The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride
Chapter 283: Call me selfish

Chapter 283: Call me selfish

"Are you ready, Alora?" asked Alaric.

"Yes, I am." She dabbed the napkin across her mouth before putting it down. She had enjoyed a hearty breakfast. The food in Sakaris was completely different from that in Velaris. The chefs here specialized in rich, flavorful sauces that added a unique depth to each dish.

As the servants cleared the table, Alaric continued, "Alora, aren’t you nervous?"

She lifted her gaze and shook her head. "For some reason, the fear in me has vanished, Brother Alaric," she responded truthfully.

"That’s wonderful to hear," he smiled at her.

"Brother Alaric, you didn’t eat," Alora pointed out.

"Because I’m not hungry," he answered. "Magnus and Brother Izaak will return a bit late. You can rest for a while before we head to the Hanging Forest," Alaric suggested. He left his seat and walked away, while Alora made her way to the bed after the door closed. Resting her back on the soft mattress, she began to think about what might happen in the forest.

Qasima had insisted on Alora wearing a blindfold because she needed Alora’s blood before the ritual. According to the teachings of the Lunar God, any such ritual remained incomplete without the ultimate sacrifice. Today’s meeting wasn’t about understanding Qasima better; it was about obtaining Alora’s blood to complete the ritual.

"How am I supposed to prevent it? Can I push her away easily?" Alora murmured, staring at her hands and recalling the day she had effortlessly repelled the palace guards. The memory of her unexpected strength gave her a glimmer of hope.

Sighing, Alora glanced at the door, wondering when Magnus would return. "If anything goes wrong, everything will be pinned on me. I need to be careful," she reminded herself.

The blindfold lay on the bedside table, a symbol of her past challenges and triumphs. She reached for it and grasped it, feeling its smooth texture between her fingers.

"It’s been a long time since I last wore this," Alora said, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. Despite being a symbol of her weakness, the blindfold also enhanced her other senses to an unimaginable degree, turning her vulnerability into a strength sometimes.

The door creaked open, and Magnus walked in. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, a silent understanding passing between them. Alora straightened up and stood on her feet, preparing herself for what lay ahead.

"Everything is checked. We need to leave," Magnus said.

"Hmm." She lifted the blindfold when Magnus caught her hand. "You don’t have to wear it now," he opined. His hold on her hand tightened as he drew her close to hug her. His arms possessively clung to her back as if he hasn’t embraced her in a long time.

"Are you confident, Alora?" Magnus asked.

"Yes."

"There are eleven more days for the rare celestial events. You truly think she will not take lives of the innocents after today," Magnus needed an assurity from her.

"I think she won’t harm anyone after today," Alora said, her words meant to reassure her husband.

"Then, let’s go." Magnus held her hand and guided her outside. They walked together, their steps in sync, each drawing strength from the other.

Entering the carriage, they settled into their seats and departed for the Hanging Forest. Alora inhaled deeply, trying to calm her racing thoughts as she made herself comfortable inside the carriage. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels on the cobblestone streets provided a soothing backdrop to her contemplations.

The journey wasn’t long, and soon they arrived at the edge of the forest. Alora peeked outside the window and was struck by the sight of the colossal trees, their canopies so dense that the sunlight couldn’t penetrate to the forest floor. A thick fog enveloped the entire area, making it difficult to see even a short distance ahead.

"This is the reason I opposed Father’s decision. We can’t even see a person after some distance," Magnus’s words grabbed her attention. "There’s more hidden in this forest. The noises seem to come from every direction, so it becomes impossible to locate a person," he affirmed. His tone laced with worry for Alora once again.

"Don’t let yourself get harmed. Because if it happens, I am not listening to anyone. I’ll leave Velaris with you," Magnus declared, his voice tinged with desperation.

Alora’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Leave Velaris? But why would you...?"

"Because I don’t care if this Kingdom falls or people die," Magnus interrupted, his voice raw with emotion. "All I want is for you to be safe. Call me selfish or whatever you want, but this is who I am."

"That won’t happen," Alora said with a determined gaze.

The carriage lurched to a halt, the abrupt stop unsettling Alora and Magnus as they stepped out into the dense, oppressive atmosphere of the Hanging Forest.

"You should proceed alone from here," Izaak advised, his voice carrying a weight of solemnity as he addressed Magnus, whose concern was visible on his face. "Give her the blindfold," he instructed, his tone brooking no argument.

Magnus retrieved the blindfold from his pocket and passed it to Alora with a grave expression. She accepted it, her fingers tightening around the fabric as she prepared herself mentally for what was to come.

"After you’ve walked a good distance, put it on and stand ready for Qasima," Izaak continued, his voice steady but edged with caution. Alora nodded in acknowledgment.

Magnus reached out, gently touching her arm. "Be careful, Alora," he murmured.

"I will," she assured him, offering a small, reassuring smile before turning to begin. She waited for him to let go of her arm and he finally did it reluctantly.

For the first time in his life, Magnus was terrified. He watched Alora going ahead. Her each step caused his heartbeat to raise. The vampire whom vulnerability never touched, for the time, he felt it in every part of his body.

Griffin came by Magnus’s side and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Princess Alora will make it," he affirmed.

’She should or else, I’ll unleash my wrath,’ Magnus thought.