205: Salty Over Mere Aide

Salty Over Mere Aide

Their group stopped once more as Seren and Xena entered another shop, with Slayer and Azer following them in. Drayce and Arlan were discussing the matters from today's conference, while Oriana observed their surroundings to distract herself.0

On the side of the road, she watched a little girl enjoying the sugar candy stick that her father bought for her. The happiness on her face reminded Oriana of her childhood and her grandpa, and she could not help but miss him even more. No one loved her more than her grandpa did, and no one would even do it. 

She needed her grandpa. It was childish and selfish, but she didn't even want to imagine a future without him. She could not imagine him forgetting her. The memory of him being unable to recognize her, not even knowing her name…

She could not lose him at any cost. 

"You seem like you are missing a loved one," a kind voice broke her reverie.

Oriana raised her head and found a certain blue-eyed prince walking towards her.

It was Cian.

"I…" She hurried to suppress the emotions inside her. Her smile was brittle as she bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Cian gave a silent order to his knight who understood what the prince wanted. The knight made himself scarce. 

"I was just observing that little girl, Your Highness," Oriana replied with her head lowered. "It's just that I found her adorable, and was imagining what it's like to have a sister like her."

"Hmm, that's true. She has a contagious smile." A victim to his own words, the handsome prince smiled, prompting Oriana to smile as well.

Nearby, Arlan was frowning in their direction, only to hear Drayce remark, "Don't tell me, you plan to go there and snatch her back?"

Arlan sighed and glared at his friend, his patience wearing off. 

Cian's knight returned with that same sugar candy stick the girl was eating. 

"This for you, Orian," Cian spoke and his knight offered the sweet to Oriana. 

Oriana was stunned, but then hesitated, "There is no need for it, Your Highness."

"I am yet to reward you for treating my hand on time. This is just a small token of gratitude."

"I need no reward. I am glad I could help His Highness."

"I appreciate your sincerity but I insist on you accepting it. If you refuse, I may have to pay for your services in gold coins."

Oriana relented, but before she could accept the stick, it slipped from the knight's hand and fell on the ground. The knight stared at his hand in disbelief. 

"Apologies, I will get another one—"

"Prince Cian," Arlan called out as he moved towards them. "My aide here is to serve me and not to enjoy the delicacies offered by others. Though I understand your kind intentions, there is no need to reward him separately. I hosted the dinner banquet. Treating your injury back then was part of his duty looking after my guests."

Drayce was right behind Arlan, secretly smiling at his friend who used the power he hated for something so silly due to petty jealousy. He didn't let Oriana accept the candy offered by Cian. 

Oriana didn't know what to do, stuck between the two princes. She didn't want to think about anything and simply wished to get out of this situation. 

"Orian, come here!" Seren called her again and Oriana swore she could not love this woman more than this. Oriana ran towards the shop as if her life depended on it.

"What brought you here, Prince Cian?" Drayce asked. "The leads of the investigation?"

"Something like that," Cian replied. He was about to say more, but Arlan spoke up. 

"Then you can continue your investigation as we look forward to getting new leads from you."

"I don't need to be told the obvious, Prince Arlan," Cian commented as his gaze followed Oriana's figure, "but you sure need to be told to not get salty over a mere aide and show me your weakness. If you do so, I might be tempted to play with that weakness of yours."

Something dark flashed in those ocean blue eyes.

"Dare try it?"

"From what I see, your weakness wants to run away from you. If your aide runs in my direction, I might welcome him with open arms," Cian commented before giving Drayce a nod. "Be careful. There are many eyes watching you, but you already know that. I will take my leave. Let Seren know that I will see her tonight."

Drayce agreed and Cian and his knight left. Arlan stared at Oriana who was with Seren, Cian's words echoing in his mind.

'Wants to run away from me?'

"I agree," Drayce said as he guessed Arlan's thoughts. "She clearly has a problem with you. I am not sure what you did but take care of it. Don't forget she is your mate, even if you don't want it. Treat her well, or else you will surely end up regretting this later. Do not take the matter of mates lightly."

Arlan did not answer but his gaze never left her.

After another hour of roaming the streets, Seren came to Drayce. "Dray, I am feeling a little hungry. How about we eat somewhere? I liked the Othinian cuisine I tried yesterday."

"As you say," he responded. "There is a famous place here. The view from their window seat is good, and the ingredients always fresh."

Under the King's lead, they started walking towards that place. Seren asked, " You sound like you've eaten there before?"

Drayce nodded. "Arlan and I liked to wander around the capital cities of each kingdom in the past, and we are still familiar with them in general."

"Oh, that sounds good."

They walked inside a luxurious restaurant where Slayer made sure everything was arranged as per Drayce's instructions. A private dining room was reserved for them. 

The owner of the restaurant personally guided them towards a classy room spacious enough to accommodate even twenty people.

According to Drayce's instructions, they all were going to eat together on the same table. No one sat at the head of the table. Drayce and Seren sat next to each other and Arlan next to them. The knights and Lady Xena also seated themselves, leaving only one person standing. 

Oriana wondered what to do. She wanted to leave, but didn't know if she dared not say anything without being spoken to first. 

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