The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 267

Chapter 267: Missing Arlan

Inside a dark room, behind the cover of gauzy curtains, a feminine figure could be vaguely seen through the gap of fabric. She was sitting with her legs crossed, and with calculated slowness, she ran a long, slender finger along the edge of the curtain, her nails as dark as the night itself.

Although her face was not visible in the darkness, her presence exuded an air of danger and allure.

"Seems like you have forgotten about me?" the woman purred, her hypnotic voice a haunting melody that sent shivers down one’s spine. "How long has it been since you last came? Have you really forgotten me, Your Highness?"

The next moment, a bone-chilling chuckle left her mouth.

"Must someone suffer so you will come running to me, hmm? Who shall I choose this time? Your sick father? Or..." There was a long, malicious pause. "Or that adorable newborn of your sister?"

Her laughter, laced with malice and gloating, echoed within that dark place.

Arlan bolted upright in bed, his entire body stiff and damp with sweat. His heart raced in both panic and fear. He was so terrified, he could not breathe.

’I have to go.’

His limbs trembling in dread, he slipped off bed, only stopping in his tracks when his gaze landed on the sleepingOriana. He wanted to go to her side, to hold her and seek out comfort from her, but in the end, he did not.

He merely raised his hand. His travel robe came flying towards his hand and he wore it as fast as he could. He disappeared after taking one last glance at his mate.

An hour after Arlan was gone, Oriana woke up. Her head felt heavy and she realized it was because she had liquor during Seren’s private banquet. She drowsily rubbed sleep off her eyes and found it was still dark outside.

’I’m thirsty.’

She peered at the pendulum clock at the other side of the chamber and realized it was indeed too early to wake up. It was only three hours past midnight. She glanced at the bed to check on the prince, but to her surprise, it was empty.

’Where did he go? Did he get thirsty too, but I didn’t wake up and he left to get it on his own?’

However, that should not be. Even if he failed to wake her up, Arlan could simply order the knight outside to fetch him a pitcher of water.

She stood up to look for him, and first she wanted to check if he was in the washroom. She walked towards the closed door of the side chamber.

"Your Highness, are you there? Do you need anything?"

There was no reply even after she called out a few more times. She knocked thrice for good measure. She hesitantly opened the door, but there was no one inside.

Puzzled, she walked towards the wardrobe room, and no one was there as well. She decided to step out and ask the guard on night duty.

On the way, her gaze fell on the empty wooden stand. Arlan’s travel robe should be hanging there, but it was gone.

’Did he go out?’

This time, it was not Imbert or Rafal standing outside the door but another knight called Kerry. She found herself getting her answer. Since the knight captain was basically the prince’s shadow and he was not here, the two men must have stepped outside.

Stil, she chose to ask.

"Sir Turner, did His Highness go for a stroll?"

Kerry felt puzzled as he had been standing outside the entire night. Since Imbert also participated in the banquet, Arlan ordered his knight captain to rest upon their return to their mansion.

"No. What happened?"