Tobias and Cecilia were shocked to hear him. For the past two hundred years, Magnus never once thought of returning to the palace, where his family lived.
“Did I hear right? Are we heading to the Palace of Velaris?” Tobias asked to confirm.
“Yes, you heard right,” Magnus stated. “Alora, your father should not have awakened the angry me. When I asked your family to come here, then they should have,” he muttered, his insides were burning with the rage.
Now, until he would see Norman on his knees, begging for his life, Magnus would not stay quiet.
“Prepare my return to the palace,” Magnus ordered Tobias, who bowed and left with Cecilia.
Alora stood up from her place and got on her knees. Lowering her head, she pleaded with the Vampire Prince. “I beg for His Highness’s mercy. Please don’t do anything to him. It’s my sister’s marriage in a week.” Tears welled up in her eyes as she feared that because of her, Venus’s life might get destroyed.
“Why shall I care about that?” Magnus asked her.
“Because I am the cause of all this. Had I died that day, it would not have happened,” Alora remarked. A tear drop fell on the back of her palm, which was on her knee.
Magnus’s jaw tightened to hear that. “Perhaps our meet was destined,” he muttered. “What Norman did was something a human shouldn’t, especially when a vampire prince has sent a summon to him. Moreover, your family doesn’t care if you live or die. So, you shall also not care whether they live or die,” he pronounced with a stern tone.
“Your Highness, I cannot be an emotionless person. As I said earlier too I’m a human with emotions. I’ll do anything for the Vampire Prince, but please don’t touch my family. I cannot see them suffer,” Alora requested while controlling her ears.
Like a gush of cold wind, Magnus appeared before her and pulled her up. He held Alora’s chin and said, “Stop crying for your father. He doesn’t even deserve your tears. You taunt me and call me emotionless, but I’m sane enough to know the right and wrong.”
Alora swallowed the lump formed in her throat and sniffled. “I understand,” she said. “Can Your Highness promise me not to harm my family? Please,” she begged with her eyes this time.
Magnus chuckled and let go of her chin. “What will you give me if I promise you that?” he arched his eyebrow.
“I’ve nothing precious with me,” Alora said as she lowered her gaze.
“Well, you are precious,” Magnus said.
Alora met his gaze again, feeling better to hear that.
“Don’t beg me to forgive others. It makes me madder,” Magnus pronounced as his eyes shone red for a moment.
“It is my father, Your Highness. I cannot let him be punished. He must have acted out of frustration since my sister’s marriage is near,” Alora explained.
“That’s why his mouth needs to be shut. The privilege I’ve given you is different. You can ask anything for yourself but not for the others,” Magnus clarified to her and he placed his index finger above her lips. “I don’t wish to hear another word from your mouth,” he warned her.
Alora turned silent. She didn’t wish to infuriate Magnus. She had no idea why her father had to anger Magnus like this. “Can I talk to Odin once, Your Highness?” she requested.
“Why?” Magnus knitted his brows.
“I wish to hear from him what exactly happened at my house. If His Highness allows,” Alora politely said. She kept her gaze low, waiting patiently for Magnus’s response.
“Odin is outside. You can talk to him later,” Magnus replied and returned to his seat. He was frustrated, but taking out that anger on Alora was of no use.
“Go back to your chamber,” Magnus said.
“It is difficult to walk with my blindfold on, Your Highness,” Alora reminded him in a low voice.
“You make me work unnecessarily,” Magnus sighed and held her hand. “Let’s go,” he said, and began walking while dragging Alora along with him. “Also, you’ll learn how to read and write soon. It will help me in the future,” he added.
Alora couldn’t eat well since the moment she learned about the message from her father. It hurt her even more that her father didn’t care for her. She truly wanted to feel a father’s love, but it felt she would never get one at least in this life.
She was standing near the balustrade, looking at the vast expense of hills far from her.
“What have you been thinking?” Magnus asked as he stopped next to her.
Alora tilted her head to gaze at him as he forward a big round candy to her. “Kids like this, so I bought one for you,” he said. She glanced at it and then at Magnus.
“Oh, I’m not a kid, Your Highness,” Alora said as she extended her hand to take the candy from him. However, Magnus pulled his hand back.
“Then, I must throw it away,” Magnus replied.
“No!” Alora was quick this time and took the candy from him. It was in jelly form, so was easy to chew and eat.
“Kids eat candies,” Magnus remarked, causing Alora to stop momentarily. The amusing smile graced his lips. “You are going to live with me in Velaris,” he revealed to her.
“What!?” Alora exclaimed and gazed at him. “I thought His Highness will send me home,” she said.
“Didn’t you choose me over your family?” Magnus inquired.
“Yes, I did but then, I thought I am supposed to live here,” Alora replied and lowered her eyes. She ate the remaining candy and looked at the thin stick left behind.
“Where I will live, you will live,” Magnus asserted.
“Will the palace allow a human to stay near the Vampire Prince?” She was doubtful about it. She knew the vampires did not have special liking toward the humans.
“I think if I’ll abandon you, everyone will. How long do you think your mother will live? Humans have a definite period to live. Once she leaves the world, your own family is going to neglect you pretty badly. And I don’t wish my cherished human to be neglected,” Magnus affirmed.
Alora felt strange to hear those words, but it was true. Her mother would not be with her all the time. She could not be burden to anyone around her, especially her family, who were frustrated because of her.
“Do you wish to go out?” Magnus questioned her.
“Yes. I wish to see the garden if His Highness allows,” Alora answered.
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.