The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 395: A Monster

Chapter 395: A Monster

In shock, Oriana took a step back, while Arlan advanced toward her. He seized her hand, the one holding the bloodied dagger, and moved it towards his own chest. The next moment that blade stabbed him in chest.

A loud gasp escaped Oriana’s lips, rendering her speechless as she looked at her hand clutching the knife. She attempted to wrest her hand free, but Arlan maintained a firm grip, refusing to remove the dagger. The blood from that stab continued to paint his pristine white shirt in red.

"Didn’t you want to kill me? Well, here’s your chance," he declared.

She once more tried to free her hand but he tightened his grip on her hand even more, and moved that sharp dagger across his chest, slicing through his flesh without displaying any signs of pain. "This is where you touched me, isn’t it? Let me remove that repulsive contact."

Meanwhile, Oriana was in a state of profound shock, struggling to process the unfolding scene. How can someone stab themselves mercilessly and wouldn’t even make a sound while cutting their own flesh mercilessly?

By the time Arlan finally released her hand, he had inflicted multiple deep wounds on his chest wherever her hand had touched him a while ago. His white shirt was drenched in blood and was entirely tattered.

He tore his shirt apart, revealing his healing wounds on his chest that healed on it’s own in a blink of an eye.

"You’re not naïve enough to believe that I’m just an ordinary human. You referred to me as a monster, and that’s precisely what I am."

Speechless, Oriana’s gaze remained fixed on his healing wounds as she continued to retreat with unsteady legs.

Arlan closed the distance between them, approaching the still-shocked woman with his half-bare body, now fully healed. "Do you believe an invincible monster like me is incapable of eliminating you and that old man and I’m obligated to serve under the king’s command? I’ve extended my patience for the sake of my father, but you’ve failed to appreciate it. This, I must insist, is my threshold. Vanish from this place as soon as you can, or I’ll have no choice but to kill both of you."

Her eyes, wide with shock, remained fixed on him as she repeated her question, "What are you?" struggling to accept the unbelievable sight before her.

"A monster," he declared boldly, and then summoned his loyal knight, "Imbert."

She gazed at the dagger in her hand, still clutching it in disbelief, before releasing her grip. The dagger clattered to the floor, breaking the eerie silence that had settled over the room.

The knight’s resolute voice echoed from beyond the study door. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"Escort this woman away, and ensure she never crosses the threshold of my residence again."

Arlan’s impatience was palpable, as if her very presence was unbearable for another moment.

Imbert entered the study, his eyes falling upon the shocked Oriana, who was now staring at her blood-stained hand in disbelief. He took in the chaotic scene within the study: Arlan’s upper body, marked with bloodstains but devoid of any wounds, his torn shirt discarded on the floor, and a bloody dagger lying nearby.

It didn’t take Imbert long to grasp that his liege had finally revealed his true self to Oriana, leaving him to wonder about the depths of Arlan’s desperation to remove her from his life. He took a chance of sending Oriana to Arlan was because he knew his master would never harm this woman.

Imbert stepped further into the study, offering a respectful bow to Oriana. "Your Highness, please follow me."

Oriana glanced at him, and Imbert raised his head to meet her gaze. "Please, come with me."

He turned to exit, and Oriana silently followed, her mind a blank slate, her actions dictated by the one guiding her.

Imbert led her out to where her carriage awaited. Commander Loyset, who had been deeply concerned for her, breathed a sigh of relief upon her return and approached her.

Observing her bloodstained hand, he inquired, "Your Highness, are you injured?"

She merely shook her head, while Imbert explained, "It’s not her blood. She’s unharmed."

Conor sensed that something significant had transpired between Oriana and Arlan, transforming her from the confident woman who had arrived earlier.

"His Highness?" Commander inquired.

"He is fine as well," Imbert assured. "Just look after Her Highness."

The carriage departed from Thistle Palace. Throughout the journey, Oriana continued to process the bewildering events that had unfolded. She had unequivocally grasped that Arlan was not human. Her mind was abuzz with questions and the need to sort them out.

Upon her return to her mansion, Oriana retreated to her chamber and stood by the window, gazing outside.

’He possesses immense power. But what exactly is he?’ Her thoughts turned to Drayce and Yorian. ’I can ask them. King Drayce is his friend. I shall inquire of Lord Yorian. I trust he will provide answers.’

Oriana closed her eyes and concentrated. Despite her still unsettled state of mind, she made every effort to focus and dispatched a magical letter to Yorian. Upon completing this magical communication, she felt drained, for it had consumed her energy, drawing upon her divine power.

"I hope I’m not disturbing him, and that he receives the letter as soon as possible. I won’t find peace until I have all the answers," she thought, her anxiety driving her to her bed, though sleep was a distant hope.

As she lay there, insomnia her only companion, her mind swirled with various thoughts. "If he’s not human but a supernatural being, why did I never sense anything amiss? His aura felt nothing special that of an ordinary human. Could it be that his true nature has been hidden from the world, just like mine? There’s no other explanation. I could always detect other supernaturals around me, like the witches and warlocks, and even Lord Yorian, who’s an elf. But what kind of supernatural being is this Prince? He’s certainly not a warlock, and to the best of my knowledge, no witch or warlock possesses the rapid self-healing ability he displayed. Is he some kind of demon?"

She closed her eyes and murmured, ’Lord Yorian, please show up here soon.’