Ch. 271..275: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 271-275

Chapter 271: No need to be defensive

Alaric brushed Scarlet’s hair with tender, deliberate strokes, a gentle smile playing across his lips that spoke volumes of his affection for her.

"The attendant could have done it," Scarlet murmured, her eyes meeting his in the reflection of the mirror.

She watched as he reached for the intricate gold head chain, its delicate links adorned with two ornate clips. With an almost reverent touch, he positioned the chain at the back of her head, allowing the shimmering gold to cascade gracefully over her dark locks.

He meticulously clipped a few strands of her hair, securing the jewelry in place. The headpiece settled perfectly on her hair.

Scarlet was stunned by the fact that Alaric had styled her hair so perfectly and adorned it with the jewelry. She tilted her head to the side, trying to catch a glimpse of the back of her head.

Noticing her effort, Alaric held up a small mirror and gently asked her to sit straight. He positioned the mirror behind her head, allowing her to see the reflection in the front mirror.

"Can you see?" Alaric asked softly.

"Yes. That looks beautiful," Scarlet responded, her voice filled with admiration. Leaving the chair, she turned around to look at him. "You are so skilled in such things," she praised him.

"I wonder how," Alaric answered with a smile. "Well, I have been thinking lately that once the rainy season ends, we should go on a short vacation, away from the palace," he suggested.

"Really?" Scarlet’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Yes," Alaric affirmed.

"That will be wonderful," she replied, her face lighting up with joy.

Alaric smiled, pleased to see her so happy. "Magnus has returned. I need to see him. Do you wish to come along?" he inquired, knowing she often felt awkward around Magnus and wanting to ensure she was comfortable with the idea.

"Yes, I will be pleased to accompany Prince Alaric," Scarlet agreed to go with him.

"Then, let’s go," Alaric said and the two headed to see Magnus.

Reaching the quarters of his younger brother, Alaric asked Tobias if Magnus was inside.

"Yes, Prince Alaric. He is with Princess Alora. I’ll inform him about your and Princess Scarlet’s arrival," Tobias said in a humble tone, asking them to wait for a minute.

He returned shortly and informed Alaric they could go into the drawing room. "Thank you, Tobias," Alaric said and walked ahead with Scarlet.

Entering the drawing room, Alaric saw the two of them were on their feet. They both greeted Alaric and Scarlet. "Please take your seats," Alora told them.

Settling down on the sofa, Alaric asked Magnus about his well-being.

"I am fine as Brother Alaric can see," Magnus replied. "Alora told me about the investigation Brother Alaric did. I’m grateful for his thoughtfulness," he affirmed.

"That was a part of my duty. There’s no need to be thankful," Alaric told him.

"Princess Scarlet, you look beautiful in that head jewelry. This kind of hairstyle suits you a lot," Alora complimented her. Magnus also shifted his focus to Scarlet.

"Thank you, Alora. Prince Alaric gifted that and even made my hair today," Scarlet said with a proud and affectionate smile.

"Wow! Brother Alaric is so talented," Alora’s eyes filled with praise for him.

Magnus furrowed his brows together, wondering how Alaric knew to make a woman’s hair. He gazed at Alora then who seemed to like such qualities of a man.

"It is nothing, Alora," Alaric said modestly.

"It’s one of the difficult things to do. Not all men are talented in this," Alora remarked, urging Alaric to acknowledge his skill.

Alaric simply smiled in response.

"Does Prince Magnus do such things for you?" Scarlet asked.

"Prince Magnus doesn’t even know how to do such things. He’s quite poor at it," Alora replied truthfully.

Magnus tilted his head to look at his wife, feeling a pang of embarrassment. She could have lied and praised him, but she chose honesty instead.

"How did it go in the South, Magnus? Hopefully, everything went well," Alaric asked, hoping for a positive report.

"I managed to resolve the issue. It turned out to be a vampire behind it all. He used a witch’s magic to control everyone and execute his plan," Magnus explained.

"But why would a vampire do that?" Alaric questioned, puzzled by the motive.

"Zaiden, the vampire in question, was the son of a witch. The vampire society refused to accept or train him because of his mixed heritage. Feeling rejected and desperate, Zaiden formulated this plan. He was aided by Rubin, who advised him to use witch’s magic for his schemes," Magnus elaborated.

"Rubin was quite cunning. He tried to mask his true intentions with his involvement in the Hunter Organization," Alaric remarked thoughtfully.

"Yes, he did," Magnus agreed. "Rubin used his position in the organization to cover his tracks and manipulate others for his benefit. Such a cunning manipulator he was."

