Ch. 251..255: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 251-255

Chapter 251: You’ll become my wife

"How long are you going to avoid me?" asked Odin as he lowered the parchment on his lap. Venus was almost done eating the berries and was ready to leave, but stopped upon hearing Odin’s words.

He expected a response from her, but all she did was shoot a glare at him. She put the bowl on the table and left her seat. Odin realized that she hadn’t forgiven him for his remark.

’I shouldn’t be bothered because of it,’ he thought and focused his attention on the parchment.

Venus thought of retreating to her room. The rain had been pouring since early morning, preventing her from even stepping out for a walk in the garden. As she made her way to the staircase, a servant called out from behind, causing her to halt.

"Miss Venus, the seamstress has sent the dress," the servant informed her.

Venus thanked the servant and took the dress, which she was supposed to wear shortly for Serena’s wedding. She hoped the rain would stop soon to make travel less difficult.

"Why don’t we just send the wedding present and money for your friend, Miss Venus?" suggested Head Maid Collie. "In such rainfall, it’s not wise to go out. Moreover, Miss Serena lives quite far from here," she pointed out.

Odin overheard the conversation and decided to speak up. "I’m not in the mood to go out today. Just stay in your room," he ordered Venus, anticipating that she might start begging him to take her to the wedding venue.

However, Venus didn’t even respond to him. Instead, she calmly said to the head maid, "I will attend the wedding a bit later. Perhaps when the rain intensity lowers. But I can’t miss Serena’s wedding."

"You can’t go out alone," Odin declared in his firm tone as he approached her. "You know this well, Venus. Stirring up trouble for others will only cause more problems. So, stay at home like a good girl," he insisted.

Venus couldn’t hold back any longer. She spun around to face him, her arms defiantly crossed over her chest. "I’ll take guards with me. You have no right to order me around," she retorted.

Odin chuckled darkly at her defiance. "You think you can leave this house? Go ahead and try," he challenged, his eyes narrowing into a menacing glare.

Venus’s fists clenched in frustration. "I’ll tell my sister how poorly you treat me. Maybe having another vampire around would be better than dealing with you," she declared.

Odin remained unfazed. "Your threats mean nothing to me," he replied coolly.

Their escalating argument caught the attention of the head maid, who decided it was time to intervene.

"Miss Venus, please calm down. You, too, Sir Odin," requested Madam Collie. "It’s not good to argue early in the morning," she opined.

