316: Did She Not Miss Me?

Did She Not Miss Me?

When Oriana went inside the mansion, she got to know Arlan was busy with his ministers.2

As the summit was over, they had more important things to discuss and plan the strategies. Arlan could have done it after returning to Griven but since certain someone was not around, he wanted to keep himself busy to divert his mind.

But his efforts of diverting his attention was like the punishment for the ministers.

The ministers were quiet inside the study while Arlan was going through the documents, his expressions serious and intimidating that any one around was scared to disturb him. As it was the last day in Othinia, all wished to explore the city, have fun and buy gifts for their families. They could only share the displeased guesses to each other as if all of them had been wronged by the Prince. 

'What happened to the Crown Prince all of a sudden?' 

'Doesn't look like we can be free the entire day.'

'At this rate the Crown Prince will finish all the work at once.'

'Why can't he excuse us for just one day?'

'What can we do to make him stop working?'

They had so many things going on in mind but no one dared voice out their thoughts. The moment their gazes would fall on Prince's serious face, they would swallow the words about to come out of their mouths.

When Oriana walked upstairs along with Damien, she sensed everything was unusually quiet. 

She whispered to Damien, "Something happened here?"

Damien whispered back, "Do not ask. Just know that His Highness's mood is serious and do not dare make any mistake."

"Understood. But why is he in a serious mood?" she whispered again. 

"No one knows. He hardly said anything after the morning meal. The last thing he said was asking about you if you were back from Megaris guest mansion."

Oriana was taken aback and could not help but think, 'Is he angry at me that I didn't return early and didn't resume my duty as his aide? Can it be? King Drayce said His Highness won't mind it.'

Both went upstairs where Imbert and Rafal were standing outside along with Neil who looked worried while the meeting was still going on inside the study. There was an eerie silence around and not a single sound could be heard from inside the study, despite so many people present there.

As if Neil had seen his savior, he hurried to Oriana and said in a low voice, "Thank goodness you are here. Please take tea inside the study and check on His Highness."

"M-Me? Spare me please," Oriana tried to dodge but Neil and Damien offered her a pleading look. 

"Alright!"

Neil immediately smiled and looked at Damien who understood the meaning and whispered to Oriana, "Wait here, I will bring tea and snacks."

Arlan, who looked like a devil to his ministers, suddenly sensed something. His senses followed the sweet scent that suddenly entered the study. 

'She is back.'

He looked at the closed door of the study and he knew she was standing beyond that door. The desperate thought came to his mind.

'Why do these doors even exist? Useless things invented by a bunch of brainless people.'

Seeing Arlan suddenly move and his expressions softened, the ministers looked at each other like thieves as if wondering if their liege was fine and wished to spare them. 

Arlan folded back the scroll in his hand and put it aside, "We can work rest once we return to Griven. All of you should go and enjoy your day in the city."

They could not believe what they had heard just now. Why was this sudden change in Prince's attitude?

"Thank you, Your Highness." Everyone stepped out of the study. 

"Damein might take time to bring tea. You can go inside to greet His Highness so he will know you, his personal aide, is back. His Highness had asked about you before."

Oriana nodded and walked towards the study as she also needed to tell Arlan that Lady Ria had returned his coat.

When she entered the study, Arlan was already looking at her, his eyes were deeply staring at her, hint of longing appearing in them.

The moment their eyes met, Oriana felt like her heart almost stopped. She was still not over with the previous night's incident. Moreover, in her opinion she was deceiving the Prince by not telling him she is lady Ria. She felt like a sinner. 

'Stay calm, Ori.'

On the other hand, Arlan who was waiting to see her since the moment he woke up, could not take his gaze away from her. It felt like an eternity since he had seen her though it was just a single night without her. When she didn't return early in the morning from Megaris' mansion, he was upset. He wanted all her time for him alone but she was spending her time away from him, even neglecting her duties towards him. 

'Did she not miss me at all?' 

He almost thought to walk towards her and pull her into his arms to not let her go away. His jaw clenched with the thought of crushing her soft body in his strong hold and then listening to her sweet voice, begging to release her. He closed his eyes for a moment and tried to calm himself.

Oriana walked forward and stood across his work table. She bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Without replying, Arlan stood up and walked across the desk. He stood leisurely, facing her, taking the support of a desk behind him. He could hear her loud heartbeat.

'She must be nervous to face me.'

From her lowered head, his gaze moved down and stopped at her lips. He remembered everything from the past night. Those sweet lips of hers felt more delicious than ever. It must be because she possessed the equal passion as his and kissed willingly.

He wondered, 'How bold she was last night and now so submissive in front of me.'

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