Ch. 246..250: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 246-250
Chapter 246: Lean forward, please
Upon Alaric’s return to the royal residence, he sought an audience with his father, bearing news of his expedition’s outcome. He chose to withhold the enigmatic old man’s prophecy, believing a consultation with Magnus was necessary before revealing such a thing to the King.
"Father, Qasima is in weak in strength," Alaric declared with conviction. "It is imperative we find her before she regains her full might."
King Esmond regarded his son with a visage of pride. "You have done well, Alaric. I shall take it from here," he proclaimed. "Now, go and rest well."
With a respectful nod, Alaric retreated from the throne room, his footsteps echoing through the grand corridors until he reached his manor. There, Scarlet awaited him, her eyes brimming with an unspoken longing and relief at his safe return.
She bowed to Alaric and smiled at him.
"How have you been, Scarlet? I hope I didn’t make you wait too long," Alaric said in a humble tone.
"I have been well. The wait was unbearable," Scarlet answered. "The bed is ready. Please take some rest. If Prince Alaric is hungry, then I will ask the servants to bring breakfast first," she stated.
"I would like to freshen up first. Did you have your breakfast?" Alaric queried.
"Yes, I had it earlier. Had I known of your early advent, I would have gladly delayed to share the meal with you," Scarlet responded with a hint of regret.
"Hmm. I will see you shortly," Alaric said and left the chamber.
Scarlet summoned the servants, instructing them to prepare a breakfast table for Alaric. Within a mere twenty minutes, Alaric made his return, his demeanor slightly more relaxed following a brisk bath.
As he sat down to his meal, enveloped in silence, Scarlet couldn’t help but break the quiet. "How did your search go? Alora confided in me that the witch hails from an ancient era."
Setting his fork aside, Alaric met her gaze with a furrowed brow. "Qasima has vanished for the time being. The cave where she was trapped and sealed revealed no clues. I’ve alerted Father and implored him to thwart Qasima’s resurgence," he disclosed, the worry evident in his eyes.
"Qasima seems to be a formidable foe," Scarlet observed.
"Indeed. In her prime, she was a witch feared by many. Her mastery of dark sorcery was unparalleled, and she did not hesitate to sacrifice humans to augment her sinister powers. Her name alone could instill fear in the hearts of even vampires," Alaric recounted.
"That sounds gravely serious," Scarlet noted with concern.
"It is," Alaric conceded before returning to his meal. After finishing, he consumed blood to sustain his vitality and then retreated to his bedchamber.
"Have a good sleep. I’ll be outside. If His Highness needs something he can call me anytime," Scarlet offered graciously before exiting the room.
However, as she sat on the sofa to rest, her eyes fell on Jasper, who had worn the same overcoat which she sent for Alaric once as a thank-you gesture.
"Where did Jasper get this robe?" Scarlet asked.
"Prince Alaric gave me this, Your Highness," Jasper replied, holding the parchments in his hands. "Is there something wrong with it?" he queried.
Scarlet shook her head, but her heart sank with such a revelation. She watched Jasper leave and recalled how she gifted that robe because Alaric helped her that day. If he didn’t like it, he should have told her right away.
"It feels like he doesn’t even like me from the beginning," Scarlet murmured.
~~~~~
Melody’s lips formed a tight line, her feet firmly planted where Izaak had bid her to wait. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, with over twenty minutes passing in stillness.
Her gaze drifted upwards, taking in the sky as it deepened into dusk, showing the night was approaching.
She got a hit by an unknown person and stumbled. However, Izaak placed his hand on her shoulder, thus steadying her. "Forgive me. It took me some time to return," he said.
Melody turned to gaze at him, wanting to know where he had gone. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a firecracker exploding in the sky. The evening sky illuminated and the happy noises, especially from the kids reverberated in the atmosphere.
"Do you like watching the firecrackers explode?" Izaak asked. He had made this special preparation for the evening, thinking Melody might like it.