The two turned silent and went in the opposite directions.

~~~~

Lillian admired her accentuated curves in the mirror, feeling a surge of confidence in the elegant dress. She knew that in her first meeting with Lewis, she had to be cautious. She couldn’t compel him to speak his deeper thoughts in the first meeting.

"Lillian!" Queen Margaret’s voice echoed through the room, prompting Lillian to turn around.

She greeted her mother with a graceful curtsy, lifting her head to meet her gaze. "I am ready, Mother. Shall we go?" she asked with a composed smile.

"Yes. Lewis is already here with your father," Queen Margaret replied, guiding her daughter out of the dressing room. As they walked towards the private chamber, Lillian was taken aback to see everyone gathered, except for Magnus, who had yet to return from the South.

Lillian greeted the elders first, including her elder brothers before taking her seat across from him.

"Lewis Blackwell, this is my daughter Lillian. You may have heard about her," King Edmond stated with a contended smile. If there would be anyone happier than the others for this reunion, then it would be the King.

Lillian glanced at Lewis, noting his tough demeanor. His face was stoic, not the warm expression she had hoped for their first meeting. ’Is he angry? It feels like he’s not interested in this, but is forced to come,’ she thought, her mind racing with speculations she knew she shouldn’t entertain.

How Lillian hoped that Magnus would be there. At least, he would have told her the truth, but then, Magnus usually used to refrain from helping her.

The conversation went on for a while, but Lillian was engrossed in her thoughts. It wasn’t until Queen Margaret called her name loudly that she snapped back to reality. She noticed that Lewis was already on his feet, prompting her to stand as well.

The valet led them to another room, where they were left alone for their conversation. With a respectful bow, the valet closed the door behind him, leaving them in privacy.

"Please, have a seat, Princess," Lewis said, his deep, commanding voice unmistakably marking his military background. Lillian quickly took her seat, a rare moment of nervousness washing over her.

"I have been reassigned to the capital to protect this region. The northern border is now under the command of a new General. So, Princess Lillian, you need not worry about leaving Velaris," Lewis explained, anticipating her concerns.

"Hmm," she murmured thoughtfully.

"I’ve heard you possess the ability to compel others to speak the truth," Lewis stated, recalling a conversation with a trusted friend.

"Indeed, I do," Lillian replied with a hint of a smile. "Perhaps I should use it on you, Lewis, to determine if you are truly worthy of becoming my husband."

"Why not? But then, Princess Lillian needs to give me something in return. Such communication should work both ways, shouldn’t it?" Lewis asked, his eyes gleaming with a challenge.

"What do you want? Ask my father. He will give you anything you demand," Lillian replied, her voice steady despite the sudden tension.

"I want you to be my wife," Lewis proclaimed boldly.

Lillian was stunned, her breath catching as she stopped blinking for a moment.

"Whatever you ask me after using your power, you’ll become my wife," Lewis clarified with a smirk.

Chapter 252: Say it, Lillian

No one had ever made such a bold demand of Lillian before. Lewis was the first man to propose marriage on the condition that she compel him to reveal his thoughts.

"That is a strange offer," Lillian replied, her eyes drifting to the array of pleasantries on the table. She gestured towards the refreshments. "Would you like to eat or drink something? This wine is quite rare. Mr. Blackwell should try it," she suggested.

Lillian lifted her own cup and took a few sips, savoring the taste. She noticed, however, that Lewis had not touched his wine cup.

"I thought Princess Lillian would accept the offer. She has a reputation for rejecting proposals once she knows the true intentions of the other party," Lewis remarked, leaning forward and gripping his cup tightly.

"I’ve decided not to proceed with it. You can inform Father that you’re not interested in this marriage," Lillian asserted.

She placed her cup on the table and prepared to leave the room. She couldn’t believe Lewis had concocted such a plan to make her his wife. Clearly, he had some ulterior motives, which explained why he still wanted to marry her despite knowing she was aware of his truth.

Lewis suddenly stepped into her path, forcing her to stop abruptly.

"What if Princess Lillian had never possessed such a power? Would she have doubted every second man?" Lewis arched an eyebrow, taking a step closer.

The front of his boots touched the tips of her heels. She gulped and instinctively took a step back, feeling a rare sense of intimidation that sharply contrasted with her usual confidence.

Lillian had never felt this way before. Her fingers curled in nervousness as she continued to retreat, her heart pounding in her chest. His deep eyes seemed to bore into hers, as if trying to reach her very soul, stripping away her defense.

"Say it, Lillian," Lewis demanded, his voice low and menacing, his breath fanning her lips.

She stumbled back onto the recliner, unable to maintain her composure under his intense scrutiny. Lewis loomed over her, his presence overwhelming.

As she raised her hands to push him away, he caught them effortlessly, pinning them down with a firm grip. His closeness was suffocating, and Lillian felt a shiver run down her spine.

Lillian struggled to break free from his hold, her mind racing. She had never encountered someone so relentless, so determined to challenge her perceptions. At that moment, she realized that Lewis was not just another suitor; he was different, one who would not easily be swayed.

"Move away. This is inappropriate," Lillian told him, her voice was a bit strained.

