Alora sat close to the fireplace since she was a little cold. Because of the mountains, the temperature here was low. “Magnus, come here,” she invited him to join her.
He sat next to her on the chaise and moved his hands to her neck to remove the cloak. As Magnus put it aside, he caressed her hair when some of them entangled in her earring. He was gentle in freeing the hair from the earring.
Suddenly, Alora placed her hands on his cold cheeks after getting the warmth from the fireplace heat and smiled.
“What are you doing?” Magnus was amused by her reaction.
“Keeping you warm,” Alora replied. “You cannot get sick,” she murmured.
“I don’t get sick,” Magnus answered.
“Really?” Alora pulled away her hands.
He caught her hands, placing them back on her cheeks. “But I like it,” Magnus huskily whispered. He peered into her eyes affectionately and then, her lips. Before he could press his lips, Alora put her finger on his lips.
“I need to use the washroom,” she said and left her seat.
Magnus chuckled as she walked away without letting him taste her lips. A knock occurred on the door, and he asked the servant to come in.
“Your Highness, dinner will be served in the dining room adjacent to this one,” the servant informed Magnus.
“Very well, make it swift. And what’s for dessert?” Magnus inquired, rising from his seat to approach the servant.
“A chocolate strawberry pie awaits, Your Highness,” the servant replied with deference.
“Thank you. You may go,” Magnus dismissed the servant, closing the door behind them. Settling onto the chaise near the fireplace, he smiled to himself, content in his solitude.
When Alora exited the washroom after changing into a fine nightgown, she spotted Magnus seated on the chaise. His eyes also met hers as he rose from his seat.
Holding her hand, he took Alora to the adjacent room. “The dinner is already set. I hope you’ll enjoy it,” he said, making Alora sit on the chair.
As Alora ate quietly, she suddenly spoke, “I hope my mother isn’t troubled. I broke the relationship with my family.”
“Your mother wants your happiness. She won’t mind it,” Magnus said.
Alora chewed slowly and hummed at him. “I hope Mother stays happy too,” she murmured. She was aware of how her father always scolded her mother for giving birth to Alora. He might have nitpicked yesterday’s matter and blamed Rhea for it.
“Your father won’t dare to trouble your mother,” Magnus responded to her after hearing her thoughts.
Alora locked eyes with him, her expression curious. “What did His Highness do?” she inquired.
“Norman may risk his rank if he ever disgraces you and your mother,” Magnus responded, opting not to delve into specifics.
“How would His Highness even know?” Alora pressed, growing more intrigued.
“I have my ways,” Magnus replied cryptically. He asked Alora if she should not think about that anymore and focus on enjoying the time in Shadowbrook.
*****
In the middle of the night, Magnus came downstairs, as his sleep abruptly broke. He went to the old library, which was situated pretty far from the cottage. It used to be open all day and night for a very long time. The old library consisted of books even before the time of his birth, so Magnus felt he might find any book, which could help him find out about Alora’s eyes.
The young librarian welcomed Magnus as he entered through the door, but he couldn’t recognize the prince.
“I have never seen him before,” the young vampire whispered.
“He is Prince Magnus,” Griffin replied him and went ahead.
“Why did you follow me, Griffin? Shouldn’t you be resting?” Magnus asked as he looked at the old books on the shelves.
“I couldn’t sleep,” Griffin said and randomly took out a book.
He placed it on the wooden counter made just below the shelf and opened it. “The last I opened a book was thirty-four years ago,” Griffin murmured. “I think we can find out about Princess Alora’s eyes in the spells. Who knows that woman was a witch and Gloria lied to you? We cannot trust the witches,” he proclaimed.
“Gloria didn’t lie. I could read her thoughts clearly,” Magnus answered. He crossed his arms across his chest and let Griffin do his work.
“Is the Prince looking for an old spell book?” The same young librarian asked. “I am Carin, Your Highness,” he bowed and told Magnus he would bring some old books on the spells.
“I didn’t ask you to do it,” Magnus said, making Carin halt at his steps. “What do you want?” he asked.
Carin turned to glance at Magnus. “I want nothing. I thought to help His Highness. Because it was my first time seeing the prince, I got excited,” he muttered.
“Learn to speak less in front of me, Carin,” Magnus stated.
Griffin rolled his eyes as he realized his friend’s tone with the other people hadn’t changed much.
“Forgive me, Your Highness,” Carin lowered his eyes.
“Bring the books,” Magnus instructed him, bringing a glint in Carin’s eyes. He left to bring the ancient spell books.
Magnus flipped the pages of the book, which Griffin had opened. His eyes scanned the pages quickly, but he didn’t find anything useful in that.
He closed it and said, “Gloria must have known such a spell if existed. It must be something beyond our imagination.”
“Gloria is not old enough,” Griffin opined.
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.