269: Just You And Me

Just You And Me

Oriana trembled seeing Seren like this and looked at Arlan in worry. "What…What should we do?

"First, we need to know what exactly happened to him," Drayce replied. 

Oriana briefly recounted how she woke up and noticed Arlan was missing, but he was sitting in a stupor the moment she returned to the room.

"So what truly happened, we can only know when Arlan wakes up. I had never come across such a situation with him and I was not aware what Arlan was upto." Drayce determined because he was sure Arlan would always tell him anything he dealt with.

Yorian spoke, "This black magic does not belong to Zaria. It is possible it belongs to her group, but Prince Arlan is not injured in a fight, that much I can see. There can be something else which only he can tell us."

"Can you check again?" Oriana asked, her face turning pale in panic, "It's black magic, and His Highness is only human. From what Lord Yorian told me last time, aside from offensive spells, aren't there curses too? Can curses be healed? Does it count as an injury?"

Drayce wanted to tell her that Arlan was not human and someone with the attribute of darkness as well. Even if it's stronger and evilest black magic, it will eventually lose its effect on him. In the end, he simply looked at Yorian. 

Yorian promptly spoke, "Oriana, the prince is not injured but just weakened. The trace of black magic we felt is only due to him being exposed to someone with black magic. All he needs is rest. Once he wakes up, he will regain his strength."

"By exposed you mean just by accident? To me it looks like an intentional move," she said, not willing to believe their words.

"You are right. What I mean to say is, that he will be fine and you we don't have to do anything to heal him," Yorian clarified.

Only then Oriana understood and calmed down.

Seren could understand what Oriana feeling and said, "Do not worry, Oriana. Prince Arlan is stronger man. He will be fine. About who did this with him, we will find out for sure."

Oriana nodded and felt better at the consoling words from Seren. 

After the three left, Oriana did not return to the couch. Instead, she sat at the edge of the bed and continued to look after him, wiping away the cold sweat from his face with a cloth. 

Though Seren told Drayce not to touch him because of the evil black magic, Oriana didn't care because all she felt was worry for Arlan. As someone who had no knowledge of anything related to magic, she felt frustrated and useless. What good was an ignorant witch?

All she could do was stay by his side.

'Will he really be back to normal when morning arrives?'

One ought to know, the sun would be rising in about two hours yet Arlan remained in this state, visibly distressed in his sleep. 

Checking his pulse, Oriana could not figure out what was wrong with him. She had used all viable methods to ease him, like changing his sweat-stained sheets to a fresh one with Imbert's help and putting soothing incense in the burner, but nothing had an obvious effect. 

It was a rude awakening. In the world of supernatural beings, her skill as a physician was negligible. She helplessly sat back at the edge of the bed looking at him. '

What happened to you?' 

Whatever was wrong with Arlan, based on Yorian's need to call for reinforcements, coupled with Seren's reaction, it was difficult to believe the prince was merely weakened. There ought to be something else, something more…but she was clueless what it was.

Oriana hated it, hated how she could only watch helplessly, unable to understand what happened to Arlan and unable to help in any way. She could only listen in on what others say.

'But what if they're keeping things from me?'

Oriana lay on the bed next to the prince, turning to face him. Her eyes never left his handsome face, carrying both care and worry for him. 

Although some time had passed, Arlan remained restless in his sleep. Oriana would occasionally move her hand to ease the frown lines on his forehead, at times brushing away strands of his hair from his forehead with her fingers. 

Oriana moved her hand to caress his cheek, and he appeared more at ease with the warmth of her palm. She wanted to smile at his reaction but could not find it in her to do so.

Her heart ached.

'Your Highness, you have always been arrogant and strong in my eyes. How can you be reduced to this? Who did this to you?' 

However, as Drayce said, only Arlan himself held the answers to their questions.

Her eyes turned watery in frustration. 

'Where did you disappear to earlier? Did that Black Witch take you away? Why did they send you back into this state and what exactly did she do to you?'

Her thoughts wandered back to that day in the temple where black magic practitioners attacked their group. Rafal was almost killed back then too.

'For ordinary people to be pulled into the dangerous world of magic …'

Despite being human, Arlan was friends with a warlock and an elf. It made sense that the prince encountered supernatural beings because of them, receiving their hostility or collateral harm.

'Is this why you hate Black Witches? Have you suffered in their hands before?' 

The ache in her heart worsened.

'Will you hate me once you learn that I am a Black Witch too? 

'I…I am different. I won't ever hurt innocent people, much less you… I can't even think about hurting you.' A wry smile appeared on her face. 'But I can't even use any spell. If I could, I won't let you suffer on your own. I will deal with whoever hurt you. I will make that witch suffer twice, thrice—no, ten times worse than what she did to you…

'How am I supposed to do anything when I am an ignorant good-for-nothing? A witch just in name? If only I could…" 

She stopped as her brows creased at a certain thought. 

'I need to learn, right? Lord Yorian said I can only learn from someone of my race and attribute.' Her eyes narrowed as determination flashed in them. 'Then, I have no other option but to learn.'

Her gaze softened as she studied his face. 

'Please, do not get angry. Just know that I will be taking this risk only to protect you.'

Weighed by the complicated thoughts in her mind, Oriana's eyes felt heavy once more and she ended up sleeping by his side, her hand still resting against his cold cheek.

—

At the crack of dawn, Arlan woke up with the feeling of something warm and soft resting against his cheek. The sweet scent of honeysuckles flooded his senses, making him feel relaxed and comforted. 

As his pair of blue eyes slowly opened, he was greeted by the beautiful sight of Oriana's delicate face in front of him. 

For a moment, he thought he was dreaming, but soon he realized it was real. He closely observed her peaceful expression, from the soft arch of her brows to the long lashes on her eyes, the slightly parted lips… 

When he realized her hand was resting against his face, it brought warmth to his cold heart. 

The desire to pull her into his embrace tugged at his heartstrings, but just as the thought popped up, his gaze changed and his breathing grew shallow. 

Panic and worry gripped his mind, and the urge to pull away from her, to escape from this room, only grew stronger with each second.

As for the reason, only he knew why. 

Last night's incident opened his eyes once more to the fact that he could not let anyone get close to him. He could not have anyone precious to him. 

If he were to have any more weaknesses… 

Arlan began to hate himself once more, as his mere existence could endanger those around him and he was helpless to protect them. 

Just then, the hand resting against his cheek moved slightly, and Arlan realized Oriana was about to wake up. He pretended to be asleep, not wanting her to know he had woken up ahead of her.

By the time Oriana became aware of her surroundings, she was shocked to find herself sleeping in the prince's bed, belatedly recalling the incident that happened hours ago. She stole a glance at his face and was relieved to find him still sleeping. 

Slowly, she withdrew her hand from his face and carefully got out of the bed.

'Thank the spirits he didn't wake up, or I can't imagine what he would think of me.'

She examined his complexion, and was able to breathe a little easier to see him not looking deathly pale.She didn't feel any black magic traces on him either.  0

As what Yorian said, Arlan did return to normal.

It was dawn, and Oriana knew it was time for her to go back to her room and prepare for the day ahead. 

The moment she left his chamber, the prince opened his eyes. He looked at the empty spot in the bed and turned to his side. His hand lingered over the spot where she had slept, which still held her warmth and her scent. 

'If only we could be like this without any worries…just  you and me…'

Unfortunately, the reality of his life would never allow such simplicity and peace.

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