The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 392: Oriana’s Decision

Chapter 392: Oriana’s Decision

Arlan glanced back at her veiled face, noting the anxiety in her eyes, but it only seemed to fuel his arrogance.

"Already frightened?" His smirk grew wider as his hand ventured towards her exposed neck, fingertips gliding along her skin. "And here you had hopes of marrying me. Mark my words, if this marriage goes through, every night we will spend in this chamber. Every night, I will make sure your grandfather knows how I’m tormenting you."

Her lips quivered, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears, yet she fought to prevent them from falling. Arlan’s fingers continued their descent, heading towards the neckline of her nightdress, poised to pull it down.

"Don’t," her trembling voice reached his ears, but he dismissed her protest with a scoff. "The more you resist, the more I’m inclined to do it. Let’s rid ourselves of these bothersome clothes."

His fingers were on the brink of grasping her neckline to expose more when...

A knock on the door interrupted the sinister scene. "Your Highness, it’s time for Lord Verner’s medication."

Oriana felt her trembling body relax slightly, her anxious mind regaining some clarity.

"He’s going to die soon anyway. What difference will it make if he misses his medicine for one night, right?" Arlan proposed, shifting his gaze from his fingers to her face. "What do you say?"

Her trembling lips finally found their voice. "Let him have his medicine first."

"Why should I listen to you when you don’t listen to me?"

"Don’t you want my grandfather to stay alive so he can witness how you torment me?"

"Hmm?" He pretended to give it some thought. "You make a valid point."

With that, he released her hands and stepped away. "This meddling servant and the old man have spoiled my mood," he muttered, his displeasure evident due to the unexpected interruption. His expression turned serious. "I’ll give you one more chance to decide."

She clutched her dress tightly around her and did her best to conceal her chest, her tear-filled eyes locked onto the ruthless man before her.

"Tomorrow night, one of my men will come to assist you in escaping from this place. Be prepared to depart. If you fail, don’t blame me for my cruelty," Arlan declared. He then turned his gaze towards Philip. "This old man is protected by my father. If he stays alive, it’s to your benefit. If he dies, you may visit his lifeless body for the last time. But afterward, ensure you disappear and remain hidden from me. If I ever find you again, I won’t hesitate to end your life."

"Your Highness?" The servant once again sought his attention.

Arlan ignored the servant and locked eyes with Oriana. "This is your last opportunity, understood?" He pivoted and headed for the door.

Upon opening the door, he was met with the sight of Commander Loyset standing alongside the servant. Arlan offered the commander a mocking smirk before departing.

"You may go back," Conor instructed the servant, hurrying into the chamber. Worry etched his usually stern countenance as he observed Oriana, who was standing by the wall, clutching her dress tightly to her chest.

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

She met the man’s concerned gaze. "Thank you for arriving on time."

"Apologies, Your Highness. There are times when we cannot defy royalty."

"I understand," she replied, well aware that there was no medicine to be administered to her grandfather at this hour, but the commander had to invent an excuse to be present. She could only express her gratitude.

"His Highness has departed," the man informed.

"I will stay here with my grandfather. You may leave, Commander."

The man nodded and departed after offering her a respectful bow. Oriana sank to the floor, her back sliding along the cold wall, and her legs gave way. It was as though all the strength in her body had suddenly dissipated. She couldn’t allow others to see her in such a vulnerable state.

Arlan’s actions had genuinely frightened her today. She felt anxious and scared, realizing that the man had exploited her vulnerabilities. She had even forgotten that she possessed the power to teach him a lesson. At this moment, she didn’t have an ounce of energy left, not even to curse him.

Calming herself, Oriana settled by her grandfather’s side, gently taking hold of his hand. "I’m sorry, Grandpa, that you had to witness all of this," she murmured. "It’s my fault for not being strong enough to stand up to him." Her eyes welled with moisture, but she held back the tears.

