329: Bites That Left Marks

Bites That Left Marks

Marie was aware of who Oriana was and nodded. "But not as powerful as you, Miss Oriana," Marie answered politely. "I am a mixed blood, not even a halfling." 

Her instincts were telling her that she should be kneeling in front of the Queen of Witches and calling her with a proper title— 'Your Eminence' —but Martha had told her not to do it. Oriana was not yet aware of her greatness and importance to their race. 

"Since when you are aware that you are a witch?" Oriana asked.

"Since I was a child. My father is a human, and mother is a witch and so was her mother. I inherited the bloodline from my maternal side. But as my mother is a halfling, we live among humans, and we don't generally practice witchcraft aside from a few simple spells. Maybe that is also the reason why I am not powerful as we don't practice spells nor research magic. When you don't use your magic, it becomes weaker over time." 

Oriana understood and asked nothing more. She was glad to meet others of her kind other than Martha, Drayce and Rosetta.

With the help of Marie, Oriana readied herself for the day. However, she only asked that the woman draw the bath, as she preferred washing and dressing herself on her own. Marie then helped her dry her hair faster before wrapping the brown fabric over her head to hide her hair.

Standing in front of the dresser mirror, Oriana could see the marks on her neck as usual. Shame caused her cheeks to warm up, but her expression remained calm in front of Marie. 

All Oriana could think was, 'I told him not to leave marks and he still did it intentionally! What a brat!' 

She was adjusting the collars of her shirt and coat when heard Marie say, "Let me help you with that, Miss."

The maidservant procured a box from one of the drawers of the dresser. "This will help cover those marks."

Oriana recognized the box. It held the expensive makeup products used on her back when she was playing the role of 'Lady Ria'. 

"Please take a seat, Miss." 

She obediently sat down in front of the dresser mirror. Marie instantly started working on powdering her skin, but her actions paused at some point. 

Oriana noticed her reaction and caught a glimpse of something from the mirror. Oriana stood up and leaned closer to the mirror and realized her neck not only sported a bruise or two—there was a distinct bite mark. 

Her eyes nearly popped out.

'Did that man bite me for real?!'

"Do not worry, Miss. No one will realize what it is unless they pay close attention," she heard Marie assure her. 

Oriana could only let out a frustrated sigh as she sat back down on the dresser stool. "Stay away from water and try not to sweat too much, or else the powder will wash away."

After refusing to stay for a morning meal, Oriana returned to the Grivenian delegation after bidding a tearful farewell to Seren. They promised to exchange letters, but the fact that they lived in two different kingdoms—with different statuses, responsibilities and lifestyles—would surely take a toll on their friendship. She wondered if she would be able to meet the Queen of Megaris again after they parted. 

Outside the guest mansion, rows of carriages, horses and wagons bearing various gifts were lined up, an orderly chaos with the bustle of knights and servants preparing for their return journey to their homeland. 

Oriana could see Rafal overseeing the knights of the Order of Thistle, while Lucas, the administrative aide of the Crown Prince, were passing instructions to the palace officials and other members of the delegation. It was Damien who was issuing instructions to the other servants.

'Sir Loyset and Neil must be with His Highness.'

Entering the mansion, she first went to her room in the servant quarters, excusing herself from Damien about packing her things. 

After locking the door of her room, she then pulled out a blue scarf from her luggage. It was Arlan's apology gift from the lake incident. She remembered him saying she should wear it when she sprained her neck again, so according to that logic, she had sprained her neck today and needed to use it. 

'What if this makeup washes away and exposes those marks? I can't take any chances. If His Highness notices the bite mark…ugh! I might not have any decent excuse to say.'

She deftly wrapped that scarf around her neck like a nobleman's cravat. She smiled as she touched the soft fabric. 'This scarf is really beautiful.'

She went upstairs towards the prince's chamber, dodging the servants carrying the last batch of things to be loaded to the carriages. Imbert was indeed standing guard outside the door. She gave him a brief greeting before knocking.

When she entered the chamber, she saw Arlan standing before the mirror, with Neil adjusting his coat.

Arlan looked through the mirror and caught sight of her entrance. He immediately noticed the blue scarf wrapped around her neck and his lips curved into a smile. 

"Your Highness, shall I get an ointment for your neck?" Neil asked as he noticed the teeth marks peeking above the collar of his shirt.

