Ch. 91..95: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 91-95

Chapter 91: Got carried away

Magnus has finished all six books, except for the last one. He did some neck exercises because he was tired now. Carin quickly rushed to Magnus and started massaging his shoulders.

"Your Highness, let me make you feel good," Carin said.

Griffin ended up laughing as he glanced at Magnus.

"Stop!" Magnus said. However, Carin didn’t as he was engrossed in massaging his shoulders. The prince left his seat in a swift motion, his hand moved to Carin’s throat and he pinned him to the wall.

"Your Highness, please spare me," Carin urged. Now, Griffin had left his seat as well and he requested Magnus to calm down. Magnus pulled his hand back from Carin’s neck.

He breathed heavily, thanking Magnus for sparing his life.

"You aren’t supposed to do anything without my permission. Also, you need to watch your tongue," Magnus stated. He picked up the last spell book, "I think I’ll read this at my place."

Carin apologized for being overly excited to see the prince. "My intentions weren’t wrong," he murmured.

"I don’t like being touched. Do you understand?" Magnus sternly told him and held the book. "Take this from me tomorrow in the evening. Griffin will tell you the address," he stated and walked out of the library.

Griffin followed him shortly to the carriage and they left for the cottage. They arrived at the cottage soon. Griffin retired to bed while Magnus went upstairs. Quietly, he entered the room, put the book inside the drawer of the bedside table, and then, went to bed.

Magnus nestled closer to Alora and soon drifted off to sleep.

Upon awakening in the morning, he found the bed empty, but the scent of Alora’s blood lingering in the air indicated she was in the bathhouse. Magnus rose from the bed, refreshed himself, and returned to the room to find Alora arranging flowers in a vase.

"Good morning," she greeted him warmly with a smile.

"Morning." Magnus walked to her and kissed her lips. "How did you get the flowers?" He asked.

"I went to the garden. Aren’t these tulips beautiful?" Alora touched their petals.

"They are, but not more than you," Magnus remarked.

Alora shook her head in refusal. "That’s not true."

"It is," he stressed. He ducked his head to her neck and planted a kiss on her sweet spot. "Your mere sight please me," he whispered, bringing his face to her front.

"Let’s go out for a walk," Alora suggested to him.

"What about breakfast?" Magnus inquired.

"I’ll have it later; not feeling hungry," Alora stated. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"Not really," Magnus replied.

"In that case, let’s go to the riverside. I saw it from the balcony earlier, and it looks stunning. Being closer to it might lift my spirits more. I’ve never seen a river before, and it seems to originate from the mountains afar," Alora said eagerly as she headed towards the door.

Magnus followed her, urging her to descend the stairs slowly. However, Alora’s excitement got the better of her, causing her to run down the steps until her foot twisted, and she tumbled. Just in time, Magnus intervened, swiftly catching her and wrapping his arms around her waist to steady her fall.

Alora breathed a sigh of relief as Magnus saved her from a potential injury. With a grateful smile, she thanked him for his quick reflexes.

"Didn’t I tell you to take it slow?" Magnus scolded gently as he helped her stand upright.

"I got carried away," Alora murmured softly, feeling sheepish.

"Control your excitement," Magnus advised with a hint of concern in his tone. He kept his hold on her hand firm and took her outside.

"I didn’t see anyone around, Magnus. It feels like everyone is avoiding me," Alora complained.

"No one is intentionally avoiding you. Brother Izaak isn’t in the cottage; he probably went to visit some noble families he knows in the area," Magnus reassured her, trying to dispel her concerns. "While Griffin is still in bed. Since I wanted minimal interference, I did ask Louis to not allow many servants in the cottage," he added.

"Hmm. Does Prince Magnus not know any nobles here?" Alora was curious to know.

"I don’t talk much. Also, I’m here to spend time with you, not the otherwise," he reminded her.

"Then, why doesn’t His Highness catch me first?" Alora let go of his hand and started running.

She abruptly came to a halt when Magnus appeared in front of her.

"That’s cheating. You are using your vampiric strength!" Alora protested and asked him to stay there until she was twenty meters away from him.

"What? Isn’t that cheating too?" Magnus asked.