"I heard Alora had placed her trust in Rubin," Scarlet interjected gently, sensing the tension in Magnus’s expression.

"No. Who told you that?" Magnus questioned, his brow furrowing in concern. "Rubin deceived me at first," he clarified, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration.

"I didn’t mean to upset you, Prince Magnus. Please, there’s no need to be defensive," Scarlet reassured him, her tone soothing.

"I’m not defensive. I just want to set the record straight," Magnus replied evenly, striving to maintain composure.

"Let’s move on from this topic," Alora suggested diplomatically. "It’s all in the past now," she added, hoping to redirect the conversation to more positive matters.

"Alora is right," Alaric said with a smile.

"I ended up reading something I shouldn’t have, Scarlet," Magnus said, his eyes narrowing with a hint of anger.

"Pardon me?" Scarlet responded, puzzled by his statement.

"What do you mean, Magnus?" Alaric inquired, sensing tension in the room.

Alora gently took Magnus’s hand, silently urging him to let the matter rest.

’Please don’t pursue this. They are married now. Whatever Scarlet said to me was in the heat of the moment. If you bring it up, it will only cause unnecessary distress and I’ll be upset with you,’ she thought urgently, knowing Magnus could hear her thoughts.

"Nothing, Brother Alaric. I was just joking," Magnus replied with a forced smile, attempting to diffuse the tension in the room.

Chapter 272: You’re so insensitive!

"Odin, why are there so many vampires around this house?" Norman asked, his face etched with worry.

"That’s for extra security," Odin replied calmly.

"Extra security for what?" Norman’s curiosity was piqued.

"A witch is on the hunt," Odin explained, his tone grave. "Did you hear about the entire human village that was sacrificed recently? It was the work of a powerful witch."

Norman’s eyes widened in shock. "No, I hadn’t heard about that. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

Odin sighed. "I found it bothersome to explain all these things to you before, but it’s getting more dangerous out there. The vampires are here to protect us from the witch’s attacks as per Prince Magnus’s order. We need to be prepared for anything."

"But I’ve noticed the security is only around my house," Norman said, furrowing his brows. He sensed something was off. Learning about the maniac witch hunting down humans made him feel even more on edge. "Is the witch after Alora?" he inquired.

Odin arched an eyebrow in bewilderment. "How did you know?"

"It wasn’t tough to guess," Norman answered.

Odin’s eyes narrowed. "What are your thoughts? Are you ready to curse your own daughter?" He wouldn’t be surprised if Norman spoke ill of Princess Alora—that was just his nature, wasn’t it?

"Odin, I admit I was the worst father. But I don’t want to be the same anymore. I’ve been selfish for my motives and despised Alora. I’m regretful for my past actions," Norman stated. His gaze was low, showing his guilt.

"I didn’t mean to make you feel low, Sir," Odin turned gentler in his tone.

Venus, who had overheard the conversation, frowned at Odin. Was it not enough for him to belittle her that he had now begun humiliating her father as well? Feeling a mix of anger and sadness, she turned away and went to her room. As she entered, she was surprised to find her mother there.

"What are you doing here, Mother?" Venus walked into her room. She watched as Rhea meticulously tidied the clothes in the cupboard.

"A maid could have done that," Venus asserted, trying to hide her frustration.

Rhea turned and smiled warmly. "I’ve put some new clothes for you."

Venus walked over to the cupboard and opened it, only to find an array of dull-colored garments. The sight reminded her of the restrictions imposed on her as a widow, forbidding her from wearing vibrant colors. The contrast to her once colorful and lively existence made her heart ache. How quickly her life had transformed from one filled with joy and brightness to one of somber hues and shadows.

"I heard that you went to attend Serena’s wedding," Rhea stated, aware that Serena had married the man whose proposal had once come for Venus.

"She invited me, and I couldn’t refuse her," Venus replied, helping her mother with the clothes.

"How did it go?" Rhea asked, concern evident in her voice. She had heard from friends that Venus was often ridiculed by women of her age group because of her past.

"It went well," Venus answered, not wanting to burden her mother with her troubles.

"Venus, you can share with me if you’re feeling low. You don’t need to keep it all inside. We will do whatever you desire. If you wish to marry again, we will find a good suitor for you," Rhea said softly, her eyes filled with maternal concern.

Venus looked at her mother, appreciating the offer. "Thank you, Mother. I’ll think about it," she said, trying to muster a small smile.