"No need," he heard Arlan reply. 

"But Your Highness, it should be treated."

"I prefer it this way," Arlan spoke, before glancing at Oriana who was now standing next to them, her expression showing confusion when she realized the topic of their conversation. Her eyes were seemingly wondering what was wrong with his neck.

Arlan smirked. Last night, she really thought of him as a food and bit with quite a good force. Given his constitution, it didn't hurt—in fact,he quite liked it. Any injury on his body would normally heal in a matter of seconds, but since this was an 'injury' his mate caused him, it would take some time to disappear.. 

Injuries inflicted by a beast's mate heal differently, almost akin to a normal human, as if they possess the capability to interfere with the beast's innate ability to recover.

Since Neil could not persuade Arlan, he stepped away after setting his clothes. It was Oriana's turn. She quietly stood in front of the prince, thankful that Neil already prepared the accessories beforehand. She picked up the cufflinks on the table and started to attach them to Arlan's sleeves. 

"Have you sprained your neck again?" Arlan asked, his eyes fixed on her. 

Her hands trembled, and the cufflink almost slipped out from her grasp.  She got hold of it before it fell. She didn't dare look up at him and meet his gaze. 

"Unfortunately yes, Your Highness."

In her heart, she cursed him. 'It's your doing! It's your fault! Have you forgotten how warm the weather is here in Nefer, yet you forced me to wear a scarf? Didn't I tell you to not leave marks? Ugh!'

Arlan could sense her growing annoyance, but said nothing.

Oriana moved to attach the lapel chain and then happened to notice the teeth mark peeking through the collars on his neck. Even someone like Oriana could tell it was not a sensual love bite, but more like…someone chewed on his skin.

'Who bit him like this? A dog?'

She almost burst into a fit of giggles, but then she had a strange realization. 

'Eh? He was with me last night until late.' She gulped. 'Did I…Did I do it?'

Seeing her staring at her wonderful masterpiece, Arlan chimed in with a teasing tone, "Last night, a certain someone thought I am tasty food and tried to have a bite of me…"

Oriana's eyes widened at his words. She glanced up with a wry smile, only to find him staring down at her as he continued, "and that person even dared to say I am not tasty."

What the hell had she done?! 

She remembered dreaming about some strange dish from the royal ball and then finding its taste bland and texture chewy, definitely not to her liking. 

'That dream? Was it not a dream?' As realization struck her, she felt her amusement replaced by guilt. She looked at the mark. She had really bitten him brutally. 'I dare hurt the Crown Prince's royal body. How many times has it been? I wonder if I would face a death sentence once he discovers I'm the culprit.'

"Such a brazen person, whoever that was," she smoothly responded, hiding her real thoughts, but in her mind, she felt…kind of happy? 'I bit him but he bit me as well. We are even.'

She hurried to attach all the required accessories. Since the delegation would be on a journey, Arlan's travel attire was chosen for comfort rather than appearance. It was relatively simpler than his other clothes and she  finished her task in no time. 

After the members of the Grivenian delegation had their meals, those in charge of their belongings did one last round of check on the carriages.

Everyone was ready to leave.

The Fourth Prince of Othinia, the same representative of the Nefertiti Royal Family who welcomed them, was the same one who sent them off. He enthusiastically bid farewell to the Crown Prince of Griven and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Half an hour later, their delegation could be seen departing from the mansion that housed them for the entire duration of the kingdom alliance summit. 

'Only two weeks, yet so much has changed,' Oriana could not help but muse. She was sitting in the same carriage as Arlan. It was now an unspoken rule and no one paid attention anymore. What their liege wanted, they could only turn a blind eye to it. 

As the carriages left the Royal Palace of Othinia behind, Oriana took a last glance at its massive gates and its massive temple-like structure. She felt bittersweet nostalgia at the sight, giving her the impression of a dream coming to an end.  She probably would never return to Nefer nor enter the walls of the Royal Palace of Othinia again so she was attempting to capture every detail in her mind. 

While her entire attention was on the beauty outside the window, her companion was also doing the same, albeit the target of his interest was the woman sitting across from him. 

Arlan found himself lost in a daze, more than satisfied to stare at the flickering curiosity on that exquisite face, the corners of his lips lifting at the sight of those clear and beautiful hazel eyes. 

Nothing else was worth looking at when she was in front of him.  1

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