The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 527: Orders For The Knight

Chapter 527: Orders For The Knight

After Arlan bid farewell to his departing guests, he returned inside the manor to find Oriana waiting for him in the foyer, her demeanor suggesting urgency.

"Waiting for me?" Arlan inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Oriana nodded, her expression determined. "I want to go back to the palace."

Arlan immediately grasped her intention; she sought to return to her grandfather, likely to administer the pill she had concocted to treat the ailing old man.

Turning to the knight who had accompanied him, Arlan issued his instructions. "Rafal, take her wherever she wants to go. Follow her orders and attend to her needs."

"Yes, Your Highness," Rafal replied, acknowledging the command.

With a glance back at Oriana, Arlan conveyed his trust in Rafal. "I have work to do. You can inform Rafal of anything you require. He is at your service."

Oriana nodded and watched Arlan go upstairs. She knew he understood what she was up to. Even if he hated her grandfather, she had to do it.

"Let’s go," Oriana said to Rafal, her tone resolute. Without further delay, Rafal led the way out of the manor, ready to escort Oriana to her destination.

A royal carriage, adorned with the distinguished crest of the palace of Thistle, awaited Oriana’s departure. Several knights escorted the entourage, with a contingent positioned both ahead and behind the carriage for protection. Rafal, astride his horse, rode alongside the carriage where Oriana sat.

Upon reaching the palace, Oriana proceed directly to her see her grandfather’s. Erich Winfield, notified in advance, arrived promptly to meet them.

As they entered Philip’s room, Erich remarked, "So, you’ve finally managed to create the pill?"

"They assisted me," Oriana replied, subtly indicating her companions’ involvement. She retrieved a small pouch from her belongings and handed it to Erich. "Contained within are the pills we’ve created."

Erich accepted the pouch and examined its contents, noting the alteration in the primary ingredient of the small, round green pill. "It appears the main ingredient has been modified," he observed.

Oriana nodded, providing Erich with an explanation for the change.

Erich dissolved one pill in water and presented the bowl to Oriana. Seated at the edge of her grandfather’s bed, she carefully administered the medicine to him, harboring no doubt regarding its efficacy.

Upon completing the task, Oriana inquired, "How long until he wakes up?"

Drawing from his previous experience with the medicine’s use on Commander Slayer, Erich responded, "Based on my previous understanding, your grandfather should awaken overnight. With evening fast approaching, the night will pass swiftly."

"I will remain by his side. Once he wakes, I will notify you."

Erich nodded in acknowledgment. "Take care," he said, returning the pouch of pills to Oriana.

However, Oriana declined the offer. "Master, you may keep it to aid someone in dire need," she insisted.

Erich accepted the pouch graciously. "Thank you," he murmured before departing.

Alone with her grandfather, Oriana tenderly adjusted the blanket covering him before exiting the room. Rafal stood dutifully by the door, awaiting her next command. He bowed respectfully as Oriana approached.

"Sir Ahren, I require your assistance in obtaining information about someone," Oriana began.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"When I was working as Arlan’s personal aide, you are aware that I used to meet a person whom I referred to as my brother and he used to work your residence at the construction site. He was a significant benefactor during the difficult days of my life. I wish for you to ascertain his whereabouts and arrange for me to meet him," she instructed, knowing Rafal was capable of conducting anything she requested.

"Yes, Your Highness. I will ensure the information reaches you by morning," Rafal assured her.

"Additionally," Oriana continued, "please relay a message to Arlan informing him that I will be staying at the palace tonight. Furthermore, arrange for me to meet His Majesty, King Ailwin, at his earliest convenience."

"Yes, Your Highness," Rafal affirmed, prepared to carry out her directives without hesitation.

Oriana realized so many things were waiting for her attention.

One of them was, the King had promised her to answer her questions once she married Arlan and now it was the time to meet the King to ask all those questions.

Additionally, the encounter with Luke by the roadside weighed heavily on her mind, prompting her to contemplate how she would divulge the truth to him. It was a challenge she could no longer evade; she resolved to confront it head-on. Moreover, once her grandfather awoke, she intended to confront him about the death of the Queen, seeking the truth behind his actions.

As Rafal departed to execute Oriana’s directives, Ana inquired, "Your Highness, would you prefer to stay in your former room here, or would you prefer to return to Honeysuckle Palace?"

"I will stay in my previous room here," Oriana decided before returning to her grandfather’s bedside.

Seated beside him, Oriana gazed at the pallid visage of the old man and gently checked his pulse, reassured by the subtle signs of her divine power at work. As she tucked his hand back beneath the covers, she silently addressed him in her thoughts.

"Grandpa, when you wake up, time may be fleeting. I hope you can forgive my selfishness in seeking answers, driven by my guilty conscience. Yet, I need to know the truth. Just know that, despite your past deeds, my love and care for you remain unchanged. You will forever be my cherished family, my grandpa Phill."

As the sun had long since set, and night enveloped the surroundings, Ana gently reminded Oriana to have her meal, an offer which Oriana accepted without objection.

When it was time for her to sleep, Oriana who was about to go to her grandfather’s room to spend the night, heard Ana again, "Your Highness, I have prepared your room."

"I will stay with my grandfather," Oriana replied and walked ahead. But the moment she reached the door of Philip’s room, she stopped all of a sudden, seemingly lost in thought.

"Your Highness, what happened?"

Oriana turned around, "I will rest in my room," and walked upstairs instead.

Perplexed by her master’s change of heart, Ana followed Oriana upstairs. She assisted Oriana in changing into her night attire, all the while observing her with a puzzled expression. Something was wrong with her master.

"You can rest as well, Ana. No need to look after me. See you in the morning."

Ana found her master’s behaviour a little unusual but left after wishing her to sleep well and closing the door.

Alone in the silence of her chamber, Oriana climbed into bed and nestled beneath the warmth of the blankets. Despite her weariness, sleep eluded her, her mind consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and worries, leaving her to toss and turn in the bed.

’I wonder if he’s already asleep. He must be upset with me, knowing why I’m here and that I stayed for the night,’ Oriana mused inwardly. ’But these matters are important too. He’ll understand once I’ve sorted everything out, won’t he?’

Battling with her thoughts, she tried her best to fall asleep.

Half-lulled by exhaustion, deep in the stillness of the night, she suddenly felt a comforting warmth enveloping her cold back. A hand slipped beneath her neck, while the other encircled her stomach, and a pair of lips planted a delicate peck at the nape of her neck, savoring the musk-like scent of her hair.

In that moment, Oriana found herself surrendering to a deep sleep, enveloped in a sense of comfort and safety, as if all the worries that had plagued her mind had dissolved in an instant.