"Yes, I do," Melody replied, passing a tiny smile to him. "I wonder what’s the occasion today?" she murmured, her eyes shimmering with joy.
Izaak remained tight-lipped, not wanting to reveal her yet that he instructed to give such a show. His gaze was fixed not on the sky but on Melody’s face, unaware of the other, more mysterious eyes that watched him.
As the fireworks faded, Melody and Izaak made their way back to the carriage. Just as they reached it, rain began to fall, speckling Melody’s hair with droplets before Izaak ushered her inside. He followed her into the carriage, closing the door behind them as the coachman secured it from outside.
With a quiet gesture, Izaak offered Melody a handkerchief—the very same one he had taken from her days before. Her eyes widened in mild surprise as she accepted it and dabbed at her damp face.
Melody’s gaze captured the droplets on Izaak’s face, each one shimmering like a tiny jewel in the lantern’s warm glow. She handed back the handkerchief, but Izaak, with a hint of playfulness, suggested, "Perhaps you could tend to my face as well?"
Bound by her role as a servant, Melody could not decline. "Lean forward, please," she requested softly. As he complied, bringing his face closer to hers, she delicately patted his skin dry with the handkerchief. Her eyes stayed lowered in modesty, while he remained intently on her, silently admiring her grace.
"It’s done," Melody put the handkerchief in his hands when Izaak held her hand.
"Why do you avoid me? Are you still scared of me?" His question hung in the air as his eyes searched for a quick and satisfactory answer in hers.
"I never did that. I don’t understand why His Highness feels such a way. And I’m not scared of him now," Melody truthfully admitted. "The Prince shall let go of my hand."
However, Izaak shook his head.
Chapter 247: Zaiden is a vampire
"Melody, it’s not wrong to hold hands, is it?" Izaak questioned her. She lowered her eyes to their entwined fingers when a sudden pull made her lean toward Izaak’s side.
She found herself on his lap, her hand instinctively resting on his chest. She didn’t meet his gaze until he lifted her chin, his calloused fingers holding it gently.
In his eyes, she saw a longing that mirrored her own—a desire to bridge the gap between them, to explore what lay beyond it.
"When you don’t give me a desirous response, I feel upset and furious. You shouldn’t see me as the prince. Try to know me as Izaak," Izaak said with a plea. He lowered his hand from her chin and traced her slender neck as he got the fragrance of fresh blood, running through her veins.
"His Highness shall let me go," Melody said.
"You find this uncomfortable?" Izaak queried.
"Yes. He must be uncomfortable holding me like this," Melody answered.
"No." He refused.
Not able to resist the temptation, he buried his face in the crook of her neck. Her fingers curled instantly, and she asked, "What’s His Highness upto?" Melody pursed her lips when she found Izaak had only hugged her. For a moment, she thought he wanted to drink blood. However, with this a question arose in her mind. ’Did he not feel hungry for blood around a human?’
"I gave my heart to four women previously and later married to them. I’ve no idea where I lacked. Perhaps, in my ambitions of not taking over the throne until my father is alive. I yearn for love. The day you came to thank me, I told you we would meet again. I didn’t have any vision that day. It came to me later. My interest in you was from the beginning," Izaak expressed his heartfelt feelings.
Melody finally opened her mouth to speak. "May I know what was in the vision?" Her curiosity was clear in the query.
"I saw you holding a rose; your eyes were red. You were smiling at me," Izaak replied, and he lifted his head to meet her gaze. "I never got visions related to any of my former wives. That’s why I couldn’t stop myself when I got a vision of yours. And my visions are never wrong," he truthfully answered.
"Will others accept me as your other-half in future?" Melody asked an important question.
"They will. Don’t worry about them," Izaak asserted.
"Hmm." She looked toward the window, wondering if they had reached or not.
"Melody!" Izaak pronounced her name.
"Yes?"
Before she could fully comprehend, his lips met hers—a gentle touch that sent a jolt through her. She pulled away, her expression a mix of bewilderment and intrigue.
