The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride
Chapter 96: A sincere apology

Chapter 96: A sincere apology

Alora was seated on the swing, looking at the twinkling stars in the sky. The cool night breeze blew past her face, cascading the tiny strands of her hair along with it.

The conversation with Stella made her realize that if she got such eyes, she also got a caring husband and companion because of them. She had now two big brothers and friends: Izaak and Alaric. While in Selvina she found a sister.

"I want to see what my mother looks like," Alora murmured. "I wonder how she is living these days. They all must be blaming her again." She had the desire to bring her mother out of that house, but it wasn’t possible.

"What have you been thinking?" Magnus’s voice fell into her ears as he entered the balcony with a candle stand in his hand. Placing it on the table before the swing, he arched his eyebrow at Alora.

"My mother isn’t treated well by them. I wondered if I could bring her with me later. It’s just a thought," Alora stated, realizing what she suggested wasn’t a good idea.

"Your mother has to fight her own battle," Magnus replied. "Bringing her to the residence later will not be the best solution," he added. "Moreover, a married woman will never leave her home. You know this well."

Alora hummed as she lowered her eyes for a brief moment. "I know. Is there any way they start respecting her? Mother did a lot for me. I feel as a daughter, I should at least make her life better," she stated.

"It’s impossible to set the mindset Norman and others carry," Magnus stated.

"Grandma tried to kill my mother. I wonder why she made such an attempt that time," Alora suddenly recalled what Stella had told her, making her feel upset. "It was my grandmother, who filled filth in everyone’s mind in my house. They all became what they are today because of my grandmother," she asserted.

Magnus didn’t tell her how he removed Norman from the position of the High Chancellor. "Nothing will happen to your mother," Magnus assured her. He decided he needed to send someone to the capital to know about Rhea’s state.

"But your father isn’t less either. He never respected your mother, or else, Madam Aubrey would not have dared to play with everyone’s mind in that house," Magnus asserted.

Alora agreed with him. "I think we should return to the capital after a week," she pronounced. Leaving the swing, she walked to him and held his hands. "I’ve lived enough life in fear and judgements, Magnus. I will enter the council with you. I will give justice to my mother too and make them apologize to my mother first. I have a lot of things to work on. What do you say?" she questioned, waiting for his opinion.

"One week is too early. I wish to spend more time with you in Shadowbrook. We didn’t even go out. Tomorrow is a festival, which vampires celebrate. I’ll take you out. A lot of places you and I need to go to," Magnus expressed his wishes.

Alora smiled to hear his wishlist. "Then, we will stay one more week here or does His Highness want to stay here for a month?" she respected her husband’s decision and whatever he wanted, she would accept that.

"Two weeks seem good to me," Magnus replied.

"Confirmed?" Alora asked him again.

"Yes," Magnus answered.

"Okay." She turned around to carry the candle stand when he caught her wrist, pulling her back to him. His arm securely wrapped around her waist and her breath hitched, "Magnus," she faintly whispered his name.

Magnus leaned in, planting gentle kisses along her neck, eliciting giggles from Alora as she playfully protested. Eventually, she turned to him, arms encircling his neck, and expressed her love with eyes sparkling with an indescribable joy.

"I love you, Magnus," she said tenderly, the depth of her feelings evident in her gaze. She gently brushed her lips against his, pouring her feelings into the kiss. As Magnus responded, gently nibbling her lips, their connection deepened, expressing the intensity of their emotions without sharing the words.

They gravitated toward the balcony door, his hand tenderly supporting her neck, her hair delicately caught in his grasp. A gasp escaped her lips as she pressed against the wall beside the door, her hands instinctively finding his nape, drawing him nearer.

Magnus left her lips, trailing kisses down her jawline to the exposed expanse of her neck. With skillful fingers, he untangled the knots of her corset, the touch of his lips sending shivers down her spine.

Alora’s voice gently beckoned his name, her breath catching in a low cry as Magnus nipped her tender spot. With ease, he lifted her into his arms, her legs securely wrapped around his waist as he carried her into the room.

~~~~

Norman handed the scroll to Rhea, and said, "You should read it." He sat on the chair while rubbing his fingers on his forehead. She was quick to open it and read the message on it.

"Norman, I hope you’ll love this surprise.

Magnus."

Rhea looked at her husband as she lowered her hands. "What shall we do? Alora and Prince Magnus aren’t in the capital," she stated. "Involving the King may anger Prince Magnus."

"Did Alora tell you where she has left for?" Norman asked.

"No," Rhea refused.

"Now, tell me a reason why should I even love Alora. Who does this to her father?" Norman questioned Rhea.

"My Lord, Alora would never act in such a heartless manner," Rhea asserted, standing resolutely in support of her friend.

"But this has happened because of her. How will we survive now?" Norman’s frustration simmered. He was unable to vent his anger on his wife for fear of exacerbating the situation.

Contemplating her next move, Rhea considered seeking out Tobias at the residence, hoping he might share Alora and Magnus’s whereabouts.

They heard a knock on the door. Rhea went to open it and saw Venus was present there. "Leave. Your father isn’t feeling well," Rhea said.

Venus ignored her mother’s words and pushed her aside. "Father, we should seek the help of the King. This is unfair. Prince Magnus cannot remove you from the position of High Chancellor," she pronounced with an agitated tone.

"Venus, I can’t go to the King and make the situation worse," Norman stated.

"Then, are we going to starve and be taunted by the people?" Venus was turning mad. She didn’t wish to lower her standard of living.

"Venus, you should not trouble your father," Rhea said this time and asked her to leave.

"Mother, please! I’m not troubling Father in any way," Venus said.

"Had you not gone to Alora, we would not have seen this day," Norman finally said. He glanced at his daughter and continued, "You couldn’t handle your marriage well. You were supposed to come to me when all that happened. Alora talked about Eugene’s identity, yet you decided to stay quiet on that."

Venus’s eyes turned watery. "Father, I couldn’t break off my marriage that day. I told Alora, unlike her, I would not get to marry any of the two princes. She still didn’t help me. I thought going to Alora would truly help me, but she, instead, asked Prince Magnus to kill Eugene. I don’t understand why Father and Mother blame me. I am the victim here!" She whined in frustration.

"You’re not the victim here, Venus. Don’t try to deceive me," Norman retorted sharply. "Just go to your room. I’m already stressed enough with the fact that no one wants to marry you, and now my position is being threatened," he pronounced.

Venus walked away in anger. Rhea couldn’t believe that her husband scolded Venus for the first time. She praised her husband for being unbiased for the first time.

"Alora never raised her voice at me. Now, I lost my position, I feel all my hard work vanished in a single blow. When Alora was born I got promoted to the rank of the High Chancellor. I forgot a lot of things on my way as Alora’s eyes started scaring me," he stated.

"Then what do you wish to do now, Dear?" Rhea asked as she sat in front of him. "I don’t understand why you didn’t stand up for Alora that day. She is a lovely child," she asserted.

"I told you even the King wanted to get rid of Alora," Norman affirmed.

"But you are Alora’s Father. Alora counted on your support. She even left the capital before her marriage, following your and Mother’s orders. Norman, you owe Alora a sincere apology. She’s inherently good, you know our daughter well," Rhea asserted.

"I’ll wait for Alora to return," Norman replied, taking a deep breath. "As for Venus, we need to find a solution. She can’t remain unmarried forever," he murmured, sinking back into his chair, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him.