353: Beautiful Roses

Beautiful Roses

As she contemplated the situation, Oriana thought, 'Perhaps I can attempt to uncover more once I return home. I can't readily dismiss my suspicions of the Queen just yet. I pray that during my absence, he remains safe and is not subjected to harm by that individual again.'0

As the Queen departed, Arlan turned around and found Oriana standing at a distance. When their eyes met, she felt her neck and palms grow sweaty, her discomfort palpable. She immediately cast her gaze down, adopting the posture of someone burdened by a great sin.

'I am surely in trouble now.'

"Your Highness, it's time to depart for the Royal court," Imbert informed him.

Arlan nodded and made his way towards his awaiting carriage stationed at the palace entrance. Witnessing his departure, Oriana let out a sigh of relief, but her gaze lingered on Imbert's retreating figure.

In her eyes, this strong and stoic knight appeared nothing short of an angel sent from heaven, sent to protect her from the wrath of the Devil. She could almost imagine a pair of white wings sprouting from his sturdy back.

With her newfound freedom, Oriana sought out Roman. "Mister Roman, is the tea we need to send to Her Majesty's residence prepared?"

Curious, he inquired, "Why do you ask?"

"Well," she began, choosing her words carefully, "I will be going to His Majesty's residence to assist Master Erich with his work. Since Her Majesty's residence is adjacent, I thought I could take the tea along."

Roman nodded, not harboring any suspicions about her intentions. He instructed a kitchen servant to retrieve the package of tea and handed it to Oriana.

The box was lightweight, making it easy for her to carry.

Taking her usual shortcut, Oriana made her way to the Queen's residence. As she approached, a guard halted her to inquire about her purpose.

She offered a warm smile to the sturdy guards and replied, "His Highness, Prince Arlan, has sent this tea for Her Majesty."

"Alright," the guard granted her permission.

"Thank you so much." Oriana flashed her brightest smile at the guard, momentarily captivating both of them with her youthful beauty.

'How can a young lad be so captivating?' the guards couldn't help but wonder, their thoughts momentarily clouded by the enchantment of this mysterious youth.

Her smiling visage lingered in their minds, nearly causing their hearts to flutter. However, in unison, they shook their heads, reassuring themselves of their preferences for women.

Since Queen Julien had gone to visit her husband at the King's residence, Oriana had to deliver the gift to one of the Queen's servants.

The Queen's servant, who would be responsible for delivering the gift to Her Majesty, guided Oriana out of the kitchen area. As they conversed, Oriana expressed her gratitude, saying, "...I will inform Her Majesty about it."

"Thank you so much, lady..." Oriana began, prompting the servant to introduce herself.

"I'm Sanie," the servant replied.

Oriana gazed at her and flashed a radiant smile. "Lady Sanie, thank you so much."

Sanie found herself captivated by the charming face of the young lad before her. She was young herself and couldn't help but be drawn to the boy's beauty.

Oriana blinked a few times, waiting for Sanie to speak. "Lady Sanie?"

"Ahem," Sanie cleared her throat awkwardly. "I will see you out."

"No need," Oriana replied. "In fact, I am headed to His Majesty's residence to assist Master Erich. I can access it through the rear garden, as both parts are connected, and it won't take me long to get there."

"Then I will escort you," the young servant offered.

'If she accompanies me, no one will suspect a thing,' Oriana thought, once again gracing the servant with her enchanting smile.

Sanie felt her heart skip a beat. 'How beautiful,' she thought, staring at Oriana once more.

Seeing Sanie momentarily lost in thought, Oriana waved her hand in front of her. "Shall we?"

Sanie quickly snapped back to reality and nodded enthusiastically.

As Oriana and Sanie reached the rear garden, Oriana's gaze continued to wander around this part of the Queen's mansion. Guards were stationed to prevent unauthorized entry, but despite the bright day, something didn't feel quite right about this area.

Her instincts strongly told her that this part of the palace held an air of malevolence, as if something wicked resided within.

'It's not my imagination. I can somehow feel it. Something evil is there. But how can I gain access?'

Sanie broke her reverie with a question, "What are you thinking, Mister Orian?"

Oriana snapped back to reality, her attention momentarily diverted to the garden, especially the beautiful roses planted closer to the rear section.

"These roses are so exquisite. May I approach them and take a closer look?"

Although strict permission was required to access that part, the servant couldn't resist the charm of this young lad and appeared willing to grant any request.

"Um, but let's be quick. That section is off-limits without permission," Sanie cautioned.

"Of course."

Both strolled towards the roses, and the guards were about to intervene when Sanie spoke up, "We're just here to admire these flowers. We won't proceed further."

Observing that Sanie wore the uniform of a servant from the Queen's palace, while Oriana hailed from the palace of Thistle, the guards allowed them to pass, assuming that the two young individuals were merely drawn to the beauty of the flowers.

As Oriana approached the lush, blooming roses, an odd sensation crept over her. "These roses..." she began, her voice trailing off as she gazed at them, her senses tingling with an inexplicable feeling of unease.

"Aren't they exquisite?" Sanie exclaimed with enthusiasm. "You won't find such magnificent red roses anywhere. I've even heard people say they're magical."

Oriana regarded her with curiosity. "Magical?"

Sanie nodded, "I can't say for sure if it's true or just a tale spun around their beauty, but I've heard that these roses bloom only on the night of a full moon and remain in full splendor until the next full moon night. The old flowers wither and new ones bloom on the night of the full moon only."

Oriana found herself taken aback but then smiled. "That must be just made up story. These flowers are so enchanting that people probably weave stories around them."

Sanie agreed, "Perhaps you're right, Mister Orian."

Indeed, the roses seemed to defy nature, remaining in bloom for an unusually long time.

Though Oriana had casually dismissed it as a legend to Sanie, deep down, she was convinced that there was more to these roses than met the eye. She couldn't resist the temptation to reach out and touch one of the flowers, but Sanie swiftly halted her.

"You can't touch the flowers," Sanie cautioned, her voice low. "Anyone who touches them faces severe consequences. These are strict orders from Her Majesty."

Oriana paused but then realized how she could win this young lady over to her side. She whispered, "Lady Sanie, you're so kind-hearted. You won't report me, will you? I just want to touch one briefly. Look, no one is watching us."

Sanie found herself unable to resist the charm of the young lad and finally relented, saying, "Alright, but make it quick."

"Thank you, Lady Sanie."

With utmost caution, Oriana extended her fingers toward the flower. However, the moment her hand made contact, she hastily withdrew it, her expression filled with shock.

'These flowers possess the same malevolent magic,' she realized, a sense of foreboding washing over her.

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