The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 606: You Do Not Claim What Is Mine

Chapter 606: You Do Not Claim What Is Mine

After returning to the palace in the afternoon, as per her father’s instructions, Grace sent a message to Thistle Palace inviting Oriana over for tea at the guest mansion. Oriana, who had been busy with her lessons after visiting Erich, received the message.

"Your Highness, Lady Grace has sent a message. She has invited you for tea," Ana informed.

Oriana settled lazily on the sofa in the drawing room and looked at Erin, who had been accompanying her. "How was your time with Grace, Erin? I heard they stayed at Ahren’s the previous night."

"I’m glad it was just one night and I didn’t have to see her again, but it seems like she won’t spare me here either," Erin replied as she settled down as well.

"Don’t say that, Erin," Oriana smirked. "As my friend, you have to accompany me to see what our dear guest is up to."

Erin smiled. "Whatever you say, Your Highness."

"Ana, her request is granted," Oriana announced.

Ana left while Oriana turned to Erin. "I noticed you were not in a good mood when you arrived. Did something happen?"

"Nothing much. While trying to save one situation, I ended up in another."

"You were glaring and ignoring your bodyguard like a blister. Did he do something?"

"Simply staying still can annoy others. He doesn’t need to do anything," Erin answered with a huff.

"His silence can indeed be annoying," Oriana added, "but he is a good man."

Erin didn’t comment as she didn’t wish to spoil the image Oriana had of him. If only she knew this mute was someone really dangerous.

After a while, Ana informed, "Your Highness, the carriage is ready."

Erin accompanied Oriana to the carriage before instructing Luke, "Stay here. I will return soon."

Erin didn’t want Luke to create any trouble, at least while they were inside the palace, so she preferred to keep him away from the guest mansion where the Mortimers were staying.

Luke nodded and said, "If I am not needed here, I would like Lady Erin’s permission to return home. Master Erich is making a last visit to my mother, so I need to be there."

"You can leave," she said and rode away with Oriana.

They reached the guest mansion where Oriana and Erin were led to the garden. Rafal accompanied them inside the garden while the other knights stayed outside. Having her brother as a knight around her, Erin was now getting used to it.

In the garden, Grace was already present with a few more young women, particularly Katherin and Anelisa, who should have been by Oriana’s side.

"Why does it look like those two brain-dead creatures are treating Grace as if she is their Queen?" Oriana referred to Katherin and Anelisa.

"When Your Highness called them brain-dead, that explains everything," Erin replied.

Rafal, who was behind them, could clearly hear them. His sister had found someone like her, and these two wouldn’t mind using their sweet words to describe others.

Seeing Oriana, everyone stood up and greeted, "Your Highness, it’s a pleasure having you here."

Oriana simply nodded and sat in the chair meant for her, arranged around the circular wooden table. Erin sat on one side of Oriana and Grace sat on the other. Once everyone sat down, a servant brought freshly brewed tea and snacks.

"Your Highness, today Lady Grace invited us, so we couldn’t be with you during lessons. Next lessons..."

"Do not bother. Those lessons would be over your heads," Oriana interrupted. "I mean, I’m sure your family has already taught you enough, leaving nothing more to learn."

Not sure if it was praise or mockery, the two simply nodded.

"Your Highness, please try this tea. It’s a rare, precious tea my father brings from the southern lands. It’s difficult to get your hands on it," Grace said.

Oriana did so, and Grace asked, "How is it?"

"It’s fine," Oriana’s reply didn’t match Grace’s enthusiasm.

"Simply fine?" Grace said, looking at the others, who replied without delay.

"It’s indeed precious, Grace." "Thank you for letting us taste this precious tea." "It’s nothing compared to what we have here in the capital."

Grace smiled and looked at Oriana, who was waiting to see what this young woman was up to. "It’s alright, Your Highness, if you find it just fine. I understand, being raised as a poor commoner, you might not be used to drinking such precious kinds of tea. Now you are with me..."

"I find it just fine as well," Erin interrupted as she took another sip and tasted it. "Umm, even with another sip, it’s less than just fine," she said, looking at Grace. "You can’t say that I am not used to drinking various types of tea?"

Grace’s expression turned sour, which she concealed, while Erin turned to Oriana. "I appreciate your fine taste buds, Your Highness."

If she knew Erin was coming with Oriana, she would have made sure Erin would not reach here.

"While having precious rare herbs with me, I must have lost touch with these kinds of tea," Oriana replied. "These are ordinary tea leaves; only the added flavor of wild lemongrass and some sweet fruit essence which makes it different from the tea we drink. It’s easy to fool people, isn’t it?"

