The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 557: Silent Whisper Of Hearts

Chapter 557: Silent Whisper Of Hearts

Before Oriana’s arrival, Arlan had been reflecting on his earlier conversation with her about the evening. His words had seemed more like a formal arrangement than an expression of something truly special between them.

In the moment, uncertainty had overtaken him, and he had spoken in a way that differ from the patient approach he had long planned. His words had sounded almost like a command she couldn’t refuse, intended for her own benefit.

Yet now, as he watched her, he understood that no such directive was necessary. She would have accepted his invitation regardless of how he presented it.

Arlan resolved to amend it by ensuring this night would be the most unforgettable one in her life. He took her hand with a gentle touch, lowering his gaze to the delicate hand he held. His thumb softly caressed the back of her palm, a tender gesture that spoke volumes.

He looked back at her, each passing moment seemed to intensify the unspoken language that flowed between them, an exchange far deeper than words could ever convey.

Gently holding her hand, he guided her towards the stairs, their hands interlocked, Oriana felt the comforting warmth of his touch mingling with her own cooler hand. This small act of intertwining their fingers carried immense intimacy for her.

As they reached the foyer, the butler and Imbert were waiting. Both men bowed respectfully to the couple, acknowledging their presence in a dignified manner.

"Your Highness, all the arrangements are in place. Please enjoy your evening," the butler announced with a respectful tone.

Oriana’s ears perked up. ’Arrangements? Was there something special to arrange?’

"Good night, Your Highness," Imbert echoed, bowing deeply to them both.

Following the butler, he departed the foyer, leaving the grand manor’s halls in quiet solitude. Oriana couldn’t help but notice the absence of other servants or knights; it was as if the mansion had been emptied just for this moment.

She restrained herself from inquiring about the nature of these arrangements. Instead, she focused on steadying her quickened heartbeat and calming the flurry of thoughts in her mind.

Arlan, perceptive to the shift in her demeanor, turned towards her. "Let’s go," he said, with a reassuring glance.

Oriana nodded lightly, allowing him to lead the way upstairs. She assumed they were heading to their chamber, and the thought made her swallow nervously.

However, to her surprise, upon reaching the floor, Arlan didn’t direct her towards the chamber. Instead, he led her towards another staircase. Curious, yet silent, she followed.

They ascended the stairs and halted before a grand double door, sparking a new wave of curiosity in Oriana. ’Could there be another chamber behind this door, perhaps grander than his own?’

The door opened on its own, and Oriana knew Arlan had used his power. Through the connection of their hands, she could feel the strong essence of his power rushing through his veins. Just like any other woman, she found herself attracted to the man with a strength, the power he possessed.

Who wouldn’t want their husband to be like this, emitting the essence of masculinity that caught the attention of the powerful demoness inside her? Oriana found herself wanting this man; the demoness inside her craved him the moment she felt the essence of his powers.

Was she being crazy to get attracted to his power? What if he were an ordinary human? Would he have been any less attractive? Surely not; she liked him even when she thought he was simply a human, even then he was irresistible to her senses.

As the door opened entirely, what Oriana saw was the exact opposite of what she had expected. There was no chamber behind that majestic door, but...

Arlan’s gaze met hers, a silent question in his eyes, "Shall we?"

With a nod, Oriana stepped through the doorway, her eyes immediately drawn to the breathtaking scene before them. They had emerged onto a grand rooftop, bordered by a quaint stone railing and adorned with an array of lamps and flowers. In the center, a bed-sized wooden platform had been transformed into a cozy sleeping area, complete with a plush mattress and elegant bedding. Around them, fireplaces glowed, their warmth surprisingly effective in the open-air setting.

Beneath the vast canopy of the starry night sky, the rooftop transformed into a magical realm. Every element, from the flickering lights to the gentle warmth of the fireplaces, contributed to an atmosphere of enchantment and romance. The world seemed to pause, allowing them to bask in the beauty of this starlit sanctuary.

"Did you like it?" he inquired, standing close by.

Breaking free from the spellbinding allure of the setting, she turned to him. "It’s beautiful."

