257: Slicing The Steak For Her

Slicing The Steak For Her

As they stood up, Arlan had the shop attendant call Imbert. Imbert paid the cost of that shawl, while the shop owner conversed with Arlan. 1

Before they leave, Oriana took that chance to look around. She wandered to the main hall of the shop.

Oriana eyed the clothes hung on the racks of the shop. Her gaze stopped at the part where relatively simple scarves were hung. 

'The colors are so beautiful. Even though they look plain, they must be very expensive as well. Even if I spend my entire lifetime's earnings, I won't be able to afford even one.' 

She shook her head at the thought and walked outside of the shop. 

Arlan, who was walking out of the private room along with the shop owner, caught Oriana looking at those scarves. 

The shop owner followed the prince's gaze and spoke, "Your Highness, would you like to see those scarves? Those kinds of scarves are easier to style and are preferred by fashionable young ladies. Perhaps Your Highness would like to purchase some gifts for the lucky woman you fancy."

Arlan pointed towards a particular color. "Give me that one."

The shop owner hurried to follow his order. 

Imbert led the servant carrying the items the prince bought towards the carriage. 

On the other hand, Arlan gestured for Oriana to follow him towards another lavish mansion-like place. The moment they neared the entrance, Oriana realized it was a restaurant. The rich aroma of food overwhelmed her senses and she could not help but wonder what kind of food those cooks were making. But then she smiled bitterly, 'It must be expensive as hell. If the aroma has a price, I probably could not even afford to smell it.'

Before entering the main door, she stopped, making Arlan turn his head over his shoulder to look at her. 

"Anything the matter?" she heard him ask.

"Your Highness, I will remain here outside. Please enjoy your meal."

"And who will take care of my needs inside?" Arlan questioned. "Are you forgetting your duties as my personal attendant?"

"I do not dare, Your Highness. Apologies." 

She obediently followed him inside.

The interior of that restaurant was beautiful, every inch of it filled with classic luxury—large crystal chandeliers on high ceilings, gleaming marble floors and intricately patterned rugs, with the walls adorned by exquisite artworks. 

The dining area had plush, upholstered chairs, each set around elegant, polished mahogany tables. Meticulously arranged floral centerpieces added a touch of natural beauty to the surroundings, while those seated were all noblemen clad in layers of expensive attires and jewelry.

Someone like Oriana should not be here for sure. Everyone inside was an important person…except for her.

An impeccably dressed server led them towards a beautiful table near a large open veranda, a secluded location on the first floor offering a breathtaking view of the entire shopping district. The server pulled a chair for Arlan first, before pulling a chair for Oriana. Oriana didn't know what to do.

"Aren't you going to sit down?" Arlan asked. 

She gulped. "Me?"

"I don't see anyone else," he said and Oriana looked around to search for Imbert but the knight was already sitting alone at another table. 

"I…I will sit with Sir Loyset."

"Imbert prefers to have a quiet meal by himself," Arlan replied and instructed in a firm voice, "Just sit down." He signaled towards the chair the server pulled opposite to him.

Hesitantly, Oriana obeyed her master's order. While Arlan ordered their food, she averted her attention to their surroundings and noticed something strange. 

Those who were seated at tables like theirs were…couples.

On one table, a young nobleman was happily talking to his beautiful partner, while on the table next to them, the middle-aged couple was even flirting with each other in broad daylight. 

'A place for couples…' 

But then, she shook that thought aside. 

'Must be a coincidence. Sir Loyset is alone as well. I am overthinking.' 

She then glanced at Arlan's handsome face. 'I wonder if he had a woman he fancy, what kind of a woman it must be who he would bring to such places? Since he is a handsome, hardworking and talented person, then that woman must not only be beautiful but also intelligent and powerful to match his temperament and status.

Someone like… Lady Rosetta?' 

She frowned inside, remembering the life-like portrait Arlan drew.

'What am I thinking? Whoever woman he fancies, it is none of my business.'

Soon, their food arrived one by one. Oriana could tell from the aroma alone that they were delicious enough to melt her taste buds… but can she dare eat such expensive delicacies? 

The server placed the same meat dish Arlan was having in front of Oriana. 

'Is it for me?' 

While she contemplated over the large slab of meat drizzled with thick sauce and native herbs, she carefully watched how Arlan held his fork and knife. There were four sets of spoons, forks and knives, and Oriana was having anxiety over which one to use. 

Intending to copy him, she tentatively picked the same ones he used from her own cutlery. The prince's movements were so elegant, while Oriana wondered if she was even holding the fork and knife properly. And then when she proceeded to cut—

She simply put down the cutlery, took one of the freshly baked goods neatly placed as a starter and munched on the sliced piece of soft bread with a lowered head. 

Before she could react, Oriana saw a manly hand reaching out to her steak. Arlan replaced her plate with his in which he had already cut steak in small pieces and got her plate for himself. Without a word, he began to cut the thick slab of steak in small equal pieces once more for himself. He looked natural as if he had done nothing surprising.

Oriana could not help but gaze at the sliced steak in front of her. 

'Did he just cut this steak for me? Did he offer his plate to me? Am I dreaming? Why would he do it for his servant?'

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