She felt it was crucial to share this revelation with Magnus, so she recounted every detail of the dream.

"To be honest, it was more of a nightmare," she clarified, her voice trembling slightly. "I’ve never experienced such dreams before." She hoped that sharing this would somehow lighten the burden of her fear.

"I’m here with you. Nothing will happen to you," Magnus said and kissed the top of her forehead to provide her comfort.

"There’s a legend I read a long time ago. It said a powerful witch can manipulate your thoughts and control you, through her magic," Magnus narrated to her. "As we all are aware Qasima isn’t an ordinary witch. So, she tried to come to your thoughts to scare you. No one is more powerful than you in this world. Your eyes, can’t be taken lightly. Qasima knows she can’t face you," he explained to Alora while caressing her cheek.

"So, she wants to weaken my spirit!" Alora remarked.

"Yes. I believe that. Only cowards use such methods, Alora. The fearless people will never use hideous methods. It’s interesting to know that she already knows about you, isn’t it?" Magnus asked her.

"How? She hasn’t even seen me," Alora replied.

"True, but remember, her dark sorcery could be her guide. The fact that you couldn’t discern her face clearly indicates her own weakness," Magnus explained.

"All I could make out was that tombstone, nothing more," Alora confessed as she knitted her brows together.

"There’s no need for fear, Alora. Do you understand?" Magnus asked.

"Yes," Alora nodded with a smile. She was determined not to back down or get scared because she was strong.

~~~~~

The next morning:

Alaric found his attention drawn to an ornate basket that had appeared on his room’s table. Its size was impressive, and the intricate decorations adorning it piqued his curiosity. Turning to Jasper, he queried about it.

"Oh, this is from Miss Scarlet’s house," Jasper stated. "I think they have sent some pleasantries before the nuptials," he added.

"Okay. Did we also send such things to them?" Alaric inquired.

"Yes. I think Her Majesty has already sent such pleasantries in the morning," Jasper asserted. "Should I show the contents to His Highness?" he humbly inquired.

"Yes, you can check them," Alaric said and left the chamber.

Jasper sighed as he felt the prince wasn’t even interested in his own nuptials.

Alaric, on the other hand, reached the King’s manor. He bowed to his father before taking a seat. As he settled down on the chair, Esmond said, "Why do you want to find out Qasima? I’ve already sent our a trope to locate her grave in the West."

"Father, rest assured, I won’t be harmed. I have not been outside for a long time... Almost years. And Father shouldn’t forget that no magic can work on me. I am immune to it," Alaric asserted. While he had the power to freeze anyone with his touch, at the same time, he was immune to any magic from the witches.

"I am aware of that, Alaric. My concern is that you will be married tomorrow and you wish to leave tomorrow night. Don’t you think you need to focus on your married life?" King Esmond asked.

"Father, nothing will happen to my married life. Moreover, Father shouldn’t forget who our enemy is. Saving the kingdom and our family is important, Father," Alaric stated, expecting a deep understanding from his father.

King Esmond couldn’t help, but smile. "Fine. You can leave tomorrow night. I hope you will explain your soon-to-be wife well," he affirmed.

"I will, Father. Thank you for allowing me to go," Alaric said. After such a long time, he was so enthusiastic about doing this work. He truly wished to help Magnus and Alora since they both deserved a worry-free life, especially Alora.

Chapter 223: An embroidered handkerchief

"You let Alora take Melody in her service. Isn’t that amusing? Care to share some light on this," Magnus said, his gaze fixed on Izaak who lounged nonchalantly on the sofa. One foot was grounded on the floor while the other was propped up on the sofa.

"I’m surprised at your sudden display of concern," Izaak retorted, tilting his head to meet Magnus’s gaze.

A chuckle escaped Magnus as he caught a glimpse of Izaak’s thoughts. "Isn’t it a well-known fact that our sister has a knack for stirring up trouble?" he asked, settling comfortably into an armchair. His leg was crossed over the other, and his arm was casually draped over the armrest.

"Melody... she’s scared of me. It’s clear in her eyes - the fear, the doubt," Izaak confessed. "And since Lillian unknowingly revealed the fact that I’m a widower to four wives, created more questions in Melody’s head. I can sense her desire to distance herself from me. It seems my dreams of happiness were too lofty," he admitted with a note of melancholy in his voice.

"Because Melody doesn’t know you yet. "Melody is still a stranger to you, Izaak. A prince and a commoner - it’s an unusual pairing. What are your thoughts? She won’t be able to fully understand you unless you open up to her," Magnus asserted.

Izaak remained silent, his silence speaking volumes about his resignation to the situation.

Sensing his brother’s need for solitude, Magnus quietly slipped out of the room, careful not to disturb him. By the time he reached his own chamber, he was greeted with Ralph’s sight.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Ralph bowed and lifted his head. "I hope I didn’t make Prince Magnus wait," he asserted. He complied with the prince’s gesture, who asked him to take a seat.

"Tomorrow night, we will be heading to the South," Magnus informed me.

"Pardon me?" Ralph frowned. He thought his work was done here, but it seemed to him Magnus wasn’t ready to let him go that easily.

"Why? Do you have a problem?" Magnus mused. "I have no intention to live peacefully, Ralph. You have to keep working for me until I desire," he stated. You’ll continue to serve me as long as I deem necessary," he declared. "Besides, I made sure you ascended to the position of Supreme Alpha of your pack. That should prove I’m a man of my word."

"Given that His Highness has already perused my thoughts, he must be aware of my response," Ralph retorted, his tone laced with a hint of resignation.

"Very well. You’ll be helping me in the South. A werewolf’s company is more than necessary to find out about the vampire hunters," Magnus remarked.

"I will," Ralph replied. "What’s His Highness’s plan? I will prepare according to that for this journey," he asserted.

Magnus smiled as he was ready to share it.

