292: News About Verners

News About Verners

When Oriana went to Seren's chamber, she found the Queen busy with her servants. She saw several fancy clothes and fabrics laid about, and it struck her that they were preparing for the upcoming ball arranged by the Othinian royalty. As Seren was to attend it as her husband's partner, she was coordinating their attire.2

Oriana greeted the Queen to which Seren replied with a pleased, "Oriana, good to see you."

With the people in the room well aware of her gender, Seren straightway called Oriana by her real name. During her monthly cycle incident, Seren's personal servants, Xena, Marie and Eva, got to learn Oriana was a woman as they were the ones to take care of her.

Oriana smiled at them. "Pardon me for intruding. I am here to give Your Majesty these supplements to ensure your good health."

"Thank you, Oriana," Seren said, her eyes smiling. "Why don't you have a seat first?"

Oriana did not refuse and sat on an empty chair. She watched Seren's servants holding out several dresses, and there were various jewelry sets placed on the center table.

"Oriana, which of these three gowns do you think will suit me the best?"

Oriana looked at Seren's purple eyes. Whenever the young queen smiled, Oriana always found it difficult to move her gaze away from those beautiful and kind-looking eyes. 

"Your Majesty, I really cannot tell. You know I was raised as a man, and I have no experience of looking into women's clothings. But, I am sure, whatever Your Majesty will wear, you will be the most beautiful woman in the ballroom."

Seren laughed a little. "You are good at giving praise. However, I still find it difficult to select what to wear. Social events like these are fickle and hard to tread. All the representatives of the kingdoms will be in attendance. They will be there to observe and criticize your every move, and I don't wish to embarrass, Dray."

"You won't, Your Majesty. Though I have never been to a ball, I am sure Your Majesty would live up well to people's expectations. Given your status, isn't it more likely that people will praise you regardless of what you wear?"

Seren giggled a little as Oriana never left the chance to compliment her and then asked, "You have never attended a ball before?"

"Isn't that given as I am just a commoner and not of noble birth?" she replied casually.  "I went with His Highness as his attendant once, but could only stay in the men's waiting parlor outside the ballroom." 

Oriana didn't explain more. What a mess she had caused back then. 

Seren simply hummed and said, "Going to the ball as a servant does not count as attending a ball." There was a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Do you want to experience attending one?"

Oriana was taken aback. "N-No, Your Majesty. I am fine as it is."

For the next half hour, those within the chamber matched and paired, deciding on which clothes Seren would wear for the ball. Of those giving opinions, Xena was the most knowledgeable. After all, she was one who gained the spot as the Queen's lady-in-waiting due to her skills and high background.

Oriana left the mansion with a renewed appreciation about style and fashion.

—-

Arlan reached a particular populous area in the city where the messenger, a knight working under Alexander, was waiting for him. Arlan had removed his extravagant tailcoat and accessories inside the carriage. By the time he stepped out, he was in a plain white dress shirt and black pants that made him look like any other young master from some noble household. 

Their meeting place was one of the many ordinary inns preferred by adventurers and mercenaries. Imbert guided his way towards a certain room. 

A knight clad in mercenary clothes bowed to him. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Arlan sat down in a chair and studied the knight. "What's the message?"

"Sir Perryl had successfully found out the whereabouts of Philip Verner. Duke Wimark's people had found it as well but they are not making any move yet because they are waiting for His Majesty the King's official order. For now, they are merely keeping an eye on the old man. Please, instruct on how to proceed, Your Highness."

"What about the girl?" Arlan asked. 

"Unfortunately, we did not find her. The old man is staying alone and there is no young woman spotted around him fitting the criteria of a woman of age around twenty."

"He has no family?"

The knight shook his head. "The old man has only his neighbors taking care of him. It is reportedly a family of four with one young daughter around eleven to twelve years of age."

"Could it be that the old man sent her away somewhere? Or is she dead already?"

"We are not sure yet, Your Highness. Sir Peryl is looking into it. But from the clues our spies happened to catch from the Duke's men, it seems like Philip Verner does not live alone. There is supposedly a young man living with him. It is suspected he is a servant he hired or a child he adopted, though this still needs to be verified. His whereabouts are still currently unknown as he left the village more than a month ago."

Arlan hummed as he pondered over this news. 

"For now, continue to keep watch on him. More importantly, we need to find the girl. My father's people are there so tell Alex to be more careful. My father should not get any hint that we have found Philip Verner. Do not make any move until I return. I will go to Wimark personally after the summit wraps up."

"I have received your orders, Your Highness.

Arlan left the inn and returned to the royal palace. 

His servants welcomed him, and of course, Oriana was among them. After returning from visiting Seren, she wanted to study the new book given by Rosetta, but she had to postpone it upon the prince's arrival.

Upon entering the foyer, Imbert looked around, and a rare show of displeasure appeared on his expressionless face. 

"Where is the Vice Captain?"

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