Arlan faced her, closing the subtle distance between them. With a gentle motion, he brushed away a stray strand of her hair, tousled by the gentle breeze. "There’s something more."

In response to her questioning gaze, he signalled her to look up as he himself looked up at the sky.

Following his cue, Oriana lifted her gaze to the night sky. At first, all she saw was the blanket of stars above. But then, she noticed something more — tiny white particles dancing in the air, one of which landed delicately on the tip of her nose.

Snowflakes! It was snowing amidst this magical setup.

Arlan’s finger lightly brushed the snowflake from her nose. "It’s winter in Griven, and this is the first snowfall of the season."

Oriana’s surprise was evident. How had Arlan known it would snow tonight, and how had he timed it so perfectly? Regardless of these mysteries, the romanticism of the moment wasn’t lost on her. She found herself captivated, watching the gentle descent of snowflakes around them, each one adding to the enchantment of their starlit, snow-kissed evening.

"Won’t we freeze?" she asked, her gaze taking in the rooftop setup, suggesting that Arlan intended for them to spend their night under the open sky.

Arlan’s response came with a reassuring smile, warm and confident. "I won’t let you freeze."

As they remained hand in hand, once more Oriana felt a surge of energy coursing through Arlan’s body. She watched, fascinated, as Arlan summoned his powers once more, crafting an invisible energy shield that enveloped the rooftop. It formed a vast, dome-like barrier overhead, a subtle but powerful protection against the outside elements.

The snowflakes, which had been gently falling onto the rooftop, were now halted by this invisible shield. Oriana’s eyes widened in wonder as the scene transformed. The snowflakes began to slide along the surface of the shield, some accumulating upon it, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. It was as if they were standing inside a glass globe, a world apart, blanketed by a gentle snowfall.

"It’s beautiful," Oriana murmured, her eyes still fixed on the enchanting display above.

Arlan’s voice, tinged with affection, replied, "Not as much as you are."

Her gaze lowered to meet his, and a soft blush colored her cheeks under his admiring look.

"Oriana," he began.

She felt the beauty in the sound of her name, crafted by his voice.

His words, laden with sincerity, reached her. "I know the way I invited you tonight might have seemed less than ideal. But I am committed to making it right. I promise to make this night the most unforgettable one we will ever share."

Oriana, however, hadn’t dwelled on his manner of speaking when he talked about consummating their marriage. Her thoughts had been entirely focussed on preparing herself for the night.

Closing the gap between them, Arlan’s hand gently encircled her waist, while his other hand tenderly caressed her cheek, their faces merely an inch apart, his gaze full of love and tender determination,

"I promise to take care of you tonight, exactly as you deserve," he continued, his eyes locked with hers. "I’m ready to give you my all. What I want you to remember, always, is that this night is born from my love for you, from the feelings I hold in my heart. It’s not about anything else but what I feel for you."

"Understood?" he asked, a gentle inquiry that seemed to hang in the chilly air.

She nodded, her heart fluttering like a caged bird. She had known how much he loved her and even without him saying it to her, she could feel it, every day, every moment through his actions.

"I...feel the same..." Oriana’s voice was a tremulous whisper, her heart pounded a frenetic rhythm, betraying the calm she tried to project. It was the first time she was openly acknowledging her feelings to him.

Arlan, hearing her faint declaration, chose to respond in silence, his expression teasingly questioning as he raised an eyebrow.

"I....mean..." Oriana stumbled over her words, each syllable heavy with unspoken emotion. "I..."

Before she could struggle further, Arlan intervened, a tender smile playing on his lips. He leaned in, his lips gently pressing against hers, cutting off her faltering words.

"I know," he whispered against her lips. "I will give you more opportunities to confess to me, perhaps, you can show it through the actions tonight."

He deepened the kiss, a silent yet powerful affirmation of their shared emotions which Oriana accepted without a restrain.

In that kiss, words were unnecessary. The rush of emotions, the depth of their feelings, everything was conveyed in the intimacy of their embrace and that passionate kiss they shared, under the starry sky.