285: Coward

Coward

2She seemed determined to tell him her secret, even daring to go against his orders.He could only sigh and turn to look in her direction. The way she pursed her lips made her cute despite her obvious anger. It was a strange thought to have given the situation.

'Can I really let her be a part of my life?'

That was the question that had been haunting Arlan for the past few days. 

Ever since he learned that Oriana was his destined mate, he felt sorrow and fear rather than joy and relief at finding his better half. It was more than mere denial of their connection. 

To accept Oriana and start seeing her as a woman…

There were too many complications aside from that dragon soul existing inside him. He did not even know where to start explaining.

'What am I even considering? I would be foolish to think there is a way it will work. It will only end up harming her. I cannot take a risk. I cannot let her know the disgusting side of my life and cannot let her fall in danger as well. 

'If she ends up as another person to be used against me…another of my weaknesses… then I will truly be driven into madness and insanity.'

He turned his head and stared back at the water surface. Even after Oriana reached him, he didn't acknowledge her presence.

"Your Highness," she called for him. 

"I ordered no one to disturb me," he replied coldly. 

His response triggered the anger simmering under Oriana's control. She snapped.

"I know." 

Something in her tone made the prince stiffen.

She continued to speak, not keeping politeness in her words.

"But, Your Highness, why are you a coward?"

Oriana was infuriated. She didn't know who gave her the right to act in front of the prince, but she cared not a whit. If it weren't for the eyes on them, she would have even given him a mighty kick, maybe make him fall into the lake to swim with the fishes for good measure. She just could no longer hold her anger back anymore. 

"Coward? You dare—"

"You promised. You promised this morning to listen to me. You said we will talk once you are back."

"Am I obligated to prioritize a servant over my own concerns?" he countered, not sparing her a glance. 

"No, Your Highness, you are not obligated, but just so you know, avoiding me is an act of a coward." Her tone was sarcastic. 

Arlan could clearly sense how angry she was, but rather than lash out against her for insulting him, he could only let out a sigh. Oriana was right. He was a coward, but if being a coward could save her from him, was that not better? The lesser of two evils? 

Since he had been acting cowardly so far, why not see it through till the end? 

"Why would I avoid a mere servant?"

"Are you not?" she asked again. 

Arlan looked up. "It will rain soon. Head back inside."

Oriana could sense that as well. The weather had been gloomy the entire day, the skies gray, and from the scent of the strong wind just now, it indicated there would be rain in a few minutes. 

"I am not afraid of mere rain."

"Says the person who got sick after falling into the lake."

The urge to kick Arlan grew stronger. "To me, this sounds like another excuse to avoid a conversation with me."

"Then continue to delude yourself."

She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. 

"Fine, Your Royal Highness. Since your esteemed self does not find it important to have a proper conversation with your lowly aide, then I can only take this as your agreement to dismiss me. Don't blame me for not coming clean with you. Well, once you would get to know, you would punish me and throw me out anyway after we had this conversation, but at least, you have given me the grace to walk away on my own. 

"I will make sure to hand over my letter of resignation to Neil tomorrow morning."

Her words scared Arlan and he finally looked her in the eye, his gaze visibly shaken. Before he could say a word, she lowered her body in a respectful bow. 

"I know royal servants cannot leave on their own accord without their superior's approval, but even if this counts as desertion, I am willing to receive punishment. From what I know, the penalty is only forfeiture of pay, or a few months of confinement at worst. I don't care. Feel free to punish me."

After that, she turned around to leave as she continued to talk in anger. "Don't want to listen to the truth? Fine. I'll give you what you want. Then I won't tell you—ahh! What are you doing?!"

Arlan had rushed behind her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back in fear that she would really do as she said. 

Leave him? He was not ready for that. 

Oriana struggled to pull her hand away before glaring up at him. "Your Highness! Let me go!"

"Where do you think you are going?" He held her hand tightly in his. 

"Didn't you hear? I am leaving. I don't want to be your attendant anymore. You can punish me if you want, but no matter what you say, I refuse to stay here—"

Because he avoided talking to her, she threatened him with resignation? Arlan could only bitterly smile at her angry red face and could not help but think. 

'The temper of this woman is something else.'

Oriana's chest heaved up and down in anger, her fierce eyes glaring at the large manly hand gripping her own. Did he not want to listen? Wasn't he finding every excuse to stop her from talking? Well, there was no need for that. She was giving up. She would never tell him the truth about herself, just as he wanted.

"Your Highness!"

Yet Arlan refused to budge an inch, as if his hand was made of iron.

Her eyes blazed in a blend of frustration and hurt.

"Let me go."

"No."

Letting her go was never an option. 

"You…" Oriana struggled to get out of his hold with all her might. Defiance flared in her eyes. "Why? Why are you doing this? Isn't this what you wanted? If I'm gone, you will never get to hear what I want to say. You will never get to hear the truth from me—"

"There is no need," he interrupted her. His other hand went for her free hand, and Arlan held her steady, holding onto both of her hands tightly, not letting her move away even a bit. His eyes were imploring for her understanding, urgent and desperate. "I know."

Her body nearly stumbled as her head registered his words.

"What…did you just say?"

"I know," he repeated firmly.

pqdm.com