"It is a penalty for the cheating you did a moment ago," Alora said and ran ahead of him. She turned to check how far he was from her and then loudly said, "Now, Prince Magnus should catch me. He should run normally."

Magnus shook his head and then, ran after her. Even at his normal speed, Alora found he was much faster. It seemed it was her free-falling day. This time her heel hit a huge pebble in the grass and she ended up screaming.

However, instead of landing on the ground, she found herself on something softer. It was Magnus, who took the impact of the fall and they both were now on the ground.

"I caught you," Magnus said with a smile, hiding the slightest pain he got from the fall.

"That’s cheating though," Alora said as she lifted her head from his chest.

"How? You didn’t say that I cannot catch you if you fall," he opined. "And I would not have let you get harmed by falling down."

Alora laughed lightly and tried to get away from him when he pulled her back. "Stay like this," he said, peering into her eyes affectionately.

"Someone will see us," Alora whispered.

"No one is around," Magnus replied.

"How does His Highness know? I’ll beat you if someone sees us like this," Alora muttered.

"Alright," Magnus accepted her challenge. "Oh, no! Louis has come," he pronounced.

Chapter 92: I lost my interest

Alora swiftly moved away from Magnus as she sat on the ground while stroking her hair. "Did Louis see us?" She asked as she didn’t raise her head. "Your Highness, please sit up. You cannot lay like that," she tapped on his hand.

Magnus leisurely rested his weight on his elbow before sitting up close to her. His right knee remained in the air while the left one lay flatly against the ground.

"Alora," Magnus called out her name.

"Huh?" She tilted her head when he promptly kissed her lips.

"Louis saw us. What will you do now?" He amusedly teased her.

"You are shameless," Alora retorted and raised her eyes while squinting her eyes to look for Louis. To her surprise, she couldn’t get his sight. "Did you lie to me?" She complained, realizing how Magnus deceived her.

Before she could rise, Magnus draped his arm over her shoulder and rested his chin on her other shoulder, drawing her close.

"I caught you fair and square. Don’t I deserve a reward?" Magnus teased, toying with the loose strands of her hair.

"Why should I reward you when you cheated?" Alora countered, her tone firm.

"Would you rather I let you fall then?" Magnus queried, raising an eyebrow.

"No," Alora refused, shaking her head. Suddenly a cool breeze blew, causing her hair to flow with that. Her blood scent turned dominant with it, making Magnus crave it. He licked his lips, wondering why only she had such an effect on him.

"Look at the hill over there. Its top is shrouded in clouds," Alora pointed her finger northwestward. "How long do you think it would take to reach there?" She looked at Magnus expectantly.

"I’d say several days if you’re human," Magnus replied thoughtfully.

He rose to his feet and offered his hand to Alora. She accepted it, allowing him to pull her up. Magnus brushed off the soil and tiny grass clinging to her gown from his hands.

"Thank you," Alora expressed her gratitude.

Walking with her hands behind her back, Alora said, "Magnus, I wanted to ask about the Vampire Council from you."

"Why do you ask about the council suddenly?" Magnus questioned.

"I learned that the council has lots of responsibilities. Also, I heard that Prince Magnus used to work in it once. He was popular for his quick dismissal of the particular case after solving them," Alora asserted. "Why did you suddenly stop working on it?"

"Who told you about all this?" Magnus knew Izaak would not speak about council with Alora.

"Selvina," Alora answered. "I asked her," she added.

"I lost my interest," Magnus replied.

"Why? Doesn’t the council work seem fun? You get to see new cases every day and then, you brainstorm to resolve them," Alora asserted, the excitement was visible in her eyes.

"Why does it seem like you’re eager to join the council?" Magnus teased lightly.

"Can I?" Alora inquired, coming to a stop.

Magnus paused a step ahead of her. "You can’t. Humans are strictly prohibited from entering the council," he declared firmly.

Alora got upset to learn that. "Why? Humans are intelligent too," she stated.

"Because humans cannot work on vampire-related matters. They cannot go into such investigations. Do you understand now?" Magnus queried. He didn’t know why Alora suddenly took interest in that.

"Oh? So, I need to become a vampire to join the council," Alora mused.

"What did you just say?" Magnus chuckled, amused by her statement.

