243: Something From His Past

Something From His Past

With Oriana returning to being Arlan's attendant, she decided to first head back to the mansion next door to bid farewell to the Megarisian delegation. There was nothing to pack since she did not bring her own things in the first place, aside from her ivory knife. She merely wanted to extend her thanks to Seren, Martha and Eva.1

"Mister Orian, His Majesty had asked for your presence in the study."

Oriana went to the King's study, where she found both Drayce and Yorian waiting for her. 

"Greetings, Your Majesty." She bowed to the young king first then to the elf. "Lord Yorian."

"Have a seat," Drayce instructed, which made Oriana aware that they were going to discuss  important matters. 

Just as she sat down, the King spoke up, "I called you here because I believe you withheld information that you could not say in front of your master."

Oriana felt like she could never doubt the ability of this king to see through people. His tact and sensitivity would make anyone appreciate him.  No wonder he was a respected ruler despite his young age.

She nodded. "I have more to say, Your Majesty."

"Feel free to talk."

"Today, I admitted to being a Black Witch when Lady Rosetta asked me about who I really am." She then told them the concrete details of how their conversation went. 

"You did well. It is best to simply be honest since she had personally taken action to confirm your identity as a witch, including the fact you have divine power."

"I felt like she was about to say something more, something about my identity,  but she refrained from doing so," Oriana added. "Is there anything else that I should know?" she asked, looking at both men. 

Drayce raised a brow at her question. "How can we guess what is in her mind?"

"How do you feel about discovering you are not a human but a witch?" Yorian asked, changing the subject. 

"I…I guess find it hard to accept, my lord. More like, I cannot wrap my head around the truth? It is like a complete stranger approached you and claimed to be your father out of the blue. That kind of bewildered feeling…"

"Do you hate it?" the elf asked.

"I'm…not sure…"

Was there a reason to hate herself? No. Nothing changed. 

In fact, it had little effect on her, aside from the fact that her magic would not allow her to use certain herbs that react to black magic. Only, she was unwilling to involve herself in this dangerous world of supernatural beings. She wanted to be as far as possible from witches and wizards. 

These thoughts, she honestly relayed them to Drayce and Yorian.

Neither men commented on this. After all, Oriana was a person with her own mind. She was not a child and she was not dumb either. 

Whether she accepted her identity and embraced her reality, that would be hers to determine, not them. They would only intervene on matters related to her being used by Black Witch Zaria.

"You told her that this might be your last meeting."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Did she give you anything before you parted ways?" Drayce asked after some time. 

Oriana felt like she could not hide anything from him, but it was fine since she neither planned to do so. 

  "She gave me a pendant, saying it is an ancient artifact I can use to connect to her if I feel like talking to her."

"An artifact!" Her explanation caused Yorian's interest to be piqued. "Where is it? Can you show me?"

Oriana shook her head. "Unfortunately, I can't, my lord." She then proceeded to explain Rosetta's warning, about how it would lose the connection between paired pendants upon contact with magic or other supernatural beings.

"You want to communicate with her?"

"It is not that I want to." Oriana idly fiddled with the velvet fabric covering her seat. "I am not sure yet, but my intuition is telling me that if that pendant loses its connection with the other, she will know I don't trust her."

"Hmm, that's true," Drayce agreed. 

However, Yorian had something to say in this matter. "Do you plan to use it and keep up your act even after you head back to Griven?"

"I don't have an answer, Lord Yorian. I will play it by ear. Who knows? This artifact might come handy in the future."

"A fair warning, child," Yorian spoke. "Zaria Lynx is one of the reasons why witches have a terrible reputation among humans, and she is the main reason why supernatural beings discriminate against Black Witches. Any contact with her is playing with fire."

"I know, I won't trust her. I won't let her use me for anything bad. But…" 

Oriana had her own qualms. The Lady Rosetta she met didn't try to harm her. All the woman did was confirm her identity. 

Everything else, from what black magic practitioners are and how they were symbols of terror, she only heard them from Yorian and those from Megaris. Even the identities of those who attacked their group in the Ancient Citadel of Nefer, they only came from another person's mouth. 

"Thank you for the reminder, but I will be fine. I want to personally confirm some things. But please, rest assured, even though I am Black Witch, I won't turn into a bad person." She lowered her head and said in a low voice, "I won't be called a vile creature." 

A vile creature. Drayce and Yorian understood her reference. 

"You can keep that pendant. I am sure you will use it wisely," Drayce spoke. "Though we will part ways after this summit, you can always find me or Yorian when the need arises."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. If there is nothing more, I shall take my leave."

Drayce nodded and she stood up. Just as she reached the door, she heard Drayce's voice. 

"Oriana!"

She turned around. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

Those red eyes calmly gazed into her hazel ones.

"What Arlan said about Black Witches, do not take it to heart. He has a reason to have hatred towards them, but I know you will change his opinion one day. I hope you do."

Oriana simply bowed, but whether she agreed or not, only she herself knew.

Once she left, Yorian asked the King. "I understand if it's you, since Zaria Lynx targeted your wife in the past, but does Prince Arlan have a personal grudge against Black Witches too?"

Drayce nodded, "Something from his past," and resumed his work. He had no intention to divulge more.

Yorian understood so he didn't insist either, but said, "I hope his hatred towards Black Witches, won't affect Oriana and his relation with her?"

"What comes above anything, is the feelings of heart. It can heal everything though it might take time."

"True."

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