His hand cradled her neck, fingers brushing the sensitive skin at her nape and the base of her head. "Let me at least kiss you," Izaak murmured, his eyes revealing a hunger she hadn’t anticipated.
"Alright. I understand," Izaak made her sit next to him and pulled back his hands. It was hard to control, but if Melody wasn’t ready, he couldn’t force her.
~~~~~~
Magnus poured the wine for Ivan and placed the jar on the table. He raised the cup before him and swirled its content slowly.
"Who are you?" Ivan asked as he held the wine cup.
"Someone who can help you," Magnus replied.
"Then, we aren’t going ahead in this conversation," Ivan stated.
"Do you wish me to send a message to your master how you desire to betray him?" Magnus threatened him, which caused Ivan to frown and gulp.
However, he couldn’t show his weakness to this unknown man. Ivan stood on his grounds and said, "My master won’t believe a vampire."
"Hmm. But it’s not necessary he will trust you," Magnus answered.
Ivan remained tight-lipped at those words. "How will you help me? I should at least know who my well-wisher is?" His words carried a hint of sarcasm.
Magnus sipped the wine before resting the cup on the table. "I’m Magnus Lukeson," he finally introduced himself.
The moment he did that, Ivan’s eyes grew big. He had heard that name a lot of times, especially after Magnus married Alora. Now, it got cleared to him how Magnus knew his deeper thoughts.
"Yes, I can read minds," Magnus replied. "My question is simple. Who is Zaiden and how he ended up raising such an organisation?" he queried.
"Zaiden is a vampire, who has raised this hunter organization," Ivan revealed to Magnus.
"A vampire?"
"Yes. I was forced to be his right hand man because I was good with herbs. The poisons we prepare, I formulate them on Zaiden’s demand. He doesn’t show himself because it can threaten his ambitions. Zaiden wishes to remove this part completely from the Kingdom of Velaris. He is doing it in such a way that no one in the capital will ever find out about it. From weapons, to the herbs, everything is arranged by Zaiden," Ivan explained.
Magnus pondered whether Rubin also brought the poison from this place. But how? Did he know Zaiden? He pried into Ivan’s head to find who Zaiden was and realized the glimpse of the person he saw in Rubin’s memory was the same.
Magnus knitted his brows together. There was a possibility that Zaiden might know Rubin was no more. He might be aware that Magnus would come to him one day.
"Ivan, what’s the abilties of Zaiden? Have you noticed anything special in him?" Magnus inquired.
"I’ve no idea. Zaiden has been an enigma to me, Your Highness," Ivan replied.
"Where do you think I can encounter him?" Magnus inquired.
"On every full moon, Zaiden heads somewhere in the woods. No one is allowed to go behind him," Ivan stated.
"After two days, there’s a full moon," Magnus answered.
"Zaiden will go to the woods at midnight. Even the werewolves are prohibited to explore the woods on the full moon night," Ivan proclaimed.
"Intersting," Magnus remarked and smiled.
Chapter 248: Make another robe
Alaric stirred awake from his slumber, the evening light filtering through the heavy curtains. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his feet touching the cool floor. After he freshened up, he made his way outside and found Jasper.
"Where is Scarlet?" asked Alaric before settling on the sofa.
"Her Highness has gone to see Princess Alora," he replied. "Shall I send a servant to fetch Her Highness?"
Alaric shook his head. "That’s not needed. Was Scarlet upset when I wasn’t around?" he queried the steward.
"Her Highness appeared somewhat disoriented," Jasper acknowledged truthfully. "I believe Prince Alaric’s departure on their wedding night may have contributed to that."
"It was necessary," Alaric responded vaguely, sensing Scarlet’s presence as he glanced towards the doors. As expected, Scarlet entered, offering a greeting to the prince before directing the servants to tidy the bedchamber.
"Have a seat, Scarlet. Where are you heading?" Alaric intercepted her as she made her way to the bedchamber.
Scarlet shot him a sidelong glance, a fleeting expression that sent a wave of unease through him. Sensing something was amiss, Alaric motioned for Jasper to leave, and the room soon emptied.