"Well, I said I’d become a vampire to enter the council," Alora clarified.

"And who exactly do you think will turn you into a vampire?" Magnus raised an eyebrow, amused by Alora’s boldness.

"You," Alora replied with a hint of mischief in her tone.

"Never. You will live as a human till the end," Magnus said and he took a step closer to her. "You aren’t going to suffer like we do," he stated.

"But His Highness said that a vampire has no suffering when the first time I asked her," Alora reminded him.

"I lied," Magnus said and turned to go ahead of her.

Alora ran after him as she caught him. "You didn’t. Your eyes never lie to me," she refused to believe him. "I will not have a long life anyway. His Highness has to turn me into a vampire someday," she suddenly pronounced, bringing them to a halt again. This time Alora stopped a step ahead of him.

"Alora, what’s going on? Why are you speaking like that?" Magnus tried reading her thoughts, but to him, her mind appeared blank. Why? It never happened before.

"Nothing is going on. I’m stating a fact. I can either live 60, 70, or 80 years. After that, I may not live. Then, what will happen to the prince? I’m just thinking a little ahead of our future," Alora affirmed, peering into his eyes.

"I may turn you then. But it’s too early to think about all this. You need to live as a human. Remember, what you said to me the first time we argued about it? You said who would wish to live a long life," Magnus stated.

"But now, the situation has changed. I am now your wife. I know you don’t want me to lose my humanity once I turn into a vampire. But I believe I’ll stay the same Alora," she murmured while thinking about it.

"It doesn’t happen that way, Alora. I’m a born vampire. Those who are turned lose a lot of their emotions. You may not like yourself then. You may always crave blood. You may not enjoy the life after turning. You may miss all this," Magnus explained to her.

Alora hummed as she nodded her head. "You never told me how was your life as a vampire. I would like to know more about you. I hope you tell me what was your childhood and teenage days," she stated.

"I will tell you someday. Come, I’ve to show you a place," Magnus held her hand and took her ahead with him.

Chapter 93: The chosen one by our Lunar God

Alora looked at the rope bridge, which connected the two cliffs. "Are we supposed to walk on this?" Alora asked, peering down from the cliff, her head spinning as she caught Magnus’s arm for support.

"Are you afraid of heights?" Magnus observed her unease.

"Yes, I am," Alora admitted. "Looking at this height, I don’t think I can make it to the other side," she murmured anxiously.

"Then, let’s go back. I thought you were adventurous," Magnus stated and he took Alora back to the route from where they had come.

"We can try walking in that rope bridge," Alora said. She felt Magnus wanted to go to the mysterious place on the other side of the cliff.

"We cannot go to the other side because you are scared. The rope bridge will swing once we start walking on it, you may cry then. Are you sure you want to try it?" Magnus inquired.

"I will. I should overcome my fear. Also, you told me the other side to this is magical," Alora asserted. She turned around and went back to the rope bridge. Magnus followed her closely.

"If we fall, then we both may die," Magnus suddenly told her. Alora’s hands which were on the rope for the support suddenly trembled.

"Are you not strong enough to make us land safely? I thought you were immortal," Alora muttered.

"Anyone who will fall from such a height will not live," Magnus stated. "But no one has fallen from this bridge so far," he added.

"How does His Highness know?" Alora questioned.

"Because this bridge is open to walk," Magnus replied, "there is no signboard that says not to cross this bridge."

"Hmm. Then, we should walk on it. I put my faith in Prince Magnus that he will save us," Alora said and she began walking on it. Magnus followed her closely. Soon, they were on the other side of the bridge and Alora celebrated it as her tiny achievement. The fear inside her heart had disappeared after that.

Magnus caught her hand and said, "You are brave. I thought you would complain in the middle to take you back."

"I thought to end my fear. The air seems different here," Alora noticed as she sensed a strange scent was dissolved in it. However, to Magnus, it was the same. Since Alora was more connected to the earth and her senses were pretty good, perhaps, she felt that way.

As they walked through the narrow pavement, Magnus felt the presence of the werewolf around them. He halted slowly, and so did Alora.

"What happened?" She asked.

"A werewolf is around," Magnus replied.

"What? How? Doesn’t this region belong to the vampires only?" Alora was confused.