~~~~

Alora examined the intricate embroidery she had crafted on the handkerchief. She showed it to Selvina and Melody, who were seated next to her. "How is it? Will Prince Magnus like it?" Her eyes sparkled with the question.

"Her Highness has a remarkable talent for embroidery. The pattern of a tree branch with tiny flowers is exceptionally delicate," Selvina praised, her smile reflecting her genuine admiration.

"I concur with your sentiments, Your Highness," Melody responded. Her mind wandered back to the days when her mother was still alive, and used to craft exquisite embroidery on handkerchiefs, scarves, and other items. They then used to sell it to the rich people.

Alora then asked them, "And what about the two of you? Have you managed to successfully complete your embroidery?" Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she eagerly awaited a glimpse of the handkerchiefs they had been diligently working on.

Selvina showed it to her and said, "I thought to embroider my own name, Your Highness."

"That’s lovely. And you Melody?" Alora queried.

"I just made a random flower that came in my thoughts," Melody replied, showing them.

"Wow! That’s a tough one. Look at the petals, you’ve intricated. You are quite trained in this, I believe," Alora complimented her.

"Yes, Her Highness is right. The flower you have sewn on it looks remarkable," Selvina, too, praised her.

"Thank you," Melody answered with a smile.

Alora got an idea and asked Melody if she could hand over another handkerchief she made to Prince Izaak. "Selvina, you should take these two to Prince Alaric and Princess Lillian," she instructed, handing them the embroidered handkerchiefs.

Melody couldn’t refuse to go to Prince Izaak’s chamber. Alora cleverly replaced the handkerchief she embroidered for Izaak with Melody and folded it. Alora handed it to her and said, "You should hurry before he gets busy,"

Melody nodded in understanding and headed to comply with the order.

Reaching outside Izaak’s chamber, she went inside and encountered a maidservant. "Is Prince Izaak inside? Princess Alora has sent the handkerchief for him."

"Yes, His Highness is in the bedchamber," the maidservant answered. Melody noticed a jar in her hand, wondering if Izaak was drinking.

She carefully stepped into the bedchamber and saw the position in which Izaak was resting on the recliner.

"Your Highness, pardon me for intruding in your sleep," Melody said in her humble tone.

Izaak immediately sat up to see her, his grip on the cup tightened.

"What are you doing here?" He queried.

"Princess Alora embroidered handkerchiefs for all the princes and princesses. She asked me to give you this," Melody said and walked forward with her head hung low.

Izaak reached out, and Melody delicately placed the embroidered handkerchief in his outstretched hand.

With a subtle nod, he signaled her to hold his wine cup, which she promptly did. He examined the handkerchief, his eyes tracing the intricate pattern of the flower sewn onto it.

Melody’s eyes widened in surprise. "That’s... that’s mine," she stammered, her words slipping out before she could stop them. She bit her tongue lightly, a look of mild distress crossing her face.

Izaak turned his gaze towards her, an eyebrow arched in curiosity. "I was under the impression it was from Alora," he remarked.

