232: Stop Nagging!

Stop Nagging!

The sixth day of the summit conference.  2

Facing the representatives of the other nine kingdoms, Arlan did his best to not show any strangeness, pretending that he was unbothered by the scrutinizing gaze of the young King of Thevailes on him. Whenever their eyes would accidentally meet, Samer would not look away, as if amused by what he was seeing. It made Arlan feel irked, but he was restrained from outwardly showing his dislike for Samer. After all, he was the one who requested to visit him.

On the surface, the Cromwell Royal Family was on 'neutral' terms with the Vailes Royal Family.

When Arlan sent out the visitation notice yesterday, the same messenger returned within an hour with a positive response. It was exactly what he and Drayce expected, but for some reason, it gave Arlan an impression that he was playing a dangerous game of chess with Samer.

After the gathering, Arlan hurried back to his own mansion, allocating tasks to his officials before he headed out to the guest mansion of Thevailes. As soon as he adjourned the meeting, Drayce appeared in his study. 

"Are you sure this plan is feasible?" Arlan asked. "Won't Zaria and her minions flee the moment I enter the premises?"

"Make sure to not use your powers," the red-eyed man reminded. "You appear perfectly human on the outside as long as you don't use it."

"That is because I am human," Arlan grumbled. "However, I find it strange. You told me before you met some beastmen, and they were able to determine you are a Dragon on first sight. Are you sure others won't know I am one too?"

"They won't. Yorian and I are exceptions. I can sense the resonance between our souls since we are both Dragons, and you know that Yorian's spiritual power is deviant."

"That ancient priestess sure got some skills."

"Black Witches specialize in curses, offense spells and destructive magic so Yorian believes even with her strength, Zaria will not be able to sense anything wrong as long as you don't use your power."

"Understood."

"They won't do anything extreme in your presence, so even if Oriana is not in your line of sight, do not worry."

"I know. Stop nagging already."

"Stop looking distressed then. You look like you're going to a funeral instead of attending afternoon tea."

"According to you they are targeting Oriana but we don't know the reason why. How can I be overjoyed to meet the one who targets my....servant."

"Servant?" Drayce scoffed, "Then, I must say you are such a caring master. I wonder Roman was ever this fortunate to be on the receiving end of your care."

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of  Yorian. 

"I got something for Prince Arlan."

Arlan gave the elf a questioning gaze, only to find a small pouch appearing on his outstretched palm. 

"What is this?"

"As your mate is bleeding and you might not be able to stand her scent, this can help you deal with it."

The prince accepted it. It felt heavy, like it contained a handful of heavy sand. He sniffed it, but found it odorless. "There is no scent? How can it suppress her smell?"

"Do not worry, this is how it works. Just carry it with you. But remember, it won't entirely get rid of her scent. Its purpose is to help you suppress your reaction to her scent, so you won't go insane."

Arlan furrowed his brows. "Shouldn't you find something that is more effective? I feel like putting a cloth mask over my nose would work better than this."

"We cannot go against the law of nature, Prince Arlan. If she is your mate, there is nothing that can stop the things which will pull you towards her. The scent is an important factor to a beast's instincts and it's much stronger than anything which I can ever find to help you."

Arlan sighed and put the pouch inside his chest pocket. "It better work."

"If you add your willpower to it, it sure will."

As Arlan walked out of his study, Drayce reminded him, "Come pick up your aide on your way to the Thevailese delegation."

"I know the plan. Stop nagging me!"

Arlan left in his carriage while Yorian and Drayce returned to their own mansion using their powers. 

Seeing Drayce in deep thought, Yorian asked, "Something troubling you, King Drayce?"

Drayce nodded. "If that woman who introduced herself as Rosetta is Zaria, Oriana should have been able to feel resonance between fellow witches, but when I asked her, she said she didn't feel anything towards that woman."

"Do you have reason to believe that Rosetta is not human?"

"My gut feeling is telling me she created an excuse to meet and touch Oriana to check her divine power. Otherwise, their interaction would be fruitless," Drayce explained. "Even if that Rosetta is not Zaria, she must be one of Zaria's people, then the probability of her being a witch is high. I fear they have already discovered Oriana is the Queen of Witches."

"That is what I am worried about. It puts Oriana in more danger. Perhaps it is time to tell that pair of mates the truth. Keeping them in the dark would only put them in jeopardy."

Drayce agreed. " It worries me more about how both will take the truth. Knowing Oriana, it would be difficult for her to accept the path laid in her way. You felt her subtle rejection of our world, of being someone not human. She might try to run away from all these. Arlan is trying, but he is still not stable enough to take control over his beast side. If he learns how much danger Oriana is in, he might regress, if not worsen. This is not the best time to inform them about each other's real situations."

Yorian could only sigh. "If Evanthe was here, things would have been easier. She would have guided us better on Oriana's matter. I wonder if she has reached Agartha already."

Drayce could not deny how much they needed his mother at this moment here. She was the queen of witches and no one would know about witches better than her. As Oriana was new Queen of Witches, she could seek help and guidance from his mother.

"Till mother is back, we have to take care of everything."

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