326: She Chose To Live As A Boy

She Chose To Live As A Boy

When the storm finally stopped, Oriana found herself both horrified and relieved. She did not know how many casualties there were nor did she check if the men buried under the ruined house were dead or alive.  0

She only wanted to escape. 

The first thing she did was grab the nearest article of clothing large enough to cover herself before fleeing.

Oriana ran and ran and ran. 

When her short legs collapsed due to exhaustion, it was fortunately at the borders of a familiar town, a place she frequented with Phil, who was then still an active mercenary. From there, she determined the direction towards her house but it still took her the rest of the night to reach home. 

When she reached home, it was still dark so none of the neighbors saw her pitiful state. She took care of her injuries on her own. Her grandpa was away for a few days and she was left in the care of an old woman living next to their home. 

The old woman was aghast to find the little girl hurt when she visited her that morning, but Oriana lied about playing in the forest and falling down along a dangerous slope. The old woman could only believe her. When her grandfather returned after two days, she told the same story. A week later, they moved to another town due to Phil's work and this matter was buried in her memories as if the abduction never happened in the first place. 

But it left a great impact on Oriana. Before she hated it whenever her grandfather made her wear clothes meant for boys. On that one day she chose to disobey Phil and wear a beuatiful dress outside, she was abducted. 

It was a bitter lesson learned in the most painful way.

If only she was more obedient and had not wore girl's clothes. If only she had just stayed at home.

Oriana hated being a girl, weak and helpless and treated like property, and since then she chose to wear boys' clothes and acted like one. Her chest where that man had touched indecently, she could not help but want to wrap them, to hide them, as if to cover the shame of that night. 

That chest wrap was her armor, her shield and her source of comfort, and she could never give up on it. 

Once the sounds of her crying stopped, Arlan lowered his head and looked at her tear-stained face. "How old were you?"

"Eight or nine maybe," she answered, her voice hoarse from crying. 

"Do you remember anything about who abducted you? Or that filthy noble?"

Oriana shook her head, sniffling as she dried her cheeks. 

"Anything you heard or seen which can give a clue about their identities?" Arlan prodded. Though his voice was calm, his eyes carried dangerous killing intent. 

"The man who abducted me, I think they called him Big Bear and that nobleman was called a viscount, and he was in his early forties then. I only remember this." 

Oriana didn't tell him that it happened in the southern part of Griven. In Arlan's eyes, she was a lady from a noble family in Megaris.

Arlan didn't question her either as he could guess she would not want to tell more details. But having these clues were  enough for him and he could get those vermin under his feet anytime soon. 

Arlan released her and got water for her. Her throat was dry and her mouth tasted sour so she accepted it. Drinking cold water made her feel much better, but somehow she tried not to look at Arlan and meet with his gaze. She felt embarrassed. 

Arlan could see through it. He accepted the glass from her and said, "You don't have to feel embarrassed. It was not your fault."

She said nothing in response and watched Arlan shifting closer to her. Without a word, he lifted her slender form and made her sit on his lap like before. 

"W-What are you doing?"

He looked at her flushed face and smirked. "Weren't you sleepy earlier? You said sleeping like this is comfortable."

Remembering the exhaustion-induced honesty from earlier only deepened the embarrassment she was feeling. 

She dared  sleep in the Crown Prince's arms. So brazen! 

"I…my brain might not be functioning well as I was tired, Your Highness." She tried to get down from his lap, but his hands around her waist held her in place. 

"Don't move. Sleep for a while, and later, I will take you back."

"Like this?" 

She realized he was treating her like a little girl. 

Oriana attempted to leave his lap once more, but in response, Arlan pressed her head against his shoulder and guided her arm over his other shoulder, allowing her to resume the snuggling position she liked best. His arms held her in the most comfortable position for her. 

Her hand instinctively moved to cover her face, worried that he would peek at her face once she fell asleep. 'I can't sleep.'

"I won't remove your veil without your permission. Rest assured."

Oriana felt embarrassed that her own doubts were laid bare so easily. Could Arlan read thoughts, or was she that easy to read?

"Sleep," she heard his firm voice say.

A faint smile bloomed behind her veil. 

'Just for tonight, I guess. This will be the last night. From tomorrow onwards…' She sighed.  'The past two days will remain a beautiful memory.'

She buried her face in his nape, inhaling that comforting manly scent of his and closing her eyes. 

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Arlan was tempted to remind her to call him by his name, but in the end, he kept silent,  letting her get her much needed sleep. She was already exhausted before, and crying only drained whatever little energy she had left.

It did not take long for Arlan to feel the steady and calm rhythm of her breathing. 

He chuckled inwardly. 'Didn't take her even a few minutes to sleep. Does she trust me so much to sleep this carelessly in my arms?'

Arlan continued to idly caress her slender back, his action tender and sweet.

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