Arlan and Oriana reached the Oak Palace where the King and Queen were hosting their guests, Luis and his daughter, Grace.
As they entered the drawing room, Luis and Grace stood to greet the Crown Prince and Princess, who first paid their respects to their parents.
"Good afternoon, Father, Mother," Arlan and Oriana said in unison.
Queen Julien smiled warmly, while King Ailwin nodded and instructed, "Have a seat."
Arlan and Oriana sat on the couch to the left of the royal couple, opposite Luis and Grace, who were seated on the right.
"Arlan, Marquis Mortir is here. You must know him well from your ti serving at the northeastern border," the King said.
Arlan finally turned his attention to Luis, who bowed along with his daughter. "Greetings, Your Highness, Crown Prince. Crown Princess."
Arlan gave a slight nod, "I do know him."
While Oriana simply observed, her instincts warning her that these two were trouble.
"Those were fortunate days when my family got an opportunity to serve Prince Arlan," Luis said, "I do hope, Prince Arlan to arrive for another visit and gives us an another opportunity to serve him."
"Of course," Arlan replied with a determination, only known to him, "I will soon be fulfilling Marquis Mortir’s wish."
Luis felt delighted to hear it but he suppressed his joy behind his calmness and continued, "Prince Arlan this is Grace. You must rember that young girl who used to by your side always or I must say she used to trouble you."
"Father," Grace said in hushed voice, a light smile and a little embarrassnt to rember her young self, painted on her face.
Luis chuckled at her and said, "Alright, you are not that sa young girl now. You are grown up and matured person now."
Gracesmiled innocently at the prince and bowed her head. "Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Arlan," she said, then turned her gaze to Oriana. "Princess Oriana."
Arlan offered a light nod and quickly looked away from Grace and turned to his mother, while Oriana offered a polite nod to Grace as well.
"Mother, I hope I haven’t kept you all waiting for long," Arlan said.
"It’s alright. As a newly married couple, we understand if you spend more ti together," Julien said with a pleasant chuckle. "As long as I get to see my grandchild soon, all this waiting is pardoned." She turned to her husband, "Isn’t it, Ailwin?"
"Of course," the King replied, then turned to Luis. "I hope you do not mind our family’s frank talk."
Luis, who had resud his seat, managed a light smile. "Of course not, Your Majesty. As Crown Prince, we all expect an heir from him," and looked at Oriana, "I do hope the Crown Princess will be able to fulfill all our wishes soon."
Oriana raised an eyebrow at Luis’ blunt way of pinning a pressure about producing an heir on her. ’Is producing a child a magic, where I mumble a spell and child pops out of my belly like a candy? These typical n only know to pressure won to produce a child.’
Arlan spoke, "Marquis Mortir, rest assured. When it happens, the Mortir family will be the first to receive boxes of sweets from the royal family." He then turned to Julien, "Mother, I believe once you get your grandchildren, you will take care of them and leave Oriana to . I do not wish for a third person to ddle and take away our ti together, even if they are our children."
"I would gladly do it," Julien replied. "Once Oriana takes on my responsibilities as Queen, I would have nothing more to do. Ailwin and I will spend our ti raising our grandchildren," she looked at her husband, "Isn’t that right?"
The King offered a light smile, "Whatever you say."
Luis and his daughter remained quiet. Luis clearly understood the indirect ssages being conveyed through the family conversation, while Grace felt a pang of jealousy at how Arlan could not leave his wife, despite knowing her only recently.
Luis glanced at his daughter and offered her a reassuring look, silently asking her to remain calm.
The butler announced that lunch was ready, and everyone proceeded to the dining room. Servants, standing behind the chairs around the long rectangular dining table, pulled out the chairs for everyone. The King sat at the head of the table, the Queen on his right, while Luis and his daughter were guided to the left, opposite the Queen.
As a servant approached to pull out Oriana’s chair, Arlan dismissed him and took his place, pulling out the chair for her himself and signaling her to sit.
Oriana did as she was told and heard him ask, "Comfortable?"
She nodded, and Arlan sat in his own chair between his mother and Oriana. Everyone noticed Arlan’s caring gesture towards Oriana, who had not spoken a single word since greeting the King and Queen.
As the al began, Grace looked at Oriana, who was about to take her first bite. "Your Highness, I noticed you talk so little."
Oriana almost cursed internally for being interrupted ever before the food could enter her salivating mouth. Having skipped breakfast in her rush to the Oak Palace, she was finally about to enjoy the delicious food in front of her but this damn noble lady had to deprive her of it. Food was the most precious thing to her, more than any conversation.
Without responding her, Oriana took her first bite, chewing it leisurely while keeping Grace waiting. After swallowing, Oriana finally spoke, "The food is really delicious. I hope Lady Grace likes it."
"Yes, of course, it is delicious," Grace replied.
"But I see you have yet to take a bite and taste it," Oriana comnted.
Grace felt baffled and opened her mouth to reply, but Oriana beat her to it. "I assu that from the looks and aroma alone, Lady Grace can tell it’s delicious."
"Ah, yes. That is exactly what I was going to say, Your Highness."
"Then, I wish you to enjoy it," Oriana replied and resud eating.
She wished her to shut her mouth and go to hell and do not disturb her al ti. ’No one is allowed to disturb my al ti, not even the Gods or Demons.’ As she swallowed the second bite, Oriana felt even better, ’My stomach would have exploded of hunger if I had waited to eat a little more,’ and continued to eat nicely.
Through the corner of his eyes, Arlan noticed her reaction and smiled lightly while he ate. ’Food is what she needs the most. She might even abandon for the sake of it.’ He could not help but chuckle inwardly at the thought.
Luis felt a little awkward with the conversation between Oriana and Gracewhere Oriana, though seed polite, she was dominating his daughter but he could say nothing.
Julien and Ailwin shared knowing glances, while Arlan proceeded to show even more care for his wife.
He served more food onto Oriana’s plate, a task usually reserved for the servants. "You should eat this. I realize you’ve been quite exhausted lately and need more energy."
Oriana nearly choked on her food, knowing exactly what he ant. She didn’t dare lift her gaze to look at the others and simply replied, "Thank you."
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