Chapter 304: When the right time comes
Rhea headed to the kitchen while Venus followed her, instructing Alora to stay behind with their father. Alora watched them go, then turned her attention to her father, Norman. She couldn’t help but notice the lines of worry etched into his face, his usual composed demeanor noticeably strained.
"Father, you look worried. Is everything okay?" Alora inquired in a gentle voice.
Norman forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Yes, everything is fine," he replied, the lie evident in the unconvincing tone of his voice.
Alora frowned, not willing to accept his dismissal. "Please, Father. Don’t hide your troubles from me," she urged, her concern deepening. "Are you worried for Venus? Are you worried that she would always live her life as a widow? Or is it something else?"
"I wonder what will happen to Venus after us. She made a lot of mistakes, but such a life she never deserved," Norman confided, his voice heavy with sorrow. "I hear her weeping late at night. Alora, my biggest worry now is my second daughter."
Alora felt a pang of empathy for her sister. "I can take Venus to the palace with me," she offered with a determined gaze.
Norman looked at her, his eyes filled with doubt and concern. "Will that bring an end to her misery?" he asked, his voice breaking slightly. He still couldn’t bring himself to reveal the full extent of Venus’s suffering to Alora. The memories of Solomon’s vile actions against Venus haunted him, and since yesterday, his worries had only increased.
"I agree, Father. But we can’t even force her for a marriage. You know this well. She somehow suffered with Eugene and she doesn’t trust men anymore," Alora stated.
"No one will either marry her. Your sister had committed so many wrong things that everyone in Velaris now is aware of that. As her father, I’m worried how Venus will live all by herself. Elliot family will also get married after some time; you are also married and may have kids soon. Venus’s life has stagnated. She can’t move ahead and all she could watch everyone grow old beside her," Norman affirmed. He kept his gaze toward the kitchen route, making sure Venus would not hear him.