Without hesitation, Alaric closed the distance between them, his imposing figure towering over her.
"What happened? Is everything alright?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "Are you still upset that I left you alone right after our wedding?" Regret washed over him as he spoke, knowing it had been a mistake to depart on the very day they were wed. And now, he was determined to make amends for that lapse in judgment.
"No," Scarlet replied. "I am no one to get upset."
"The way you speak shows you are angry about it," Alaric said, his voice gentle but insistent. "Forgive me," he apologized again.
"Why doesn’t Prince Alaric tell me that he never liked me? That would be much better because then, I wouldn’t have any hopes," Scarlet murmured, her voice laced with bitterness.
Alaric felt a pang of concern, realizing that something had deeply troubled Scarlet, igniting this anger within her. Just that morning, everything seemed fine. What had caused this sudden shift in her demeanor?
"I never disliked you, Scarlet. If you don’t communicate with me, how am I supposed to find out what’s bothering you? Please, share with me so I can try to be better," Alaric said, his tone humble and earnest.
"Why did His Highness give the robe to Jasper?" Scarlet questioned, her voice trembling with hurt.
"Robe?" Alaric frowned, then suddenly recalled the incident. "Ah, that... I-I..." He struggled to find the right words to explain his actions.
"His Highness could have simply told me he didn’t like my present. I was grateful to you that day for helping me, and the robe was a gesture of my gratitude," Scarlet said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Forgive me, Scarlet. I was ignorant about this," Alaric replied, his voice heavy with guilt. "I never intended to hurt you. Honestly, I didn’t even know. How could I have accepted a robe from you? But I understand it was my fault to give such a precious thing to Jasper."
Scarlet lifted her head to look at him. "I want to be loved. Even a small gesture of care will make me feel happy," she murmured.
"I will be a good husband to you. I didn’t marry you to ignore you," Alaric assured her. He brought his hand to her back and drew her nearer for a hug. His other hand rested at the top of her head. "Make another robe for me and I’ll definitely wear that," he added.
Scarlet smiled and hummed in agreement.
~~~~~
"Melody, where are you lost? I’ve been calling your name for a while. And why are you wiping the same spot over and over?" Alora’s voice was louder this time, breaking through Melody’s reverie.
Startled, Melody lifted her head and realized what she had been doing. She quickly moved her hand away from the table, noticing the amusement dancing on both Alora’s and Selvina’s faces.
"Oh, it’s nothing," Melody replied, attempting to brush off her distraction.
"I think Melody’s seeing a man. That kind of blush only comes from thoughts of romance," Alora teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes visible.
"Oh, really, Melody?" Selvina’s eyes widened in surprise. The curiosity and excitement were present in her voice.
"That’s not true, Your Highness," Melody insisted, trying to hide the truth as her face flushed a deeper shade of red.
"Don’t hide it and tell us. How did it go with Prince Izaak?" Alora pressed, her tone more direct now. "We won’t tell anyone. This secret will stay just between the three of us," she promised, leaning in closer to emphasize her sincerity.
Selvina nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Yes, Melody, you can trust us. We’re dying to know!"
"Umm... Prince Izaak wants me to know him not as a prince, but as him. While I’m confused about how will everyone perceive this relationship. I’m not of noble blood. At the same time, I feel quite blessed. I never imagined a prince would propose to me," Melody truthfully admitted in front of them while sharing her feelings.
"Just go with the flow," Alora advised her.
"I still feel I am not even good for Prince Izaak," Melody stated. "But if I tell him, he may get upset or angry," she murmured.
"Don’t let those thoughts ruin your present. Believe me, I’ve done that a lot. You need to think of the present, the current moment, and the person who is ready to be with you," Alora further shared some words of wisdom with Melody.
"By the way, I have this to give to Brother Izaak. Give this to him for me. Will you?" Alora asked as she picked the book from the table beside the recliner. "He gave this to me to practice writing. Please say thank you to him on my behalf," she urged.
