In a lavishly adorned chamber, a quartet of individuals sat in conversation while maids tended to their tea service.
"Lord Norman, your eldest daughter is the reason why no one is giving the hand of their son to your second daughter," the matchmaker delicately broached the subject after providing a thorough explanation of the situation.
"Why doesn't Lord Norman consider arranging for Miss Alora to reside elsewhere? In the countryside?" the matchmaker inquired, seeking a resolution to the issue.
In the Kingdom of Velaris, everyone knew about the high chancellor's eldest daughter, Alora Wilson. The moment she was born and opened her eyes to look, two people were burned into ashes because of her gaze. Since then she was labeled as the 'Curse of Velaris'.
The High Chancellor furrowed his brows together and looked at his wife. "Alora should not become the reason for doom to our other kids. Again, because of Alora, we cannot get a marriage proposal for Venus," Norman discussed with his wife, Rhea Wilson. He was tired of finding proposals for Venus since nobody seemed ready to take her as a daughter-in-law of their house.
Alora, who was standing outside the room, with her eyes covered with a white silk blindfold, heard the entire conversation between her parents. She accepted how her curse affected her younger sister's life.
"I want my Alora to get married too. Once she is married, I know Venus will also get a good household," Rhea stated optimistically. As a mother, she was concerned more for Alora than anyone.
"Lady Rhea, I understand your concern. However, there's no one born to marry Miss Alora. Unfortunately, she has to live an aloof life. Miss Venus is good at everything. She is a choice among noble gentlemen in the kingdom," the matchmaker explained the depth of the concern to them.
"Rhea, we kept Alora alive because of you. She should have been dead the day she was born," said Madam Aubrey in a displeased tone. She is Norman's mother and Alora's grandmother.
"Mother, I request you not to say this about my daughter," Rhea urged.
Madam Aubrey snickered. "You think it is easy for me to say such a big thing. What good has Alora brought to us? I told you Norman not to listen to your wife that day. Venus and Elliot's lives are affected because of Alora. If you two want happiness in this house, then send away that cursed child from here. I'm tired of seeing her face every day." Madam Aubrey didn't hesitate to talk bitterly about her eldest granddaughter.
Alora's eyes filled with tears to hear her grandmother's words. She would hear every single day bad remarks toward her, but calling her a cursed child was too much for her.
It had been twenty-four years for her to wear that blindfold, so her sense of direction had turned better. Even without using the stick, Alora knew where she had to set her foot.
Using her other senses to go ahead, Alora finally stepped foot into the room, where the elders were still in discussion.
"Mother, please don't call my child cursed. She is perfectly fine and–"
"Shut your mouth, Rhea. We are suffering because of Alora. How many people do you wish to see dead? I have still not forgotten the last year when Alora almost looked at me. She is worse than a witch!" Madam Aubrey remarked harshly.
"Pardon me for intruding in the elders' conversation," Alora spoke, causing everyone to be shocked. The matchmaker was slightly scared to see her.
"I will leave for an isolated place far from the capital," Alora pronounced.
Rhea shook her head and rose to her feet. "Dear, don't say that. We will soon find a good proposal for Venus and you as well." She told her daughter not to feel low about her grandmother's words.
"Again, you are giving false hopes to everyone here. When Alora wants to leave, then let her go. I want peaceful days in my remaining days of life," Madam Aubrey announced.
"Because of me, Venus' life should not be ruined. Had I not been here, she would be married by now. I will live in the old estate of the family in Elmswood," Alora suggested.
Norman told his wife that he would make arrangements for Alora to leave in the evening.
"Evening? But my lord we should send her in the morning." Rhea didn't wish her daughter to leave in the evening when the vampires were more active. "Even the vampires venture in the dark night. Morning time will be better for her departure," she suggested in her humble tone.
"Shut up, Rhea. Did you not hear the matchmaker earlier? Tomorrow, he will bring the Duke's son's proposal for Venus. Send Alora in the evening. Why will a vampire even attack Alora? Everyone in the kingdom knows she possesses a curse. Alora will remain unharmed. Send her now if you think evening time is dangerous for her, Norman," Madam Aubrey ordered both her son and daughter-in-law.
