320: She Is Beautiful

She Is Beautiful

Seeing her looking at him, he spoke, "Do you also find it hard to take your eyes off my handsome face even though you see me daily? Then you can imagine what Lady Ria must feel..."2

"Your Highness, Lady Ria is beautiful as well. She's so pretty that I believe she's content with looking at herself in the mirror every day, hardly finding anything that matches her beauty."

Arlan suppressed his smile once more. "Is she truly that pretty?"

Oriana nodded confidently. "She's so pretty that she has to conceal her beauty from men like you, Your Highness. She's most afraid of perverts."

He narrowed his eyes on her. "Are you calling me a pervert?"

"Not at all, Your Highness. I put 'Your Highness' and 'pervert' in two separate sentences..."

"Shall I remind you of the inappropriate things you've been doing?"

Oriana was taken aback. What was he talking about? She was reminded of the time when she helped this prince bathe and even ogled over his body. Her face turned red as she herself knew that unknowingly she had been inappropriate. She had even dreamt about kissing this man.

'I must have lost my mind.'

"Go, inform Lady Ria that I won't accept 'no' for an answer," Arlan instructed. His firm and authoritative tone compelled her to obey him.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Just as Oriana stepped out of the room, the smile he had been suppressing until now widened and transformed into a laugh. Leaning back in his chair leisurely, he continued to laugh as his chest heaved up and down with it.

It had been a while since he had laughed so heartily.

—-

Oriana strolled down the hallway, her unease palpable. Random words from the prince swirled through her mind: "Settle the score," "pleasure," "took advantage." What exactly did he intend to do to even the score? Subconsciously understanding the implications, her palms grew sweaty. "He couldn't possibly be asking me to..." She shook her head firmly. "No, he wouldn't. Queen Seren assured me he's a good man." She attempted to reassure herself, yet a furrow creased her brow in anger. "But why is he behaving like such a creep around me? Why?"

Encountering Neil in the foyer, Oriana greeted him. "Neil, I've received an order from His Highness to visit Megaris' mansion."

"Didn't you just return from there a short while ago?"

"Yes, but I've been tasked with some other important errands."

"Very well. Go ahead."

"I apologize. I wasn't much help while you were busy packing for our departure."

"Don't worry. Others are here to assist me. You proceed."

In haste, Oriana made her way back to the Megaris mansion. Striding briskly, a mask of frustration adorned her features. "I'm utterly exhausted from all this running around. I wouldn't even need to sprint this much to locate herbs in the forest. This spoiled brat's absurd demands might just be the death of me."

Upon arriving at the Megaris mansion, she made a beeline for the queen, who was occupied with instructing her attendants on packing for the upcoming journey.

"Your Majesty," Oriana curtsied.

Seren graced her with a knowing smile. "It appears your excuse didn't sway Prince Arlan."

Oriana let out a sigh, her lips pressed into a thin line, tacitly agreeing with Seren's observation.

Seren's laughter danced lightly. She had anticipated this outcome, though she'd allowed Oriana the opportunity to try. Arlan was as headstrong as her husband, and he wasn't one to easily let go of a woman who piqued his interest. Especially when that woman was his destined mate.

"What's your plan now?"

"I need to prepare as Lady Ria."

"Very well," Seren turned her attention to Xena, who had been listening intently and was ready to assist Oriana.

"Please follow me."

—-

Imbert entered the study, announcing, "Your Highness, Lady Ria has accepted your invitation."

Arlan's lips curved in a subtle smirk, as if he had anticipated her acceptance all along. "I will be meeting her by the lake in the rear garden."

"Yes, Your Highness," Imbert acknowledged before departing to convey the message.

Under the cloak of the night's darkness, a carriage departed from Megaris' guest mansion and entered the premises of the Griven guest mansion estate. The journey was led by Knight Azer Briden, who rode ahead on his horse with an unexplainable smile playing on his lips – or perhaps he was aware of the reasons behind the smile on his lips.

The mansion's expanse was all but deserted, save for a handful of Arlan's trusted knights stationed at the front. The carriage was directed towards the mansion's rear garden and came to a halt in the presence of Imbert who alone was waiting for them.

Observing the mounted knight guiding the carriage, Imbert's brow furrowed in mild annoyance, though he swiftly composed himself. Azer dismounted his horse, exchanging greetings with Imbert, who offered a simple nod in return before shifting his attention to the carriage.

Azer was here on a mission, obligated to execute it without a mistake. He opened the carriage door. A delicate woman stepped out of it, a striking beauty garbed in a delicate green dress that seemed to blend with the hues of the surroundings, the lower half of her face was veiled. 

She refrained from meeting Imbert's gaze as he led her towards the garden's perimeter.

Coming to a halt, he addressed her, "Lady Ria, His Highness awaits you by the lakeside. From here, you shall continue alone."

Her voice soft and gracious, she replied, "I appreciate your guidance, Sir Loyset," and proceeded onward.

With a few steps ahead, she caught sight of the figure standing near the lake, his gaze contemplatively fixed on the water's surface. This scene wasn't unfamiliar to her; she had observed him in similar reverie before. 

A question crossed her mind: 'Does he find solace standing by the lake, lost in its depths?'

Arlan had already sensed her presence, her scent traveled faster than she could. 

'She is here.' 

He turned to look at the woman coming towards him. His heart skipped a beat at the beautiful sight ahead. His eyes held the deep affection for her. Though, only half of her face was visible to his eyes, he could not help but praise her. 

'She is truly beautiful. Makes it worth when she praise her own beauty with pride.'

'Only this woman can pull of the gesture of praising her own beauty with a pride and can still look adorable while doing so.'

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