"I can hear your heart racing. It usually happens when you’re excited. Correct me if I’m wrong, Lillian," Lewis said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Why do you think I’m still a bachelor?"

"How would I know?" Lillian asked, swallowing hard. This man was bold enough to pin her down like this. She wished to kick him away, but he had trapped her legs between his knees.

"No one has ever made me curious enough to want to know them. However, I would like to know who Princess Lillian really is," Lewis admitted, his voice low and sincere.

Lillian’s gaze softened at his words. He wanted to know the real her, but why?

Lewis let go of her hands and stood straight. She quickly sat up, brushing her hair with her fingertips. She paused and glared at him.

"Do you do this with every woman you meet?" Lillian’s question made him laugh. She knitted her brows together, wondering if he found it a joke.

"No. You are the first one. Why?" Lewis asked, his tone sincere.

"What exactly do you want?" Lillian lifted her head to look at him, her eyes searching for clarity.

"Wasn’t I clear enough?" Lewis inquired, raising an eyebrow.

Lillian felt a surge of irritation but maintained her composure. She was a princess, and she prided herself on her control over her emotions.

"I want to know what makes you different," Lewis continued, his voice softening. "What lies beneath the surface of Princess Lillian, beyond her power and her reputation."

Lillian stood up and looked at him, her eyes narrowing in skepticism, though she refrained from using her power.

"Do you find me attractive?" she asked, her expression filled with pride and challenge.

"You are attractive in a strange way," Lewis admitted, causing a frown to crease her forehead. "Lying about your beauty doesn’t seem right. But praising you too much might spoil you. From what I see, you’re a stubborn woman," he stated plainly.

Lillian chuckled at his bluntness. "You really don’t know how to compliment a woman, do you? Now I see why no one gives you a second glance," she retorted with a smirk.

"That was an understatement about me, Lillian. I do feel my face and voice are good enough to make any woman feel attracted to me," Lewis stated, rolling his ring between his fingers. "Something inside you stirred as well when you saw me. I’m the one who never batted an eye at any woman until now," he proclaimed.

"Let’s see each other for a month. If you use your power on me before the month is up, I’ll marry you that very day, whether it’s day or night," Lewis declared.

"Okay. But what happens after a month if I don’t use my power on you?" she asked as her curiosity piqued.

"A grand wedding," Lewis replied with a confident smile.

"Your condition is strange. In both cases, I have to marry you," Lillian murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Indeed. But the former will be a marriage without love," Lewis affirmed, causing her to blink in surprise. She lowered her eyes for a few moments to contemplate. Lillian was also curious to know what kind of man Lewis was. So far, none was like him.

"Then, let’s see each other for a month. And I’ll follow the conditions you’ve provided to me," Lillian stated with a determined gaze.

"Very well, Princess Lillian," Lewis praised her for agreeing to him.

Chapter 253: I can fight Qasima

"Alora, your eyes demand more concentration and practice. You are unable to control more than one vampire at a time. But it’s only the third day of your practice, so I cannot put more burden on you at once," Izaak stated and slowly came to a halt. His hands were inside the pockets of his trousers as he faced Alora.

"Brother Alaric told in the morning that Qasima is still weak. So, I’ve more than enough time to train harder. But I think I should have practiced for one more hour," Alora responded thoughtfully.

"Yes, but we can’t push you any harder. Let’s revisit this next week when Magnus returns," Izaak suggested thoughtfully.

"Hmm."

Suddenly, a servant rushed towards them, coming to an abrupt stop. Catching her breath, she announced urgently, "Your Highness, the King requests your immediate presence."

"Is everything alright?" Izaak inquired, noting the servant’s distressed expression.

"The valet mentioned it’s an urgent matter," the servant replied breathlessly. Alora glanced at Izaak, who had already vanished with remarkable speed.

"What kind of emergency?" Alora asked the servant, concern etching on her face.

"Your Highness, I heard that an entire human village was reportedly wiped out last night. I don’t have all the details," the servant explained, her voice quavering.

"What?" Alora gasped in shock. "Are you saying everyone in the village is dead?"

"Yes, that’s what the rumors say. But I can’t confirm it, Your Highness," the servant clarified nervously.

Alora furrowed her brow deeply, her mind racing with worry. She went ahead to the King’s manor to know what exactly had happened. The same servant followed her since she was from the King’s manor.

****

"Father, why did you call for me urgently? I heard it was an emergency. Is everything alright?" Izaak asked. He noticed that his father was a bit restless and the deep frowns on his forehead revealed something big had happened.

Alaric, too, had arrived in the private room and bowed to his father. He found Queen Margaret, Izaak and Lewis were already present in the room.

"Father, is this true? An entire human village is wiped out last night," Alaric finally pronounced, causing Izaak’s eyes to grow bigger.

"Really?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yes, it’s true. It seems the witch has started the destruction. We underestimated Qasima. Last night, an unfortunate incident occurred in the village of Armagh.

"Perhaps some berserk vampires or werewolves have attacked that village," Izaak opined.

