140: [Bonus chapter]He Is Engaged?

[Bonus chapter]He Is Engaged?

"Erich, you are here. Is it that time already?" the King asked in an easygoing manner, talking to the old physician as if they had been friends for a long time.2

Oriana bowed as Erich responded irritably, "You know the schedule best. Don't tell me your butler did not remind you."

Erich told the King to go towards the bed and started examining his condition, monitoring his body temperature, pulse and breathing while asking about how the King felt after drinking his new medicines. Because of their conversation, Oriana was able to learn that the King's name was Ailwin, while the Queen was Julien.

As the patient and physician talked, others kept quiet. Oriana never spoke as well, only assisting her master by handing him the items from the case when he asked for them. 

Because of the medicines Erich gave him, Ailwin soon grew drowsy and drifted to peaceful sleep. All stepped out of the King's chamber without making a single sound. 

Once they were outside, the Queen concernedly asked, "How is my husband faring, Physician Winfield?"

Both Arlan and Oriana waited for the old man's response.

"His Majesty's body seems to be reacting positively to the new treatment. However, it is too early to tell. He claims he feels better already, but it might only be the result of getting much needed rest he deprived his body of. I need at least a week of observation to tell whether the medicines are truly effective."

"Thank you for all your efforts," the Queen said with a gentle smile.

"I am merely doing what I'm responsible for."

As they talked, the Queen noticed the boy with a headwrap standing two steps behind Erich. 

"I see a new helper with you today, Physician Winfield."

Erich glanced at Oriana. "He is my other apprentice. Your son should know him well. Now, if you wish to chat, I will leave you three to enjoy yourselves."

The old physician did not like small talk. True to his blunt personality, Erich left without caring for the other person's response, even if she was a queen, leaving Oriana too stunned to move. Her master could afford to be disrespectful, but that was not the case for a servant like her.

Oriana found the woman's gaze on her and didn't dare raise her head. 

"From your uniform, it looks like you work in the Palace of Thistle, young boy."

It was a direct question for her so Oriana replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I am a personal attendant serving His Highness."

The Queen looked at her son with a surprised gaze. "You allowed your personal attendant to do something else other than serving you. Am I discovering a secret I shouldn't know?"

"When I leave the palace, these servants have nothing to do but idle around. It's better to learn something which might be useful to the Palace of Thistle."

'Idle?' Oriana frowned inside. 'When have I been idle? Have you forgotten how you made me do scholarly work beyond an attendant's job scope? Does reading all those books and copying them by hand sound like idle time to you? 

'Attendant duties in the morning, apothecary work in the afternoon, and then at night, I can't even rest because I have to be by your bedside playing nanny! Idle? Can you tell me your definition of 'idle'?!'

Sadly, no one could hear her aggrieved thoughts. 

She heard the Queen chuckling at her son's words. Her warm gaze landed on the young lad. "Such handsome talent with a bright future. You are fortunate that you get to learn under Physician Winfield at such a young age. Do not forget our family once you leave your apprenticeship. It would be best if a trustworthy person like you comes to work as a royal physician." 

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Queen then turned to leave. Oriana bowed to see her off, intending to go back to Erich's residence, when her plans were disrupted. 

"Where are you going, Orian?" she heard Arlan ask. His words caused everyone in the hallway, even the Queen, to stop and stare at the prince and his servant.

Oriana blinked in confusion.  "To Master Erich, Your Highness." She then lowered her head, realizing she was being rude by staring straight into his eyes.

"Did I dismiss you? With me here, what should be your priority?" he asked. 

She pressed her lips into a thin line as she understood what he meant, "Apologies, Your Highness."

Arlan turned his attention to the beautiful woman next to him who had pity for the young servant in her eyes. She was aware that serving her son was not an easy task. 

"Mother, how about a walk in the garden?" he said while offering her his arm. He knew his mother had been stressed ever since his father collapsed due to overworking. However, Ailwin stubbornly resumed work the next day despite people's objection. Worrying for such a husband ought to be tedious.

Julien smiled at Arlan and linked her arm in his. "How can I say 'no' when my busy son is finally sparing some time for me?"

The pair of mother and son walked out towards the garden, each of them followed by their respective retinues—the prince's knights and the Queen's ladies-in-waiting. Oriana stood out like a sore thumb, being the only 'male' attendant following the group.

Their group stepped onto a beautiful and vast landscape of shrubberies and trees, the winter-blooming plants with their red and yellow blossoms uplifting to the spirits despite the colder months ahead. 

Ranging from winter hazel, witch hazel and primrose, to snowdrops, crocus and winter aconites, Oriana could name the meticulously curated plants that would surely thrive during the winter season. From a distance, the massive ancient oak tree could be seen standing like a monarch overseeing its subjects.

"Lenard should be coming back to the palace with his wife this week," Oriana heard the Queen say.

"I thought they would be staying in the warmer South until the end of winter."

"He worries for your father. Besides, he regrets not being able to celebrate the end of year with us."

"He is now married and starting his own family. It's understandable."

"Speaking of marriage, your mother is finding it hard to reject the marriage proposals coming her way. You will be turning twenty-six in a few months. Why don't you choose one and make everything easy for your old mother?"

"Mother, you can send me the proposals. I promise you I will help you reject all the proposals my way."

The older woman sighed as she leaned her head on the shoulder of her stubborn son. "We do not know when your betrothed will be found. You should at least accept a concubine to stop others from pestering us, especially I, who face all those noblewomen during social gatherings and listen to their buttering me up."

'Betrothed?' Oriana's ears twitched. 'He is already engaged? And what about finding her? Is she missing? How can a lady of noble family be missing? Was she abducted, or did she run away? It is highly possible she hated how overbearing this prince was, or maybe she found out he is a pervert who likes men so she must have chosen to run away. If I was her, I would have done the same. Who would want to marry this brat?'

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