Suddenly from behind them, a brown-haired werewolf lunged in their direction. Alora instinctively turned around only to find herself looking into the eyes of the werewolf. But Magnus was quick and he covered Alora’s eyes with his palm. He didn’t wish his wife to blame herself if any kind of mishap would happen.

"It’s a normal wolf, not a werewolf," Magnus told Alora, "my bad! I deduced wrong." He lowered his eyes from her eyes and saw she had shut them close.

"You can open them," Magnus stated.

"I could have burned the wolf," Alora murmured.

"It didn’t happen. I was quick." He stroked her cheek with his palm. Placing his hand on her back, he took Alora ahead with him.

"Alora!" A faint whisper reached her ear and she looked around. Suddenly, she called it was the same voice she used to hear in her dreams, which stopped after she turned eleven.

"The vast forest of Dragon trees is not far from here," Magnus informed her.

Alora didn’t respond to him since those voices were reverberating in her ears. She pulled her hand off his grip, making him look at her in amusement.

"What happened?" As Magnus asked the question, he didn’t get a response. Instead, he felt Alora didn’t listen to him. He called out her name and again, he got no response.

Magnus got worried to witness Alora’s silence. He asked her to stop, but she didn’t. Finally, he stood in her way, blocking her way. His hands moved to her shoulders as he shook her. "Alora!" This time he loudly called out her name.

The faint voices lowered and she looked at Magnus.

"I heard voices. Someone is calling me," Alora replied.

He furrowed his brows, pondering why he was speaking in such a way. He noticed she pointed her finger to the front, telling him they needed to hurry there.

"There are no one here, Alora. I would have sensed," Magnus said.

"No, there is a woman," Alora replied.

Magnus’s concern grew to hear that and he decided to go ahead with Alora. Whatever it was, they would face it together. Finally, the dragon trees were visible to them, and a feminine figure too.

"Who is she?" Magnus was momentarily stunned. As they drew closer, he recalled the sketch of the woman who had encountered Rhea when Alora was still in her womb.

Alora lowered her gaze, concerned that the woman might be in danger. The voices in her ears had ceased, and she instinctively moved closer to Magnus, gripping his hand tightly in fear.

"She is the one, who gave you these eyes," Magnus said, making Alora’s eyes widen.

"Why did you do this to Alora? And who are you?" Magnus finally questioned. Her aura exuded the calmness and a strange sense of peace.

Alora thought to look at the lady.

"I’m one of three Lunar Goddesses, Stella. Look at me, Alora."

Alora raised her head to look at Stella, her eyes suddenly began glowing.

"I know you have a lot of questions from me, Alora. I did the right thing choosing you as the most capable person to carry these eyes," Stella stated.

"These eyes? Why did I get them? I never asked for such eyes," Alora replied.

"Because you were the chosen one by our Lunar God. You need to bring a change, Alora. You never used them for your gain. That’s what makes you a special human," Stella asserted with a tiny smile on her lips.

"Why wasn’t I burned the first time I looked at her?" Magnus asked. "And what she has to change?"

Stella looked at him this time. "Because you never saw her with any ill feelings. Several years ago, you came across Alora and that was the first time, you were chosen by her eyes. Your fate was locked with hers."

Magnus and Alora glanced at each other as they further heard Stella.

"A change in which the three beings be balanced," Stella stated.

"I don’t want to. I want to live normally," Alora affirmed. "I have been hated by my own family. Why didn’t you come and tell them it wasn’t my fault? My father, my grandmother and my siblings all hate me. Please let me live a normal life," Alora requested to the Lunar Goddess.

"That’s what you have to fight for. These eyes will protect you as well," Stella declared with conviction.

"I will do it instead of her. Free her from this," Magnus declared, taking on the responsibility of altering Alora’s fate.

"That’s not possible. Alora will do it. One’s destiny is to be fulfilled by that person only. The other can only help that person, but not take his/her destiny," Stella pronounced.

"Then, why this isn’t told to everyone?" Alora asked.

"They would have made more attempts to kill you, Alora," Stella replied.

"They still want me to die," Alora said.

"Wanting and attempting are two different things. You are not an ordinary human. Keep this in your mind. These eyes can control, can perish, can use magic and everything you desire but for only the good, not for the bad," Stella stated.

