284: Stubborn Tactless Woman

Stubborn Tactless Woman

With the absence of the man she needed to serve, Oriana used her time to resume reading the book of witchcraft. She paid special attention to spatial spells, even revisiting once more the chapter on ancient rune formations.0

By the time she paused to stretch her body, she realized she had covered more than three-fourth of the book. Her speed of studying had doubled. The greater surprise was that she could recall what she read with clarity, understanding what was in the book just at a single glance. 

It was as if her mind was soaking all that knowledge on its own.

Oriana was thrilled.

'My memory is good, but not that good. Is it because this book is meant for witches and I am a witch so I can understand it so fast?'

An invigorated grin appeared on her face.

'Now that woman will have to find other ways to embarrass me. Not only will I finish this book, I now also know how to protect my body while teleporting.'

She flipped the page and saw the lists of various applications of spatial magic, aside from 'spatial shift', the official name of the teleportation spell. One spell in particular caught her attention.

Storage through creating an artificial pocket space.

However, it was one of the most difficult spells to execute. It was a high-ranked spell which only senior witches could use as it needed more than simple magic power, but also an understanding of the laws of space.

But in the first place, what is the concept of 'space'? There was no explanation in the book. After all, it was only an introductory book.

'I witnessed both Lady Rosetta and Lord Yorian bringing things out of thin air. I wonder how long it will take for me to learn this magic so I can carry anything with me without letting anyone see.' 

An idea flashed in her mind.

'If I can learn it before leaving Othinia, then I can carry lots of black nightshade with me, without being caught. I can always carry around weapons and coins and even herbs. I need to ask her to teach me this magic as soon as possible. 

'But since this is a difficult spell, I should ask her first to teach me potion- making. My priority after the summit is to know how to control black magic to not affect medicine concoction. That way I won't have to rely on someone else to make Grandpa's medicine.' 

Oriana fondly caressed the book, especially the ink strokes that were personally penned by Rosetta. For a moment, Oriana wondered if Rosetta had other students aside from her. Otherwise, why would such a powerful witch carry around an introductory book of witchcraft with her? 

'Having her as my teacher was not a bad idea. I can solve so many things at once.'

After finishing the chapter on spatial magic, she realized it was late in the night. Her stomach grumbled. 

'I'm yet to have my evening meal.' She loudly wondered, "Is His Highness not back yet? No one called for me."

She hid the book, stepped out of her room and happened to come across a servant, "Excuse me. Is His Highness not back in yet?"

"His Highness returned quite a while ago," the servant replied and hurried to his work. 

'Back already? Why didn't anyone call for me?' She reached the foyer where she came across Neil.

"Oh, Orian, good that you are here. I was about to look for you, and this saves time. His Highness said you don't have to attend to him. You can rest tonight."

'Didn't call me and didn't want me to attend to him?' Oriana frowned inwardly. 'I told him I have something important to tell him but he still…'

She momentarily closed her eyes to calm herself. She then looked at Neil straight in the eye, "Where is His Highness? In his chamber?"

"His Highness is in the rear garden—"

Before he could say more, Oriana was already walking away in a hurry. He could only mumble to himself, "...but he said no one is to disturb him."

A scowlingAngry Oriana charged towards the rear of the mansion. She was angry, though she was not sure who was the target of her anger. Was it the prince or herself? 

She didn't want to admit, repeatedly ignoring her instincts despite it, telling her as if Arlan was intentionally avoiding her. There was no reason for him to do so, that's why Oriana discarded her gut feeling. She thought she was mistaken. 

'Apparently not'

When she reached the rear of the mansion, she spotted Rafal and Imbert near the entrance of the garden. Beyond the path behind them was the lake.

Her intuition was telling her the man she wanted to see was there.

This time, she did not ignore her gut feeling. She simply bowed in the direction of the knights out of formality and headed straight to her destination, the lake.. 

"Hey, Orian, where are you going?" Rafal called out, but she neither replied nor reacted to his call as if she didn't hear him.

"This stubborn, young lad," Rafal gritted his teeth. He was about to drag her back when Imbert stopped him. He was surprised to see his captain's hand on his shoulder. 

"Let him be."

"But, Captain, His Highness told us no one is to disturb him."

"It's alright."

Rafal obeyed his captain but could not help but frown. "That lad never learns, does he? He will end up in the lake once more. But what is it to me? Let that disobedient brat get punished."

Imbert simply glanced at him but said nothing in response.

—

The surface of the lake was like a mirror, reflecting the waning moon and the dark sky. 

Arlan enjoyed the quiet solitude of the night scenery, but his body grew tense the moment a certain woman intruded into the garden. 

The lovely scent of honeysuckles, not from the flowers in the garden, but from a person.

He didn't have to turn his head to look at the woman walking in his direction. He closed his eyes momentarily and opened them, only to continue staring back at the lakewater reflecting the sky. 

'Stubborn tactless woman.'

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