238: [Bonus chapter]Acting Skills

[Bonus chapter]Acting Skills

His young servant appeared embarrassed as she hurried to his side. "Ah, pardon, Your Highness." She awkwardly scratched her cheek. She lowered her voice, though it was still loud enough for Samer to hear. "I was a fool. I was just thinking about Lady Rosetta and was lost in thought…"0

"Lady Rosetta?" Arlan asked, his voice sounding displeased with her action. 

Oblivious to his glare, Oriana continued sheepishly, "She is a good lady I met while treating my patient. I need to give something to her but forgot to give it earlier…"

Arlan waved a hand in a dismissive gesture, before turning to Samer. "Pardon my aide's gaffe, King Samer. This is embarrassing." He then turned his attention back to Oriana. "Let us go. We will talk on the way out."

"It seems like your aide has taken a particular liking to one of my personal advisors." 

Samer's languid voice reached their ears. Like an indolent young master, he sat back on the couch, refilling his wine glass, not paying heed to how unkingly he appeared to other's eyes. 

Oriana's face brightened as she turned towards Samer, forgetting about etiquette. Her hazel eyes seemed to pop out in amazement. "No wonder she has such charm and intelligence. She is Your Majesty's advisor!" She then began to mutter, "Oh, no. I want to give her a parting gift, but I do not know if we can see her on our way out…"

"Whatever you want to give, just have a servant pass it to her. Let us go. Do not waste the King's valuable time over your silliness," Arlan spoke as he turned around once more, ready to leave.

"The summit is officially ending the day after tomorrow, right? I may not be able to see her ever so I need to give it to her in person, Your Highness."

As if entertained by Oriana's childish behavior,  Samer spoke up, "Shall I help you, boy?" Without waiting for her response, he ordered the knight guarding the door. "Summon Advisor Kezia."

Arlan looked at Samer. "I hope you won't mind my stubborn servant, King Samer."

"Think of this as a small reward for extending a helping hand to my people."

After a while, a beautiful black-haired woman clad in a dark brown dress entered the drawing room. 

She curtsied before the King and then the Crown Prince, greeting both royalty respectfully. She then straightened herself and offered a smile in Samer's direction. "You called for me, Your Majesty?"

"This boy requested it," Samer said, his tone dismissive. 

Surprise colored Rosetta's face. She gazed at the embarrassed youth standing beside the prince. "Orian did?"

"Yes, Lady Rosetta," she said, a blush spreading across her cheeks, "and apologies for the trouble."

"It's alright. I am sure you must have a reason."

"Ah, yes. I have something for you. A small gift to show you my gratitude towards you. I hope you won't mind, Lady Rosetta."

Rosetta offered a sweet smile. "Of course not, Orian. Let me see what you have for me."

Oriana walked towards her after she took something from her inner coat pocket. It was a small box, and inside, she pulled out a beautiful accessory made from dried scented herbs—a brooch made out of intertwined branches with dried flowers.

"Last night, I made this brooch for you from dried scented herbs. In my culture, my tribe personally crafts beautiful accessories using flowers and leaves to give to their loved ones or to show gratitude to people. I thought lavender would suit you so I added more of those dried flowers. It is quite simple and primitive, but I hope you will use it."

"It's beautiful." The woman admired that skillfully woven brooch which she accepted from Oriana. "Not only are you skilled in the art of healing, even your craftsmanship is praiseworthy!"

"It's just a hobby I picked while dealing with herbs around me."

"That's a beautiful hobby. I will make sure to wear this."

"Thank you, Lady Rosetta."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Arlan and Oriana left the mansion.

Once their carriage left the premises of the Thevailese delegation, Arlan spoke, "Have you always been this good at acting?"

"Huh?" She looked at him with a questioning gaze.

"You act better than the actors in an opera house, but then I am not surprised."

She offered him a sweet smile, but her eyes were narrowed in his direction, the only sign betraying how displeased she was by his mocking remark. "Thank you for the praise. I am still learning and not as skilled as Your Highness yet."

Arlan similarly narrowed his eyes on her. This woman never forgot to get back at him. But he was not angry. In fact, he felt relieved as it felt like they were returning to how they were before. 

He continued, "Makes me wonder if you are always acting or is there sometimes a real you."

"I would like to ask the same question to Your Highness but I am scared I might offend you."

His gaze turned serious. "What do you think?"

This startled her. She had not expected to ask this instead of passing another mocking remark at her. She pressed her lips into a thin line.

"You are not answering?"

"I-I… am not sure." 

Her voice was low and hesitant, and she did her best to not look at him. 'What's with that gaze? And why does he have to turn serious suddenly? Now it feels awkward…'

She could feel his gaze on her, and its intensity made her palm turn sweaty. 

'Why am I like this? This is so so frustrating! How is it possible this man can make me nervous even without saying anything? His gaze alone is, ugh, get a grip on yourself, Ori.' She tried to cheer herself up. 'We will reach there soon, just a little while more.'

Unknown to her, the frustration she felt went both ways. 

The prince was also carefully counting the passing minutes, impatient to return to their accommodations. He had been doing well at holding himself back against the tempting scent coming from her so far. However, he didn't trust how long his willpower could keep up.

One was quiet due to nervousness, while the other was quietly holding his breath.

No one talked, and only the sounds of horse hooves and the wheels of the carriage accompanied the pair of mates. 

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