288: A Small Matter

A Small Matter

The prince's morning routine was as usual. No one but Neil spoke, and it was only to confirm the choice of each article of clothing that Arlan would be wearing for the day. Oriana merely waited on the side, not daring to look at Arlan. She kept her head lowered.  2

Oriana could somehow sense his gaze on her, but she didn't look back at him. 

"Orian, your turn," she heard Neil call out. 

With her eyes fixated on the case where the brooches lay, she walked towards the prince to attach accessories to his clothes, resisting the pressure of the unyielding gaze on her. 

Her heart thundered, roaring against her ears, and her hands trembled as she started putting on the ornamental pins on his coat one by one. 

"Did you sleep well?" she heard his deep voice over her head. 

She didn't look up at him, "Yes, Your Highness." She pinned a tassel chain on the pocket on the left side of his chest, attaching it from the epaulet on his shoulder.

"Starting tonight, you will resume your job of putting me to sleep—!" Arlan flinched. 

"A-Apologies, Your Highness!" Oriana exclaimed. She ended up pricking the prince! In her panic, she rubbed his chest to pacify the pain. "I didn't mean to! Does it hurt—"

Arlan almost laughed at her reaction. One would think she stabbed him and he was bleeding out. He held her hand, pressing it flatly against his chest. "Don't wrinkle the coat. Damien is already glaring at you."

Such a small prick was nothing. It did not even draw blood. However, seeing her panicked face, he could not help but be tempted. If they were alone, he would have exaggerated the pain to tease her.

Oriana calmed down and took a step away, bowing in apology. "Please forgive me, Your Highness. I will be careful to not let it happen again."

"A small matter."

Indeed, it was nothing serious. Oriana wondered why she panicked, finding herself silly for her reaction. 

"What are you waiting for? Do you want me to put on the rest of the accessories myself?"

"Apologies, Your Highness." 

She immediately stepped forward and finished attaching all the accessories without any mistake.

The entire morning, Oriana was sitting on pins and needles. She was only able to take a breath after the prince had left for  the summit conference. 

A wry smile appeared on her face as she realized Arlan kept his word. He appeared normal on the surface, not giving her more attention than he usually did. It was her who was being anxious for no reason. 

'Everything is as is. 

As the servants returned inside the mansion, Neil held her back. 

"Orian, tomorrow is the official last day of the summit conference, so the day after tomorrow will be the celebratory royal ball hosted by the Nefertiti Royal Family. I have assigned Damien to be in charge of preparing the gifts to be sent out to the other delegates, and I have to oversee the ones we will be receiving. Can I assign you to be in charge of preparing His Highness's clothes for the event?"

Oriana nodded, but she was hesitant. "Sure, but I am not familiar with what exactly to do so please guide me."

"Don't worry. As you know, there are five attires prepared since the ball will be a showcase of culture: one a military uniform, one a formal tailcoat and the three are Grivenian traditional garments. The traditional garments are currently being iron-pressed by the laundry maids. Ensure all the attires are in complete sets in the wardrobe room. You can always ask me if you have more questions."

Oriana felt glad that Neil had always been so understanding to her. 

"Neil, can I join you at noon? I am yet to finish making medicine for His Highness and Queen Seren."

The man gave her a deep stare, but in the end, he could only let out a helpless sigh.

"Alright. You can go."

Oriana finished her routine tasks and went to the second floor of the mansion. She was glad that she had finished reading the entire book and her brain had soaked all the information easily. All she needed to do was to use that knowledge in practice.

She called for Rosetta using the black pendant. Just like the previous day, Rosetta took her to the training field outside the palace. This time, Oriana prepared herself by chanting a spell to protect her body before the witch could teleport them and didn't feel sick at all. 

Seeing Oriana give a sigh of relief, Rosetta merely raised an unimpressed brow. She merely looked at her student as if that was within expectations.

Oriana didn't find it unusual as well as she thought, 'This woman is so generous with her scolding, but way too stingy with praise. Stingy? That's not even a suitable word as she never even once praised me. The words 'good job' or 'well done' must not exist in her vocabulary.'

The witch raised her hand to cast another isolation barrier, and Oriana could not help but admire the dome of magic surrounding them. After reading the entire book of witchcraft, she gained a better appreciation of Rosetta's skills.

An isolation barrier was relatively easy to cast, but its effect depended on the exquisite control of its maker. It had to be seamless and at least three times stronger than whatever power was inside the barrier, otherwise, the magic would leak out.

"Since you have learned one defense spell, today, you should learn an offense spell," Rosetta's words pulled Oriana's attention towards her teacher. 

Oriana was excited. Yesterday, this wicked woman attacked her so many times that she lost count. Although it was part of the lesson, her teacher didn't show any mercy on her attacks. In fact, it was obvious Rosetta found tormenting her entertaining, the way a naughty child would play with a new pet.

Oriana could not wait for the day when she would be the one tormenting her teacher. Her lips curved into a smirk. 

Rosetta smirked as well, as if she could see through her student's thoughts. This time, she said nothing, pretending ignorance. 

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