Melody held the book and bowed to her before leaving the room. She looked at it and felt Alora intentionally pushing her close to Izaak. She was a well-wisher of their relationship. It made her smile and she hastily made her way to Izaak’s manor.
Chapter 249: Starved for oxygen
"Should I place it here, Your Highness?" Melody inquired, pointing towards a table.
"Yes," he replied.
"Her Highness was thankful for this book," Melody added. "I take my leave," she said, bowing to him before turning to go.
"Stay for a while," Izaak’s gentle request made her pause. It was not a command, but a humble request. Melody turned to face him, finding him still seated on the recliner.
"You haven’t asked me anything about my life," he observed. "I wonder if you have no questions, or if you’re simply hesitant. Understanding each other better requires curiosity and conversation."
"Asking about the past may inflict pain to His Highness. When he told me the reasons why his former wives weren’t alive, the disappointment and sadness were clear in His Highness’s voice. I don’t wish him to get upset," Melody asserted, giving him an explanation why she didn’t wish to know about his past.
Izaak was impressed with the way she spoke and understood him.
"Do you have any desires apart from a life without the struggle to meet ends?" Izaak asked, the question coming out of the blue.
Melody looked thoughtful for a moment before replying. "No, that was my only dream and desire. His Highness helped me reach that goal by appointing me as a servant in the palace," she said, a smile spreading across her face. "I am grateful for the stability and peace it has brought me."
Izaak’s gaze softened as he looked at her. "You should have a dream of us being together all our lives," he stated, his voice carrying a note of firm conviction.
"I thought about it. I wonder if His Highness will turn me into a vampire after a while," Melody said, curiosity evident in her voice.
"I will leave that decision to you," Izaak answered, picking up the cup from the table and finishing the remaining wine. "You should return to Alora. She might be awaiting you," he reminded her, effectively dismissing her.
"I will leave after His Highness goes to bed," Melody stated. She walked over to him and checked the jar, which was half-filled. "I will take it away," she said, picking it up and leaving the room.
Shortly after, she returned and found him still awake. "Why isn’t His Highness in bed?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Izaak looked up at her, his expression weary. "Put me to sleep. It’s hard for me to fall asleep early," he admitted and finally rose to his feet. He gestured to her to close the door and she quickly followed the command.
As she turned, her eyes widened slightly upon seeing Izaak undressing. Melody quickly lowered her gaze to avoid staring.
"Bring me the night robe from the cupboard," Izaak instructed, pointing toward the fourth one.
She swiftly made her way to the cupboard and opened it, momentarily unsure which robe he wanted. Her eyes landed on a white one, so she pulled it out.
"I need the blue one," Izaak corrected.
Melody’s eyes wandered over the contents of the cupboard, but she couldn’t find the blue robe immediately.
"Where is it?" she murmured, her voice barely audible. She froze when she sensed Izaak standing directly behind her. He reached over her shoulder, easily pulling out the blue robe she had missed.
A few seconds later, after closing the cupboard, Melody turned to face Izaak and found him already dressed in the night robe. She quickly picked up his discarded outfit from the ground. "I’ll give these to the servant," she said.
A few seconds later, after closing the cupboard, Melody turned to face Izaak and found him already dressed in the night robe. She quickly picked up his discarded outfit from the floor. "I’ll give these to the servant," she offered.
"Just leave them on the recliner," Izaak replied, heading to the bed. He rested his head against the headboard, his lower half covered by silk sheets. He had already untied the knots on his upper robe for comfort.
Melody approached him and gently insisted, "Lie down properly. How will His Highness get any sleep in such a position?" she muttered softly, her concern evident as she stood by his bedside.
"Then how will I properly look at you?" Izaak asserted with a slight smirk. "I usually don’t sleep until after midnight. You’re stuck here with me until late."
"I need to sleep too. If I don’t wake up early, Princess Alora might scold me," Melody stated firmly.
"Alora doesn’t scold, and she would never do that to you," Izaak confidently assured her before gently pulling her down to sit before him, his grip firm yet gentle on her wrist.
