In the night, the sa servant returned to Oriana’s room, offering assistance as he had earlier. Since he worked within the guest mansion, he had free access to move about. He brought a tray with tea for Oriana, who was still vigilantly watching over her grandpa.
Setting the tea tray on the table, he extended a cup of tea to the exhausted Oriana.
"Miss Verner, have you considered my proposition from this afternoon?" he inquired.
Oriana remained silent for a while. She hadn’t given the servant’s offer much thought earlier, but after encountering Arlan and conversing with him, her determination to stay began to waver. She wanted to depart with her grandfather as soon as possible.
Even if her grandfather hadn’t taken a life and she could establish his innocence, he had committed an act of treason by defying a royal order and taken away the Crown Prince’s betrothed. This offense would not go unpunished, and she was well aware that her grandfather would suffer the consequences.
She didn’t care about being the Crown Prince’s betrothed or facing punishnt herself, but she couldn’t bear the thought of her elderly grandpa enduring any form of cruelty in the twilight of his life.
If her grandpa had chosen to run away, there must have been a valid reason, or who would want to distance themselves from the royal family? As much as she yearned for the truth, she also feared for her grandfather. Knowing Arlan well, she understood that his threatening words weren’t rely for show; he ant every word he had spoken.
Oriana took a deep breath to steady herself and inquired, "Is there any way we can take my grandfather with us?"
The servant pursed his lips, recognizing her dilemma. "Miss, if Old Phil were not in his current state and could move independently, we might have managed it. But attempting to extract him in his weakened condition while escaping and subsequently hiding him would be nearly impossible. The security of Wimark estate rivals that of a royal palace, not to ntion its proximity to the border with the neighboring kingdom, making security even more stringent."
"Then we cannot leave," she replied with a disheartened tone.
"Miss, as I ntioned before, you could escape first. Later, we can attempt to liberate Old Phil while they are en route to the capital. Though security here is stringent, the security during the journey would be less stringent, and we could create diversions to facilitate your grandfather’s escape. I will assemble more rcenaries."
Oriana contemplated for a mont and then said, "I cannot leave on my own. Both my grandpa and I will escape with you together on the way to the capital."
"Miss, if we fail, you will lose your opportunity as well. It’s wiser for you to escape first. Even your grandfather would likely agree."
Oriana shook her head resolutely. "No. If you wish to assist us, then plan according to my terms."
The servant could only nod and said, "I will brief you on the plan tomorrow."
Oriana acknowledged his words with a nod, and the servant left the room.
----
Inside the Duchess’s residence, Alvera was busy instructing the servants to prepare a al as her brother was going to dine with her. She knew her husband had returned, so she headed to his study where he was conversing with Commander Conor Loyset of the Royal Knights.
"...though Lord Verner is injured, we have to take him back to the capital. We are planning to leave the day after tomorrow," the knight explained. "We will ensure a smooth journey."
Rhys nodded and said, "I will arrange for the physicians to accompany him to provide proper care."
Alvera entered the study as she heard this and the knight respectfully bowed to her. She approached her husband, who was deep in conversation with the commander.
"Is Arlan aware of this?" she inquired.
The knight responded, "We have inford His Highness. Since it is His Majesty’s order, His Highness did not oppose it."
After a brief discussion and consideration of other matters, the knight took his leave, leaving the husband and wife alone.
"Arlan will be here soon. I invited him for a al," Alvera inford Rhys.
The Duke nodded and left his study, accompanied by his wife. They entered their chamber, and Alvera began to help Rhys remove his jacket. He playfully teased her, "Seems like today I have to eat everything that your brother liked."
She smiled and responded, "There are a few dishes as per your liking as well."
Rhys chuckled slyly and continued, "If not, I can just have you later."
A light blush colored her face as she protested, "With such a serious matter going on, you’re here in a teasing mood."
Rhys took her hands and squeezed them gently, his eyes filled with love for his beautiful wife. "That concerns your brother, not . Why should I be devoid of my privileges with my wife?"