"I did create one for me. It seems I’ve misplaced it. Allow me to fetch the one Princess Alora intended to give you," Melody quickly explained, extending her hand to retrieve the handkerchief.

However, Izaak pulled his hand back, their eyes meeting in a gaze that was filled with an unspoken understanding.

Chapter 224: Arrange a human!

Melody, with a hint of hesitation, edged forward, her fingers tentatively reaching out for the handkerchief. But Izaak, with a playful glint in his eyes, swiftly withdrew his hand, clutching the handkerchief tighter.

"This is mine now," he declared, his voice laced with a teasing undertone.

A crease formed between Melody’s brows, her mind swirling with confusion. She couldn’t help but question the prince’s peculiar behavior. Could it be the intoxicating influence of the wine that was making him act so out of character?

"But that was not what Princess Alora wanted me to give Your Highness. It was my fault for mistakenly bringing this piece here. Your Highness shall return it," Melody articulated with a respectful bow.

A chuckle escaped Izaak’s lips as he momentarily averted his gaze. Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Melody lunged forward to reclaim the handkerchief.

However, the prince, quick on his reflex, leaned back just in time. The sudden movement caused his wine glass to tilt precariously, and a splash of the crimson liquid stained his royal attire. Both of them instinctively lowered their eyes to the spreading wine stain.

Melody recoiled instantly, her posture straightening as she stammered out an apology for the unintended spillage on his shirt.

"This was not my intention, Your Highness. I beg your pardon." In a swift motion, she placed the wine cup on the nearby table and knelt down to address the stain, oblivious to the fact that it was indelible.

Her thoughts were consumed by one concern, ’Such an expensive shirt has ruined.’

However, before she could make any progress, Izaak intercepted her hand, prompting her to look up. His voice, authoritative and firm, echoed in the room, "Fetch another shirt. This one is already destroyed."

Melody hummed and she dashed out of the chamber. After a few minutes, she returned with a new iron shirt and saw Izaak had his back toward her, unbuttoning his shirt.

Izaak, sensing her approach, swiveled around, his gaze locking with hers. As his shirt slipped off his body, they found themselves caught in a silent exchange, their eyes speaking volumes. Izaak broke the silence, extending his hand towards her.

"Hand it over," he commanded.

Melody, her nerves getting the better of her, hastened towards him. However, her foot caught on something and she stumbled, heading for an unintended collision with the prince.

Startled, she tried to pull away in haste, but her balance betrayed her. Sensing her predicament, Izaak swiftly wrapped his arm around her lower back, pulling her close to prevent her fall.

"What are you doing, Melody?" Izaak questioned her.

"Nothing, Your Highness. I-I tripped accidentally. I apologize," Melody said with a stutter.

"Why did you ask to leave my service?" Izaak suddenly questioned her. His initial decision was not to talk about it, but now he felt he should. "Was it because of what Lillian said? Be truthful," he demanded.

"May His Highness let go of me first?" Melody requested.

Without a word, Izaak withdrew his arm from her slender back and pivoted, retrieving his shirt. He slipped it on, fastening only half of the buttons, leaving his chest partially exposed. "Speak," he commanded, turning back to face her with an unreadable expression.

Melody nervously twiddled her fingers, a clear sign of her anxiety. She was at a loss for words, unsure how to convey her fear of him. The thought of Izaak punishing her, possibly even to death, sent chills down her spine.

She had always been careful to avoid any form of punishment in all her tasks. Now, she was caught in a dilemma.

"I assure you, there will be no punishment," Izaak declared, his attention shifting to the table where he picked up his cup once more. He drained the remaining liquor in one swift gulp. "I seldom find the need to justify my actions, but for you, I will make an exception," he added, tilting his head to meet her gaze.

"I feared that if Prince Izaak were ever to lose his temper, he might...he might take my life," Melody confessed, her voice trembling. She licked her dry lips nervously, unable to maintain eye contact with him, her gaze dropping to the floor.

"You are dismissed," Izaak commanded, his hand waving nonchalantly in the air.

Melody sensed a change in his demeanor. His response was icy, almost as if he had been wounded by her words. He had been her protector, her savior, and she held him in high regard for that. She regretted her harsh words, but she couldn’t bring herself to lie to him. She could only hope that he would understand her fear.

With a final bow, Melody exited the chamber, leaving behind a tense silence.

Izaak’s frustration was palpable. He hurled the cup onto the floor and the sound of the metal echoed in the room. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, knuckles turning white. His pupils shifted in color, and his fangs elongated, an evidence of his inner turmoil.

