167: Red-Eyed Devil

Red-Eyed Devil

0The next morning, she woke up covered with a quilt. Her body was comfortably lying on that couch, her small frame a perfect fit on the long cushion. The sun was yet to rise but the color of the sky was showing signs of brightening.

When she looked at the bed, she found it empty. 

'Where did he go?'

She looked around and found Arlan standing by the window, looking outside as if brooding over a problem. 'Uh-oh. That expression. Did he wake up early or he didn't sleep? I don't remember him having a nightmare or me needing to hold his hand. Could it be that he had a nightmare but I was in a deep sleep and didn't wake up?'

"Are you planning to sleep more or what?" she heard him say, without turning to look at her. 

'Does he have eyes at the back of his head?' She immediately climbed off the couch, stifling the yawn from his mouth. 'I don't think he looks mad but…'

"Good morning, Your Highness. Did you sleep well?" she asked cleverly, hoping to sweep away her mistake under the rug. 

"You can go to your room and send in Neil and Damien," he said. 

It was usual routine for her now. Neil and Damien would serve him when it came to his meals, baths and clothes, while she was in charge of tea and other more miscellaneous tasks. She had free time until after Arlan had his morning meal.

When the prince finished his meal, Imbert informed him, "Your Highness, Commander Sanders sent a message that the King of Megaris is waiting to meet his dear friend, said verbatim."

Arlan let out an amused grin, the kind a boy would wear when he's about to pull a prank. 

"Where are they staying?"

"The guest mansion right next to us."

"Imbert, you alone can follow me," he told his guardian knight. "Orian, get a bottle of red wine from my collection and bring it along." 

Arlan walked out of his accommodation bringing only two subordinates as his retinue. Oriana was more nervous than excited to go to the mansion next door. She hoped that the Queen's nanny would answer her questions about black magic, allowing her to resume her old life brewing medications without fear of ruining them, but little did she know that she was going to regret this particular visit.

The black-clad knights from Megaris saluted the moment they recognized the Crown Prince of Griven. The guardian knight of the King of Megaris escorted Arlan inside the drawing room where he directed him to have a seat. 

After passing the wine bottle to another servant, Oriana quietly stood like an obedient servant behind where Arlan was sitting.

"His Majesty will be here in a while," Slayer said. 

"Aren't you being too formal with me, Slayer?" Arlan looked at him. 

"Chivalry indicates that knights must behave at all times with courtesy, Prince Arlan."

"That's a funny way of saying you're on duty," Arlan said with a chuckle. "Being Dray's knight sure took a toll on our friendship."

"I am sure that's not the case, Your Highness."

"Your politeness is getting on my nerves. You can stop that," Arlan said and Slayer obeyed, not saying another word. 

Though Drayce, Arlan and Slayer were close friends, Slayer knew where he stood. Private and work matters were clearly separated, and in front of people, he would treat Arlan as his liege's friend, a superior. 

At the first sound of approaching footsteps, those inside the room looked in the direction of the door. Oriana got the shock of her life. 

The red-eyed devil!

The same red-eyed nobleman who chased her in Azures Island!

Oriana was so shocked she didn't notice the purple-eyed woman wearing a veil, standing by his side, holding his hand. 

With the newcomers' eyes both trained on her, she immediately lowered her head to hide her expression.

'Why is he staring? Did he recognize me? He could not have possibly seen my face that day, could he?' She was panicking inside, and in a split second, she imagined being beheaded for possession of banned herbs. 'Wait, this red-eyed devil is the King of Megaris?! He is not part of the smugglers nor the local authority. Why did I get chased back then?!'

"You reached here earlier than expected."

Arlan's voice disturbed Oriana and she realized that the red-eyed man had already averted his gaze from her. It made her sigh in relief. For some odd reason, she felt a strange sense of familiarity towards him, one she could not understand why.

"The journey was smoother than I thought," Drayce answered. "But were you late?"

Arlan nodded. "When you have troublemakers with you, delay is bound to happen."

Oriana understood it was directed towards her but could only stay quiet. The royal couple sat on the couch. 

"Troublemaker?" Drayce said. "I am sure Imbert got rid of them even without you needing to lift a finger."

"Some troubles cannot be dealt with a sword alone," Arlan countered. 

Once again, Arlan's snide remark could only be met by Oriana's silence. After all, she was guilty as charged. She dared not refute.

"I see someone new. A new attendant?" Oriana heard Drayce ask and found him looking at her. 

The purple-eyed woman, the Queen of Megaris, had her eyes on her as well. Oriana didn't like the way they stared at her, as if they both knew something she didn't.

Oriana immediately lowered her gaze, not daring to look at them anymore, especially the King of Megaris. She swore, she never felt this scared of anyone in her entire life. 

'This prince sure surrounds himself with scary people. Not just his subordinates, even his friends are scary as well.

"I envied you for having that clever Orion guy as your aide, so I got one Orian for me," came the sarcastic reply from Arlan. 

"Sadly, my aide Orion isn't here to hear about your envy," Drayce replied with a chuckle. 

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