The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 432

Chapter 432: Waiting For Him To Wake Up

The following morning, Oriana opened her eyes, only to find Arlan peacefully asleep in her embrace. His condition seemed to have improved, and his complexion was returning to normal. Although she had managed to rest for only a few hours and felt tired due to last night’s events and the use of her powers, she knew it was time to get out of bed, rather than continuing to sleep.

Oriana checked on Arlan one last time, a sense of uncertainty creeping in. "Seems like this time he’s not going to wake up anytime soon," she mused. She stepped out of the bed, swiftly dressing in her clothes. As she gazed at the door, a thought occurred to her.

’Last night, they must have been waiting for him to return. I wonder what they did when the prince didn’t return?’

She approached the door cautiously, cracking it open, and to her relief, found Imbert standing on the other side. She opened the door fully, ensuring no one else was present.

Sensing the door’s movement, Imbert turned to Oriana and bowed. "Good morning, Your Highness."

His lack of surprise and apparent lack of concern regarding Arlan’s whereabouts indicated he was aware of Arlan’s return and Oriana’s presence. Unbeknownst to Oriana, after waiting for Arlan for a considerable time the previous night, Imbert had returned to Arlan’s chamber, anticipating the possibility that Arlan might have teleported back instead of arriving on horseback. When he opened the door, he discovered Oriana and Arlan sleeping peacefully, and he chose not to disturb them.

Oriana offered him a nod and whispered, "I need assistance. I cannot appear as Orian in front of others."

Imbert understood the implication. "I will arrange everything."

She returned to the room, moving to the window, and gazed outside, her mind filled with numerous thoughts, yet somehow empty at the same time.

Another weighty concern burdened her thoughts: the possibility of her servant failing to find her in her chamber in the morning, and the subsequent discovery by Commander Loyset of her abrupt disappearance. Their distress would be inevitable. She puzzled over how she would explain her escape from the guest mansion, given the tight security surrounding it.

All she could do was hope for Commander Loyset’s understanding.

"Please convey my message to Commander Conor Loyset that I am currently at the Thistle Palace," Oriana instructed.

"Yes, Your Highness," Imbert affirmed.

With the weight of her responsibilities pressing upon her, Oriana retuned inside the room. She stood by the window, her gaze fixated on the world outside, thinking about so many things but nothing at the same time.

Half an hour later, a gentle knock resonated through the door. "Your Highness, it’s me, Ana."

Oriana opened the door, revealing her servant, Ana, whose eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of her master dressed as a man. Oriana stepped out and closed the door behind her, addressing Imbert, "I will take the previous room."

Imbert nodded in acquiescence, while Ana, who didn’t know what Oriana meant by previous room, silently followed Oriana into the adjoining room. There, she assisted Oriana in transitioning back into the Crown Princess’s garments, including the delicate veil that obscured her face.

"Ana, you may return to the guest mansion," Oriana instructed as they emerged from the room.

Ana hesitated, her concern evident. "But, Your Highness..."

Oriana interrupted her gently, "Furthermore, please convey to Commander Loyset that there is no need for concern. I am safe and well here." Her voice carried an assurance that brooked no argument. "I shall return shortly."

Ana, with a mixture of reluctance and obedience, bowed and departed to carry out her mistress’s instructions.

Oriana remained in tense anticipation, her thoughts fraught with worry about Arlan’s impending reaction and how she would broach the subject of the previous night’s events.

As the morning light streamed into the room, a knock echoed at the door. Employing her magic, Oriana effortlessly opened the door, revealing the figure of Yorian standing on the threshold. The elf strolled inside, noting Oriana’s startled expression and clearly understanding her thoughts.

"I simply wanted to spare myself the awkwardness of inadvertently stumbling upon something inappropriate while the two of you were in the room," he quipped with a wry smile.

Oriana furrowed her brows, "You always harbor weird notions, Lord Yorian."