319: She Dared To Exploit Me

She Dared To Exploit Me

Oriana returned from Megaris Mansion after discussing Arlan's desire to meet Lady Ria with Queen Seren.0

"Her Majesty said she will comply with my wishes. That's a relief."

She entered Arlan's study, where he was still engrossed in his work.

"Your Highness, I have a message for you from Her Majesty, Queen Seren," Oriana announced.

Arlan set down the quill in his hand and regarded Oriana with a questioning gaze, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You're quick. Truly an exceptional servant."

He pondered what she had devised to evade his request to meet Lady Ria.

"Thank you, Your Highness," she responded politely, then added, "Lady Ria is fatigued due to last night's ball, and she is currently resting. With all the preparations to depart, she won't be able to come and visit you."

"Hmm?" he arched an eyebrow and reclined in his chair, as if deeply contemplating something. "Did I tire her out so much? I didn't do much other than…"

Cough! Cough!

Oriana nearly choked on her own saliva at the audacious direction his thoughts were taking. "I-I apologize, Your Highness. I hurried back and forth from Megaris Mansion, so I'm a bit thirsty and my throat is dry."

She felt compelled to explain, her nerves and embarrassment heightened by his scrutiny.

Her cheeks and ears felt really warm. Had she not coughed so hard, she was so sure her blush would've given her away.

"Have some water," he instructed, his gaze encompassing both her reddened face from coughing and his own playful teasing.

She nodded, "I'll be back," and turned to leave, glad for the excuse to escape and conceal her embarrassment.

"Where are you headed?" His tone was chilly, causing her to pivot and face him. "To get some water."

"Can't you see the water right here?" He indicated the pitcher and glass on the table.

She gazed at the set-up, already aware of its presence, yet how could she, a mere servant, dare use water intended for the Prince.

"Should I assume there's poison in the water?" Arlan's query caught her off guard.

"No. I mean, that water is for Your Highness. I wouldn't dare use the same water or glass His Highness has used."

"So you're suggesting I'm poisonous, preventing you from using a glass I've touched."

"N-No, Your Highness," she stammered, silently cursing his convoluted thinking. "I was merely..."

"Drink!" he commanded.

She stood rooted, observing the pitcher and the glass.

"Even if it means your demise, you'll drink this water right here," his words reached her.

Internally furrowing her brows, she seized the glass and filled it with water, thinking, 'These spoiled nobles are quick to accuse us servants of not understanding propriety. Well, if he wants his things used, he's welcome.'

After filling the glass, she began to drink. Arlan observed her, and unexpectedly, found her simple act of drinking water oddly captivating.

He watched her supple lips moisten as she sipped, her throat working as she swallowed, a droplet of water trailing from the corner of her mouth.

Gulp!

Arlan couldn't help but swallow hard. 'Is she attempting to seduce me?'

Once Oriana finished drinking, she placed the glass back on the table, only to find Arlan gazing at her with an intense look. She was slightly taken aback.

Noticing her reaction, Arlan snapped back to reality and spoke casually, "Seems like after taking advantage of me, she's now avoiding me."

Oriana was stunned by his audacious assumption, her flustered expression giving way to a piercing glare.

"Daring to exploit my royal self and now refusing to show up," he mused, disbelief evident in his tone.

"When did..." Oriana nearly blurted out before stopping herself. "I... I mean, how can a lady take advantage of a man?"

He raised an eyebrow, as if finding her question naive. "How? Would you like me to demonstrate how she did it?"

"No, I mean a well-mannered noblewoman wouldn't exploit a man."

"Why not? Are women exempt from physical desires? When the man is as handsome and charming as me, it wouldn't be surprising if she harbored such intentions."

'What in the world...' Oriana clenched her teeth, 'I exploited his body?' She scoffed inwardly, 'What an egotistical brat.'

His voice reached her again, "Everyone experiences those desires, even women. Some women don't hesitate to exploit situations, especially when attractive men are inebriated."

Oriana, who had initially been angry, suddenly became nervous. She had once exploited this very Prince when he was intoxicated under the influence of alcohol. Guilt threatened to engulf her.

Though she couldn't deny his assertion, she had something else to express.

"So you're calling her a sinner for taking advantage of your body, Your Highness. Do you mean that men can do it, but it's unacceptable when a woman does it?"

"When did I say that?" Arlan asked calmly and offered he a meaningful look. "I do not mind if my woman wants to take advantage of my body."

Oriana was lost for a moment the way he looked at her and she felt like his last words were directed towards her. But how could that be? She got back to her senses and talked back again.

"Then why are you getting worked up thinking she took advantage? Aren't you slandering her, Your Highness?"

"I'm worked up because how can I let it slide without settling a score with her? She took advantage of my body. Shouldn't I settle it by taking advantage of her body now? It would be a shame if I failed to do so."

Oriana's body stiffened as she stared at him in disbelief, 'Just how does this man's brain work?'

"Are you sure, Your Highness, that it was her who took advantage and not the other way around?" Oriana asked. She distinctly remembered he was the one to lead her there, and he even... she didn't want to even think about that embarrassing act.

"The one who ends up experiencing pleasure is the one taking advantage."

Oriana felt speechless at the word 'pleasure.' Her face turned as red as a tomato as she couldn't deny it. But... did she force him into it? He was the one who wanted to... 'Ahhhh, I don't want to remember those shameless words he said.'

She gave him a steadfast stare.

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