After Oriana’s grandfather woke up at noon, they spent the remainder of the day together. They strolled through the garden and engaged in a bit of gardening, during which Oriana decided to plant so new flowers.
"Grandpa, you can sit and watch while I handle the planting," she suggested, beginning to arrange the newly acquired plants in the soil.
Philip nodded, watching as Oriana chatted nonstop. "Grandpa, these are your favorite flowers and these are mine. Also I brought the ones you told that mother liked. I will plant all of them here."
Philip smiled. "That sounds like a wonderful plan."
After they had planted a few flowers, leaving the rest for the gardener, they moved to the gazebo, where a comfortable seating arrangent had been made on the floor, complete with plush cushions.
Oriana made sure Philip was comfortable, giving him his dicine while they enjoyed freshly brewed tea and snacks.
"Grandpa, it’s been so long since we last played our board ga. How about we play now?" Oriana asked.
Philip nodded without hesitation, appreciating Oriana’s efforts to create lasting mories and share joyful monts with him. He was genuinely fond of the idea.
Ana placed the square cloth board in the center, along with two dice and the ga pieces.
"It needs four players," Oriana noted, glancing at Ana. "Join us?"
Ana imdiately agreed, understanding her mistress’s intent, and took her place around the board.
"We still need one more player," Oriana mumbled, scanning the area. Her gaze settled on a nearby figure. "Sir Ahren!"
Rafal promptly approached the gazebo and bowed. "Your Highness..."
"Sir Ahren, please join us for the ga. We’re short one player," she invited.
"Your Highness, I..."
"Please, Sir Ahren," Oriana pressed, her voice gentle yet firm. "Just one round of the ga."
Rafal gave a silent nod and took his place, completing the quartet.
The ga began in earnest, filled with debates over rules and bursts of laughter, resonating throughout the garden. Oriana’s voice stood out, lively and engaging, while Rafal played quietly, following the ga’s progression with a focused deanor.
"Sir Ahren, how can one of your pawns suddenly won and entered the ho?" Oriana exclaid with suspicion. "Just a mont ago, all your pawns were lagging behind. Have you been cheating and moving them secretly while we’re distracted?"
Rafal shook his head. "I assure you, Your Highness, I have not. Perhaps luck is simply on my side."
"I don’t believe this," Oriana frowned, glancing accusingly at her other companions. "I still have all four of my pawns, and you’re all down to fewer. Ana, are you sure you haven’t cheated?"
Ana chuckled, enjoying Oriana’s childlike indignation. "I swear, Your Highness, it’s only luck on my side as well."
"Damn this luck of mine, then," Oriana grumbled.
Philip chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "You’re a Crown Princess now, Oriana. Such foul words doesn’t suite you now."
"I don’t care, Grandpa. It’s not as if I chose this title," she retorted, rolling the dice again with a focus. The next mont she cheered happily like a kid as one of her pawns advanced. "See? Now one of mine is out as well. Only three left."
Philip and Ana shared a light laugh at the scene, while Rafal remained composed, occasionally glancing at Oriana with a thoughtful expression. He wondered if she would show this unguarded side to Arlan as well. He imagined both his masters together, sharing laughs and monts of peace, a stark contrast to the formalities and burdens of royalty.
---
anwhile, updates on Oriana’s playful afternoon were discreetly relayed to the Prince, keeping him inford of her lighthearted escapades.
"Later, Her Highness busied herself in the garden with Lord Philip, and now they’ve moved on to playing a board ga. Lady Ana and Vice Commander have joined them as well. There was much laughter, and Her Highness appeared to be in high spirits," reported the knight.
"Hmm," Arlan responded simply, signaling his knight to depart.
Once the knight had left, Imbert queried, "Any orders for , Your Highness?"
Arlan shook his head, indicating no further instructions, and Imbert left the study.
Alone now, Arlan leaned back in his chair, contemplating the report. ’In great spirits? Laughing and enjoying herself? It seems she still has plenty of energy left.’
----
By evening, Oriana enjoyed a hearty al with her grandfather, but this ti they were joined by Ana and Rafal.
Though initially hesitant due to the informality, both agreed to their mistress’s insistence.
"You two played really well today," Oriana remarked as she ate. Then she turned to Philip with a pleasant smile. "Having more people to eat together makes it much nicer, doesn’t it, Grandpa?"
"True," he agreed, his voice warm. "It’s been a long ti since I’ve had a al with more than just the two of us."
"I knew you would enjoy it. Tomorrow, I’ll invite more people to join us for a al," she announced. "Ah, why don’t we hold a small banquet where everyone from knights to servants can join? We could even arrange so fun activities." Oriana turned to Ana. "Is that possible?"
"Of course, Your Highness. Whatever you wish will be prepared," Ana assured her.
"Great, I’ll leave it in your capable hands then," Oriana declared.
"Are you going to give all your ti to ?" Philip asked playfully. "Aren’t you forgetting you have a husband as well?"
Oriana paused, a flicker of guilt crossing her features. "He understands when I’m here," she replied softly, her voice tinged with mixed emotions.
"He’s a good husband, but rember to be a good wife as well," Philip advised gently. "Once you finish this al, you don’t need to stay here with . I’m tired and can’t keep up with your energy now. I’d prefer to sleep."
"Understood, Grandpa," Oriana replied softly, continuing with her al.
After dinner, Oriana helped her grandfather to bed and checked his pulse as part of her nightly routine. His pulse was weaker than before, which didn’t surprise her given his age and condition.
"Grandpa, I was thinking of staying by your side tonight," she murmured.
Philip chuckled softly. "Do you worry that I’ll be gone when you’re not here?"
"Grandpa!" Oriana exclaid, a mix of anger and concern in her voice, only to hear him reassure her gently, "I promise, I’ll be wide awake when you return tomorrow. You should leave now."
Oriana nodded, her gaze lingering on the old man.
"Say what’s on your mind," Philip encouraged, sensing her hesitation.
"Grandpa, I wanted to tell you that...I’m not just a black witch, but..." she stopped.
"I won’t be shocked or surprised by anything you say," he assured her gently.
"They say I am a demoness," she confessed, waiting apprehensively for his reaction.
Philip inhaled deeply before responding, "So what he said was the truth then."
"Who, Grandpa?" Oriana asked, curiosity and concern etching her features.
"Your father," Philip answered, his voice tinged with reluctance. "I didn’t tell you this part because I was worried you might not be able to handle it, or I wasn’t sure if what that man said was even true."
"What did he say?" Oriana pressed, her voice tinged with urgency.
"When he left you in my care, he told to protect you well because he would one day co to retrieve you. I asked him where he would take you, and he said to where you truly belong — that you are a princess of the realm beyond this one, a princess of darkness."
"He said that?" Oriana asked, her disbelief evident.
Philip nodded solemnly.
Oriana mulled over his words. ’It seems he was well aware of who his child was going to be and he made it happen. He knew about the rebirth of Esrray as his own daughter. Who is he really? Will he take to the Demon realm? Can he do that, being just a warlock? How could he even consider venturing into a demon unless he is...’ A stark realization struck her. ’Does that an he is a demon?’
The thought reverberated through her mind, echoing with a mix of fear and astonishnt.
’My father is a demon?’
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