“Doesn’t His Highness feel bad for not tasting food?” Alora asked.
“Why should I feel bad?” Magnus arched his eyebrow at her.
“Uh… Because…” Alora couldn’t understand what to say further. She turned quiet and silently had her meals. After having the heart-felt meal, she felt happier. Dabbing the napkin across her lips, she drank the water.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for providing me the meals,” Alora said with a tiny smile.
Magnus left his seat and asked her to follow him. Alora quickly ran after him and stood close to him. “So, what are your plans after your father comes here?” he inquired as they reached the lounge area.
“Again, you are silent,” Magnus chuckled and quickly sat on the comfortable sofa.
“Your Highness, can I trust you?” Alora questioned.
“Trust me with?” Magnus gestured to her to sit.
“If I tell the truth to His Highness, then he shall keep it a secret. I don’t wish people to talk badly about my family,” Alora stated while fidgeting with her fingers.
“It’s up to you to trust me.” Magnus wanted her to decide.
“Because of me, my entire family has suffered. I don’t wish to return to the capital. My grandmother doesn’t like me at all. I hardly received love from my father. Even my siblings never talked to me. They have always stayed away from me. I understand I’m cursed and that’s why they have this hatred toward me,” Alora expressed her thoughts to him.
She could never get a chance to speak all this with anyone. In fact, there was none around her who could hear her. Although her mother always was there, Alora didn’t wish to trouble her.
“You are not cursed. I believe you have some strange supernatural strength. Humans are like this. If your powers not being destructive, then they would have worshipped you. Since your eyes burn people into ashes, they hate you. Strange humans!” Magnus remarked as he snickered.
Alora stopped blinking to hear his words. Magnus was the only person, who didn’t call her cursed. Instead, he showed a very different perspective. She was overwhelmed with the emotions and lowered her eyes again.
“Your Highness is so kind,” Alora said and tears fell from her eyes.
Magnus didn’t expect her to call him kind. “I’m not kind. I’m the most vicious creature in the kingdom,” he reminded her.
Alora looked into his red eyes. “Not for me. Your Highness is indeed very kind.” She wiped the tears from her cheeks. Her nose and cheeks turned red in just a mere seconds of crying.
“Do you understand what you are choosing, Alora?” Magnus asked her. “You are choosing a vampire over your family. Do you really wish to live with me? Once you say yes, there’s no turning back. All your life, you’ll be with me,” he affirmed while waiting for her answer.
Alora fidgeted with her fingers as she contemplated. “I have no problem living with Your Highness. I want my family to be happy and their happiness is my disappearance from their lives,” she pronounced and gazed into his eyes. “I am willing to live here with His Highness,” she announced her decision to him.
Magnus smirked, his eyes glistened and he said, “Alora, you have made the worst mistake of your life.”
Alora peered at Magnus due to his weird response. “Worst mistake? Why?” she queried.
“Think,” Magnus replied.
Alora pursed her lips together and knitted her brows together. She couldn’t think of any reason why the Vampire Prince said that to her. She lifted her eyes again. “Why doesn’t Your Highness tell me?” she humbly requested.
“Think hard. I have some work outside, so I’ll see you later.” Magnus rose to his feet, ready to leave when Alora asked him to take her to the chamber, where she was supposed to stay.
“Are you giving an order to me?” Magnus cocked his eyebrow.
Promptly Alora stood up. “No. I don’t dare to do that. I requested to Your Highness,” she murmured and then forwarded her hand. “I need my blindfold. I’ll ask someone else outside to help me,” she stated.
Magnus took hold of her hand instead of offering her the blindfold, pulling her closer until she almost brushed against his clothed chest. Her heart raced instantly as her gaze locked with his.
“Was there no one who sought to marry you?” Magnus asked abruptly.
“No. Why does His Highness inquire?” Alora responded.
“Because I have something on my mind,” Magnus revealed.
“What is it?” Alora asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
“I’ll tell you later. Let me take you to your chamber. Your lunch meal be provided to you on time. Also, if anyone mistreats you, you’ve to tell me. Don’t keep it inside you,” Magnus said and pivoted on his heels. They both began walking while Alora locked her gaze on their hands.
She then glanced at his back and smiled. ‘He is such a nice man, better than humans. I was so wrong about vampires,’ she thought in her mind. Alora wondered if he would not feed on her, then what else she could provide to him. He already had everything, she realized.
Soon, she reached her chamber and Magnus let go of her hand. The coldness on her hand vanished instantly and she peered at him.
“Here’s the blindfold,” Magnus said and placed it in her hand.
“Thank you,” Alora said. She felt his fingers brushing her hair back. ‘He is a caring person too,’ she thought.
“If anyone troubles you, burn him or her. You should enjoy your power a bit,” Magnus suggested with a smile as he dropped his hand down.
“Taking someone’s life isn’t a play,” Alora remarked.
“Hearing bad remarks about yourself isn’t a play either. If I had your eyes, I would have forced others to keep their eyes down,” Magnus stated and left her sight.
Alora watched him leave and smiled. “I wish my family had the same thoughts as the Vampire Prince,” she murmured and walked inside.
*****
Norman was quite happy since Venus’s marriage was finally fixed. Madam Aubrey distributed the sweets and gifts in the entire capital on this occasion. Lady Rhea just entered the seating area with a bright smile on her face.
“Once Venus is married, then we can bring our Alora back,” Rhea stated.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.