Oriana had just finished her bath, feeling relieved that Arlan hadn’t disturbed her private ti. Wrapped in a bath towel, she peeked out before stepping out, making sure Arlan wasn’t there, then marched straight to the side chamber where her wardrobe was.
As she entered the side chamber, Ana arrived. "Good afternoon, Your Highness."
"Ana?" Oriana almost jumped. "You scared . I thought..." She patted her chest to calm herself.
Ana smiled lightly. "His Highness has returned to the Thistle Palace. His Majesty has requested both of your presence at the Oak Palace," she inford, proceeding with her tasks.
"Oak Palace? Is it sothing important?" Oriana asked.
"It seems His Majesty wishes to introduce you to the new guests in the palace," Ana replied.
Oriana understood; it was the Marquis and his daughter she was going to et. "Alright."
As Ana brought the clothes, Oriana removed her towel, so imrsed in her thoughts about the new guests that she forgot about the intricate designs adorning her the skin on her entire body.
The mont Oriana’s towel fell away, Ana’s eyes widened, but she swallowed her words, understanding the obvious reason for the marks on Oriana’s body.
Noticing Ana’s gaze, Oriana cleared her throat awkwardly. "Get a dress that covers up to my neck."
"Your Highness, I will first get an ointnt for you so these marks will heal faster," Ana offered.
"Don’t bother. They don’t hurt, and I can’t greet our guests while slling like dicine," Oriana replied.
Ana agreed and fetched the requested dress, helping Oriana get ready. Once dressed and ready, another servant entered and inford them, "Your Highness, His Highness has arrived and is waiting for you."
Oriana nodded and left the chamber, with Ana following her. As she stepped out of the mansion door, she saw Arlan talking to Rafal. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of her handso husband, her cheeks reddening as mories from the previous night resurfaced upon seeing him.
Seemingly sensing her presence, Arlan shifted his attention to her. Their gazes t, and Oriana swallowed hard, her breathing turning shallow.
’What’s wrong with ? It’s dayti, not a new moon night, yet I feel this way towards him. Is it really her, or just ? Is he right when he says I should stop hiding behind her and that this is just who I am—a demoness through and through, lusting after my handso husband at just a sight of him?’
As she pondered, she found his gaze fixed on her, seemingly seeing through her soul. ’It would be embarrassing if he finds out how he is affecting in broad daylight. This will pass. I need to get a hold of myself.’
As she reached the bottom of the stairs at the entrance, Arlan turned to her, noticing how her dress covered her from neck. He moved his hand to tuck a stray strand of hair blown by the breeze, causing Oriana to flinch slightly, but she stayed in place.
"You look beautiful as always," he praised, taking her by surprise. Lately, he had been generous with complints. She knew she was indeed beautiful, but his words still caught her off guard.
"Thank you," she replied softly.
The atmosphere seed filled with the sweetness of their love, and everyone could feel the bliss in the air. Ana and the other female servants smiled slightly at the couple’s tender interaction while knights stood as if they could see or hear nothing.
Arlan leaned in closer, and Oriana instinctively leaned back, her eyes questioning him.
A light smirk painted his lips as he circled his hand around her waist and pulled her closer.
"Arlan..."
His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, "I love how loud your heart beats at the sight of ."
A gasp escaped her lips at the brush of his lips and the warmth of his breath on her earlobe. She gulped as realization dawned on her. ’I’m caught. He can hear my heartbeat.’
Arlan moved back and looked into her shocked eyes, a wicked smirk playing on his lips. His gaze traveled down her face to settle on her chest, where her heart raced wildly beneath the layers of clothes, skin, and bones as if he could see it through.
"I-It’s because of lack of sleep," she muttered, trying to reason. "Lack of sleep can affect person’s heartbeats."
As expected of the physician inside her, she ca out with a dical reason.
He raised an eyebrow in response, clearly not believing her.
She averted her gaze, unable to escape his hold. "A-Aren’t we getting late?" Any more ti close to him and this Dragon would know the dirt in her mind. ’I am hopeless,’ she cried inside.
Arlan released her, and she let out a sigh of relief. Imbert opened the door of the carriage, and Arlan assisted her inside, following her and sitting opposite her in the sa carriage.
-----
anwhile, a certain carriage was already making its way onto the premises of Oak Palace.
"Grace, rember to behave well and be polite in front of the King and Queen," Luis instructed his daughter, who sat opposite him.
"Yes, Father," she replied softly.
"Today, Prince Arlan and that Verner girl will join us for a al. Be sure to make a good impression on him."
"Yes, Father. Prince Arlan is not a stranger to . He treated well when he was stationed at the Northeast border a few years back," Grace said, a proud smile on her lips. "I still rember how other noble girls envied , seeing by his side."
Luis chuckled. "True. My daughter is certainly worth the attention of the Prince. Since then, everyone believes he will marry you. If you had been of age back then and he didn’t have his betrothed, you would have been married to him already."
"Rest assured, Father. I will make sure to marry him. Once it happens, that Verner girl will no longer be by his side. Prince Arlan will have eyes only for , just like in those days."
"I definitely trust my daughter. After all, you are of royal blood," Luis comnted.
"Mother told we used to rule a kingdom. If we had not lost it to..."
"Forget about that small, worthless kingdom," Luis interrupted. "We can gain control of a much larger one once you marry a prince. I will make sure you beco a queen of Griven, and Prince Arlan will only listen to you."
"Is that possible?" Grace asked, seemingly confused but aware that nothing was impossible for her father.
A wicked smile painted his lips. "Anything is possible in this mysterious world. Powers beyond human understanding can always be used to our benefit."
"What do you an, Father?" She looked puzzled.
"You do not need to know. Just focus on what you are here for," he replied, his tone serious. "You have another goal to fulfill. Make sure to get close to that Verner girl and find out if she has sothing she is trying to hide."
"You an so kind of artifact her family has, sothing you ntioned a few days back?"
"Yes. You have to find it. By all ans, we must get our hands on it."
"Okay, Father."
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