Attracted to your blood

"What?" Rhea exclaimed in astonishment. She told Alora to stay in the room as she would go out to welcome the princess. 

Upon reaching outside, Rhea found the princess was already in the living room, seated elegantly on the center of the sofa. Rhea bowed to her, greeting her with due respect. 

"I suppose you are Alora's mother," Lillian deduced. 

"Yes, I am, Your Highness," Rhea replied. 

"Bring Alora here. I am here to see how a human is able to win the heart of my most ruthless and not so caring brother," Lillian remarked. 

Before Rhea could ask a servant to bring Alora, she came on her own. Lillian was amused to see Alora and the blindfold in her eyes. Alora greeted the princess and then, her mother her seat on the sofa. Rhea sat beside her daughter, thinking what Lillian had to say. 

Lillian could sense that Alora was a beauty and it made her a bit jealous. She used to think no one was more beautiful than her. "I am the youngest among my siblings. Did my brother tell you about me?" she queried. 

"I am afraid, Your Highness, but Prince Magnus never did," Alora replied. 

Her voice was no lesser than a trained musician. It was melodious and sweet. 

"I am Lillian Lukeson. Since you'll be my sister-in-law, I'm curious about your eyes. Can you really burn anyone?" Lillian asked with a smirk. She had a few people in her eyes, whom she didn't like. She wanted them to be dead. And Alora's eyes were kind of a play for her. 

Rhea talked on her daughter's behalf this time. "She can do that. That's why the blindfold is there." Her voice was heavy and filled with regret. 

"Alora, why don't you show me the power of your cursed eyes?" Lillian asked with a grin. 

Alora curled her fingers as she didn't anticipate this. She recalled how Magnus too initially wanted to play with her eyes with someone's life. But then, they both were brother and sister, sharing the same traits. The only difference between these two incidents was that Magnus didn't believe her eyes could burn anyone. 

Lillian noticed Alora's nervousness. "Don't be scared. I only joked with you," she replied with a smile. 

Rhea furrowed her brows together in worry but remained quiet since she couldn't even say anything to the princess. 

"So, what magic did you do Alora on my brother?" Lillian changed her question. 

"Ahh, I–" Alora felt stuck and she paused. 

"Alora's eyes attracted Prince Magnus," Venus's voice reverberated in the living room as she finally entered it. Lillian glanced in her direction and arched her eyebrows in amusement. 

"Greetings to Princess Lillian. I'm Venus, the younger sister of Alora," she introduced herself with curtsy and took a seat beside Alora. She held her hand and then gazed at Lillian. "Prince Magnus found my sister's eyes to be special," she added. 

Alora remained quiet as she now began feeling uncomfortable. First, this touch of Venus wasn't friendly at all. After what Alora heard, she was confirmed that Venus did not like her at all and right now, she had something in her mind. 

"I couldn't come empty hand. So, here's something from me," Lillian stated and signaled the attendant. She stepped up with a box in her hand and opened it. 

"This necklace is one in the Kingdom. I give it to my soon-to-be-in-sister-in-law," Lillian said. "Make sure to look at it when you're alone," she added. 

Rhea looked at Lillian, and then at the attendant. She rose to her feet and thanked the princess for her gift. 

"Alora, did my brother drink blood from you?" Lillian suddenly asked her, causing Rhea and Venus to gaze at Alora. "I am sure he would have been attracted to your blood more than your eyes. Tell me. Did Brother Magnus drink from you? If yes, then you are a kind of–" She couldn't finish off her words as Tobias entered and interjected at the right time. 

He announced about the wedding gifts that were sent by the Queen. "Prince Magnus has sent a wedding dress as well," he pronounced and gazed at Lillian. He bowed to her and asked Lilian to return to the palace. 

"Prince Magnus has been looking for his sister," Tobias asserted in his humble tone. 

"I take my leave then," Lillian said and left for the palace. 

Alora took a breath of relief and focused her attention on Tobias.