"I was indeed a fool to believe Melody was different. She despises me," he muttered bitterly to himself. His gaze fell upon a handkerchief left on the recliner.

Zerah was quick to come inside with a few scrolls in his hands. "Is His Highness alright? I just returned and heard the sound of the cup falling. Did Melody anger Your Highness?" he inquired with a worried tone.

"I desire fresh blood," Izaak declared, swiveling to face his attendant. His voice was cold, a change in his composed demeanor.

Zerah could sense something terrible happened with the prince. The prince’s grimace spoke everything, revealing a side of Izaak he hadn’t seen in months.

"Are you deaf? I said to arrange a human!" Izaak’s command echoed in the chamber.

"Ye-Yes, Your Highness," Zerah stammered, bowing in deference. He quickly exited the chamber, his mind racing as he set out to fulfill the prince’s unsettling request.

Izaak pinched the skin between his brows and he kicked the small table beside him. The force was huge and it flung to the wall, thus breaking into pieces.

Chapter 225: Dwell in your delusions

"Brother Magnus has graced me with his presence! This is unusual. He has never sought my company before. Could it be that his younger sister has finally found a way to be useful to him?" Lillian mused, her eyes widened with curiosity.

"I doubt your lack of wisdom will ever prove beneficial to me," retorted Magnus in a sharp tone.

"What?!" Lillian gasped, her facial expressions swiftly shifting from surprise to hurt. The sting of his words was clearly etched on her face. "Did Brother Magnus just label me as unintelligent?" she questioned, her voice trembling with disbelief and pain.

"Why did you remind Izaak of his past?" Magnus asked with a grim look on his face.

"What does Brother Izaak want to say?" asked Lillian.

"I think I was clear with my question," Magnus replied. "Don’t you think you know nothing about your brothers, especially Izaak?" he questioned.

"Hah! What about Brother Magnus then? Does he know about me? He always looks down on me. He makes me feel low," Lillian stated with an annoying gaze.

Magnus let out a soft chuckle. "Lily, there’s no need to complain. You’re well aware that I possess the ability to read minds. Up until now, I’ve not encountered any of your sorrows, except for the pain of unrequited love. Given your ability to compel truth from others, it’s clear you struggle with trust issues. The man you once held dear rejected you due to your domineering nature," he pointed out the errors in her ways.

Lillian’s fists tightened, her knuckles turning white as tears welled up in her eyes.

"But most importantly, you’re unwilling to acknowledge your own flaws. The day you accept them, you’ll find true happiness. Trust me on this," Magnus concluded, his tone sincere and earnest.

Lillian thought if she could use her power to compel Magnus, she would make him tell the truth regarding her. However, her power had a limitation, she couldn’t use it on the witches, the werewolves, and the humans. And the only vampire on whom she couldn’t use it was Magnus.

As Magnus rose from his seat to leave, Lillian halted him. "All I did was suggest that Brother Izaak should marry before me. What’s so wrong about that? Brother Magnus has always harbored resentment towards me. In his eyes, I’m nothing but a malevolent person," she voiced out.

"Izaak doesn’t wish to marry any random female vampire now. His four marriages didn’t go well because all of them took his love for granted. Don’t make him feel low by reminding him of the past. He refrains from reprimanding you due to the significant age difference between you two. However, I can do so, as our age gap is not as vast," Magnus stated firmly.

Lillian turned quiet as she felt she indeed said a few things to Izaak, thinking he took marriage lightly. "I didn’t mean to wound Izaak’s feelings. I owe him an apology," she murmured.

Magnus, however, was firm in his decision. "No, you will not meet him today. His emotional state is unstable. Do you comprehend?" His tone was stern, leaving no room for argument.

Lillian nodded in agreement, her heart heavy with regret.

