206: Like A Lost Child

Like A Lost Child

"Orian, why are you still standing?" Seren asked. "We all are eating together. It's alright. We don't like to follow rules when we are outside."2

"Your Majesty, I am not hungry. I…would like to stay outside instead and see the market on my own."

"But you will miss the tasty food here," Seren insisted. 

Oriana kept her head lowered. "I am not used to eating such delicacies, Your Majesty."

It was not a lie. Back in the village, she would only generally eat vegetables she grew and meat she hunted. Taste was secondary. The most important thing was that the food did not run out. Most commoners were like that, living in frugality. Sometimes, when she's foraging deep into the forest, she would often only eat once in the morning and then snack on jujube for the rest of the day. It was enough as long as she didn't starve. 

She continued, "Please permit me to roam outside. I will return before you finish eating."

Seren looked at Drayce to which he nodded. 

"As you feel right, Orian," Seren allowed unwillingly as she didn't know how to make Oriana feel better. 

"I will make sure to not create any trouble, Your Highness." Her words were directed towards Arlan who didn't respond. 

The dining room was silent as they watched her leave. The food arrived shortly after. Several servers placed various appetizing and aromatic dishes in front of everyone. After pouring wine and juices to their respective glasses, the servers left, leaving only the assigned server outside the private room for them to summon if needed.

"Arlan, start eating." Drayce spoke towards the man who was yet to move even an inch since he sat down. 

"I am not hungry," he said before abruptly standing up. "Enjoy your meal."

Imbert and Rafal stood up as well but Arlan raised his hand. "No need to follow me. Finish your food." Unwillingly, the two knights sat down, their gazes on his departing figure.

Slayer looked at the two knights. "Do not worry. Your liege needs some time alone. You two know best that he doesn't need real protection."

Imbert said nothing, but Rafal sighed. "We do know but…"

In the end, the two knights reluctantly began to eat.

When Arlan walked out, he searched for Oriana. It had not been long since she left so he was sure she must not have gone that far. He focused on his hearing, but could not hear her voice. Her scent, due to the massive crowd, was mixed with other scents, hard to track amidst the bustle. Still, he followed its general direction sensing the faint traces of her scent.

After walking for several minutes, he found Oriana in an alley far from the main district, kneeling in front of a dirty puppy hiding in the corner. She was talking to it, caressing its fur without minding the grime. She seemed to have treated the puppy's leg as he could see cloth wrapped around it like a bandage.

"Are you abandoned by your master and don't know how to protect yourself?" she asked and answered on her own, "Seems like it. Are you lonely like me? Getting used to certain things, and suddenly, you are devoid of them. It's funny how you feel robbed of something that doesn't belong to you in the first place.

"Having such a mentality is bad. I learned hard from experience. You have to know your place. Do not depend on others to survive. You too, even if you're young…especially since you are young…You will get used to being on your own soon. 

"You should be happy that you are free. Freedom is better than being trapped by others, trust me. I like my freedom, and soon, I will get back my old life. I don't like how I am now but I will be happy soon. I hope you live well and find your happiness too."

When she stood up to leave, Arlan hid himself to not let her notice him. When she returned to the crowded streets, he quietly followed her. She would stop once in a while in front of shops but not enter them, merely observing them quietly. 

Arlan found her actions odd. He found her expressions odd. Her face was empty of emotions, and she walked aimlessly, with neither a direction nor a purpose, like a lost child—no, an abandoned child.

For the first time, he felt he could not see through her. 

Oriana realized she had spent enough time outside.  She sighed at the thought of going back. When she turned around, she saw Arlan standing at a distance, looking at her. 

She blinked slowly, once, twice, wondering if that image was a trick of the light. When the man did not disappear, she realized it was real. She wanted to ask why he was outside, but she didn't. She was merely a servant, and she shouldn't ask questions.

With  her head lowered, she walked towards him.

"Apologies, Your Highness. I must have kept you waiting. I did not realize that I was outside for long."

Arlan quietly looked at her bowing figure, his mind in chaos, wanting to ask her questions but not knowing how or where to start. 

Just as he opened his mouth, he heard someone calling for him.

"Your High—I mean, my lord!" Rafal called out.

It was not only Rafal. Imbert came as well. The prince's knights could not eat in peace when their master was gone and came after him not long after he left the restaurant. 

"Let's go back," was all Arlan said. When they returned, they found Drayce and Seren leaving the building. 

"Did you enjoy wandering, instead of eating with us?" Drayce asked as their group reunited.

For a moment, Oriana felt the King was talking to her but then heard Arlan reply, "I did."

'His Highness wandered outside as well? He did not eat?' Oriana wondered.

She looked at him but he already walked past her to go ahead. She sighed inwardly, 'Why should I be worried about him. Whether he eats or not it's none my concern,' and followed him quietly.

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