Norman and Rhea curtsied to Magnus, who asked them to sit.
“Is everything alright, Your Highness?” Norman inquired. They both couldn’t see Alora around, so it troubled them if she did something that Magnus called them suddenly.
“Who cursed Alora and why did it happen?” Magnus didn’t beat around the bush and remained straightforward. “Why doesn’t Mrs. Wilson tell me?” he asked.
“A woman who was a witch came to me when I was in the sixth month of my pregnancy, Your Highness. She asked me if I want my daughter to be protected from the evil eyes. Like every mother, I said yes. She placed her palm against my womb that time and then handed me an apple, asking me to consume it. I did what the witch told me and my Alora’s eyes ended up like that.” Rhea explained as tears escaped her eyes.
Magnus didn’t like tears, so he asked Norman to calm his wife. Now, he contemplated why a witch wanted to protect Alora from the evil eyes. What kind of evil eyes could fall upon Alora if she were normal like the others?
“How did Mrs. Wilson find out that the woman was a witch?” Magnus inquired.
“Only witches perform dark magic. The witch put a curse on Alora, instead of protecting her,” Rhea said with watery eyes.
Magnus frowned upon hearing that. “Does Mrs. Wilson remember her face?” he queried.
“Yes, I do. How can I forget that face?” Rhea wiped the tears from the back of her palms.
“Tobias, go with Mr. and Mrs. Wilson to their homes along with a painter. I need the sketch of the witch, who did all this to Alora,” Magnus instructed. Norman and Rhea exchanged glances, wondering if Magnus would look for a witch.
“Your Highness, can we meet Alora before leaving?” Rhea asked.
“Hmm, you can. Follow me,” Magnus said and rose to his feet. He led their way to the chamber, where Alora was present.
Seeing the prince enter, Claire announced it to Alora, who left her seat.
“Your parents are here,” Magnus informed her and stopped at his place. He slightly turned to gaze at both of them, gesturing for them to go ahead.
“Mother, Father, are you here?” Alora asked.
“Yes, we are,” Rhea answered and approached her daughter soon. She warmly embraced Alora, who hugged her mother back.
“You don’t like your daughter, do you?” Magnus arched his brow at Norman. “It seems you don’t wish your daughter to live,” he asserted.
“That is not true, Your Highness,” Norman refused his claims.
Magnus chuckled. “You are bad at lying. I’m a predator. I wanted to hunt you down, but Alora begged me to spare you. So, be thankful to Alora for being such a kind-hearted daughter. Go ahead and talk to your daughter. Certainly, with love,” he instructed Norman.
Norman nodded and immediately walked to Alora. Magnus’s words brought fear to him and he did what he was told.
Alora was surprised to hear her father’s sweet tone. She had only heard him using such a tone with Venus and Elliot, but not her. This was the first time she heard Norman talking in such a manner with her.
Alora hugged her father tightly since she missed it all this time.
“Your Highness, what is in your mind?” Tobias whispered near Magnus’s ear. “Princess Alora got such eyes for some reason. If anyone had evil eyes on her, would she be safe?”
Magnus knitted his brows together as he contemplated. “A werewolf attack on her way to Elmswood was not an ordinary one. Someone wanted Alora,” he whispered and kept his gaze on Alora, who looked delighted.
***
The character introductions and images are uploaded. I hope you like them.
Alora thanked Magnus for making her meet her parents. “Also, I apologize for the morning. I had no idea His Highness would stay upset with me because I didn’t stop him.”
“Who said I was upset with you?” Magnus looked at the bite spot on her neck. His fingers traced them before walking ahead of her.
“I have to go outside tomorrow for work. I’ll return late,” Magnus replied.
“How late?” Alora inquired as she walked behind him.
“Probably the night,” Magnus answered.
“Oh.”
They both were in the bedchamber, where Magnus settled on the mattress. “I want to clear a few things for you,” he said. “Sit here,” he offered while gesturing to the place next to him.
Alora did what she was told. Magnus placed his arm around her shoulder, and began, “If you make me drink your blood, I’m not going to sleep with you, hug you, and share my thoughts with you. In short, your definition of love won’t be fulfilled.”
She promptly looked at him with a bewildered gaze and a sheer of disappointment. “Can I ask a question?” she queried.
“Yes,” Magnus allowed her.
“Why was His Highness angry at me after drinking from me?”
“Because your blood tastes different. I lose my control. And if that continues to happen, you’ll suffer. What I did for you is totally different from what you desire to offer me. Do you get it?” Magnus asked, his tone was soft.
“I understand,” Alora replied.
Magnus patted her head and kissed her cheek. She curled her fingers and turned her head to look at him. “What are His Highness’s likes and dislikes?” she queried.
“Umm… That question nobody asked me in a long time,” Magnus said as he thought about it. “Currently, I like you and I dislike the fact that you have to wear the blindfold. I don’t have particular likes and dislikes in things,” he explained.
His response palpitated her heart. Magnus completely turned her toward him before drawing her further closer to him. She was as light as a feather to him and he easily settled her on his lap.
The apprehension in her grew as their noses brushed. A hue of red formed on her cheeks while she blinked her eyes rapidly. She closed her eyes, thinking he would kiss her. But, she promptly opened them when she felt his lips on her neck. Her hands clutched his long embroidered overcoat as she pursed her lips together.
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.