"How long are you going to keep me waiting?" His question brought confusion to her, leaving her uncertain about his intentions.
"Waiting for what?" she asked, furrowing her brows.
"The kiss," Izaak replied, his voice softening. "I can’t stop thinking about it. Did you forget it so easily?" His tone carried a hint of disappointment.
"No, I didn’t forget," Melody whispered, lowering her head. "I’m just not as bold as Your Highness," she added, her cheeks flushing a deep red as she felt the warmth spreading across her face.
"Then, will you allow me to take the lead? Perhaps then I’ll let you go early, as I’ll get a good night’s sleep," Izaak proposed, his voice tinged with desire and playfulness.
Melody’s eyes lifted to meet his, her lips parting slightly in surprise and anticipation. The fingers of the hand he held curled involuntarily, her heart racing with a rush of unfamiliar sensations.
She closed her eyes as Izaak leaned in and kissed her lips. Caught off guard, she froze at her place, uncertain of how to react. Her fingers tightened into a fist, her mind swirling with a flurry of emotions.
"Kiss me back. Don’t hold back," Izaak murmured huskily against her mouth as he withdrew slightly, his gaze intense yet tender.
Melody’s eyes fluttered open, her chest heavy with nervous anticipation as she met Izaak’s gaze. She leaned forward and timidly brushed her lips against his, unsure of his intentions and her own feelings.
Izaak, sensing her hesitation, gently pulled her closer, deepening the kiss with a touch of longing. He tenderly guided her lips and she followed his guidance. Her chest pressing on his sturdy, naked chest; her hands resting on his shoulders as Izaak made her sit on his lap.
He rested his hand gently on her cheek, his long fingers stroking it tenderly. Melody felt a rush of warmth spread through her as his touch ignited deeper sensations in her.
Her lungs felt starved for oxygen as the intensity of their closeness overwhelmed her. Just as she felt the need to pull away, he parted from her lips, his mouth tracing a path down her chin and along her throat.
Melody’s thoughts became clouded, her mind unable to form coherent thoughts as his kisses ignited a fiery heat within her. Her body responded eagerly, every touch sending shivers down her spine and her skin tingling with anticipation of what could happen next.
"We should stop," Melody said, her voice wavering slightly. "W-we aren’t married," she reminded him, trying to assert her boundaries.
Izaak halted his mouth on her neck and reluctantly withdrew, his thumb tenderly tracing her lips. "I will marry you the day you declare your love for me," he declared earnestly, his eyes searching hers for an answer of acceptance.
Chapter 250: My chosen one
Alora remained seated on the windowsill of her bedchamber, her eyes fixed on the moon. "Are you missing me too?" she murmured, thinking of Magnus.
"Yes, Alora. I miss you," Magnus’s voice suddenly echoed in her mind, making her eyes widen in surprise. She could hardly believe what she was hearing.
"Don’t forget, I’ve marked you. Even though we’re apart, we can communicate through our true mate bond," Magnus explained.
"Then why didn’t you talk to me earlier?" Alora complained, a note of frustration carried in her voice.
"It’s not easy to establish the connection," Magnus replied gently. "Why haven’t you slept yet?" he inquired, his concern rising in his voice.
"I wasn’t sleepy," Alora replied softly.
Knowing their mind link couldn’t last long, Magnus gently urged her, "I’ll be back in three days. Please, don’t overexert yourself, and make sure to get proper rest. Do you understand, Wife?"
"Yes, I do," Alora answered in her thoughts. "You should rest too. I’m heading to bed now," she added with a hint of warmth in her mind.
Alora made her way quickly to the bed, realizing Magnus’s voice wasn’t heard anymore. But she was happy. At least, Magnus and she could communicate even from far. She lay down, covering herself from the duvet. After praying for Magnus’s safe return, she closed her eyes and soon, she drifted off to a deep slumber.
****
Scarlet set the hairbrush down on the dressing table and glanced toward the door. Her anticipation turned to relief as Alaric stepped in and quietly closed the door behind him.
