382: Bet And The Secret

Bet And The Secret

"She is my betrothed, the only daughter of the Verner family, Oriana Verner," Arlan repeated as he looked at his two stunned friends.2

Arthur and Nathaniel had been prepared for any absurd revelation, like the Prince having a secret fancy for his personal aide, but they hadn't even considered this possibility in their wildest dreams.

"So, you're saying that the woman you've been searching for and desperately trying to get rid of all these years has been right here under your nose for the past few months, and you didn't know?" Arthur finally spoke, his voice a mix of incredulity and disbelief.

Arlan pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "It's something like that."

"She fooled you quite well," Nathaniel commented with a carefree chuckle.

"She didn't fool me. She herself didn't know who she was. She came here to see her master, who is treating my father. That's it." Arlan explained them the entire situation.

"Shocked?" Arthur chuckled, "If she's the same young woman who brutally beat up a noble just to protect a stranger without thinking about consequences then you can imagine what must be her reaction to the man who literally pierced his sword through her grandfather's body. I bet she must be desperate to get back at you, Cromwell. I'm looking forward to how the Crown Prince of this kingdom deals with his stubborn and wilful betrothed."

Arlan responded, "She won't be here for me to deal with her."

"Let's see. I'm betting on her this time instead of you," Arthur declared.

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, and Arthur continued, "When you get to know her, you'll be just like me. You should have seen her during that incident. I should have realized then that she's not an ordinary woman. I heard from my grandfather that the Verners were known for their fighting spirit and a strong sense of justice. She undoubtedly inherited it."

"Arthur, I can't doubt your keen judgment of a person's capabilities," Nathaniel said. "I shall bet on her as well."

"Let's enjoy the show from the sidelines. If this Prince manages to get rid of her, I'll resign from my position as a lieutenant colonel and return to being Young Master of the Clarence family."

Nathaniel was surprised. "You trust her so much that you'd bet your entire life's hard work?"

Arthur chuckled and teased, "There's a secret behind my trust in her."

"What is it?" Nathaniel asked, and Arlan looked at him with curiosity.

"If I tell you, then it won't be a secret," Arthur replied. "I can only say that you can also bet on her."

"Alright, I'll bet on her," Nathaniel agreed. "If I lose, I'll hand over five of my best-trained knights to the dark forces, just like Alex."

Arlan looked at the two with disbelief. "You two will regret it."

"What if we win?" Arthur asked.

"I'll accept her as my wife," Arlan confidently stated, believing that day would never come.

Arthur chuckled, "Sure, you'll lose and have to accept her as your wife, but I have my doubts about whether she'll accept you as her husband."

Arlan's eyes darkened, and he retorted, "You're talking too much today. Do you think I want to accept her when all I want is to kill her?"

Arthur laughed, glancing at Nathaniel, who was also smiling as they provoked Arlan. "Nathan, for the first time, we're going to win our bet against this Royal fellow, and it's all thanks to a woman—his own betrothed."

"I look forward to it," Nathaniel agreed.

Annoyed by his friends siding with his enemy, Arlan slammed his hand on the table and demanded, "You two, get lost."

Both Arthur and Nathaniel remained unfazed, and Arthur continued, "Cromwell, that woman has already made you lose your usual calm and composure. Think about what else will change."

Arlan realized that what Arthur said was true. He had been agitated and far from his usual calm and composure lately. He had been unusually quiet but when with his close friends, he had let out all the hidden frustration.

"I will get rid of her soon," Arlan declared, his expression serious.

Just then, Imbert arrived and informed, "Your Highness, the royal messenger is here."

Arlan nodded, and Imbert left to retrieve the messenger.

"It seems like your father has called you back to the palace," Nathaniel observed.

"How many days the Crown Prince can be hidden here when the King had used the authority of that Jade seal for the matter of his own son," Arthur commented.

"His Majesty sure doesn't plan to be defeated by his son. The seal he had not used in decades, he brought it out this time," Nathaniel added.

Arlan couldn't help but furrow his brow. It appeared his father had left him with no other options.

A messenger arrived, delivering a scroll to Arlan, who read it and then handed it back to Imbert.

"Off to the palace?" Nathaniel inquired, as if expecting his friends to already grasp the message's import.

Arlan stood up. "I'll catch up with you both later."

The other two rose as well and accompanied Arlan out of Wildridge Manor. As Arlan approached his horse, Nathaniel stepped closer.

"Arlan, I'll be waiting for you to confide the true reason that why you want to get rid of that girl. If you reveal it, and I find it justifiable, rest assured, I'll assist you in removing her, even if it means defying the king."

Arlan nodded, confident in his friends' unwavering loyalty.

As Arlan departed, the other two ventured their separate ways, each on horseback.

Nathaniel couldn't help but ask, "Arthur, what's the secret that gave you such confidence to wager your esteemed position against Arlan and put all your trust in his betrothed?"

Arthur retorted, "I've never seen you so eager to know anything, except when it concerns Arlan. Can't contain your curiosity when it comes to him, can you?"

"What do you want?" Nathaniel asked.

Arthur smirked playfully. "How about half the stock of that precious aged wine you're hoarding?"

"Two pitchers, at most."

"Five."

"One."

"You went from two to one quite fast."

"Accept before I lower it to half a pitcher."

"Alright, three it is."

"Spill it."

"Well, the secret is that our friend has already fallen for that girl, and it's impossible for him to harm her," Arthur answered as he winked at his friend.

Nathaniel fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. "I'll send you the wine soon."

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