In the still of the night, Oriana couldn’t shake off her concerns about Arlan’s unsettling words. Her thoughts swirled as she mulled over her options. ’I hope the commander intervenes if he arrives,’ she thought, her anxiety evident. ’Otherwise, I might have no choice but to employ my powers. I’d rather not reveal my true nature as a witch, but this arrogant Prince seems to leave with no alternative.’
Oriana lay in her bed, the tension in the room palpable, when a sudden knock on her chamber door shattered the silence. Startled, she sprung to a sitting position, her heart racing. However, the unease evaporated as soon as she recognized the voice.
"Your Highness, it’s , Ana," the door creaked open, and Ana entered, her presence bringing a sense of relief.
"What’s the matter?" Oriana inquired, striving to regain her composure.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince is here," Ana conveyed, her tone slightly hesitant. "He’s gone to see Lord Verner."
In an instant, Oriana cast aside her bedcovers, her sense of urgency overriding her sleepiness.
"Do not follow ," she commanded her servants, who had no choice but to obey.
Like a woman possessed, she dashed out of her chamber and descended the stairs in a frenzy, stopping briefly at her grandfather’s room. There, she found the Prince standing by her ailing relative’s bedside, his gaze fixed on the frail figure.
"Stay away from my grandpa," she growled, her eyes ablaze with hatred and her fists clenched, as if she were struggling to contain her anger.
Arlan remained unruffled by her presence and continued his examination of the elderly man. "Tsk! The old man is tenacious. I should have dealt him another blow..."
Before he could utter more unsettling words, Oriana advanced, positioning herself between the Prince and her grandfather. Her eyes, almost fiery with intensity, bore into him.
"Leave this place," she demanded, blocking his view of her ailing relative. "Now."
He responded with a malevolent smirk on his lips. "Haven’t I inford you of my visit tonight, my betrothed?"
"I’m warning you to depart imdiately," she retorted, his words failing to sway her. "Do not compel to take action."
"Harm ? Are you even capable?" He took a step closer, his eyes darkening with malice.
Oriana, her resolve firm, finally attempted to push him away by placing her hands against his chest. To her astonishnt, this man proved to be immovable, as if he were a steadfast rock. She made a second attempt, but it was akin to an ant striving to move a massive boulder.
Arlan firmly grasped both of her hands. "You were the one who initiated physical contact."
She gazed up at him, his eyes warning her, leaving her feeling uneasy inside. She struggled to break free, but his grip was unyielding, causing her mounting frustration.
"I see this old man’s bed is quite sizable," he remarked with a lecherous tone. "How about we share it? That way, he can witness how I tornt his beloved granddaughter."
Her lips trembled with frustration, and his degrading words brought a hint of moisture to her eyes, as she realized her strength was no match for his.
"You are disgusting," she growled through her teeth.
"I haven’t even begun, and you already find repulsive," he retorted, pulling her closer with a forceful tug, their faces re inches apart. "What will you think when I truly comnce my tornt?"
"Let go," she demanded.
He chuckled. "I was prepared to let you go, but it was you who didn’t seize that opportunity. Tonight, I’ll show you the consequences of disobedience."
A shiver coursed through Oriana’s body. She glanced toward the room’s door, as if hoping for soone to co to her aid. The commander had not explicitly stated that no one could enter the mansion.
"Are you searching for the commander?" Arlan inquired. "Do you truly believe he can prevent from visiting my betrothed? His duty is to protect your life, but what can he do when I have no intention of taking your life? Instead, I’ve co here to share so special, intimate monts with my betrothed."
’These wretched people,’ Oriana thought. ’I can trust no one here.’
Amidst her stream of curses, she suddenly found herself pressed against the wall, her hands forcefully pinned above her head. It was so fast, that she could not even think how did it happen.
As she returned to her senses, her gaze locked with that of a man, his eyes gleaming like a wild predator. "We can move to the bed after we’ve had so fun this way," he sneered.
A rush of fear flooded her heart as she struggled and spat, "Release , you despicable wretch!"
He responded with a sinister grin. "You might want to choose your words more carefully. But don’t bother; soon enough, you’ll be screaming and begging."
Breathing heavily, she ground her teeth in anger, preparing to act. However, a hand swiftly intercepted her knee just as it was about to strike a sensitive area. He shot her a look that seed to mock her for attempting such a tactic.
"I wonder where to begin," his words interjected, his gaze tracing a path from her eyes down her face, lingering on her beautiful neck and then coming to rest on her chest, covered by the gossar fabric of her nightdress.
Oriana t with his piercing gaze, and her heart quickened with dread. Without her chest bind, she felt an uncomfortable vulnerability. Under the weight of his scrutiny, she felt utterly exposed. The haunting mories of her childhood trauma surged back and she wondered if she was about to relive that horrifying experience once more.
His free hand slid towards her stomach, where it grasped the belt of her outer robe. In the next mont, the knot ca undone, and an involuntary gasp escaped her lips. The sides of the robe parted, unveiling the inner layer of her nightdress, which adhered sensuously to her flawlessly curved form.
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