Sitting there, by her grandfather’s side, she eventually drifted off to sleep. Holding onto her grandfather’s hand provided her with a sense of security. There had been a time when she’d felt secure with someone else, but that person was nothing but her enemy and she was forced to protect herself from him.

"I was mistaken about him, Grandpa," she whispered to the sleeping figure. "I was swept away for a while, but I see clearly now that in this entire world, you’re the only one who cares for me and wishes to protect me. You are the only one I have, and I can never afford to lose you."

----

The next day, Oriana remained by her grandfather’s side, engaged in discussions with Erich about the potential development of more effective medicines to treat him. Until nightfall, she never left the old man’s side, her thoughts consumed by the issue of how to deal with Arlan.

"Your Highness, you should retire to your chamber. You’ve exhausted yourself throughout the day," Ana gently reminded her.

Oriana didn’t reject the suggestion and made her way to her chamber. Changing into her night attire with Ana’s assistance, she moved towards her bed. "You can go to sleep now, Ana."

Ana covered Oriana with a blanket and bid her goodnight before leaving the chamber.

Once the door was closed, Oriana pulled the blanket aside and spoke quietly, "Come out."

A man emerged from the shadows, concealed by dark clothing that obscured his face. In the dim room, his eyes remained hidden.

Before he could utter a word, Oriana stated, "Take me to him first," as she rose from the bed.

"His Highness expects Your Highness to leave..."

"Neither that Crown Prince nor you can dictate to me, Mister Alexander Peryl," Oriana interrupted.

Alex was taken aback by her ability to recognize him even in the darkness, as he was fully concealed in dark attire and a face covering. She had even detected his presence in the room, which was impressive.

"I want to go to him and give him what he desires from me," she added, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "Don’t you want your master to receive what he so desperately desires?"

Arlan’s actions, such as sending the leader of his covert forces to ensure her departure, made it abundantly clear that he had no genuine interest in being tied to her in any way. Her exit appeared to be of paramount importance to him and she was not going to let him have that satisfaction of success.

"I am here to carry out my master’s orders, and I answer only to him," came the steadfast and dignified response from the cloaked man.

"And how do you plan to do that?" Oriana inquired with a mocking chuckle. "Do you dare drag the Crown Princess of this kingdom out from here against her wishes and then be caught by Commander Loyset while doing so.? Your actions represent your master. Do you want him to be labeled as a traitor? If so, I’ll be more than willing to cooperate with you by making a lovely scene to expose your presence in my chamber."

Following Arlan’s instructions, they had anticipated that the woman would willingly depart, but it appeared she had no intentions of leaving.

Alex found himself at a loss for words due to the sudden turn of events. "Your Highness, I implore you to reconsider. All the arrangements for your smooth departure have been meticulously made."

"Undoubtedly, I’m sure everything has been impeccably planned, as I have complete faith in your abilities, Mister Alex," Oriana remarked. "But what can be done when I have no desire to leave?"

Her demeanor was somewhat playful, seemingly dismissing all the efforts they had put into avoiding the security measures and the knights under the commander’s orders.

"Don’t concern yourself," she continued. "I’ll go to him on my own. You can inform him that I’m on my way."

With that, Oriana left her chamber and descended the stairs, without waiting to hear Alex.

The knights who spotted her, clad in her nightdress, lowered their gazes respectfully. "Your Highness..."

"Prepare a carriage for me. Hurry," she instructed. "I’m heading to the Thistle Palace."

The knights promptly complied with her orders and went to arrange for the carriage. The commander arrived just in time to witness Oriana stepping out of the mansion and heading toward the waiting carriage.

"Your Highness," he bowed.

"I hope you understand my decision, Commander," she told him.

In response, the commander placed a thick jacket over her shoulders. "It’s chilly outside."

Oriana gratefully accepted his kindness, wrapping herself in the warm garment. She then settled into the carriage, which soon set off towards the Thistle Palace.