14 A sweet gentleman

Alora couldn't eat well since the moment she learned about the message from her father. It hurt her even more that her father didn't care for her. She truly wanted to feel a father's love, but it felt she would never get one at least in this life. 

She was standing near the balustrade, looking at the vast expense of hills far from her. 

"What have you been thinking?" Magnus asked as he stopped next to her. 

Alora tilted her head to gaze at him as he forward a big round candy to her. "Kids like this, so I bought one for you," he said. She glanced at it and then at Magnus. 

"Oh, I'm not a kid, Your Highness," Alora said as she extended her hand to take the candy from him. However, Magnus pulled his hand back. 

"Then, I must throw it away," Magnus replied. 

"No!" Alora was quick this time and took the candy from him. It was in jelly form, so was easy to chew and eat. 

"Kids eat candies," Magnus remarked, causing Alora to stop momentarily. The amusing smile graced his lips. "You are going to live with me in Velaris," he revealed to her. 

"What!?" Alora exclaimed and gazed at him. "I thought His Highness will send me home," she said. 

"Didn't you choose me over your family?" Magnus inquired. 

"Yes, I did but then, I thought I am supposed to live here," Alora replied and lowered her eyes. She ate the remaining candy and looked at the thin stick left behind. 

"Where I will live, you will live," Magnus asserted. 

"Will the palace allow a human to stay near the Vampire Prince?" She was doubtful about it. She knew the vampires did not have special liking toward the humans. 

"I think if I'll abandon you, everyone will. How long do you think your mother will live? Humans have a definite period to live. Once she leaves the world, your own family is going to neglect you pretty badly. And I don't wish my cherished human to be neglected," Magnus affirmed. 

Alora felt strange to hear those words, but it was true. Her mother would not be with her all the time. She could not be burden to anyone around her, especially her family, who were frustrated because of her. 

"Do you wish to go out?" Magnus questioned her. 

"Yes. I wish to see the garden if His Highness allows," Alora answered. 

"Sure," Magnus agreed and left the balcony. Alora walked into the room as well. She didn't forget to pick her blindfold and donned it across her eyes. 

Magnus didn't like she had to wear the blindfold all the time. Such a beautiful woman had to cover her eyes just because of her special power. Shouldn't it be the opposite? Everyone should keep their eyes down whenever they would cross her path. 

Ignoring all that, he held her small hand in his. The warmth of her hand dissipated the moment his cold hand made a contact with hers. Alora looked up, unaware the way Magnus was gazing at her. 

Shortly, they began the walk. "I hope Your Highness is no more angry," Alora said. 

"My anger has an endless limit," Magnus affirmed. "It will dissipate the moment, I'll show Norman's worth to him," he added. 

"Your Highness, but it was the King's order. Will the King not be angry at the Prince if he goes against his order and punishes my father?" Alora was worried thinking Magnus might get punished for taking laws in his hands. 

"Are you worried for your father, who doesn't bother about you?" Magnus furrowed his brows together. 

"Not at all, Your Highness. I am worried for you," Alora truthfully admitted. 

Magnus smiled and saw the stairs in front of them. Without her knowledge, he lifted her in his arms, causing her heart to race.

"Your Highness, why did you carry me in yo-your arms?" Alora nervously asked. 

"This isn't the first time I did that. You have somehow claimed the place in my arms," Magnus remarked. 

"What?" Alora was stunned to hear him. She pursed her lips together and found them descending down the stairs. Her hands were tightly clung around his neck. Finally, they were at the bottom of the stairs and Alora requested him to put her down. 

"Stay quiet," Magnus said sternly. 

"But people could see us. Isn't it odd?" Alora gulped in nervousness. 

"What's odd in this?" Magnus questioned her. 

"Everything," Alora promptly replied. "I mean His Highness cannot carry me like this," she clarified to him. 

"Except for me, no one can carry you like this," Magnus stated. 

Alora curled her fingers to hear that response. Why Magnus was speaking suddenly in this way with her? Yesterday, he even asked her to kiss him. Although, it was a joke, but he should refrain from making such jokes. 

Finally, they were in the garden and her feet landed on the floor. Magnus opened her blindfold standing behind her while she took it from him. 

"The garden is magnificent!" Alora's eyes glistened in happiness. "It's maintained well," she added and looked at the flower beds, which were dug to plant new plants in them. 

"Can I plant them?" Alora asked for permission as she saw the seeds bags that were placed on one side. 

"If that's what makes you happy, then do it," Magnus replied. 

Alora thanked him and went ahead. 

'Why did she receive such a power?' Magnus thought. 'Why did a witch do this to her?' he wondered. 

Alora lifted the water pot after she put the seeds into the soil and watered them. She tilted her head and gaze at Magnus. "Your Highness, you are such a sweet gentleman better than any human. I'm grateful to meet you," she asserted with a smile. 

"A sweet gentleman? That's not I have ever thought of myself," Magnus murmured and looked at her hands. "You need to wash your hands," he stated. 

"I will," Alora said and walked toward him when her foot tumbled due to the pebble. Magnus caught her securely, interlocking their gazes.