As Magnus moved towards the exit, he paused, turning back to face Lillian. His voice softened as he said, "I never harbored any animosity towards you. So, discard such thoughts. I merely wish for you to exhibit more maturity in your actions." With these parting words, he left the room, leaving Lillian alone with her thoughts.

~~~~~

Izaak was sprawled on the mattress, his gaze vacant and distant. The crimson stains of blood smeared around his mouth were a shred of grim evidence of his ruthless feeding on a human.

Scattered around him were empty liquor bottles, silent witnesses to his desperate attempt to drown the haunting thoughts that had invaded his mind after his conversation with Melody.

The door groaned open, and Magnus stepped in. The sight that greeted him was far from pleasant. Even some of the pieces of furniture were broken. Izaak had lost in his own world. It was a sight Magnus detested, for it was a reminder of the times when Izaak would lose himself to his darker instincts.

"What’s all this?" Magnus asked as he swiftly moved to the bed, standing next to the bedpost, leaning against it for its support with his crossed arms.

"I’ve been roused from a lengthy dream," Izaak responded, a hollow chuckle escaping his lips.

"Enough with the nonsense," Magnus retorted, locking eyes with his brother. "Melody was merely being honest with you. There’s no need to self-destruct over hearing the truth. Any woman would be terrified of you if she’s oblivious to your true nature," he asserted with honesty.

"Stop prying into my thoughts," Izaak retorted, sitting up abruptly, his shirt hanging loosely from his broad shoulders, a symbol of his disheveled state.

"How do you think I arrive here? I ended up reading Melody’s mind. She is feeling upset because she told you the truth. She considers you as her protector, yet she said that because that was what she deduced," Magnus made him aware of the truth. He couldn’t believe he had to find a way to connect these two souls.

Izaak raised his finger and said, "You have a bad habit of reading the thoughts."

"Why? Do you hate that Melody thinks of you as a great person? You seriously are brainless. You were supposed to tell her when Melody spoke about her fears. She won’t know unless you tell her. Why don’t you get this simple thing in your head?" Magnus reprimanded him.

Izaak rubbed his forehead. "Fine. I’ll do it soon," he stated.

"Tomorrow is a significant event, and here you are, completely inebriated. It’s hard to believe that our elder brother, the one we look up to, refuses to even communicate his feelings to the woman he’s fond of," Magnus muttered, shaking his head in disbelief and disappointment.

Izaak cast a glance at Magnus, a smirk playing on his lips. "It’s amusing to be schooled by the youngest sibling," he quipped, swinging his legs off the bed. He tugged at his shirt, revealing his chiseled abs. "You should depart. Extend my thanks to Alora for dispatching Melody here and shattering my tranquility," he declared.

As Izaak sauntered past Magnus, he was abruptly yanked back. Magnus’ grip was firm on his shirt collar.

"Alora didn’t orchestrate this for some entertainment. She wants to see your content. Cease blaming her. Do you comprehend? And if you’re incapable of confronting the truth, then voice it. We won’t exert ourselves either," he asserted.

"Eyes are the mirror to the soul, Magnus. Melody’s eyes were brimming with suspicion," Izaak retorted.

"Very well, then. Dwell in your delusions and lament later," Magnus countered, releasing his hold on Izaak’s collar. He bolted out of the room in a flash.

Izaak rolled his eyes. "Why does he lecture me all the time?" He chuckled and wondered how to even communicate with Melody, who was scared of him. "I won’t talk to her unless she does," he decided.

~~~~~

Exhausted from the day’s exertions, Magnus allowed his body to sink into the comforting embrace of the recliner. His muscles ached from fatigue, and he could feel the weight of the day’s events pressing down on him. He closed his eyes for a brief respite, the gentle touch of Alora’s hand on his forehead a soothing balm to his weariness.

Alora moved gracefully, positioning herself in front of him. As he opened his eyes, he was met with her concerned gaze. Her voice, laced with worry, broke the silence.

"You seem utterly exhausted, Magnus. What has kept you so engaged today? I’ve been anxiously awaiting your return. Would you like me to help you drift off to sleep?" she asked, her eyes reflecting her concern.

"Do that," Magnus said.

Alora held his hand and pulled him up. "Let’s go to bed," she opined.

Once in bed, Magnus found a comforting spot on Alora’s lap, his body seeking the warmth and solace it offered. Alora, ever the caring companion, had another idea to help him relax.

"I could massage your hair with oil, and later, you can freshen up with a bath in the evening," she proposed, reaching for a small bottle of hair oil that sat on the bedside table.

She poured a modest amount into her palm, the oil glistening under the soft light. With gentle, loving strokes, she began to apply it to his hair.

As if under a spell, Magnus’s eyes fluttered shut. The gentle rhythm of Alora’s fingers massaging his scalp was hypnotic, a soothing lullaby that lulled him into a state of peace. The magic of her touch, coupled with the calming scent of the oil, worked wonders. Unbeknownst to him, he succumbed to the inviting arms of sleep, his breaths deepening as he drifted into a peaceful slumber.

Alora found he had drifted off to sleep, and gently rested his head on the pillow. She covered him with the duvet and got down from the bed quietly.