"No marks were spotted on the human’s bodies. They were peacefully sleeping. It all happened in the midnight. It was a spell that took their lives in my opinion," Esmond asserted with a worried look.

"Your Majesty, this kind of magic used to exist a long time ago," Gloria’s voice reverberated in the chamber and she walked in, followed by her other companions. She greeted both the King and the Queen before continuing further.

"Such dark spells are capable of sacrificing over a hundred humans at once. Though Qasima may have weakened with time, the power of these ancient spells still lingers within her. The sheer scale of such a sacrifice could have bestowed upon her unimaginable power," Gloria revealed, her words casting a somber weight over the room.

"How do we counteract this?" Esmond asked urgently.

"To weaken her, we must confront her directly. But none among us possess the strength to face her except Princess Alora," Gloria affirmed, settling into her seat as the Queen sought counsel from her and the other witches.

"Alora can now look at everyone with ease. Only those are affected, who held malice towards her. Moreover, I fear even she may not withstand Qasima’s might," Esmond remarked grimly.

"I offer to delve deeper into this matter, Your Majesty," Lewis volunteered, stepping forward with determination to gather intelligence on the witch and her dark powers.

"That’s not a wise course of action," Esmond stated with a firm tone.

"Father, we cannot afford to remain passive," Izaak asserted, recognizing the seriousness of the situation.

"My apologies for the interruption, but Princess Alora seeks an audience with the King," the valet interjected humbly, bowing as he conveyed the message.

"Allow her entry," Esmond commanded, and the valet respectfully withdrew. Shortly after, Alora entered the room, offering dignified greetings to her elders.

"What brings you here, Alora?" Margaret inquired in a composed manner.

"I’ve heard unsettling reports about Qasima. Is it true she has wrought havoc in a village, claiming numerous lives?" Alora queried, her expression reflecting concern and sadness.

"Yes, unfortunately, she has," Margaret replied solemnly.

"Please share your thoughts. What is in your mind?" Esmond prompted as he felt she had something in her mind.

"Your Majesty, I can fight Qasima because these eyes serve a purpose to save the people from such evils. Probably, I should catch her before she claims more lives. Also, she is in search for me," Alora stated.

"What if something happens to you?" asked the King. "Indeed, your eyes are your protector. However, you shouldn’t forget who your enemy is!" Esmond wanted her to be more thoughtful before volunteering herself for such a task.

"Your Majesty is right. Qasima is thousands times powerful than me. But it is also a truth that she will come here soon to see me. On her way, to regain more power, she may kill more. Before she does that I want to bring an end to her," Alora proclaimed.

"I can assist Princess Alora, along with my aides," Gloria declared solemnly. "A ritual must be conducted to vanquish Qasima for eternity. If Princess Alora can draw her attention, it will facilitate our efforts as witches to perform this ritual," she explained earnestly to the King.

Esmond hesitated, reluctant to take action in Magnus’s absence. The thought of Alora leading such a perilous mission troubled him deeply. Magnus would be more devastated than anyone if something were to happen to her.

Meanwhile, Margaret’s brow furrowed in concern. She couldn’t shake off the vision she had about Magnus. Could it possibly come to pass? Was Alora destined to sacrifice herself to protect everyone from Qasima’s menace?

’Magnus will never forgive us if anything happens to Alora,’ Margaret thought.

Chapter 254: Revenge...

King Esmond hesitated on the decision of whether to entrust Alora with leading the mission. However, as the sovereign, he resolved to personally visit the troubled village, accompanied by a cadre of witches and a cohort of steadfast vampires and werewolves. The time had come for a unified front against the encroaching evil.

Izaak advised Alora not to volunteer herself for something about which even they were unaware!

"Brother Izaak, I understand your concerns," Alora continued, her voice tinged with sadness. "But if we delay, Qasima’s ruthless grip may claim more innocent lives. She showed no mercy, not even to the village’s youngest. It’s devastating."

Alora then paused for a moment, "Rubin’s decision to awaken her was a grievous mistake," she murmured, her gaze distant as she recalled the havoc Qasima had unleashed already.

"It’s not right to dwell in the past anymore," Izaak opined. "We need to think about the present for now."

Alaric was bothered by the late old man’s words, whom he had encountered in the cave. Since Magnus was still not back, he felt telling them about it to Alora might help them. However, at the same time, he didn’t wish to give any further stress to her.

"Alora, go to your room," Izaak said and gestured to a servant to come close. He instructed him to escort Alora to the chamber while the two princes left as they had to visit the same village with their father.

Alora upon reaching the chamber, was greeted by Selvina and Melody. "We heard a strange news, Your Highness," Selvina said. They saw the princess had slumped into the chaise with an upsetting grimace.

"I already know Selvina," Alora answered. She folded her arms and rested them on the rising armrest of the chaise while her chin found its place on the back of her palms. "Qasima sacrificed the entire village, full of human population, to gain power," she asserted grimly.

Selvina and Melody lowered their eyes in worry.

"Qasima may take more lives. I wonder if we will be able to catch her soon," Alora mumbled.

"Of course, we will!" Selvina said. "I suppose the King will take the rightmost decision for this. Her Highness shouldn’t fret," she attempted to calm down Alora’s nerves.

"I hope so," she murmured.