"When I born, the midwife and her assistant were perished. Why?" Alora questioned her.

"Because they wanted to kill your mother on your grandmother’s order. Rest you need to find out. My work has ended here. I won’t come back."

Stella smiled as she announced before the voice vanished completely, "The only way to rid yourself of these eyes is to restore balance. No one can take your fate, as that is your destiny to fulfill. Keep this in your mind till the very end."

Alora’s eyes welled up in tears. It was her destiny to carry that fate and come to this place. She realized why she randomly asked to come to this place because the Lunar Goddess wanted to see her.

"I knew you were blessed not cursed," Magnus said. "Stella said you would be normal once you bring the balance," he wanted to make her feel better. Seeing the tears in her eyes made him upset too.

"Isn’t everything balanced?" Alora questioned him.

"No. Vampires are the highest ruling species. We are living a life of immortals. Werewolves and humans don’t go well with each other. Humans aren’t well respected in vampire societies and many more things. I think that’s what Stella talked about. You were given these eyes with a purpose and you can look at everyone, who doesn’t harbor any wrong feelings for you. You are as normal as the others. Only those get perished, who resent you for no reason," Magnus explained to her. His thumbs moved to her cheeks as he wiped the tears from them.

Alora hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I still don’t want to do it," she murmured.

"Let’s enter the council," Magnus suggested. "You need to change your destiny, and we need to start with the vampires, who are adamant about change, unlike the humans," he stated.

Alora pulled away to look at him. She contemplated for a moment. "If this is my destiny to keep carrying such powerful eyes, then I can do nothing, except for what the Lunar God wants. I hope I meet him someday and then, I’ll scold him," she murmured.

Magnus ended up smiling at her remark. He patted her head. "You are amusing," he remarked and pinched her soft cheek. ’Now, Father will apologize to you. I will make him kneel in front of you. I will not let anyone humiliate you anymore.’

Chapter 94: Let them play

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"Can I accompany Prince Izaak to his cottage?" Verena requested, holding a basket in her hand. "I’d like to greet Prince Magnus and Princess Alora," she added humbly.

Izaak glanced at his friend, Darcy Sigrid, who intervened, "Verena, not today."

"Magnus prefers not to have visitors unless he specifically invites them. I’ll need to check with my brother first to see if Miss Verena can visit him," Izaak explained. He was aware that allowing Verena to accompany him could potentially anger Magnus.

"I understand," Verena agreed to the prince’s suggestion. She curtsied to him and walked away.

"Two years ago, when the King requested proposals for Prince Magnus, my father sent one upon Verena’s request," Darcy explained to Izaak.

"Magnus is married now. He’s not interested in any other woman," Izaak clarified to him.

"I’ll talk to Verena regarding this again," Darcy proclaimed. "I don’t understand women like my sister, who are still interested in Prince Magnus," he added.

Izaak laughed lightly at his remark. "I am looking for that answer too. My brother has always been cold to all the women around. He doesn’t even interact with Lillian. Our sister always complains about it," Izaak explained to him. "It would be great if Miss Verena moved on. She has no chance with Magnus. No one has," he stated.

"It’s surprising to find that the woman with cursed eyes could only look into Prince Magnus’s eyes," Darcy remarked in amusement.

"Don’t ever say this before Magnus. Also, Alora isn’t cursed. That woman is magical," Izaak affirmed.

"Really? How?" Darcy questioned.

"If you meet Alora, you will find out," Izaak answered. "I should take my leave. It is already noon," he said and stood up.

Darcy rose from his seat and offered to escort Izaak to the carriage.

"Do come and meet Magnus. He won’t mind your presence," Izaak suggested.

"Of course, Your Highness. Once my work is finished, I’ll come to greet Prince Magnus and Princess Alora," Darcy replied with a smile.

Izaak boarded the coach, and as the coachman closed the door, the carriage set off towards the cottage. Within an hour, Prince Izaak arrived at their destination.

As he stepped out of it, he saw Alora and Magnus chasing each other far in the open field. "Are they kids?" Izaak shook his head and chuckled softly.

"Since when they both are playing like this?" Izaak questioned.