Alora was well aware of the fact that it was difficult for her mother to send her away so early. That's why she needed to press Rhea to let her go. At least, they all would live happily.
Norman told the matchmaker to come tomorrow, who promptly left after bowing to them. He then ordered his attendant to prepare a carriage for Alora.
"Take her to the room, Rhea, and prepare her well. From now onward, Alora needs to live alone," Norman announced his decision.
Rhea's eyes filled with tears and she felt hopeless since there was no way she could stop this departure. Rhea held Alora's hand tenderly and took her away.
~~~~~
All the belongings to Alora were shifted to the carriages outside.
"Mother, I can sense the sadness in you," Alora finally said. "More than me, Venus and Elliot have suffered. Mother should think about them rather than me," she asserted.
Rhea's eyes welled up in tears. "All my children are equal to me. I truly wished to see you getting married." As a mother, she saw no difference in any of her children. "It is all my fault. If only I had been careful of that witch, it would not have happened." Rhea blamed herself for Alora's situation.
She caressed her daughter's face and said, "You are the most beautiful girl in this kingdom. I wonder what your eyes look like," she murmured and hung her head low.
Alora had told her mother about her eyes, but she wanted to look at them once. Sometimes, Rhea would desire to get burned by her daughter's gaze. At least, she would die by seeing her full face– But it was a desire that could never be fulfilled.
"I can talk to your father again and stop him from sending you," Rhea said. She didn't wish to let go of her daughter from her sight. "Who will take care of you? How will you manage everything?" She muttered.
"Mother, I'll return once Venus and Elliot get married," Alora said. She was aware that her return to the capital of the kingdom was not possible. It would probably be her last time to converse with her mother like this.
"Lady Rhea, the carriage is ready for Miss Alora," a servant informed them.
"This early?" Rhea didn't expect the two hours to pass so quickly.
"It's the time when I shall bid farewell to my mother," Alora pronounced.
Rhea's eyes turned watery. She embraced Alora warmly as she closed her eyes. "I will come to you as soon as Venus' marriage is fixed. Eat your meals on time. Don't let yourself fall sick." She wanted to say more things to Alora, but Norman's presence interrupted them.
"Alora, it's the time you should leave," Norman's deep voice fell into their ears. He saw his wife wiping her tears. "Bring her outside," he said and turned to exit.
"Father, forgive me for not being able to become a good child to you. I will miss you," Alora said as she rose to her feet.
Norman didn't say anything and went outside. Alora felt upset since her father didn't try to say any good words even when she had planned to leave the house.
Rhea held the arm of her daughter gently and took her outside.
"Mother, are Venus and Elliot around?" Alora asked, thinking if they had come to bid her farewell or not.
"They are busy unlike you. Just get into the carriage fast and leave our house," Madam Aubrey bitterly remarked.
"Please don't speak in such a way with my daughter, Mother," Rhea said sternly. She walked to Alora again and kissed the top of her forehead. "I'll miss you. Don't forget to take your meals on time," she again reminded her daughter.
"Yes, Mother," Alora said.
Suddenly, a familiar warm hand rested above her head. She recognized by sensing its touch that it was of her father's. Alora smiled a little since this gesture from her father was like a blessing to her.
She soon got into the carriage and heard the door getting closed. Alora realized a new chapter had started in her life, where she had to learn to live by herself. However, she was unaware of the fate that would soon unfold before her.
As the carriage began the journey to Elmswood, Alora slowly drifted off to sleep. She jolt awake from her sleep when the carriage abruptly halted and her head banged against the window.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
~~~~~
Hello Dear Readers,
This is my first time writing a Vampire story. I hope you will give a chance to this story and read it. This story is a part of WSA 2024 in fantasy romance category. Please support me through powerstones votes, comments and reviews since it will help the book to grow among the readers. If you have any questions, you can ask here.
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