"I am fine, Mother. You don’t have to worry about me," Venus said with a gentle smile. She placed the last gown on the hanger and closed the cupboard. Rhea embraced her daughter, caressing her head and back before kissing her forehead.

As they pulled away, Rhea said, "If you want, you can go visit Alora."

"I don’t wish to disturb Alora," Venus replied.

"Alright," Rhea nodded understandingly.

"Mother, I wish to go to the market. I want to buy a few accessories for myself," Venus expressed her desire.

"Of course, dear. Take your time and enjoy yourself," Rhea responded with a supportive smile.

"Sure. Come with me. I’ll give you money for that," Rhea said, and the mother-daughter duo went downstairs. Handing her a pouch full of coins, Rhea encouraged her to spend them freely.

"It’s too much. I’ll just buy a few accessories and return. If Mother needs something, she can tell me," Venus asserted.

"There’s nothing I need," Rhea replied with a smile.

As they entered the living room, Norman asked Venus where she was heading.

"To the market, Father," Venus answered.

"Hmm. Go carefully. A vicious witch is roaming around," Norman warned.

"Don’t scare our daughter," Rhea scolded her husband gently.

"I will accompany her outside, so there’s no need to worry," Odin stated, smiling reassuringly at Venus’s parents. Venus knitted her brows together, clearly displeased, as she didn’t want to go with him. She preferred to go alone.

"I can go by myself," Venus affirmed, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Why would you go alone? It’s good that Odin is accompanying you," Rhea interjected with a smile, grateful for Odin’s offer.

"Let’s go," Odin said, glancing at Venus. She hesitated but followed him reluctantly.

As they settled into the carriage, Venus couldn’t hold back her frustration any longer. "Why do you have to follow me everywhere? I can take care of myself."

"I don’t enjoy accompanying you," Odin remarked dryly. "I’m just following strict orders from the higher-ups."

Venus sighed, looking out the window. "I just want some freedom, Odin."

"You are given freedom unlike most widows, who are even restricted to leave their houses for a year. At least you are fortunate," Odin reminded her gently.

"Why do you have to keep reminding me that I’m a widow?" Venus snapped, irritation evident in her voice.

"You’re the one who uses that word frequently. I was simply stating a common fact. There’s no need to be annoyed," Odin replied calmly.

"What do you even know about being a widow? You’re so insensitive!" Venus shouted at him, her frustration boiling over.

Chapter 273: The Gossips

"You are insensitive. I’m not," Odin corrected her.

"Fine. I am," Venus admitted as her voice cracked. She averted her gaze from him and tightly clasped her hands together.

Odin wondered what happened to her suddenly. She was showing different emotions at the same time. He didn’t bother to ask her since it would be troublesome.

"I heard that that there’s a witch in the capital. Is it true?" Venus asked after sometime.

"I thought you had no intention to talk to me," Odin asserted.

"That’s not true. I was angry at myself. I ruined my own life. I could have been married off to a good household when Eugene died. However, all I thought of..." Venus couldn’t brought those words to her mouth and paused.

"Destroying the life of your elder sister," Odin finished the sentence for her.

"Yes."

Odin didn’t say anything and remained quiet when he heard her again.

"If I become a vampire, will I stop feeling like this? I heard the vampires don’t feel emotions like humans. They are free of all such stress," Venus murmured.

"Now, you want to be a vampire!?" Odin arched his eyebrow in amusement.

"It’s just a thought. You’ve no idea what I feel all the time," Venus stated. "Nevermind. Please forget what I say to you," she added.

"Live like a human," Odin said, his voice steady. "That’s what will suit you more."

Venus gazed at him, trying to decipher the unreadable emotion in his eyes. An overwhelming curiosity surged within her, and she finally voiced the question that had been gnawing at her. "Who converted you?"

"No one. I’m a noble vampire... My family has a long history of being vampires," Odin asserted with a hint of pride.

"Oh. So, your family lives in the capital. Don’t they call you home? You live here just because you’re ordered to do so. I think if you talk to Prince Magnus once, he will free you from this job," Venus suggested.

"I’ve no family. They all are dead long ago," Odin answered.

"I’m very... Sorry, Odin," Venus said and lowered her eyes in embarrassment. That was why he never brought the matter of his family during any discussion.

"It’s fine. It’s been years, so it doesn’t affect much," Odin replied.

Venus met his gaze. "You can stay in our house as long as you can," she muttered.

"I don’t think I’ve to live there for a long time. Once the enemy is taken down, my work will be finished," Odin proclaimed.

