"Oriana, I have no desire to rush you, especially given the challenges of the past few days. However, I was wondering if you’re ready to assu your duties as Crown Princess," Julien asked gently. "The won of the noble families are eager to et you after your wedding."
"I will follow Mother’s guidance," Oriana replied calmly, prompting a smile from Julien.
Arlan turned to Oriana, who was quietly eating. "It’s quite unlike you to be so compliant, Oriana Verner."
"Arlan Cromwell, Have you forgotten she’s your wife and she carries the na Cromwell now?" Julien corrected as she offered a displeased gaze to her son, "You should refer to her as Oriana Cromwell."
Arlan gazed at his mother with calm deanour. "Mother, after spending two decades without a family na, she finally has one. Why would I strip her of that? It doesn’t change the fact that she’s a Cromwell—my wife, Oriana Cromwell. Our family register lists her under the Cromwell na anyway."
Oriana, taken aback by his words, looked at him in surprise. Since when had this man beco so considerate about sothing she hadn’t even considered important?
"What do you think, Oriana?" Julien pressed, seeking her opinion.
"I’m fine if he calls by my family na. I would like to keep it," she affird.
The family na—her grandfather’s, her mother’s—was sothing she wanted to preserve forever.
"Alright," the Queen said, softening. "I just didn’t want you to feel excluded from our family if he continues calling you Oriana Verner."
"I won’t feel that way, Mother," Oriana reassured her.
Ailwin, who had been quietly observing the conversation during the al, finally spoke up. "Oriana."
She turned to the King. "Yes, Father?" This ti, her voice carried no awkwardness in calling him father.
"Two decades ago, when Philip departed, all assets of the Verner family—including the residence, land, gold, and other valuables—ca under the royal family’s control. Now that you’re back, you can take charge of them. They will be transferred to you soon," the King explained.
"Father, thank you for safeguarding everything when our family was absent," Oriana responded, her tone filled with gratitude. "But I need none of it, except for the residence. Grandpa is buried there, and it holds my family’s mories. The rest can remain under royal control or be donated to the people of this kingdom."
Everyone at the table could see that Oriana was not driven by a thirst for wealth or power.
The king nodded in understanding. "I will keep it under royal command then. Perhaps one day you might want to claim it. If not, you can always donate it later on your own terms."
"Yes, Father."
"Oriana, you should consider it," Alvera interjected, her tone earnest. "It’s wise to hold onto wealth. You might not comprehend what kind of wealth your grandfather truly had. He was a high noble and King’s personal adviser. His wealth can be beyond you can imagine. Also, as a woman, taking charge of it is prudent. What if one day my brother stops providing for you?"
Oriana wanted to say she can happily survive on her skills as physician on her own but soone beat her to it.
"Why do I need to provide for her?" Arlan countered, his tone serious, "Everything I own is hers, including myself. She has everything under her control."
Alvera narrowed her eyes at him and turned back to Oriana, caution in her voice. "Never fall for man’s sweet words."
Arlan quipped, "She has already fallen for , what more is there?" His comnt drew a light blush from Oriana. ’Could he be more sensible with his words in front of his family?’
He continued, "Elder sister sure fell for the soone’s sweet words and ended up being a...." he stopped as he looked at Rayjin who was listening to them and swallowed the word ’Breeding cow’ back and said, "...mother of two kids."
"The way you are good with the sweet words, I am sure soon Oriana would also end up being a.....ahem, a mother of your kids."
"Sure," Arlan replied.
Oriana looked at the two, and could not comprehend how these siblings directed the flow of talk, it started from so other point and ended up to sothing else. If no one stopped them, they could just keep going on. Thankfully Lenard was not there to add to their antic talk.
"Enough, you two. Stop embarrassing her and let her enjoy her al," Julien intervened, though her tone carried a hint of amusent. She was pleased to see this side of Arlan; she had always feared her son might end up living a life marked by solitude and sorrow. Oriana’s presence had transford their lives. She was truly a blessing to their family.
----
After the al concluded, Arlan left Oriana in the company of his mother, while he joined his father to discuss more pressing matters.
"Father, I’m considering taking a short trip with Oriana," Arlan disclosed.
"Is it urgent?" the King inquired.
"It’s important, though the exact timing hasn’t been decided," Arlan explained as he addressed the unspoken concern of his father, "I’ll make sure to be here while Marquis Mortir is visiting the capital."
"You sure know what you need to do," Ailwin appreciated, "Keep your people away. I’d prefer no disturbances now that we’re enjoying a period of peace."
"Rest assured, Father."
Arlan was aware his father was referring to Alex. He was already grateful that Ailwin never questioned his choice of people to have with him. As long as Alex was not a part of his royal knight squad, everything was fine and Ailwin preferred to turn blind eye to his son’s matters. Alex could only lead Arlan’s underground dark forces, not revealing his true identity to anyone.
"The Marquis is bringing his daughter with him," Ailwin ntioned, shifting the topic subtly yet significantly. "You’ll need to manage that situation delicately."
Arlan caught the implication imdiately but simply responded, "He might be disappointed."
"Ultimately, the decisions are yours to make, and I will stand by you," the King said firmly. "But ensure they don’t disrupt our hard-won peace."
"Yes, Father."
"That short trip, does it have to do with sothing I can’t understand?" Ailwin asked.
"Yes, father," he replied, "My other side now you know is a divine Dragon and now Oriana is my mate. It’s ti for to mark her and make her my mate. For that, taking her away is important."
Ailwin simply nodded and asked nothing more to which Arlan was grateful.
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