The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 429: Clues About Mother

Chapter 429: Clues About Mother

Back to present.

Within Arlan’s chamber, all four of them settled into the lounge area, while Arlan remained unconscious in his bed.

Yorian was eager to know what Oriana had discovered. "So, what did you find out?" he inquired.

Oriana proceeded to narrate all the details, starting from the moment she had entered the room. "...I tried every conceivable method to coax information out of her, and this is what I managed to glean."

"So, if I understand correctly," Yorian summarized, "your mother was the one responsible for imprisoning her, and now she needs your help to free herself. But what exactly was your mother? If she was a witch, yet your grandfather is human, does that mean your grandmother was a witch..."

"If my mother was indeed a witch," Oriana mused, "that seems to be the logical conclusion. How else could a human have the power to confine a witch, unless she possessed supernatural abilities?"

Drayce chimed in, offering an alternative perspective. "If your mother were a witch, it seems unlikely she would have left one malevolent witch trapped, allowing her to torment others even from a cage. Such is not the typical way witches deal with their adversaries. There are other possibilities, such as the idea that your mother might have been a human with unique, innate abilities – what we might refer to as a ’blessed human’ or there is something special about your bloodline.’"

"We have one with us already," Drayce pointed toward Slayer, who seemed disinterested in the conversation, choosing to remain silent. Observing Slayer’s indifference, Oriana decided not to push the matter any further.

Yorian, looking quite serious and deep in thought, expressed, "What King Drayce suggested could indeed be a possibility. Based on the information you’ve shared, I can draw a conclusion that your mother was not a witch but a special human."

Oriana, intrigued, asked, "How do you figure?"

"Allow me to elaborate," the elf began, "The evil witch clearly possesses deep knowledge of your mother, indicating that she would know if your mother were a witch or not. Normally, a witch’s daughter would also be a witch, which should be you. However, the evil witch was surprised to learn that you are witch. If you mother was a witch, there was no reason for that witch to be surprise about this fact. This suggests that your mother was not a witch."

"That makes sense," Oriana concurred.

Drayce remained composed, as though he had already arrived at these conclusions but was patiently awaiting Yorian’s explanation for Oriana’s benefit.

Yorian continued, "As for King Drayce’s notion about your family’s bloodline being special or blessed with some unique trait, I have a theory to support it. You mentioned that the witch not only desires your blood but also covets your body, implying a desire to possess it."

Oriana, somewhat skeptical, asked, "What does that mean?"

Yorian clarified, "She intends to transfer her soul into your body, making it her own."

Oriana was taken aback. "What about my soul?" she asked, her shock evident.

"It would then inhabit her former body, and you’d be left trapped or possibly even perish along with it, depending on the fate of her previous body," Yorian explained.

"That’s absurd," Oriana exclaimed, clearly disturbed by the implications.

Yorian chuckled at Oriana’s reaction, remarking, "It might sound absurd to you, but not to her. Nonetheless, this revelation has provided us with a crucial clue about you."

Curious, Oriana inquired, "What is it?"

The elf explained, "Witches can’t simply inhabit any ordinary body. The host body must possess unique qualities or be gifted in a way that allows it to accommodate such a transfer of souls. She had no knowledge that you were a witch, but she had already made the decision to take your body, even under the assumption that you were a human. This indicates that she was well aware of the uniqueness of your body and bloodline."

Oriana nodded in comprehension and softly added, "After assuming my body, she intends to become the mate of the Prince." Her voice held a hint of melancholy beneath the words.

Yorian playfully teased her, "You must be quite perturbed by the thought of her coveting your Prince."

Oriana shot him a disapproving look and retorted, "My concern is not about her interest in the Prince, but rather the potential trouble she could cause for the innocent people of this kingdom once she’s out in the open."

Drayce and Slayer remained silent in response to Oriana’s outburst, while Yorian calmly redirected the conversation. "I appreciate your genuine concern for the people of this kingdom. Let’s return to our discussion."

Oriana, her voice laced with irritation, countered, "You’re the one who always veers off the main topic and then blames me for it, Lord Yorian." Her brows furrowed, and her tone held a touch of anger as if the elf had touched her sour spot.

"You can continue to wear that anger as long as you’d like; I won’t be tired of seeing your beautiful angry face until you’re calm," the elf remarked.

Drayce and Slayer offered him a narrowed eyed glances, though Yorian paid it no mind.

Drayce and Slayer then looked at Arlan who was unconscious lying in the bed. If Arlan had to hear what this elf had said, his thousand years long life span would have been ended right away.

Catching Yorian’s words praising her beauty, Oriana attempted to clarify, saying, "This is one more reason. How could I willingly surrender my body to that witch when it bears this beautiful face? I won’t let her have it."

Yorian, wearing a teasing smile, responded, "The more you explain, the more firmly we believe you."

Oriana glanced at Drayce and Slayer, but their expressions remained impassive. She couldn’t help but wonder if they, too, suspected that her actions were driven by feelings for Arlan, prompting her to protect him.

Drayce, in an effort to steer the conversation back on track and lesson Oriana’s embarrassment, commented, "Have you thought that if your mother wasn’t a witch, then perhaps your father was a warlock?"