"By enemy do you mean the witch?" asked Venus.

"Yes."

"I don’t think I’ll have to stay here for much longer. Once the enemy is taken down, my work will be finished," Odin proclaimed confidently.

"By enemy, do you mean the witch?" Venus asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes."

"Hmm. Then, you’ll have to live all alone. There will be no one to fight with you," Venus remarked, a tiny smile gracing her lips as she tried to lighten the mood.

"It’s strange. You wish to keep fighting with me," Odin muttered, the playfulness in his eyes unmistakable. "Well, who knows? By then, you might be married. You can fight with your husband instead," he added with a teasing tone.

"That’s not going to happen," Venus said, her smile fading.

"Why not?" Odin’s playful demeanor shifted to one of genuine curiosity.

"No man desires me after what I did," she answered, her voice filled with regret as she downcast her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.

"That cousin of Eugene. I forgot his name but he admires you," Odin stated.

"I don’t want to involve with any werewolf," Venus said. "I just hate them," she muttered. The carriage finally came to the halt and Venus quickly averted her gaze to the door. As the coachman opened it, she stepped down and inhaled the fresh air. The soil was damped after the early morning light rainfall.

She began walking ahead while Odin followed her closely.

"Odin, aren’t you uncomfortable? There are many humans around," she added.

"You have forgotten that I’ve a good control on myself," Odin answered.

"Hmm. We have to walk at least fifteen minutes to reach the jewelry shop," Venus told him.

"Hmm. Let’s go," Odin walked ahead of her this time. She ran after him and matched his steps.

"Did you hear about a witch? They say, she will keep taking the lives of the humans if Princess Alora doesn’t surrender herself to her."

Gossips started going around, which were audible to both Odin and Venus.

"Did that witch again kill someone?"

"I heard she killed three last night."

"Will the vampires do anything about it?"

"They don’t care for us. If they did, by now, they had caught Qasima."

"We should talk to our Chancellor. He will definitely take the matter to the King."

"Is it true that Princess Alora if sent to the witch, the humans can be saved?"

"Yes. I heard this from a verified source."

The crowd started gathering in unison to deliver the message to the King to send Alora away to save their lives.

Venus wanted to stop the crowd from jumping to conclusions, but before she could act, Odin grasped her wrist. She turned to look at him, confusion and frustration evident in her eyes.

"It’s not wise to speak to this crowd of humans," Odin advised, his voice firm yet calm. "I’m sure the King is already doing something about this. So, let’s stay out of it."

"But they are talking about my sister," Venus said in a low voice, her eyes pleading. "I should at least defend her stance. The people are having some misunderstandings."

"It’s not wise to intervene," Odin insisted. "Focus on the task you’ve come here to accomplish. I’ll go to the palace later and inform Prince Magnus personally about this situation. However, I’m sure these rumors have already reached his ears as well."

Venus hesitated, the urge to defend her sister battling with the practicality of Odin’s words. She glanced at the murmuring crowd, then back at Odin. His eyes held a mixture of concern and determination.

"Fine," she conceded reluctantly. "But this feels wrong."

Odin nodded, understanding her frustration. "I know. But sometimes patience is the better part of valor."

He gently led her away from the crowd, guiding her towards their destination. The bustling noise of the people faded into the background as they walked away from them.

Chapter 274: Don’t lose heart

"You shouldn’t have suddenly brought up the incident between Scarlet and me," Alora said while pouring herself a glass of water. She took a moment to collect her thoughts before continuing, "How could you be so thoughtless sometimes?" She brought the glass to her lips, taking a small sip.

Magnus, unfazed, responded in a stern tone, "I merely wanted to tell her that she should know her limits. She can’t just say anything she pleases."

Alora placed the glass on the table with a soft clink, her expression firm. "But you can’t speak so rudely to your elder brother’s wife," she asserted. "Scarlet was upset because Brother Alaric left on their first night. I can’t deny that he left because of me," she added, her voice tinged with guilt. "If I had been in her place—"

He didn’t let her speak as he placed his index finger on her lips. "You would not have said that. You are not like the others. I know this well," Magnus said and lowered his finger slowly.

"Promise me you’ll never speak in such a way with Scarlet," Alora said.

"I promise."

She smiled and hugged him warmly. "I know you carry a deep affection for me. Scarlet had later apologized to me." Pulling away Alora said, "You didn’t see your sister till now." It was a gentle reminder to him that he should visit Lillian once.

"Wait for me here. I’ll be back soon." Magnus strode past and left the chamber.

