The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 393: Make Me Regret It

Chapter 393: Make Me Regret It

In the grand foyer of Thistle Palace, Alex briskly entered and unexpectedly encountered Imbert, whose surprise was evident. Imbert had been well-informed about Alex’s mission for the night, so witnessing his return signaled that something had gone awry.

"Alex, what brings you here?" Imbert inquired.

Alex halted, fixing his gaze on Imbert, a dear friend of his. "Her Highness is arriving here, and I must inform His Highness of her impending arrival."

Imbert was taken aback. "Here?"

In a rush, Alex nodded. "Excuse me."

"Wait."

Alex paused, and Imbert, sensing his unspoken question, added, "Wait a little longer."

Alex was puzzled, but Imbert answered the unspoken query in his eyes. "You can inform His Highness once she has crossed the threshold of the palace."

After a moment of silence, Alex grasped the situation. If Arlan were informed in advance, Oriana would likely be denied entry to the palace altogether. However, if they held off on informing him until she was inside, there was a chance that they could arrange a meeting. In essence, Imbert hoped for Arlan and Oriana to engage in conversation, and Alex, given their shared history as master and servant, reluctantly concurred.

Imbert glanced at Rafal, who had just descended the stairs from Arlan’s study. "What is His Highness occupied with?"

Rafal responded, "He’s still engrossed in his work within the study."

"In a short while, the Crown Princess’s carriage will arrive. Grant them entry," Imbert instructed.

Rafal wore a perplexed expression, but upon receiving a subtle gesture from Imbert, he left to carry out the directive. Reluctant to challenge his captain’s authority, Rafal exited.

Hearing some sounds outside, Imebrt spoke, "They have arrived. Now, you can proceed to inform His Highness. You know what to do," Imbert remarked.

"I had no idea you could be so cunning," Alex commented.

Imbert maintained his usual stern expressions and spoke, "Do not forget that you are a part of this plan as well."

Alex donned his usual composed demeanor and ascended the staircase.

Arlan stood by the window in his study, gazing out at the world beyond. Alex entered and respectfully bowed, addressing him, "Your Highness."

Arlan didn’t turn to face him, as if he had already anticipated that things wouldn’t unfold as planned. Dealing with the woman in question had proven to be quite challenging when it came to altering her decisions.

"What excuse has she offered this time?" Arlan inquired.

"Your Highness..."

"I opted to come to you instead of evading your presence."

A familiar, feminine voice interjected, disrupting their conversation. Alex glanced at the two and began to make a discreet exit, but Arlan spoke up once more, his tone firm, "Return to Wildridge Manor and accept your punishment."

"Yes, Your Highness," Alex replied before quietly exiting.

Arlan finally turned his attention to the woman who had entered his study. Her presence had swiftly filled the room with her fragrance, yet Arlan remained seemingly unfazed.

"It seems you have a habit of finding yourself in trouble with me. Are you that weary of living?" he asked.

"Why would I be tired of living when such a luxurious life lies ahead?" she countered, a sly smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"It appears that I left you unsatisfied last night, given your unannounced return," he remarked, his voice icy, and his eyes revealing no emotion.

She responded with a smile, appearing sweet on the surface, yet harboring a sly undertone. Slowly, she approached him, saying, "Well, I’ve pondered your proposal from the previous evening. Instead of enduring the pain of fleeing, wandering aimlessly, and suffering from loneliness, I’ve considered embracing the discomfort of intimacy with you and then relishing a life of luxury." She appraised him from head to toe. "Upon reflection, you’re rather handsome, with an impressive physique. I don’t anticipate torment, in fact, I might even enjoy it. Despite your unpleasant personality, your good looks and physique may compensate for it."

Arlan simply observed the woman before him, boldly displaying confidence in stark contrast to her previous night’s fear. It was apparent that she possessed remarkable courage, coming to confront him without concern for the potential repercussions. Did she truly understand the gravity of provoking him?

She halted, facing him directly, her eyes seductively locking onto his. With deliberate intent, her hands undid the belt of her outer night robe, tied around her slender waist.

"Shall we continue here, or would you prefer your bedchamber, Your Highness?"

He arched a skeptical brow, "You dare?" his expression conveying a warning more than a query, urging her to reconsider.

In response, she playfully raised an eyebrow, mirroring his gesture. "If not here, then why am I here at all?"

Her hands moved sensually to remove the outer robe, sliding it down her shoulders until it gracefully pooled around her feet. Her slender form stood before him, adorned in a delicate nightdress that clung to her petite frame, accentuating her enticing curves.

"Do you still harbor doubts, my dear Prince?"

Her voice and manner exuded flirtatiousness, a facet of her character that Arlan had never anticipated. Her confidence clearly showed she was aware of how beautiful and tempting she was. She was sure checking his patience.

Arlan fixed his gaze on her for a brief moment, a disdainful chuckle escaping his lips. "So, it was all a masquerade, wasn’t it? The pretense of protecting your grandfather, the desire to uncover your family history, and that seemingly genuine animosity toward me – all of it, just a charade. Your true motive from the very beginning was the pursuit of title and luxury, and you used those excuses to gain entry into the palace. You are quite the enigma. I often wondered what drives someone to fearlessly court death. As it turns out, unbridled greed can indeed overpower all of a person’s senses, especially when that person is as morally corrupt like you."

Her determination remained steadfast in the face of his mockery. "What’s wrong with that? People like you, born and raised in luxury, can’t comprehend the hardships we’ve endured. Besides, I’m on the cusp of acquiring the highest title, which elevates me above all. Why would I decline such an opportunity? If the price for that is intimacy with you, I have no objection. It might even lead to conceiving your child, which would help me even better."

Arlan laughed, his gaze darkening as he studied her. "You want to bear my child?"

"Why not?" she retorted confidently. "We’ve been intimate before, after all. I must admit, you are quite impressive." Her hands traced along his chest provocatively, devoid of hesitation, her eyes filled with determination.

"You will regret it, Oriana Verner."

"Then make me, regret it."