~~~~~

Magnus paused mid-sip, setting his cup down as he absorbed the startling news. An entire village of humans had perished overnight, with no evidence of a vampire or werewolf attack.

"How’s that possible?" Ralph demanded with disbelief etched across his face.

"A witch could do it," Magnus replied, his voice steady and somber.

Ralph’s nostrils flared with anger. "Who would be insane enough to kill everyone from a village?" he growled.

"An ancient and powerful witch named Qasima," Magnus replied, his voice heavy with concern. "She’s been unsealed and has returned to create havoc."

Ralph’s frown deepened, the shock evident on his face. "Who could have freed her? And why did no werewolf know about such a witch? I don’t recall anything about this," he said, confusion lacing his words.

"It was Rubin," Magnus answered.

"Rubin? The human who deceived Prince Magnus?" Ralph’s eyebrow shot up in disbelief. "Why would he do something so reckless?"

George glanced at the prince, wondering if he would reveal the truth to a werewolf. "Ralph, I’ve made things easier for you by meeting with Ivan myself. Why don’t you update me on the preparations for tomorrow?" he inquired, smoothly shifting the topic.

Ralph sighed with frustration in his tone. "Prince Magnus should at least share the important information with me. It’s not like I would betray him."

Magnus’s eyes narrowed as he muttered, "You can’t betray me, Ralph. Because if you do, I’ll target your mate."

Ralph chuckled, though there was an edge to his laughter. "Your Highness, you shouldn’t threaten a werewolf like that. If it were anyone else in my position, they would be upset," he murmured, draining the remaining wine from his cup before standing.

Magnus’s expression remained cold. "That’s why you’re in this position, Ralph. Do you really think I trust werewolves? We’ve been enemies for a long time," he stated, causing Ralph to pause and sit back down.

"Then, Your Highness, tell me more about this witch and what she wants," Ralph demanded with his curiosity piqued.

"Revenge," Magnus replied grimly. "She’s furious about being sealed away for so long. I don’t want any mistakes tomorrow. Make sure you and your werewolf team are ready. We need to end Zaiden’s Chapter and return to Velaris immediately."

"Prince Magnus need not worry. Everything is ready on our end," Ralph reassured him confidently.

"Good," Magnus said, relaxing slightly. "Go and enjoy yourself. Either rest or spend time with your own kind," he added, gesturing towards the door.

Ralph stood, giving a respectful bow before leaving the room.

Once the door closed behind him, George turned to Magnus. "Will we leave right after dealing with Zaiden?"

"Yes," Magnus confirmed, his expression serious. "We can’t afford any delays. Qasima has already made her moves, and soon she’ll be at the palace for Alora. I need to be there before she arrives."

George nodded his head in understanding and left the room since he understood the prince needed some time alone.

Magnus finished the blood from the cup and closed his eyes. His hands were clasped, and his elbows remained propped on the armrest of the sofa chair as he tried to connect to Alora.

"You there, Alora?" Magnus asked in his mind.

Alora, who was leisurely resting on the chaise heard Magnus’s voice in her mind. "Yes."

"I heard about an incident from the village," Magnus said. "Don’t go outside the palace. I’ll be there soon and don’t try to make any decision, which will make me angry. Do you get it?"

"Hmm. I comprehend. But I should at least help them, no?" Alora questioned.

"No, you shouldn’t. You’ll do everything in my presence. Did you practice well? I want you to be able to use your eyes powers when we encounter Qasima," Magnus asserted.

"Yes, I’m practicing," Alora answered. However, after that, she didn’t hear his voice. She understood that because of the huge distance, the mind-link communication was cut off. She sat up straight and then, went to her bedchamber to be alone for some time.

Chapter 255: Character Assassination

Venus arrived at the venue where her friend’s wedding was to take place. Fortunately, the rain had ceased by the time afternoon rolled around. She wasn’t alone, though; Odin had accompanied her.

As their carriage approached the venue, Venus turned to Odin and instructed him to keep his distance. "I don’t want everyone saying I brought a vampire with me," she said firmly. In the next instant, as she blinked, she noticed that Odin had already vanished.

Venus walked through the beautifully decorated gate of the wedding hall, her eyes taking in the vibrant floral arrangements and twinkling lights.