Upon reaching Lillian’s quarters, he asked a female servant to inform her about his visit. He tapped his foot against the floor when the servant finally returned and told the prince he could go in.

Magnus walked in through the hallway to turn to the drawing chamber, where Lillian was present. She was on her foot and she greeted Magnus in a respectful manner.

"I didn’t anticipate that from you," Magnus said.

Lillian looked at him. "Brother Magnus’s visit was unexpected for me too," she replied and sat after he he settled down on the chair.

"You could have come to see me," Magnus stated.

"I didn’t intend to. I don’t wish to see your wife’s face," Lillian muttered, her voice dripping with disdain.

Magnus felt a surge of irritation at her rude statement. "Why do you speak this way?" he asked, trying to keep his voice calm. He wondered what had happened behind his back. Alora, being the kind person she was, hadn’t shared any of this with him. Not wasting another moment, he focused on delving into Lillian’s mind, trying to understand her hostility.

"You really had the audacity to speak so harshly to Alora! Lucky for you, Lily, I’m in a good mood today, or else I would have put you in the grave for a while," Magnus said, his voice low and menacing. "Lewis, your new love interest, would have been free to marry someone else."

His intimidating words made Lillian’s heart sink. "Brother Magnus, can’t you ever think well of me?" she asked, her frown deepening.

"You force me to think like this," Magnus stated firmly. "Your actions leave me no choice."

"I don’t want to talk to you," Lillian left her seat, ready to leave.

Magnus by then took a control over his anger. "Lillian, have a seat. Let’s not argue today. I forgive you for what you said to Alora," he said. Being a big brother, he felt he should acted like one too.

"Lewis... I know him well. He is a great man. You should trust him," Magnus said.

Lillian promptly turned to him. "Is that true?"

"Why would I lie about a man to you?"

"Lewis went somewhere and Father has refused to tell that. Father says it’s a private matter. Lewis could have at least told me why he has to leave suddenly. He is the one who gave me the hope that I could trust him," Lillian said, feeling down.

"Lewis must have had urgent work that prevented him from sending you a message. He will return soon. Don’t lose heart," Magnus reassured, quickly moving closer to his sister. He gently pulled her cheek, eliciting a glare from Lillian.

"Ahh, Brother! Don’t annoy me more," Lillian shouted, swatting his hand away as Magnus moved back, a slight smirk on his face.

"Don’t blame Alora for anything. I can’t stand it when people blame her for no reason," Magnus said. "She deserves love and kindness, just as she spreads it among everyone. Be a good sister-in-law to her. You’ll be married off soon and leave the palace. At least, make a strong bond with Alora," he suggested, his voice softening as he tried to convey the importance of family and unity.

Lillian’s expression softened as she realized she was at fault. "Forgive me," she apologize.

Magnus’s stern demeanor softened further. "You can apologize to Alora later. And don’t be so anxious. Lewis will cherish you more than anything," he assured her before taking his leave.

This was the first time Magnus had spoken with such gentleness to his younger sister. Normally, their interactions were filled with bickering and sibling rivalry. As he walked through the corridor, his mind lingered on their conversation.

His attention was drawn to the garden outside, where vibrant flowers bloomed in the sunlight. Among them, the roses stood out, their beauty captivating him. On a whim, he stopped a passing servant. "Bring me a rose," he instructed.

The servant complied promptly, carefully selecting a perfect rose and handing it to Magnus. He took the rose, inhaling its delicate fragrance. The scent was soothing, and he smiled as he noticed the water droplets on its petals, reflecting his image. It was a moment of serene beauty that he wanted to share.

With the rose in hand, Magnus continued his walk to his quarters. As he approached the door, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. Entering the room, he found Alora’s back was facing him. She was looking outside the giant window.

"Alora!" He called out her name and she turned around.

Chapter 275: Believe in your father

Tucking the rose delicately between Alora’s hair strands, Magnus secured it with a tiny, ornate clip. His hand lingered for a moment before he slowly lowered it, his eyes softening as he looked at her.

Alora’s gaze was fixed at him, silently admiring his focused expression. Their eyes met, and Magnus found himself captivated by her large, doe-like eyes, filled with unspoken feelings.

"Your Highness," Alora began suddenly, her voice breaking the quiet spell between them. "I heard something troubling from Selvina."

"Hmm? What was it?" he asked gently.

"Qasima has killed three more humans," Alora said, her voice tinged with deep concern. "She won’t stop, and innocent lives will continue to be lost. We must do something, don’t you think?" she suggested.

