As Oriana made her way back to the guest mansion, her mind buzzed with thoughts of Arlan and his elusive tattoo.
"He claid he didn’t have one. How can that be? Was he rely concocting an excuse to coax into checking? And even if I had looked, what good would it have done? I’m not his mate, so I wouldn’t be able to see it anyway. Doesn’t he realize how uncomfortable his flirtatious behavior makes feel?" She let out an exasperated sigh. "I used to resent his dragon for not choosing as his mate, but if he continues acting this way, I might start resenting him too. Can’t he comprehend how hurtful it would be if his mate suddenly appears one day, claiming him and able to see his tattoo? Though I’m not his mate, he should at least consider my feelings as his wife. Heartless rascal, he and his dragon can both go to hell for all I care."
Upon returning to her grandfather’s side, Oriana learned that the King and Queen were coming to visit Philip. "Grandpa, are you sure you’re up for eting them?" she asked, her concern evident in her voice.
Sitting on his bed, Philip nodded weakly. "Don’t worry about ."
Soon, the King and Queen arrived at the guest mansion and were escorted to the drawing room. Oriana assisted her grandfather in walking there. Philip felt a pang of guilt gnawing at him, but he knew he had to face the people to whom he owed explanations, and Ailwin was among them.
Upon entering the drawing room, Philip bowed respectfully to the King and Queen. He found himself unable to speak, as if any words he uttered would only sound like apologies. Ailwin and Julien exchanged glances, sensing the weight of Philip’s silence.
"How have you been, Lord Philip?" Ailwin inquired.
The old man t Ailwin’s gaze, his eyes reflecting a mixture of sadness, guilt, and regret. "Healthy enough to receive punishnt for my sins," he replied quietly.
A heavy silence settled in the room. The King exchanged a glance with his wife and Oriana before speaking, "I wish to be alone with Philip."
Both won nodded and left the room, leaving Oriana’s heart racing with worry. Once outside, Julien offered her comfort, "Rest assured, Ailwin is a rational person."
Oriana nodded in agreent. If the King truly intended harm to her grandfather, he would have acted already.
In the drawing room, Ailwin motioned for Philip to take a seat. "First, have a seat, Lord Philip. Given your weak condition, I do not wish for you to faint in the middle of our conversation."
Philip obliged, settling into the chair as he t Ailwin’s gaze. "I am ready to listen," he said solemnly.
Ailwin nodded, taking a deep breath. Despite the turmoil within him, he knew he needed to remain composed. "I know you carry regret for certain actions, and rightfully so," he began. "Coming to terms with forgiveness is not easy for either. However, we must leave the past behind and focus on the future, especially for the sake of Arlan and Oriana. Arlan is making efforts to do the sa. You are Oriana’s only family, and we do not wish to see her suffer. Whatever ti you have left, spend it in peace with Oriana. No one wants to see her hurt, though we do not care even the least about you."
Philip was silent for a while before speaking. "I am relieved that your family cares for Oriana and that she will be living the happy life she deserves. I ask for nothing more."
"If there is anything that can make you feel better, there is sothing I wish to tell you," Ailwin said. "Before taking her last breath, Helena told to protect your family. She said it was not your fault and asked to forgive you."
Philip looked at him with a surprised gaze.
"It’s true," Ailwin repeated. "As the one who was hurt, she didn’t hold you responsible. That ans I shall do the sa. Her dying wish was to protect your family and make Oriana marry Arlan, and that is what I am doing."
Philip’s eyes turned moist to hear it. She didn’t find him responsible? He never wanted to kill her; it just happened all of a sudden.
"I have no desire to delve into the past or the reasons behind what happened," Ailwin continued. "Doing so would only bring more pain to my family, who have finally found happiness after so many decades. I refuse to let anything tarnish that happiness. As for the supernatural aspects concerning Arlan, I have chosen to turn a blind eye to them and will continue to do so. He is simply my son, and that will remain absolute for . You can rest assured about Oriana; my son is deeply devoted to her, and he will stop at nothing to ensure her happiness."
