The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 399: Abused Body

Chapter 399: Abused Body

By the time Oriana had finished reading the book on Divine Beasts, the clock had already struck noon. Her diligent chambermaid, Ana, entered the study and kindly informed her, "Your Highness, a meal has been prepared for you."

Oriana stifled a yawn, feeling an unexpected weariness wash over her. She couldn’t help but wonder, ’Why am I suddenly so fatigued after perusing just one book? Could it have been that uninteresting? I don’t believe so. After all, I’ve had the privilege of delving into the lore of Dragons. Perhaps a meal will revive my spirits.’

Acknowledging Ana with a subtle nod, Oriana gracefully rose from her chair.

Once Oriana had a meal, she felt better but she still felt lazy and sleepy.

"Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?" Ana inquired, noting Oriana’s sluggish movements.

Oriana, while making her way toward her private chambers, responded wearily, "Just a little tired and lack of sleep. I shall rest for a while."

As she neared her bed, Oriana’s equilibrium wavered, and she experienced a sudden bout of dizziness. Ana promptly reached out to steady her, exclaiming, "Your Highness."

Regaining her composure, Oriana requested, "Assist me to the bathroom and provide the necessary items for my monthly cycle needs."

Ana instantly comprehended the situation and aided Oriana, while Oriana quietly lamented to herself, ’That medicine has undoubtedly wreaked havoc on my body, upsetting my monthly cycle and causing great discomfort. I must solve this issue soon. Ugh!’

Once her personal matters were attended to, Oriana reclined in her bed, and Ana tenderly draped a warm quilt over her. "Your Highness, you appear rather unwell. I shall summon a physician. Weather is cold now so it might cause you more discomfort."

Is Master Erich in attendance?"

"He has not yet arrived to check on your grandfather."

"Once he’s here, please inform me. I’d like to see him," Oriana stated.

"I will. Please, rest until then. I will prepare a calming herbal tea for you," Ana replied before taking her leave.

With furrowed brows deepening, Oriana struggled through the discomfort, closing her eyes in an attempt to find solace.

"It appears you’re not in the best of health," a familiar voice reached her ears, and she turned to find Lord Yorian standing at the window. "I’m well, Lord Yorian. Did you discover anything?"

he elf nodded and jumped inside the room as he walked towards the Oriana who was about to sit in the bed, "Stay put," he instructed.

Oriana, finding the supine position more comfortable, complied. Yorian gently grasped her wrist and observed, "You do indeed require rest." He then extended his hand, producing a small vial of elixir. "This should alleviate your discomfort."

He then walked towards the fireplace and added more woods to keep the room warmer to her Oriana’s comfort.

Without hesitation, Oriana drank the elixir as she watched him.

Once he was done, he turned to her. "You may continue to rest. I can manage on my own," the elf then asked "You mentioned having some books on black magic; you could lend them to me. I’m interested in reading them."

"Can you please share what you’ve discovered?" Oriana made an attempt to rise from her bed, but a gentle finger pressed against her forehead, coaxing her to recline back onto the pillows. "A woman’s body should rest during this time. Sleep peacefully. I’ll divulge everything once you’ve had sufficient rest, and I’ve finished reading the book."

Suppressing her reluctance, Oriana harnessed her magical abilities to retrieve the books for the elf and observed his activities.

Yorian settled onto the room’s couch, selecting a book from the table before him. He assumed an elegant posture, one leg gracefully folded over the other, his hand cradling the tome. His long, slender fingers turned the pages, his focus wholly absorbed by the written content.

He conducted himself as if he owned this place, exuding a comfort that Oriana could never quite achieve in this environment even after staying here for past few days. It left her pondering whether he was naturally at ease in her presence or if he simply carried this carefree disposition with him at all times. The latter seemed more fitting, for the elf was undeniably carefree and audacious. Having lived for thousands of years, he appeared to have grown oblivious to the constraints of formality.

"You should rest instead of keeping an eye on me," he suggested, glancing in her direction. "Don’t tell me you’re uncomfortable with my presence in your room while you sleep."

Oriana averted her gaze, responding, "No, not at all. You’re welcome to stay. I’ll take my rest."

"You should know I have no other place to go, and if I linger outside too long, Prince Arlan is bound to spot me. You should know after reading the book that the Dragon’s have sharpest senses and it’s difficult to hide from them. Given the situation between both of you at this moment, your room would be the last place on the earth he would want to go."

"I understand," she replied, closing her eyes hastily. "I’m going to sleep. Please continue reading."

Yorian smiled as he watched her flustered demeanor and resumed his reading.

An hour later, Yorian sensed a disturbance outside the room and promptly vanished along with the books.

Ana entered the room, accompanied by Erich. "Her Highness is asleep. Shall I wake her up?" she inquired.

"It’s not necessary," Erich replied, striding over to the bed.

As Oriana felt fingers gently touch her wrist, her eyes fluttered open to find the familiar face of her physician.

"It seems your rest is complete," he remarked.

Instead of answering her master, Oriana immediately turned to look at the couch as she realized Yorian was in her room, but to her surprise no one was there. She felt relieved as she didn’t wish Ana to see some other man in her chamber or she didn’t know how to explain it to her, especially when that man was elf. The poor servant would get a shock to see a supernatural in front of her. She felt a little embarrassed to let Erich see it as well but she knew she would understand.

With a sigh, she turned her attention to her master, who was taking her pulse. "I’m experiencing the side effects of the medicines I took previously."

"I did warn you about this," Erich chided, his disapproval evident.