368: Alvear's Visit

Alvear's Visit

Arlan returned to the Wimark guest mansion, his customary haven during his stays at the Wimark estate. Butler John had already taken care of all the arrangements.2

"Your Highness, the bath is ready," the butler informed who was accompanied by few servants. 

Arlan, standing by the window in a daze, moved briskly towards the awaiting bath.He had been travelling without any rest and his clothes looked travel worn and dirt coated. 

After Arlan had bathed and changed into the fresh garments, Imbert entered the chamber. They discreetly dismissed the attending servants.

"Your Highness, the Verner family has been safely brought to the Wimark estate and is now under the protection of Commander Conor Loysst and Duke Wimark."

The moment Arlan had set foot on the Wimark estate, he sensed a familiar scent hanging in the air. He didn't need to be informed of the reason behind it.

Imbert continued, "Lord Verner is unconscious and in a precarious state. The Wimark family's physician has already attended to him."

Arlan remained unresponsive. Since the events that had unfolded at Oriana's residence and his subsequent departure, he hadn't uttered a single word.

Just days ago, his life, while filled with pain, had seemed relatively stable. Now, it had spiraled into a nightmarish scenario beyond his worst imaginings.

Imbert, having received a comprehensive briefing from Alex, could only offer a helpless gaze toward his liege. Just like Arlan, the knight had never anticipated that events would take such a grim turn. He had not expected the woman staying by Prince's side for a past few months was in fact the one who they were searching for past few months. He could only leave in silence.

Although a messenger had informed Arlan that his sister was was awaiting a meal with him, it seemed designed to leave him with no viable excuse to decline his sister's request for a return to her estate. The meal was delivered to Arlan's chamber, but he partook in it sparingly, as if his appetite had abandoned him.

Lying in bed, he could only look at the ceiling, and could wait for the night to pass by and could hope that the next day when he wakes up, everything would turn out to be nothing but one of his worst nightmares. 

When he was trying to lesson the troubles in his life, the worst ones had to show up right at this moment, and he felt like he was now unable to find a way out.

----

On the other hand, when Oriana was presented with food, she consumed it voraciously, her determination resolute. She reasoned with herself, 'I must keep my strength; I can't afford to starve.'

Late into the night, after tending to her grandfather, she lay in her bed. Her initial anger had subsided, allowing her to reflect more coherently.

'Why did he suddenly appear in my home and harm my grandpa? Didn't he inform the King that he was headed to the northeast border to quell the rebellion? So why is he here in Wimark? What are they hiding from me? Even that elderly knight refused to provide answers. I must uncover the truth. The assassination of the previous Queen? My grandpa is not capable of such acts. There must be a misunderstanding. If no one else will give me answers, I will seek them from him directly. Before I pass judgment, I will grant him the opportunity to offer a valid explanation. If he can't, I won't show him mercy.'

She attempted to close her eyes, but memories of the past few months spent with Arlan flashed before her, causing her heart to race. She sat up abruptly, admonishing herself, 'This is not the time to dwell on that. I don't know the man who seeks to harm my helpless and frail grandpa. I don't know him at all. I won't forgive him unless I uncover the truth. Even if I receive answers, that won't justify his desire to harm my only family. If the King himself is working to protect us, it means the Prince is undoubtedly mistaken. He will pay for his error.'

She lay back in the bed and drifted to sleep despite her mind having so many questions going on in it. She needed to eat and sleep well so she could conserve her enrage instead of letting herself affected and turn weak even before she could seek a revenge for her grandfather. 

---

The following morning, Alvera prepared to visit her brother, but Rhys intercepted her with a question, "Are you going to see your brother?"

She nodded, "I should have gone last night, but I thought he needed some time alone. The matters concerning his betrothed are delicate, and he's opposing our father this time."

"Would you like me to accompany you?" Rhys offered.

"This time, I'll speak to him alone. Since you're loyal to his father, he may not want to discuss anything in your presence," she explained.

"Just try to persuade him not to act recklessly and to comply with His Majesty's orders."

"I will," she assured. "I also intend to visit the Verner family. They are our guests, but I couldn't go to them promptly due to what Arlan did."

"Hmm, you should. Lord Verner is in a critical condition," Rhys informed. "Before you go, let me explain something. The girl who's betrothed to Arlan, you might not find her dressed as a girl. She prefers to disguise herself as a boy."

Alvera arched an eyebrow, "As a boy?"

Rhys nodded, "It's likely a way to conceal her identity, given that they've been on the run all these years."

"Understood."

-----

After talking to her husband, Alevra who was going to her brother, decided to visit Verner family first. Alvera felt heavy burden in her heart as she was trapped between her father and her brother's wishes. However she was well aware that the girl was innocent. 

Upon her arrival at the guest mansion, Alvera was escorted to see Philip. Upon entering the chamber, she found a young boy seated beside the bedside, gazing at the elderly man lying in the bed.

"Miss Verner, the Duchess is here to see you."

Oriana turned her head to acknowledge the woman and rose from her seat. She harbored no desire to show respect or engage with these royals, but she had to force herself to do so, given that she and her grandpa were currently at their mercy.

Oriana politely bowed to the beautiful woman, who bore a striking resemblance to someone she knew – someone she despised at this moment.

"Greetings, Duchess."

Alevra observed the girl standing before her. Despite donning masculine attire and attempting to hide her feminine allure, Oriana's beauty was undeniable, captivating anyone who set eyes on her. She was undeniably lovely.

"May I know your name, Miss Verner?" Alvera inquired.

"Oriana," she replied, her head still lowered.

"That's a lovely name," Alvera said softly, then turned her attention to the ailing man. "How is your grandfather?"

"Not too well," Oriana replied.

Alvera, looking back at Oriana, had the urge to apologize for Arlan's actions. However, she refrained from doing so. As Rhys had advised, there must be a reason for Arlan's actions, and she awaited that explanation. An apology at this point would only cast Arlan in a negative light before the truth emerged.

"If you need anything, feel free to ask for it. You are our guest," Alvera offered, to which Oriana simply nodded.

"I will take my leave then. As for matters concerning your family, His Majesty will make the decisions, and Commander Loysst will execute them."

Just as Alvera was about to turn and depart, Oriana spoke up, "Could the Duchess enlighten me about what is transpiring?"

Alvera looked back at her and finally met those previously lowered, clear, bright eyes. In those eyes, there was no fear or hesitation; there was only expectation and determination.

"Did Mister Verner never inform you about your family and your relationship with the royal family?" Alvera asked.

Oriana shook her head, replying, "He always led me to believe we were ordinary people with no family name. I want to know what happened in the past."

Alvera considered disclosing that she was Arlan's betrothed, but she deemed it improper to do so at this juncture. This revelation might deliver yet another shock to the young woman, and she wasn't certain whether Arlan would appreciate her divulging the information right now.

"I'm afraid I am not privy to the entire incident from back then, so I shall refrain from commenting."

"Could the Duchess then arrange for me to speak with the Prince? I am certain he can provide answers since he took such a drastic step as to harm my grandfather."

Alvera couldn't deny this request. Allowing the concerned parties to converse and unveil the truth seemed like the most sensible course of action.

"Very well. I will arrange for you to meet Arlan."

"Thank you, Duchess Wimark."

As Alvera left, Oriana felt a sense of relief that she would finally have the opportunity to meet him. Despite being a guest, she was effectively confined to the guest mansion, with knights standing guard outside. She couldn't afford any reckless actions due to her grandfather.

'I will give him a chance to explain everything to me. He had better tell me everything.' 

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