Philip nodded in understanding. He believed Ailwin’s words. That day when Arlan ca to see him, he could tell the prince deeply cared about Oriana, or to be correct, he had deep feelings for her.
"I understand," Philip replied. "I will do as you said."
Soon the King and Philip walked out of the drawing room. Oriana watched the King match the slow pace of her grandfather, which made her feel better.
Julien looked at the old man she didn’t get the chance to talk to. She felt sympathy towards him as she was the one to witness him carrying his dying daughter in his arms after Amaya trapped that witch.
"Lord Philip, as you are here, make yourself at ho and do not hesitate to request anything," Julien spoke, knowing her husband must have been harsh with the old man, but she needed to be the opposite and take care of the other side. "Do rember we are a family now. We cherish Oriana as much as you do."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Philip spoke in his weak voice.
The King and the Queen left, and Oriana turned to her grandfather. "Are you alright, Grandpa?"
Philip nodded as he looked at her. "Knowing you are finally getting what you deserve and would lead a better life, how can I not be happy? I am glad you ca back to the royal family. Now I can be at peace and die without a worry."
Oriana understood that the King and her grandfather had reached an agreent. Her grandpa could lead rest days of his life in peace.
----
anwhile, two hooded figures in long, dark robes were walking through the stone passage, a path they had treaded a few tis before. Zaria and her companion Norean were on their way to et the mysterious otherworldly figure they could only encounter when the stars aligned in a particular pattern. Tonight was that mont.
"Zaria, you have still failed to find the one that the Lord wishes you to find," Norean spoke as they continued to walk.
Zaria remained unaffected. "I have found the queen of witches. Soon I will use her to command all the witches on this continent and search for what the Lord is looking for."
"That’s a good improvent. Maybe this ti the Lord will bless you with sothing to find the right direction."
At the end of the stony pathway inside the tunnel, they stopped in front of a stone wall. Norean used dark magic, and the wall parted, revealing the pitch-black darkness behind. Torches lit up, illuminating their path as they walked into the grand, ancient-looking hall.
They stood before a raised platform at the end of the hall, shrouded in dark curtains. It was nothing new for them as they waited for the Lord to appear.
A dark shadow erged from behind the curtains as the two imdiately bowed. "We welco the arrival of the Lord."
"I believe you have not found her yet," a powerful voice echoed behind the curtains.
"Apologies, my Lord, but...."
"But I have found her," the Lord interrupted Zaria. "She is finally awakened, and now all you have to do is bring her to ."
It surprised the two, and Norean spoke, "That’s good to hear, my Lord. Please assist us on how we can reach her."
The next mont, a palm-sized black stone with red veins flashing on it appeared in the air and hung in front of them. "Take a good look at this stone," the Lord spoke. "This stone will help you find her and even guide your way to her. As she is awakened now, this stone will lead you to her presence."
Zaria raised her hand and held the stone in her palm, but the red veins on it disappeared the next mont.
"Those red veins on the stone will light up when she is nearby and will even pull you in her direction," the Lord said. "All you have to do is travel with it across the continent, which is not difficult for you. You can teleport and make it happen faster."
"I understand, my Lord," Zaria replied.
"And when you bring her here, I will bestow upon you sothing more powerful than what you received from a century back. At that ti, you managed to wipe out an entire high elf clan, but this ti you will be powerful enough to wipe out the entire existence of Agartha."
"Thank you, my Lord," Zaria bowed and felt sothing that surprised her—an essence of powerful darkness enveloped her body that ca from the Lord. She looked at the shadowed figure, only to hear him say, "As I am happy that she is awakened, I am rewarding you with a drop of powerful darkness which you can use to your aid. My servant shall be powerful and not be defeated by earthly supernaturals."
"Thank you, my Lord," Zaria bowed in gratitude.
The sound of powerful laugh echoed in the hall, "Esray, my Esray, we will reunite soon."
The shadowed figure disappeared, leaving the echoes of its voice behind.
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