317: [Bonus chapter]Broken Brooch

[Bonus chapter]Broken Brooch

Arlan's gaze traveled down her neck. It was spotless and the below part was covered by her shirt and jacket. She didn't have to struggle to hide anything. He was satisfied with himself.0

'I kept my words.' 

But suddenly he wished to see his artwork on her skin, and wished to tear away her shirt. His hands almost shook, wanting to move towards her but....

"Lady Ria had returned this coat, Your Highness," Oriana spoke.

She was feeling nervous under his gaze which she could feel even with her head lowered. She needed to break this silence and she did so.

Arlan simply looked at that coat.

Oriana spoke again, "I will wash it and…"

"No need," she heard his deep voice over her head.

She looked at him, "but…"

He looked intently in her eyes. "This coat carries her scent and I don't want it to be washed away."

Oriana's loud beating heart skipped a beat at it. She went suddenly silent as she looked at him in disbelief. It felt so romantic to hear but...

Shall she feel glad that it was her scent which he wanted or feel sad that the woman was someone else in his mind and he liked that other woman just in one meeting, even wanted to keep her scent on his clothes?

Oriana lowered her gaze and looked at the coat in her hand, not knowing what to think.

"Alright, I won't wash it and pack it as it is for Your highness."

Alran moved his hand forward and touched the brooch attached at the lapel of the coat. It was not in the same condition how Oriana gave it to him. 

Oriana noticed it as well as she watched Arlan touching it. 

"She happened to clutch it by mistake and it turned out like this," Arlan commented. 

Oriana's face turned red and she remembered it. She was helpless under what he was doing to her and could only grab onto him, his clothes. She frowned inwardly.

'This shameless man is telling her that he was with a woman and she caused it. How close would they have been if a woman managed to grab it in her hand, one can imagine it clearly.'

She calmed herself. "I will make another brooch for you, Your Highness."

"Make sure to prepare more of them. They might break often in the coming days. In fact it would be better if you keep making them always."

Oriana raised her head and looked at the shameless and brazen man in disbelief.

'Is he telling me that he would be having a women close to him often and they would crush what I make for him with so much effort?' 

Unknown to her, her fingers gripped the coat, causing it to wrinkle. 'This perverted man.'

In response to her actions, Arlan acted nonchalant and raised a brow. "Cannot follow your Master's order?"

Inwardly he was happy as in her eyes he clearly saw jealousy. He chuckled inwardly. 'Only if she knew she was getting jealous of herself.'

Oriana swallowed her anger and lowered her head once more, "I will make as many as His Highness wants."

Light smile appeared on his lips as he could not wait for those moments when she would be spoiling and crushing those brooch again and again. 

"Very well. Once we return Griven, I will ask Roman to arrange as many honeysuckles you need and you will never be short of it."

"Thank you for being so thoughtful, Your Highness," her words held the clear tone of sarcasm, he could see her gritting her teeth. 

'What will she do when she knows it's her who will be crushing those brooch again and again.'

Just then there was a knock on the door and Damien was standing at the door holding a wooden tray carrying tea and snacks. He entered the study and greeted the Prince. 

Once Damien placed the tray on the table, he heard Arlan, "You can leave."

Damien was glad to know he was excused and didn't have to deal with when Prince was not in a better mood. He left and closed the door behind. 

Oriana knew her duty well. She placed the coat on one side on the desk and proceeded to serve the tea for the Prince. Arlan didn't move from his place and enjoyed watching her every move.

She served the tea in a cup, offered it to him and went back to stand in her place. "Any other orders, Your Highness?"

As he sipped the tea, Arlan asked, "What did you do in Megaris mansion?" His gaze observing her expressions, his eyes as if ready to seek some fun.

Oriana was startled. She had been called by Seren many times before but Arlan never asked her what she did there. Then why was he asking today?

"I helped Her Majesty to get ready for the ball and even checked that she was fine to attend it," Oriana answered, without a tinge of hesitation. 

Arlan simply observed her face and threw another question, "Queen Seren has skilled ladies-in-waiting to help her. I wonder what kind of help she has asked from you, a servant, who has no idea of what to do for such events."

Oriana felt speechless as Prince was right. She was a commoner and what could she possibly help the Queen with. She could not tell she was her lady-in-waiting. 'Why is he acting like a detective?'

"I…"

"From Queen Seren's lady-in-waiting, I am reminded of Lady Ria," Arlan interrupted, knowing Oriana had nothing to say in her defence.

Oriana's body tensed up. What was he getting at suddenly remembering lady Ria?

"I would like to meet her again," Arlan spoke, leisurely enjoying the tea.

Oriana's senses went under a shock, 'Want to mee lady Ria?'

"Send a message to Queen Seren that I would like to meet lady Ria before we part ways to our kingdoms tomorrow." She heard Arlan again. 

"Y-Your Highness, as everyone is leaving tomorrow morning, Queen Seren's ladies-in-waiting and servants are busy preparing for it. I just watched how busy they were. it won't be appropriate to...."

"It's alright. You can tell them that I won't take much of her time," Arlan said, "I believe she would not like to decline the Prince's request."

"Y-Your Highness…"

"You can leave," Arlan ordered and returned to his chair behind the desk. Placing the tea cup back on the table, he resumed his work, as if saying he would not take no for an answer.

Once again feeling she was drowning into unending trouble, Oriana left Prince's study, her shoulders looking down as if they were burdened with heavy weight. 

Arlan raised his gaze as he looked at her retreating back and smiled. 

'I wonder what she will do? Another excuse or she will dare show up.'

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