Everyone’s faces turned red, especially Grace’s.

Just then, Katherin spoke, "Grace, even if this tea is what Her Highness said, didn’t you say His Highness liked it when he was in the northeast territory and stayed at the Mortimer residence?"

"Everyone liking it is important," Anelisa added. "At that time, Prince Arlan liked it and praised it, so you should only consider his opinion."

"You said you have already sent it to Thistle Palace. I’m sure His Highness would appreciate it," another one chimed in.

Oriana and Erin shared a glance. These women were trying to brag about Arlan’s relationship with the Mortimers, especially Grace.

"Tell us more about what Prince Arlan and you were like," one of them asked.

Grace looked at Oriana. "Your Highness..."

"Go ahead," Oriana said as she put the teacup down and picked up a piece of snacks.

Erin shook her head. ’This idiot Grace is asking for trouble.’ The more Erin looked at Oriana, the more she sensed that Oriana was intentionally playing along.

"First tell us, how old were you at that time?" Katherin asked.

Oriana and Erin knew they now had to be listeners while these fools started their play.

"I was twelve, and His Highness had just left the academy and entered the military," Grace began. "As he was a Prince, his stay was arranged at our family residence whenever he was not at the border. He used to stay for days as he said he loved it there with me..." She cleared her throat. "...and with my brothers. We were good friends. During his stay, His Highness would take me out shopping and buy me anything I wanted while spending the entire day along the streets of the market. I still have the dresses and those gifts he bought for me. They are like my precious treasures, a sign of those beautiful days being spend together."

"That’s so mesmerizing and lovely," one of the others commented. "Tell us more."

Erin almost rolled her eyes and looked at her brother, who was standing at a distance but could hear everything. She raised her brow as if asking what this woman was talking about.

Rafal lightly shook his head, signaling her to ignore it. Erin could surely ignore it, but the one next to her was unusually silent, making Erin wonder what was going on in Oriana’s mind. As long as she didn’t strangle Grace, everything was fine.

"When there was a winter festival, we played in the snow," Grace continued, a light blush covering her face as she smiled shyly. "...That night... we... lit up lamps and made wishes and spent it together while looking at the stars. It was a beautiful night."

’There’s no way Prince Arlan would do that, at least not with her,’ Erin thought. ’I am sure he has some standards.’ Just as Erin thought this, she noticed Oriana’s grip tighten on the armrest of her chair.

"That must be so dreamy," one of them commented, then turned to Oriana. "Your Highness, have you spent such a night with His Highness?"

"Do I need to tell you what I do with my husband?" Oriana countered, looking at Grace. "Though raised in the wilderness, I know the virtue of a lady and what she should not say."

Grace maintained her smile and spoke, "We are all friends here. Sharing such things is fine between friends."

"I have never signed up to being friends with anyone here."

Oriana’s reply left everyone stunned except for Erin, who had a light smirk on her lips.

"Grace, we want to know more. We want to know what kind of person His Highness is, especially his romantic side," Anelisa came to the rescue.

"He is indeed very romantic. I felt it at that time, and I am sure now he must be even better at treating a lady," Grace replied.

"Wow! You are so lucky, Grace. No wonder everyone thought you would be the one marrying him."

"Yes, if not for him having a betrothed, you would have already been married to the Prince."

"I’m sure he still values you the same even after he is married. You know it was his duty to marry a betrothed, but he would surely follow his heart."

Erin was stunned at how bold these idiots could be. was it because Oriana had not family backing her, to support her? Seems like it.

Grace blushed, "I believe so," and looked at Oriana, her expression innocent. "You do not mind, Your Highness, do you? After all, royals are meant to have multiple wives. You would not want Prince Arlan to deceive his heart and not have someone he truly desires. I do not mind if he is married; I understand his responsibilities, so I do not blame him. I know he values you, but he also loves me..."

Oriana, who had been listening to all the nonsense, stood up from her chair, her expression grave.

"Your Highness?" Grace stood up as well, only to meet Oriana’s dark gaze. "I was just explaining... Ugh... Your High...."

The next moment, Grace’s neck was being strangled in a strong grip, almost choking her. Everyone was stunned, frozen in place. Erin was not surprised while Rafal hurried forward. "Your Highness."

"How dare you," Oriana’s angry voice echoed around, her hands not letting go of Grace, despite how much she struggled.

"Your Highness, calm down," Rafal spoke.

Oriana, as if she could not hear him, simply glared at the choking woman in front of her, her eyes filled with a killing intent. "How dare you speak nonsense about my husband in front of me? He is my husband, I am his only love, and he is mine," she gritted her teeth, "....and you do not claim what is mine."