At that moment, a firm knock resonated through the bedroom door before it creaked open. Tobias stepped in, his demeanor serious and composed. "Pardon me for intruding, but His Majesty requests the presence of you both immediately," he announced.

Magnus and Alora exchanged a quick, concerned glance. Without a word, they made their way towards the King’s chambers, with Tobias following closely behind. As they walked briskly through the castle’s stone corridors, Tobias began to explain the situation.

"Qasima hasn’t stopped yet. She again has killed three humans last night. Those were from a village within the Capital."

Magnus’s lips twitched because Qasima was trying everything to bring Alora to her. There were still 13 more days for the rare astronomical event to happen on which Qasima had decided to perform the witchcraft.

Entering the private hall, they found King Esmond surrounded by the elders and his two sons. Magnus and Alora approached the King and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty," they greeted in unison, and lifted their heads.

"Have you two heard about the recent casualties that occurred?" King Esmond inquired.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Tobias has informed us about it," Magnus stated.

"There’s something more," King Esmond glanced at his personal attendant, who was quick to hand the note to Magnus. "Qasima is in Velaris. This note we found at the capital’s gates early in the morning," he pronounced.

Magnus read it and furrowed his brows together.

"It is the time to take an action. The Council and I have decided that Princess Alora should go to this place, where Qasima desires to see her," King Esmond stated.

"Father, we can’t do anything in rush," Magnus said.

"Prince Magnus has no idea what kinds of gossips are going around in the capital," said William, the First Elder. "He should go out and explore. Everyone is scared of Qasima. No one knows whom she will target next. What if it’s Princess Alora’s own family tomorrow? Will Prince Magnus answer be the same?" His questions pierced like sharp needles.

"Everyone knows that Alora’s eyes are magical instead of being the curse. There’s nothing to fear, Magnus. We will also surround that place. We will not let anything happen to Alora," King Esmond affirmed, shifting his gaze to Alora, who was silently listening.

"Qasima has demanded Princess Alora to come thirteen days later at the mentioned spot in the note," said, Bernard, the Second Elder. "We have enough time to prepare for that. However, to stop the casualties, Qasima has demanded a meeting with your wife, Prince Magnus."

Alora gazed at her husband, wondering what her decision would be. She didn’t wish to upset him by speaking which he felt wasn’t right.

"Let’s modify the condition. Qasima has to see me before meeting my wife," Magnus said firmly.

King Esmond’s brows furrowed in disapproval. "That won’t be wise," he replied, his tone carrying a hint of warning.

Magnus straightened his posture, looking directly at his father. "I’ve met Qasima already, Your Majesty," he stated confidently. "She has come to see me. If she wants to see Alora in a blindfold, she has to go through me first. That’s my condition to her."

King Esmond’s frown deepened as he scrutinized his son. "Why did you not tell me about this?" he demanded with an irritated tone.

Magnus took a deep breath, meeting his father’s gaze without flinching. "Father, I believed I would discuss it later," he answered. "I wanted to handle the situation personally before bringing it to your attention."

"Did she say something to Prince Magnus? I’m sure she had a message for you," King Esmond probed further.

"Qasima wanted to scare me. She will regain her entire power after thirteen days because a rare event, the formation of the five stars, will occur," Magnus explained in a steady voice. "However, it will happen only if she gets Alora’s blood."

King Esmond’s expression grew grave. He was well aware that Alora had met the Lunar God, who had revealed to her that only she could take down Qasima.

"But... How are we supposed to relay Prince Magnus’s message to her?" William asked, his tone laced with worry.

"The Head Witch Gloria will do that," Izaak opined as he rose from his place.

"Witches can communicate with each other through a ritual. We can’t let Qasima show that we are weaker than her. She is the supreme. Because if that happens, Qasima’s demands will keep growing. It’s not hidden from anyone if Qasima was strong enough, she had come directly for Alora instead of threatening and playing games with us," he elaborated.

"Hmm." King Esmond contemplated for a while while the Elders exchanged glances with each other.

"Qasima may not hold power above us, but she is ready to kill the innocents anytime, anywhere. I believe she will get angry and may take more lives," said, Xavier, the third elder this time, anxiously stating out his worry.

"I have taken my decision," King Esmond stated, causing everyone to be quiet. "Alora will meet Qasima," he announced. "Everyone is dismissed because I want to talk in private with Princess Alora," he added.

Magnus frowned to hear his father. He was about to object against it when Alora held his hand. "Believe in your father," she suggested.