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.