"After having their breakfast," Louis answered. "Your Highness, I never saw Prince Magnus enjoying his life this way. Even when he was young, he would remain aloof from the others," Louis said in his humble tone.

"Let them play," Izaak said and went inside the cottage to rest for some time.

~~~~

"I’m exhausted," Alora admitted, placing her hands on her knees as she caught her breath. Playing games wasn’t something she had ever done in her youth, but she was grateful that Magnus had agreed to play with her.

She stood straight when Magnus lifted her in his arms, thus taking her by surprise. "I can walk," Alora said, locking her eyes around his neck.

"I know you are tired," Magnus said. In mere seconds, they stood in front of the cottage’s entrance. Alora was amazed by his speed, feeling the rush of wind as he moved swiftly.

"That was incredible," Alora complimented him on his agility as she got down from his arms. They both entered the cottage and found the living room empty.

"Go upstairs. I’ll join you in a while," Magnus suggested.

Alora hummed and headed to their bedroom, while Magnus made his way to Izaak’s room. On his way, he encountered Griffin, who had just left his own room. Griffin greeted Magnus, who simply nodded in return.

"Did Prince Magnus find out anything from that book?" Griffin inquired.

"No, I haven’t read it yet," Magnus replied.

"His Highness can hand me the book. I’ll read it," Griffin suggested.

"It’s no longer necessary," Magnus stated.

"Why?" Griffin was astonished as he followed the prince to Izaak’s room.

Magnus knocked on the door and Izaak asked him to come inside. Griffin also followed inside and closed the door behind him.

Izaak was drinking blood and he brought down the glass. "I thought you two would play for some more time," he remarked as he took a few steps away from the window.

"Alora was tired. So, we returned," Magnus said and sat on the chair placed close to the fireplace. "Alora and I met the divine lady," he informed the two of them.

"What? When?" Izaak’s curiosity piqued.

"I thought to take Alora to the dragon trees forest since she wanted to see them. However, a Lunar Goddess was waiting for us there. Her name is Stella, one of the three Lunar Goddesses. She blessed Alora with those eyes because that’s what Lunar God wanted," Magnus briefed them. He then elaborated them the purpose of Alora’s eyes.

"Now, you two won’t share it with any random vampire. Alora is meant to fulfill a task to get rid of those eyes," Magnus asserted as he expected them to help her in that.

"Do you know what a balance means?" Izaak questioned his brother. "Our existence will not be perceived well by the humans. They would like to rule us," he added.

"No. The balance means respect for each other species and including them in administration as well. So far, we are the supreme holders. Humans don’t like us and the same goes with the werewolves. We have the same thoughts toward them," Magnus explained to them.

"No one can harm Princess Alora. That’s a good thing," Griffin interjected, trying to create a lighter atmosphere. "Can I look into her eyes? I never had any wrong feelings about her," he stated.

"You can try. But Alora is still hesitant to do that. I’m unsure whether she would like to look at any of you," Magnus affirmed.

"But I saw a vision, where her mother was perished. Has the future really changed? Do you really think Stella tells you two everything?" Izaak squinted her eyes in suspicion.

 

Chapter 95: Removed from the Chancellor’s position

"Why would a Lunar Goddess lie?" Magnus asked his brother.

"Maybe a condition arises, which can make the vision true," Griffin suggested.

A frown appeared on Magnus’s forehead. He scratched the top of his right eyebrow. "Alora will break down if her mother dies," he stated with a worried tone. "I didn’t get the time to ask Stella everything." As he dropped his hand to his side, he heard Izaak.

"Magnus, ask Alora to check whether her eyes can really perish someone or not. We need to confirm it," Izaak advised him.

"I cannot force Alora," Magnus said.

"Then, let me do it," Izaak opined.

"You will make her upset, Brother. Let her enjoy her time here. I’ll talk to her eventually about it," Magnus said. "Griffin, return the book at the old library," he instructed him.

"How? It is with the Prince," Griffin reminded him.

"Follow me," Magnus said and left for his room.

Griffin stayed outside the room while Magnus went inside to bring the book. Within a few seconds, Magnus came out of the room and handed the book to Griffin. "Also, buy any sweets on your way back," he said.

"Yes, Your Highness," Griffin replied. "I’m hungry, so I’ll have my meal first," he added. Unlike the immortal vampires, Griffin could taste food and even eat it.

"Hmm." Magnus went back to the room and shut the door from inside.

As he finally sat on the bed, he spotted Alora exiting the washroom while drying her face with the towel. As she moved it down, her eyes locked with Magnus’s.

"I feel exhausted now, but I’m hungry too," Alora said. She looked at the table, where already a tray was rested. A bowl was placed above it and she checked what it was.

"Ahh, the berries!" Alora picked up the bowl and came to bed.

"Is Prince Magnus not hungry? I made him run so much," Alora said as she began eating the berries.

"I am not. I had enough blood earlier," Magnus answered.

Alora sat with her legs folded to one side, slowly eating berries. "Why doesn’t Prince Magnus try this once?" She offered a berry to him, moving it towards his mouth. "He might like the taste."

Magnus opened his mouth slightly, and Alora moved her hand close, but withdrew it quickly, eating the berry herself while giggling.

Awestruck by his wife’s smile, Magnus was caught off guard when she repeated the gesture, teasingly denying him the taste of the berry. As she pushed it towards her lips, Magnus seized her wrist. In one swift motion, he drew her close and took a bite, his lips grazing against hers before pulling back.

Alora chewed the remaining half berry as a blush crept on her cheeks till her ears.

"It tastes blend," Magnus remarked, causing Alora to look at him.

"These are sweet," Alora said.

"Not for me," Magnus replied.

"Oh. That’s sad," she murmured. "What about the blood? Does it taste sweet?" She curiously inquired.

"It does," Magnus replied.

"Hmm." Alora realized why he didn’t wish her to turn into a Vampire this early. She would miss everything.

"Your Highness, do you want to taste my blood?" Alora suddenly asked him. "I know we have discussed it many times, but the Lunar Goddess said that I could control you. I mean... there is nothing wrong in trying. You don’t have to hold yourself then," she asserted.

"I appreciate your willingness to let me drink from you. But I don’t want to," Magnus again refused. "I still remember the last time I drank from you. I regretted it," he stated.

Alora put the bowl down and held his hands as she moved closer to him. "Don’t regret it."

"Don’t push me for it. If you fail to control me, I may end up..." He paused, not wanting to finish his words.

"Hmm." Alora gently withdrew her hands from his and resumed eating the berries.