She handed her invitation card, which Serena had sent her a few days earlier, to an usher. The usher nodded politely and led her inside, showing her to her assigned seat.

As she settled in, Venus glanced around the room. It was filled with guests, most of whom had come with their families. The atmosphere buzzed with chatter and laughter, and she felt a pang of loneliness amidst the festive crowd.

"Venus, is that you?" a familiar, feminine voice interrupted her thoughts. Venus turned to see Ivy Bourne, the City Chief’s daughter, approaching her with a confident stride.

"I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you’d stay home for at least a year. Isn’t that what widows usually do?" Ivy asked, her lips curling into a sly smirk as she glanced at her three friends standing beside her.

Venus met her gaze evenly. "I couldn’t refuse Serena. It’s a big day for her," she replied, her voice steady despite the humiliation she was beginning to face.

"You could have sent your brother or parents, Venus. It wasn’t necessary for you to come here," said the second woman standing to Ivy’s right.

The two others joined in, taunting Venus and making her feel increasingly nervous and low.

"Venus, you won’t plan on murdering us, do you?" Ivy asked, pretending to be scared. "I can’t believe you still have the audacity to live," she muttered.

Venus lowered her eyes, clasping her hands together tightly. She should not have attended this function, and she felt cold sweat trickling down her neck.

"Venus, I know a few old men who are well-off. You can’t stay a widow forever and be a burden on your parents. Since you won’t find any young man willing to marry you anymore, an old man proposal would be better for you," Ivy remarked. The other young women started laughing.

Venus felt her face burn with shame, but she kept her composure, determined not to give them the satisfaction of seeing her break.

"Excuse me, ladies!" Odin said in his deep voice as he asked for the way. He had a wine glass in his hand as he gazed at Venus.

The four them left in an awe to see the man before them not knowing he was the vampire.

"Venus, would you try this drink?" Odin asked as he forwarded the glass to her, which he brought additionally with him.

"Mister, do you not know who this lady is?" Ivy arched her eyebrow, sensing an opportunity to impress the striking gentleman.

"You don’t want this drink, Venus?" Odin asked again, ignoring Ivy’s remark and maintaining his focus on Venus.

"I can take it on her behalf," Ivy interjected, stepping forward and reaching out her hand to take the glass. Just as her fingers brushed against it, Odin made a subtle but deliberate movement, causing the glass to tip and its contents to spill over Ivy’s expensive dress. The glass slipped from his hand and shattered into pieces on the floor.

Ivy screamed in panic, her dress now stained and her composure shattered. She glared at Odin, her eyes blazing with fury and humiliation.

"Oops! You should learn how to grip a glass," Odin remarked with a cool, dismissive tone. "And some manners, too."

The other young women stood frozen, eyes wide in shock and disbelief at the scene unfolding before them.

Venus looked at Odin with a surprise while Ivy’s eyes flickered with a hint of surprise at Venus’s calm demeanor. She wanted to punish her, but in the venue of the wedding she couldn’t even create a scene.

Odin grabbed Venus’s arm and swiftly led her away from the scene. He was determined to give her a stern lecture about letting those women humiliate her and, more importantly, about attending a wedding where she was bound to attract unwanted attention.

They stopped in a secluded corner of the hall, hidden from prying eyes. Odin downed his wine in a single gulp and lowered his hand, his gaze intense.

"What was that?" he demanded.

"If I had opened my mouth, it would have only led to more arguments. That’s why I stayed quiet," Venus asserted. "But thank you for stepping in and speaking up for me. You did right by ruining her dress," she added with a small smile.

"Your character assassination would have been inevitable if I hadn’t arrived at the right time," Odin remarked. "You asked me to stay out of sight, yet here we are."

"I didn’t think it would be this bad," Venus admitted, her voice softening. "I will give my wishes to Serena and then we can leave," Venus stated, striding past Odin. But he grasped her hand, pulling her back with a firm yet gentle grip.

"What happened?" Venus inquired, her surprise evident.

Odin brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, tucking it behind her ear with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with his earlier demeanor.

"Why don’t you become fierce again when it comes to protecting yourself? You need to answer them in their own language, as you used to," he said, his voice low and intense.

"Are you teaching me to be a bad lady?" Venus questioned, a mix of curiosity and amusement in her eyes.

"You could say that," Odin replied with a faint smile. "Humans make me uncomfortable. Do what you need to do quickly, so we can leave," he affirmed, his tone softening slightly. "Remember, you don’t have to endure their cruelty in silence."