Oriana returned to her chair and sat with her eyes closed, contemplating her master’s words.
’Master said evil witches play mind gas and trap you with your weaknesses. Has that evil witch done the sa with the Prince? He was just a child at that ti. What kind of weakness does a child have? Will a child even understand their own vulnerability? His mother was gone at that ti, if I recall correctly. In my vision, I could clearly feel the way he longed for his mother, as if she would never show up. What kind of wicked tactics could she have used against a child to make him surrender to her? And what about the rest of his family?’
Oriana opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. ’What weaknesses do I have? My grandpa alone, but she cannot use that against when he’s already on the brink of death. Will she threaten to kill him?’ Her thoughts wandered to her relationship with Arlan. ’Since that witch exists in this palace, she must be aware of my relationship with the Prince, considering our betrothal. I wonder what she thinks about or plans for . She would probably view my existence as unnecessary, unless she believes she can use as yet another one of Prince’s weaknesses. However, she must also know that the Prince despises and would never accept .’
She shook her head, feeling overwheld by the complex web of thoughts.
Just then, sothing magical happened in her study, and Oriana raised her head to find a magical letter materializing in front of her. The ssage read, "If you want to deal with the witch, you should let your mind and body rest well."
It was a ssage from Yorian, advising her to rest. Oriana couldn’t help but smile. ’Didn’t he say he had exhausted his energy, but still has enough restored to send this magical letter? This elf is truly unpredictable.’ Oriana stood up from her chair. ’But he’s right. I shall rest to preserve my energy.’
With her weary body, she made her way to her chamber and quickly lay down on the bed, eventually falling into a deep sleep.
----
The next morning, Oriana awoke with thoughts of planning for the upcoming night already crowding her mind. Her thoughts often wandered to Arlan. ’What must he be feeling, knowing he has to go to that witch tonight? Is he scared or has he beco so used to it that he considers it normal routine for him?’
After finishing her al, she decided to dive into a book about the Queen of Witches, hoping to understand the extent of her authority and why she went to such lengths to remain hidden. ’Does my grandfather know I’m a Queen of Witches? What happened in the past, and why did he have to run away with ? Is it related to hiding my identity? He was always against us coming to the palace, so could this be one of the reasons? Could this witch have sothing to do with my existence?’ The questions kept coming, and they seed endless. But she was determined to get answers from the witch that very night.
Yorian appeared in her study after she had finished reading the book. The elf took a seat, and Oriana wasted no ti asking, "From my vision and the feeling I got when I tried to touch the door of that room, it seems that the door only opens on the night of the full moon and only for Prince Arlan to enter and leave. Is there a way for us to enter that room without the Prince knowing?"
"It opens at the witch’s will, if I’m not mistaken. We can attempt to open the door. If we fail, we might have to enter while Prince Arlan is there, which will reveal our plan."
"I’m not sure how he will react, but I must be prepared for whatever cos our way," Oriana spoke as she let out an helpless sigh, "What harm can he cause other than using his harsh words to unleash his anger on ?"
The elf raised a brow, "Do you believe in the words he say and take them to heart?"
"I hope soday you will be the one at the receiving end of those harsh and hurtful words from him. Then you’ll understand."
"People are often harsh only toward those who matter to them. They tend to be indifferent toward those who are re passersby," Yorian retorted, his gaze aningful.
Oriana avoided his gaze as if she did not wish to understand it and said, "Stop confusing with your words, Lord Yorian. We need a plan."
-----
In the dead of night, Arlan prepared to leave his residence.
"Your Highness, the horse is ready outside," Imbert inford him, his expression somber.
"What about her?" Arlan inquired. "Is she at Erich’s mansion, still working?"
"Her Highness has not left her residence today, and she has retired for the night by now," Imbert reported.
Arlan felt relieved. He had been concerned that the ever-curious woman might appear anywhere and ddle in affairs where she shouldn’t.
"Keep an eye out in case she happens to leave her residence and spots , as she did last month," Arlan instructed.
"Yes, Your Highness. I have already placed our knights around. If they spot Her Highness outside, we will stop her and ask commander Loyset to escort her back," Imbert explained.
Arlan left his study and descended the stairs. The entire foyer was eerily quiet, devoid of any servants, except for Roman and his fellow knight, Rafal. This was the usual order on every night of the full moon, when all the servants were dismissed and forbidden from leaving their quarters.
Arlan mounted his horse and departed from the palace. He couldn’t use his powers for a day before visiting the witch, preventing him from employing teleportation to reach her. On the return journey, he’d have no energy left for teleportation and would have to rely on his horse.
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