"I was with Lillian," Alaric began, his tone apologetic. "She’s anxious about tomorrow’s meeting with Lewis Blackwell. They were supposed to meet this morning, but Lewis couldn’t make it on time."
Scarlet nodded, understanding the depth of the situation. "I advised Princess Lillian not to use her power to force anyone to speak the truth about her, her status, or her family. I believe her trust started to waver from that moment."
Alaric sighed, moving closer to her. "You’re right. Lily does this all the time. Even with those she fancies, she can’t help but ask probing questions that leave her frustrated and furious."
"She will overcome this," Scarlet assured him.
"I hope so," Alaric replied.
As Scarlet stepped back to turn away, he grasped her hand. Tilting her head, Scarlet met his gaze with a quizzical expression.
"I have something for you, Scarlet," he said, taking a small box from his robe’s pocket.
"What is it?" Scarlet asked, facing him and eyeing the polished box with curiosity.
"You should see for yourself," Alaric asserted, placing it in her palm.
Eagerly, she opened the box and found a delicate gold chain with a small pearl pendant inside. Her fingers touched the pearl, and she noticed it radiated a soft, luminous glow.
"It’s beautiful. Thank you," Scarlet expressed her joy with a smile.
"It’s beautiful. Thank you," Scarlet expressed her joy with a smile.
"Let me help you wear it," Alaric said, gently moving her hair to the back. He fastened the chain around her neck and saw the contentment in her eyes as she admired the gift.
"I had planned to give you this on our first night," he confessed.
"It’s fine. It reached me now," Scarlet replied warmly. Taking the initiative, she thanked Alaric with a soft kiss.
For a brief moment, their eyes locked, not blinking. Alaric finally drew her close as he wrapped his arm around her waist before capturing her lips.
His hand cradled her neck tenderly, conveying how much she meant to him. He wanted her to know that she had immense value in his life. His heart had long moved on from Ember, and now it was fully ready to love Scarlet.
Her hands locked behind his neck, pulling him closer, their bodies pressing intimately against each other. Their kiss deepened, filled with unspoken promises and emotions.
After a while, they slowly pulled away, their breaths mingling as they tried to steady themselves.
Scarlet’s eyes remained glued to his, searching for confirmation, needing to know if he had truly left the past behind.
"Let’s go to bed. It’s late," Alaric said gently, sensing her unspoken question. He took her hand, leading her toward the bed.
As they reached the bed, he paused, his gaze unwavering as he looked deeply into her eyes. "Scarlet, you are my wife and forever companion. I want nothing more than for you to feel completely at ease with me," he stated sincerely. Despite his genuine words, he kept hidden the fact that her blood scent inexplicably drew him to her.
"I am comfortable around you," Scarlet affirmed, her voice filled with certainty as she met his gaze. She noticed his long outer robe and gently began untying the knots.
"We should sleep," Scarlet said suddenly, turning around to face Alaric.
"Why did you stop?" Alaric asked, his hand moving to the right side of her neck. The cool touch of his fingers against her skin caused a slight shiver to run through her. He gently brushed her hair to the side and placed a soft kiss on her neck.
"Scarlet, you have a different kind of fragrance. I can’t seem to resist it," Alaric murmured, his warm breath caressing her skin. "I believe you are my chosen one," he added quietly, finally revealing what he suddenly found out.
Scarlet’s heart skipped a beat at his words, a mixture of surprise and warmth flooding her senses as she again turned to face him.
"Your chosen one?" Scarlet found it unbelievable for a moment.
"Yes." Alaric brought her hand to his heart, making her feel how rapid his heartbeat was suddenly. His red pupils showed the desire in them.
Her fingers curled as she relinquished the final traces of resistance, pulling him closer and initiating a long, passionate kiss.
As the intensity of their embrace deepened, Scarlet felt herself sinking onto the edge of the bed. The backs of her knees met the mattress and the next moment her back touched the mattress.