148: Unforgettable Sensation

Unforgettable Sensation

At the first hint of sunlight appearing on the horizon, Oriana was back to normal. It was time for her to attend to her morning attendant duties.  0

In front of the mirror, she secured her long hair in a tight bun, tighter than usual. 

'During my free time later, I really should borrow shears from the kitchen servants or the tailors and cut my hair.' She then wrapped the long fabric carefully around her head, completely hiding her hair. 'It should not come off unless someone pulls it with force.' 

It reminded her of recent experience with  Arlan and that red-eyed devil. Both chased her, and the moment they reached out to capture her, they targeted her headwrap. 

'I have to be careful with this as well.'

A handsome bright-eyed youth clad in a brown attendant suit stood in front of the full-length mirror. After checking that her uniform was perfect, she proceeded to leave, but stopped at the doorway. 'I almost forgot it.'

She went back towards her bag and pulled out a small sachet from it. She placed one small ball of medicine on her palm. 

'I can't forget it at any cost. I can't afford to miss it till I finish my work.' She took it with water and sighed. 'This will surely take a toll on my body and I am going to suffer, but for now, that is not important. I hope it won't be that bad when the time comes.'

Oriana, prepared to take on her role as a royal servant, a personal attendant of a royal prince, walked towards her master's chamber where she found other servants already present outside. She narrowed her eyes on them. 'Last night, where were all of you? You all were sleeping in comfort and I was forced to take care of that brat all by myself.'

Roman was inside the bedchamber, but Arlan was nowhere to be found.

'Did he wake up already?' she wondered and bowed to the butler. "Good morning, Mister Roman."

Roman accepted her greeting with a nod and said, "His Highness is in the bath. You shall wait here."

"Yes, Mister Roman," she responded and pretended to be an obedient little servant standing near the wall. A thought came to her.

Ever since she came to the palace, not even once had she been tasked to prepare the bath for Arlan. It was always Neil and Damien who were assigned to it. 

'At the Ahrens, did he not like the way I prepared the bath for him?' she wondered. 'Thinking back, on the last day, he grew angry at me and called for Neil instead.' She sighed. 'Was I that bad at washing him? Was I scrubbing him too hard? Well, never mind. It is good I am spared from such an uncomfortable and embarrassing job. Besides, he's a grown man, not a child. Even a five-year old village boy knows how to bathe by himself.'

Arlan came out in his bathrobe, fragrant water still dripping from his long hair. From the  wardrobe chamber, a different set of attendants brought out his designated royal attire for the day. 

The theme was red and gold. A well-tailored classic suit, with a perfectly fitted dark jacket and dark pants. The suit had a subtle gold pattern of the royal emblem embroidered on the chest and sleeves. Along with polished leather shoes, his attire for the day gave off a refined yet relaxed look.

With the robe removed, the prince then stood half-naked in front of the mirror, clad in only his pants. Neil and Damien moved to dry his hair and body.

Through the mirror, Arlan's gaze landed on Oriana, who was standing with her head lowered on the side. 

"So you are back, Orian?" she heard him ask. 

'Huh?' Startled, she lifted her head and her gaze met with his. She immediately lowered it. 'He doesn't remember last night?'

She felt overjoyed in her heart,

"Yes, Your Highness." 

Inwardly, she was cheering.

'Lucky! I won't be punished for sleeping in his bed!'

As his other attendants continued to help him get dressed, Arlan's gaze remained stuck at the woman's reflection in the mirror.

A blurry memory resurfaced in his mind—a figure of a  woman with long reddish blond hair leaving his room. Even though he didn't get to see her face once again but got to see those beautiful long hair locks waving behind her. 

Absent-mindedly, he looked at his right hand. An unforgettable sensation of soft cottony hair remained on his hand even after waking up, hair that held a faint scent of honeysuckles. 

Oriana as usual fixed the accessories on his coat, and the entire time, Arlan's gaze was on her head. His hands itched to yank away that fabric, freeing her beautiful hair out in the open, but he could only swallow back the urge. 

This village girl kept her gender hidden for a reason. If he exposed her secret, who knew how she would react? She might leave his side. Knowing her stubborn personality, it wouldn't be easy to keep her.

Of course, as the Crown Prince, it was possible to keep her by his side with force, but that meant their relationship would no longer be that of master-servant but that of enemies. He had no ill intentions against her, and at this moment, everything between them was going fine. 

The present situation was perfect. He was getting what he needed from her—her presence around him. What curiosity he had about her secrets could be set aside for the greater good.

After he had his morning meal, Arlan headed straight to his study, where he found Lucas waiting for his arrival. Oriana was present to serve tea to the prince's aide.

Lucas greeted the prince and informed him, "Your Highness, preparations are complete for our departure to Othinia. We are waiting for your order on when you would like to leave."

"We can head out as soon as possible," Arlan replied as he sat down behind his desk. 

"The earliest would be tomorrow morning since we need to Inform the accompanying officials."

"Then, do that."

'The Kingdom of Othinia,' Oriana repeated in her mind, 'My next destination.' 

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