~~~~~

"Mother, will you please stop telling me that I did wrong to Alora? Your dear elder daughter doesn’t care for me a bit. If she had, then she would not have left the capital to spend some time with Prince Magnus," Venus got annoyed by the way her mother kept asking her to apologize to Alora once she returned.

"Venus, she and Prince Magnus told you the truth about Eugene. Yet, you didn’t seem to discuss it with me. Was it all fake when you told me that you always misunderstood Alora?" Rhea asked, looking into her daughter’s eyes.

"Alora never wanted me to be happy. That day, she wanted to break my marriage. She herself got married to a prince while I was wedded to a man who betrayed me. Today, I’m called a widow because of Alora. Mother, why did you never love me the way you love your first daughter?" Venus complained to her.

"You sound like a jealous person. A mother is never biased toward her kids. Stop blaming Alora for your own actions," Rhea stated sternly.

"Then, should I be happy? From the very beginning, I always felt cursed because of Alora’s curse. No one ever wanted me. All happened because my elder sister is Alora. Please never preach about her in front of me," Venus pleaded her mother and asked her to leave.

Before Rhea could further speak, her mother-in-law entered the room. "Don’t trouble Venus," Madam Aubrey told her.

Rhea’s eyes brimmed with tears and she walked away.

"Grandma, why doesn’t Mother see me I’m hurt because of Alora?" Venus complained as she began weeping.

"Rhea has always been protected toward Alora. Don’t mind her. Your father is looking for new proposals for you. Given his rank–"

"Pardon me, Madam, but Sir Norman is removed from the Chancellor’s position," a servant informed them with a fearful tone.

"What did you say?" Madam Aubrey quickly turned around.

"Madam..." The servant couldn’t gather the strength to say it again.

"I think Alora did this. She must have asked Magnus to do it," Venus said with fury.