In response, she only persuade her lips.
He said reassuringly. "Don’t be sad. Your brother might get his privileges soon, now that he’s found his betrothed."
She shook her head with worry, "It doesn’t seem like things will go smoothly for him."
"Be patient," Rhys advised. "He might beco an example of a uxorious husband. The more stubborn a person is, the more submissive they beco once they set their heart on soone."
"For that, we need to find him another girl. With his current betrothed, things seem impossible. To , it looks like they both can’t wait to take each other’s lives."
Rhys chuckled, "You never know."
Once the Duke was ready to leave, they headed to the dining room. Alvera brought up her concerns, saying, "I was wondering if I should go to the capital as well. Things would be chaotic there, and Arlan listens to no one. I am worried he and father would end up in a great argunt."
Rhys considered her request, saying, "I do not wish to stop you, but I believe Prince Arlan would not allow you. He is always reluctant to let you return to the palace. Now, Ryan is still so young, the Prince would surely not allow you."
Alvera’s face displayed a hint of sadness as she admitted, "I wonder why he is always so reluctant to let go to my own family. I rember he was so young and demanded the King to send away from the palace. As I used to be weak and prone to fall sick often, he said it’s because I needed a change of air. His Majesty listened to him and sent away to another state. I spent most of my ti away from the family. I missed them a lot."
Rhys tried to offer a different perspective, saying, "Your health got better once you went away. Wasn’t that a better choice your younger brother made for you?"
She nodded, "That’s why I can’t be upset with him for sending away. In the end, he was just worried about my health. But I am not that old, weak girl. He still doesn’t allow to go to the palace, and even if I go, he is always in a hurry to send back. I can only listen to him."
"To make up for it, he cos here often to et you. Isn’t that even better?"
She looked at her husband with narrowed eyes and said, "Here I am trying to get angry at him, and you are taking his side."
Rhys replied playfully, "Shall I complain about him as well then?"
Alvera responded, "No, only I can complain about my brother," to which Rhys chuckled. He understood her protective nature towards her brothers.
Prince Arlan entered the dining room, addressing them with a dignified tone. "May I know what complaints my sister has?"
Alvera looked at him with a frown and said, "I was complaining that you won’t let co to the capital and try to keep away as if I am not your family."
Arlan defended himself, saying, "I just want you to live a happy life away from a chaotic place like the palace. My sister only needs to live a happy life, without worrying about anything."
Alvera was skeptical, remarking, "Excuses that I can’t digest." She took her seat as her husband pulled out the chair for her. "I plan to co to the palace now."
Arlan tried to dissuade her, "No need. Ryan is still so young, and it’s not good for you to travel with him. He is also too young to be left behind here."
Alvera glared at her husband, who had already predicted what her brother would say. Rhys offered her a knowing smile and supported her, "You should listen to your brother."
Alvera frowned defiantly, "Not now, but soon, I will be there. If you both try to stop , I won’t talk to you."
The siblings exchanged looks, and Arlan turned to Rhys, saying, "Now I know Rayjin took after my sister."
Rhys agreed, "She surely did."
During the al, Alvera observed that despite her brother putting on a relaxed facade and engaging in light conversation, there were clearly many thoughts weighing on his mind.
Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked him directly, "What did you two talk about when you t Miss Verner?"
Arlan responded matter-of-factly, as if discussing a mundane topic, "I gave her an account of the kind of treason her family committed and explained why she must die along with her grandfather."
Alvera’s glare intensified, directed at her brother, who continued to eat as if discussing such grave matters was nothing out of the ordinary.
"You heartless brat," she mumbled to which Rhys put his hand on hers and tried to calm her down.
The word ’brat’ struck a chord with Arlan, reminding him of soone who had repeatedly referred to him as a brat in her monologues. For a mont, his hand paused, and he drifted into his thoughts. However, he soon refocused and continued eating, pushing aside the fleeting distraction.
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