The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 449

Chapter 449: The Day He Saw Her For The First Time

"After your grandfather spirited your mother away, she didn’t make it through that fateful night. However, amidst the bustling chaos following the Queen’s demise, her passing went somewhat unnoticed. Understandably, the queen’s death commanded the attention of the entire palace, overshadowing the tragedy unfolding within the Verner family. My focus was consumed by the task of caring for the weakened Arlan, alongside Ailwin and two other children who had endured the torment of that witch’s curse. The events that unfolded that day within the confines of the Verner family home remained shrouded in mystery, as your grandfather dismissed all the servants, leaving the mansion eerily vacant. When I finally managed to regain control of the situation by nightfall, I dispatched guards to the Verner Mansion, only to discover it deserted. Your grandfather had departed, taking you with him."

Oriana, grappling with the painful uncertainty, hesitated before speaking. "My mother, are you certain she...?"

"Yes," the Queen affirmed. "The last butler to leave the mansion stood by your grandfather as he mourned his daughter’s death. He revealed he played a pivotal role in facilitating your grandfather’s departure from the capital."

"If my mother is indeed gone, there must be a place of her cremation here."

"The butler disclosed that Lord Verner took your mother’s body as well," the Queen explained. "In the midst of the capital’s upheaval following the Queen’s demise, It was easier for your grandfather to escape by wielded his authority as Lord Verner to orchestrate a discreet escape."

"So, we don’t even know where he cremated her body." Oriana expressed with a dejected tone. "If she were alive, she would be with us, or at the very least, she would have come to see us. It seems like what Grandpa said about my mother being dead is the truth."

"It is," the Queen affirmed, then paused in thought. "I recall that Lord Verner left a letter with his butler to give to Ailwin."

It picked Oriana’s interest, "What was in it?"

"I’m not privy to the contents of the letter. Ailwin kept it with him."

"I’ll have to ask His Majesty."

The Queen nodded. "Yes, only Ailwin can provide answers."

Oriana nodded, acknowledging the King’s unwavering stance. He had made it clear that he would reveal everything about her family only after her marriage to Arlan, and she understood there was no chance of him changing his position. Previously she didn’t know why the king was adamant on making her marry him but now she knew and it was related to Arlan’s well being. It was about his precious son and he would not back down.

"Either Grandpa wakes up before the wedding date and tells me everything, or I must embrace becoming a member of the royal family through marriage to the Crown Prince, then seek answers directly from the King."

She then posed her next question, "Your Majesty, you mentioned my mother gave birth hardly two weeks before that full moon night, which means I was almost fourteen days old."

"Yes," the queen nodded, hesitating to divulge further.

Oriana understood and pressed on, "Hide nothing from me, Your Majesty. Every little detail is crucial for me to know."

Juline let out a helpless sigh and revealed, "When you were born, there was a conspiracy surrounding your birth and betrothal to the Crown Prince."

"Is it that I was born on the night of the new moon, right?" Oriana asked, as if she had foreseen it.

The Queen nodded, "The child born on the night of the new moon was considered ominous. When the news broke that you would be betrothed to Arlan, many members of the royal court and close family acquaintances opposed this decision. They pressured Ailwin to retract it, believing that letting an ominous child marry a Crown Prince could spell disaster for the Royal family and the kingdom."

It was nothing beyond Oriana’s expectations. Besides, being a black witch and the Queen of witches explained her birth on the night of the new moon.

Juline continued, "But Ailwin listened to no one. Sister Helena was adamant about the decision, and so was Ailwin. I have already told you the reason before so you can conclude that why they were firm on their decision."

Oriana nodded, only to hear Julien continue, telling her something more.

"When you were five days older, the Royal family visited your home to formalize the betrothal. I was Ailwin’s second wife so I was there as well. Ailwin and your Grandfather signed the royal document, making it official. That document is still with Ailwin, and he continues to value the arrangement and decision made by the previous Queen."

The Queen then looked at Oriana with an affectionate gaze, "I still remember the beautiful baby girl in Sister Helena’s arms. She was ecstatic to hold her daughter-in-law as if it were her own child. Even Arlan was excited to see his betrothed, though he understood nothing at that time."

"I will be fine, Your Majesty. Last time I returned from her clutches unscathed." _{ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom}