222: Pitying The Young Witch

Pitying The Young Witch

"The main herb of this pill is rare and expensive. How did you get your hands on so much?"0

Oriana answered hesitantly, "From the royal pharmacy…Master Erich's—"

"Erich knows of this?!" Martha said in disbelief, her tone laced with anger. 

"Yes, no, I mean, I have been getting it through the royal pharmacy, and Master only discovered it when I was about to leave with the delegation. He warned me but he also understood my situation, and I promised him this would be the last time."

Martha continued to scowl. "How can he allow you to…? Is he losing his mind with old age?"

Oriana stared at the reaction of the older woman who always behaved calmly, but suddenly lost her composure. She realized that Erich and Martha might be closer than she guessed. 

"You are not taking this medicine after this," Martha warned her. 

"I won't," Oriana agreed. There was no need to prevent her cycle next month. She was sure by then she would achieve her goal and terminate her service in the royal palace. Once she left, she didn't have to take this kind of  medicine. 

"Eva will bring your meal here. Make sure to eat even if you have no appetite," Martha instructed. "I have to attend to Her Majesty now. I will be back in the afternoon."

Martha left, leaving Oriana alone, which was what she exactly wanted at this moment. Her thoughts wandered to the memories of last night. 

'Was it because of him or I was just overreacting due to my hormones?' 

She tried to reason out the heartache she felt, but she knew deep inside why she was hurt. 

'This is not good for me. The more I stay around him, the less likely I can stomp on these unrealistic expectations. I must be out of my mind. How can I feel this way towards that brat?' She idly played with the strand of her hair. 'But how can I leave without even getting what I came here for in the first place? And even if I run away, I will be hunted down. I am not confident that I can go back to Wimark and run away with Grandpa safely. I need to find a way…'

Just then, she heard a knock and a young woman entered, bringing a meal for her. Oriana recognized her as one of the maidservants of the Queen of Megaris. 

"Good afternoon, Miss." The maidservant offered a most polite smile to her. "I am Eva." 

"Good afternoon, Eva."

"I have brought hot porridge for you."

"Before that, would you help me freshen up?" She felt discomfort being covered in sweat. However, the cramps along with the general weakness of her body made it hard for her to move about.

"Oh, sure, Miss, but your porridge will go cold."

"It's fine." Oriana nodded and Eva came to her side to help her. "Thank you, Eva."

The young maidservant just smiled. Oriana realized she didn't show any change in expression when she saw her in a woman's clothes. Seems like all of them have accepted her reality and didn't blame her for deceiving them.

Once freshened up, Eva fetched the wooden tray table and served Oriana her food on the bed. "Please enjoy your meal. Miss Martha told me to inform you you have to finish it all."

Oriana felt like she could not go against the words of that older woman. Compelled to follow her words, she let out a faint smile as she nodded. 

"I will."

Finishing the meal and the potion given to her by Martha, Oriana resumed her rest. She knew she wouldn't be able to walk, much less run with her current condition. Running away from this mansion without getting caught was a far-fetched dream. 

'I'm tired, Grandpa,' she could not help but think, missing the only family she has left. 'Truly tired…and confused…I want my old life back…our old life back…I don't even know what to do now…I wish someone could tell me what to do next…'

As another wave of exhaustion covered her weak body, and soon her eyes fluttered close, her consciousness slipping out of her fingertips.

'...if only someone can get me away from here…"

------

When afternoon came, Seren came to visit Oriana. Equally flustered and flattered to see the Queen of Megaris, Oriana was about to get out of bed to greet her, but Seren stopped her. 

"Stay in bed. You are not well yet." Seren walked towards the bed. 

"Apologies, Your Majesty."

"There is nothing to apologize for." Seren asked, "How are you feeling now, Oriana?"

The young woman flushed, still unable to get used to being called by her real name. 

"I…am fine, Your Majesty. There is no need for you to come see me like this."

"It's nothing much. I hope I am not disturbing your rest," she remarked.

"Ah, not at all! I am honored, in fact!"

Seren's eyes curved in laughter. "Well, it is a show of poor manners to visit a sick person without prior notice. After all, most people don't like others seeing them looking weak and undignified."

Oriana merely chuckled. "Your Majesty, etiquette and such fancy stuff only matters to those with high status. I really appreciate you coming to see me."

"Then you don't mind if I do this?" The veiled queen sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes smiling as she looked at Oriana who was sitting with her back against the headboard. 

"I-I don't mind! You can sit anywhere you wish to!"

Those purple eyes sparkled in laughter, causing Oriana's cheeks to be stained red with embarrassment.

"You look beautiful in a dress, Oriana," the Queen started, causing Oriana's blush to deepen. "And your hair, its stunning color, reminds me of the sunset. You have the kind of beauty that mesmerises people." 

Seren's words and the gaze in her eyes were genuine. 

Oriana was overwhelmed. To think that the most beautiful woman she had ever seen was praising her! Compared to the Queen of Megaris, her appearance was nothing!

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