The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 435: Door Opened For Him

Chapter 435: Door Opened For Him

Oriana observed Arlan’s weakened state, realizing that he must have teleported back and forth from Wimark to check on his sister and her kids, which had clearly taken a toll on his energy. He had barely recovered from a serious ordeal the previous night, and now, once again, he was drawn back to that malevolent witch. The amount of suffering he was enduring weighed heavily on her heart.

In her frustration and anger towards the witch, Oriana clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, ready to rush to Arlan’s side. But Yorian intervened, grabbing her hand to stop her.

Her eyes were moist with emotion as she shot an angry glare at Yorian for obstructing her path. However, the elf merely shook his head, urging her not to proceed.

With great care, Yorian pulled her away from the corridor, ensuring that Arlan wouldn’t detect their presence. Though they had concealed their essence and remained unnoticed, it was best not to risk Arlan seeing them while he was grappling with the wickedness that had ensnared him.

Once Yorian had successfully moved her away from the corridor, he employed his teleportation power, returning Oriana to her chamber while safeguarding her with a protective spell.

Back in her room, Oriana’s anger flared, and she directed her frustration at Yorian. She shouted at him, her voice filled with outrage, "What in the world are you doing?" In her intense anger, she momentarily forgot who stood before her and yelled once more, "Take me back immediately." She had lost all composure and was unwilling to heed anyone’s counsel.

Yorian firmly gripped Oriana’s shoulders, steadying her in a no-nonsense manner, and spoke with a cold, stern tone, "One more word, Oriana Verner, and I will teleport you so far away from here that it will take you a lifetime to return."

His gaze bore a warning, his demeanor serious and unyielding, devoid of the usual warmth that typically surrounded him. His words carried a weight of resolve, making Oriana freeze and regard the elf before her with astonishment. She had never witnessed this side of him, nor heard him speak in such a cold and distant manner.

Yorian continued to hold her in place as he reiterated his stern words, "Do you think he’s acting foolishly? Do you wish to make his situation more difficult, to prolong his suffering?"

"I... I just want to help," Oriana began, her words faltering as she grappled with overwhelming emotions.

"How do you intend to help when all he seeks is to shield all of you? If taking you to the witch would assist him, he would have done so, wouldn’t he? But has he?" Yorian pressed.

"I understand, but I can’t bear to see him endure this..." Oriana’s voice trailed off as she began to cry.

"Let him handle this," Yorian advised, his tone softening. "Interfering might come at the cost of someone’s life, and we’d be left with remorse. He knows what he’s doing. Trust him."

Oriana struggled to respond, her words caught in her sobs. She found herself unable to form a coherent sentence, tears streaming down her face.

Yorian gently released her shoulders, only to find her leaning closer, resting her forehead on his chest as she continued to cry. Her hands clung to the soft, delicate fabric of his light blue robe, tears gradually drenching his clothes as she sought solace in his presence.

Yorian remained still, allowing Oriana to cry and vent her emotions. His hands instinctively moved to embrace and comfort her, but he hesitated midway, and retreated them entirely, letting her cry on her own.

Oriana continued to sob, her grief evident. After a considerable duration, Yorian finally heard her muffled voice, emerging through her tears. "I will ensure that the witch suffers more than she ever imagined. I will inflict so much agony upon her that she will rue each moment of her life. I will tear open her chest, crush her heart in my hand, and put an end to her existence..."

Her words carried a sinister resolve, a dark determination that Yorian did not object to. It was the nature of Black Witches that, when driven to seek vengeance, they showed no mercy and cruelty coursed through their veins.

"Do as you wish with her, but not now. Patience is necessary," Yorian advised.

Oriana finally moved away from Yorian, wiping her tears and looking at him with a determined expression. "What should I do now?"

"Nothing," he replied. "I will go out and keep watch over the Prince, and you will remain here."

"No, I can’t," Oriana protested.

Yorian reassured her, "I will keep you informed. During this time, you can assist your master in tending to the King and the Second Prince."

Oriana agreed, and Yorian left her chamber. She emerged after composing herself, instructing her servant that she was heading to Erich’s guest mansion. In addition to aiding Erich, she had another motive in mind: the Queen’s residence was accessible from there, allowing her to reach Arlan at any moment.

Upon reaching Erich’s mansion, Oriana found the elderly man deeply engrossed in preparing medicines. Anxious for any sign of improvement, she inquired, "Is there any progress in their conditions, Master?"

Erich, not looking up from his work, shook his head somberly. "Pray that this night passes peacefully."

Worriedly, she pressed, "W-What do you mean, Master?" rushing to his side.

Erich continued his task while delivering the grim news. "The King’s condition is deteriorating rapidly. His body appears unable to endure this much longer."

Oriana felt a lump form in her throat. ’This can’t be. The witch wouldn’t kill anyone. If she did, she’d have no one left to leverage against the Prince. She’s just toying with him to make him surrender, right?’ She tried to console herself, but fear still gnawed at her.

Following Yorian’s counsel, Oriana kept herself occupied with assisting her master, but her thoughts remained consumed by her worries about Arlan.

As the evening drew near, the sky darkening, Oriana anxiously awaited news about Arlan, convinced that his prolonged silence must signify that everything was proceeding smoothly. However, just as she had begun to reassure herself, she received a magical message from Yorian, informing her that the Prince was still kneeling before the witch’s door.

It was now evening, and he had maintained his position since noon. Oriana scowled, her anger flaring. ’That witch is exhibiting extreme cruelty toward him. She is courting a merciless death.’

Oriana tried to focus on her tasks, but as midnight approached, she couldn’t quell the anxiety that gripped her heart. A foreboding feeling crept in.

Unable to restrain herself, Oriana left the mansion and cast her gaze towards the rear of the Queen’s palace. Her heart was shrouded in unease.

Oriana couldn’t resist the urge any longer and hastened towards Arlan. She paid no heed to the guards posted around and advanced determinedly. The guards, taken aback by her presence, respectfully bowed, one of them speaking hesitantly, "Your Highness, at this hour..."

"Carry on with your duties and disregard my presence," she commanded coldly, striding towards the rear of the mansion.

The guards followed her, their intent to obstruct her path clear. "Your Highness, no one is permitted to proceed to that section of the mansion."

Oriana was growing increasingly annoyed. "Do you dare to stop me?" her voice rang out cold and commanding, her gaze carrying a clear warning.

The guards hesitated, their expressions showing their uncertainty. "Y-Your Highness..."

"If you dare block my path, I’ll ensure your heads are rolling on the ground," she declared firmly. "Do you dare defy the Crown Princess? This palace is mine, and I can go wherever I please."

As the soon-to-be queen, her authority was undeniable, and the guards wisely stepped aside to allow her passage.

Upon reaching the corridor, Oriana found Yorian standing there, his gaze fixed at the end of the hallway. Yorian sensed her presence and turned his attention to her, prompting Oriana to question, "Where is he?"

"The door finally opened for him." the elf responded calmly.

"Why didn’t you inform me?" Oriana inquired.

"So you could follow him inside?" Yorian asked, revealing a shrewd understanding of her intentions.

Oriana was left momentarily speechless. This elf seemed to anticipate her every impulse.

"How much time has passed?" she asked, trying to regain her composure.

"Nearly half an hour," Yorian replied.

"Then he should come out any time now," she surmised.

The elf nodded in agreement, and they waited in uneasy silence for Arlan to reappear, Oriana’s heart heavy with dread at the prospect of seeing him in a shattered state.

At last, the sound of the door opening broke the silence. Oriana held her breath, her eyes anxiously fixed on the doorway, ready to rush to Arlan the moment she spotted him.