Magnus guided her to the riverbank, helping her climb onto the ground first. Once he emerged from the water, he gently patted Alora’s back as she coughed.
“I thought we might drown,” Alora admitted, wiping her face with her hand, still shaken from the experience.
“We are fine. The current wasn’t too strong,” Magnus reassured her. He then took off his waistcoat and draped it around Alora’s shoulders before carrying her up in his arms.
Leading Alora to the room, Magnus settled her close to the fireplace for warmth. “I’ll change first,” she said, excusing herself to the dressing room.
Magnus, too, decided to change and after a while, he entered the room. Alora was seated in front of the fireplace. He sat next to her and asked, “I destroyed the fun by falling into the water.”
She rubbed her hands together after taking the heat from the fireplace and placed her hands on Magnus’s hands to warm them. “I was scared for a moment,” she mumbled.
Magnus held her hands as he saw them trembling. “Do you have a fear of water?” he asked, peering into her eyes.
“Yes. Once I went out with my mother to her maternal home. A large pond was present at that place. I was standing by its side when someone pushed me into the pond. Since then, I slightly fear the water. I didn’t anticipate of falling in the river,” Alora shared a memory from her childhood with him.
Magnus finally recalled when he saw Alora in her childhood. She cried for help and because he was passing by the same region, he ended up hearing her voice.
“Alora, you were 12 or 13 at that time, weren’t you?” Magnus asked her.
“Yes, I was,” Alora replied. “Why do you ask?” she queried.
“I recalled where we both met for the first time. I heard a girl shouting for help. I happened to pass by that route. I heard your voice and I asked the chauffeur to stop the carriage. I followed your voice and pulled you out of the water. You did look at me, but you fainted the next moment,” Magnus briefed her about the vivid memory, which suddenly appeared in his mind.
Alora knitted her brows together and recalled how she saw a man, but it was blurred. “So, you saved my life twice,” Alora said with a smile.
“Yes,” Magnus nodded, reflecting on the events. “As I think about it now, it does seem like destiny. Your voice reached me that day. You were always meant to be my bride,” he expressed, feeling a sense of joy.
“I’m suddenly feeling nostalgic, Magnus. I’m grateful I found you that night too,” Alora asserted.
“Me too,” Magnus affirmed as he side-hugged her.
“Brother Izaak, will you come with us to the market?” Alora asked, keeping her gaze low. “Magnus told me that you were upset and I shouldn’t disturb you. However, I don’t want you to remain confined in the room. You should enjoy outside,” she asserted.
“Why is Magnus taking you out? Only vampires are there. You may get uncomfortable,” Izaak stated in a cold tone. He lowered the wine glass and told Alora to stay in the cottage.
She pouted, her lips forming a delicate frown. “I’m married to a vampire. Why can’t they just accept it?” she muttered before turning to leave.
“Magnus always prioritizes Alora, yet he doesn’t hesitate to take her to such events,” remarked Izaak, downing the last of his wine and placing the glass on the table. With that, he strode out of the room towards the drawing room.
“Are you planning to join us?” Magnus inquired of Izaak.
“Hmm. You two are naive; you might stumble into danger. I need to come along to watch over both of you,” replied Izaak with a hint of sarcasm.
Rolling his eyes, Magnus requested his brother to refrain from mocking him, at the very least.
“I’m not naive either,” Alora said.
“Really?” The two brothers pronounced at the same time.
Magnus held her hand and walked out with her, followed by Izaak. While the former two sat in one carriage, the latter took a separate carriage.
“Magnus, you were right. Prince Izaak didn’t look in a good state. I didn’t pry in his personal life thinking he may get angry,” Alora said.
“That’s better,” Magnus said.
“Your Highness, what does this festival hold? What kind of celebration this usually is?” Alora’s curious gaze locked with his.
“A folklore event and an act will be there. Vampires will celebrate drinking blood. You may be thinking why I am willing to take you to such a festival. I want my wife to be recognized even in the vampire society. I want them to see you as respect and acknowledge that a human can be a part of us,” he proclaimed.
Alora smiled to hear his thoughts. “How should I thank you, Magnus?” she asked.
“Why do you want to thank me? Aren’t we supposed to support each other this way?” Magnus remarked. “All you need to do is voice your opinions. I love the fierce side of Alora. You don’t need to fear anyone, especially when you have such powerful eyes,” he again reminded her.
“Hmm. I will do my best to become a better version of myself,” Alora pronounced, smiling at him.
As the carriage sped up, their journey came to an end soon. Alora stepped out of the carriage, holding Magnus’s hand. Her eyes looked at the bustling street ahead and a smile carved on her lips.
“Alora should wear the blindfold. What if she looks at anyone here and…” Izaak’s words trailed off as Magnus glared at him. “I know she has chosen not to wear it again, but tonight she has to,” he advised, showing the blindfold to Alora.
Alora took it from him and said, “I may not be able to see my surroundings then, Brother Izaak. Then, how will I enjoy it? I swear I won’t look at anyone.”
Izaak took the blindfold from her and walked ahead of them. Magnus and Alora exchanged glances with each other before walking behind him.
“Alora, shall we check your eyes?” Magnus randomly asked her a query.
“Huh? How?” Alora inquired.
“None knows who you are. Why don’t you make eye contact with anyone?” Magnus whispered close to her ear. “The person thinks wrong about you only when he knows your identity,” he added.
“And what if I end up hurting the person?” Alora questioned him.
“You won’t, as per Stella,” Magnus replied.
“I’m not sure of trying anything now.” Alora showed her hesitation.
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.