The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 568: Wants To Meet Evanthe

Chapter 568: Wants To Meet Evanthe

"...So this was what happened that day," Zaria spoke, "Even if I had not agreed to help him, he would have searched for some other black witch, though I doubt he would have found one. In the end, he would have done something even more dangerous."

"Coming to you would not be any less dangerous for him either," Oriana commented.

"True, but you came to me as well, knowing it could be dangerous for you since I am, as usual, the bad witch," Zaria countered and asked, "Have you ever wondered why King Drayce or that elf never stopped you from coming to me?"

"Back then, they were not aware that I sought your help," Oriana replied.

Zaria let out a mocking chuckle, "My naive student, you surely do not understand the people around you."

It puzzled Oriana, "What do you mean?"

"They were very well aware that you sought me," Zaria replied. "There is one Dragon and another one is the most knowledgeable elf that nothing could be hidden from his hawk like gaze, and you believe they didn’t know about what you were up to."

"They knew?" Oriana looked at Zaria in disbelief. All along, Oriana thought she was hiding it really well. It was different later when she told them about it, but she never realized they were aware of each of her actions.

"Now the question remains," Zaria continued, "Despite being their mortal enemy who they cannot wait to rid of, why did they allow you to come to me?"

"Why?"

"Because I am the only powerful Black Witch in existence who could teach the Queen of witches, not to forget how stubborn and difficult that queen is; no other witch would be able to teach you," Zaria answered. "If they allowed you to come to me for help, then why can’t Prince Arlan come to me for what he needs? In the end, all of us stand to benefit from each other. He got something from me, and I got something in return."

Oriana felt like she had nothing to say to this woman in front of her. She was well aware of everything and understood things deeply. Even if she was at fault for helping Arlan, Oriana could say nothing in return.

"But still, I will never forgive you for this. You kept me in the dark about Arlan coming to you," Oriana spoke.

"Do I need your forgiveness?" Zaria chuckled. "Do you think you are so important to me that I would even mind if you are upset or angry with me? To tell you the truth, I do not care at all."

Oriana pressed her lips into a thin line, her inner frustration growing towards this woman. She thought this woman was her master and, having spent much time together, this witch would feel at least a little compassion towards her, but she was wrong.

"You are truly as heartless as I had heard about you," Oriana said, concealing her anger and trying to remain calm.

"Glad you understood that now," Zaria said calmly. "Now let’s get to the topic of why I am here."

"What do you need?" Oriana asked coldly.

"I want to meet Evanthe. Tell me where she is," Zaria asked.

"I do not know where she is. She comes and goes at her will," Oriana answered. "Even if I knew, I doubt I would tell you about her."

Zaria smirked wickedly. "Are you worried I will hurt her?"

"You can’t hurt her. She is powerful," Oriana answered.

"Then you have no reason not to tell me where she is," Zaria commented. "Or you can summon her here so I can meet her."

"You are powerful, aren’t you? Go and search for her on your own," Oriana spat out.

"If I could, would I have come here to waste my time?" Zaria retorted. "There is something really important and I need to meet her."

"What is it?" Oriana asked.

"That doesn’t concern a child like you."

"Then this child wants to be stubborn and won’t summon the one you want," Oriana declared defiantly.

"Oriana, this is for your own good."

"I do not expect any goodwill from you."

"This is the reason why one cannot tell you anything; you never learn to give in," Zaria said as she raised her voice. "You keep being stubborn and willful not considering if others have their own concerns."

"If others stop hiding things from me, I might stop being stubborn and acting willful," Oriana countered. "Also, you are my master and only meant to teach me how to use magic. Why are you suddenly acting like my family who is trying to teach me on how to behave."

Zaria was taken aback a little. Was she truly acting like her family and trying to put sense in this young witch? No one had ever frustrated her like Oriana did and she could do nothing about it because....deep down in her heart, she cared for Oriana and this was even more frustrating like she had suddenly created her own weakness.

"Your temper is not trustworthy," Zaria countered, feeling helpless in front of Oriana. "I believe even Prince Arlan has to be careful around you."

At this mention, Oriana glared at Zaria. "That’s between him and me."

"Not like I want to meddle in. I’m just giving you a reality check about yourself," Zaria said. "You should learn when to give up, or it will only put you in danger."

"That’s none of your concern."

Zaria sighed inwardly as there was no use in wasting time. "Then summon that elf at least."

"I won’t." Oriana said loud and clear, her gaze unwavering.

Zaria could see it was all her anger that Oriana had bottled up towards her for putting Arlan’s life in danger. At this moment, even if she had to get on her knees and beg Oriana to let her meet Evanthe, she wouldn’t listen. Anger and stubbornness of this young witch was something else. But then, wasn’t this also the reason she was fond of her student?

"I will take my leave then," Zaria spoke up as she gazed towards the window, her gaze narrowing in a certain direction outside at a distance.

Oriana stood up. "I am sure I don’t need to see you out."

"Do not bother," Zaria said and disappeared from Oriana’s chamber as if she could not wait to leave.

"She left so easily? Didn’t she look like she was dying to meet Lady Evanthe?" Oriana mumbled, "What could be the reason for her to seek for them?"

Her mind wandered to what she said about Arlan and her. ’Is it really like what she said? Does Arlan have to act careful around me? I don’t think so. He is always so bold and shameless. Or she was referring to something else like how he kept from me that he went to seek Zaria’s help. Is he hiding something else as well from me?’