384: Angry Arlan

Angry Arlan

Arlan returned to the palace and went to visit his father, who was resting in his chamber.2

Inside the King's chamber, the King's personal aide was urging him to take his medicine.

"Why don't you drink that bitter stuff on my behalf instead, Garian?" the King retorted.

"I would gladly drink it if it benefits His Majesty's health," the aide responded politely, "but it doesn't work that way. Your Majesty must drink this. It's not good to take out His Highness's anger on your health."

"That stubborn son of mine will only listen to me when he sees me on my deathbed," the King continued. "That would be even better, as I can ask him to fulfill my last wish before I die, and he won't be able to say no to me. He's at least that filial to fulfill his dying father's wish."

"Do not say that, Your Majesty. His Highness is a filial son. He would never allow his father's health to be compromised."

Just then, someone entered the chamber, having already overheard their conversation.

"Greetings, father," Arlan greeted as he walked towards Garian, who handed him a bowl of medicinal concoction.

Arlan approached his father, sat at the edge of the bed, and offered him the bowl of medicine. "You should not miss your medicine, father."

"What does it matter to prolong this life a little longer and waste these precious medicines when I am going to die anyway?" the King refused the medicine.

"Nothing would happen to you, father," Arlan said, locking eyes with his father. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Ailwin observed his son, his gaze lingering on the complex emotions in Arlan's eyes. Arlan immediately averted his gaze and shifted his focus to the medicine bowl in his hands and urged, "Please have this medicine."

"You want me to get better, yet you wish to defy my wishes," Ailwin spoke in a displeased tone. "I am not going to drink it. Since you are adamant about not listening to me, you better let me die, and you can do whatever you wish with your life."

"Father...."

"You can leave," the King interrupted, looking away. "At least stay in the palace until I die. I hope I can at least expect this much from you."

The chamber fell into silence as no one spoke.

"I will listen to you," Arlan finally agreed. "I will do as you say, father."

The King simply stared at him and then asked, "Have you read what I wrote in the message?"

"I did," Arlan replied. "I will go ahead with your arrangements. But you have to give me your word that you won't miss your medicines again."

No one knew but Arlan was scared inside, scared to lose his father who he loved the most after his mother. He was the person he was not ready to lose at any cost. 

"You know it's for your own good," the King added.

Arlan didn't comment and offered the medicine to his father again, saying, "Have it first."

The King finished his medicine, and Arlan looked at Garian, who handed him a small box of candied fruit. Arlan offered it to his father, hoping it would help him get rid of the bitterness in his mouth.

Ailwin could only observe how much his son cared for him. Though he never said it, he always felt fortunate to have a son like Arlan. He had always allowed Arlan to do as he wished, but for the first time in his life, he had to force his son to do something against his wishes. Ailwin felt regretful, but he believed it was the only way to help his son.

"In the next two days, you will be officially engaged to her. We can't let others simply speculate things on their own," Ailwin informed.

"Did she agree?" Arlan asked after a short pause.

"She did."

Arlan frowned inwardly as he thought Oriana would not agree so he would get some more time but it didn't happen the way he thought. He suppressed his anger and maintained a composed demeanour in front of his father.

"Your mother has returned to the palace. You should go visit her. She must be worried about you," the King suggested.

"I will," Arlan replied, standing up. "Take care, father."

Exiting his father's chamber, Arlan mounted his horse and instructed his knight, "To the Queen's mansion."

Imbert mounted his horse as well and added, "Crown Princess has gone to visit Her Majesty."

Arlan's expression darkened upon hearing this, and he quickly rode toward the Rose Palace, the Queen's residence, with his knights, Imbert and Rafal, following closely.

Dismounting his horse inside the Queen's residence, Arlan spotted the knights serving the King, and it was obvious that the Commander of the knights, who was appointed to protect Oriana, was here as well. Arlan hurried inside.

When he reached the Queen's chamber, he didn't wait for the Queen's servants to announce his arrival; he stormed inside the chamber, where he could hear the familiar voices of two women.

"Your Highness...."

The servant watched him enter the chamber as she followed him. The two women, Oriana and the Queen, looked at the door as a man burst into the room. Before anyone could react, he stood facing Oriana, who was sitting in a chair. He leaned down and forcefully grabbed her hand, pulling her up to stand.

Oriana glared at him angrily as she tried to pull her hand away. "What are you doing?"

"How dare you come here to visit my mother?" he growled angrily, his eyes filled with anger, and his grip tightened on her delicate wrist.

Before Oriana could say a word, the shocked Queen stood up and looked at her son. "I am the one who invited her here, Arlan."

Arlan looked at his mother with a displeased gaze. "Mother, have you also decided to accept the traitor like father did?"

Julien was taken aback, but she was used to seeing him angry once in a while. She kept herself composed.

"Arlan, you should not say it..."

"Mother, do you really not care about what I feel or think? Father had accepted them, but I won't, and I wish you not accept them either. I don't want to see her here again. I don't want her to be close to any of my family members. Have you all forgotten how my mother was killed?" Each of his anger-filled words echoed in that chamber.

"Arlan, it's not..." Julien felt speechless in front of her son.

"Let go of me," Oriana said angrily through her gritted teeth.

Arlan simply glared at her and dragged her out with him.

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