89: Missing Arlan

Missing Arlan

The freshly bathed Oriana entered her sleeping quarters, made sure to lock the door bolt, and while humming a merry tune, took her sweet time to wear her night clothes.

Privacy!

Freedom for her chest!

One of her worries about sharing rooms was her chest bind. It could be said that her new accommodation was a blessing in disguise. Thinking about it, her new job was not bad. 

'Being that brat's attendant isn't as horrible as I expected.'

She was able to eat good food even though they were leftovers, had a lot of idle time after she finished cleaning, and was even provided her own space. The pay was better than she could imagine as well. 

'However, it's a pity I cannot work for him for real. I need to go back to Wimark as soon as possible. Besides, if I get a stable job like this, I won't have free time to personally look after Grandpa.

'I wonder how Grandpa is doing. Is he eating well? Is he drinking all his medicine? I'm sure Aunt Gwen checks on him from time to time, but I miss him already.

'Which reminds me, I wonder how her son is doing. Maybe I'll drop by his workplace and check on Luke during my free time tomorrow.' 

Random thoughts continued to pass through Oriana's mind while she leisurely dried her long hair with a towel.

As she rubbed the wet tendrils of her hair, she could not help but enjoy the softness along with the fragrance of lavender. She then proceeded to comb it  in front of the mirror.

Under the soft illumination offered by the candlelight, the reflection of a beautiful young woman could be seen. Her hand touched her cheek gently, wanting to imprint her own womanly appearance in her mind. 

Candles and lamp oil were expenses few commoners could afford for daily use. That was why most of the time, poor people would wake up at sunrise and go to sleep after sunset. 

As for Oriana, her job as a herbalist allowed her to earn enough to burn oil every night, but only a single lamp that provided dim lighting while she and her grandfather ate their evening meal. After that, she would sometimes study herbal books or concoct medications, but more often than not, she would just retire to her room to rest. 

She was frugal and would not waste lamp oil to admire her appearance in front of a mirror. Besides, she only owned a small crude mirror at home, nothing like the big fancy dresser mirrors used by noble families. Like the mirror in front of her.

The image in front of her was crystal clear.

Large hazel eyes framed with long, thick lashes, a pair of naturally arched brows, a delicate turned up nose, as well as fair cheeks and full pink lips. Along with her long wavy dark blond hair with shades of reds and browns, Oriana would be stupid to not realize she was a rare beauty even if she was placed among the favored daughters of nobility. 

When she was a little girl, someone even claimed she looked as pretty as a doll.

'I wonder, who do I look like? Grandpa doesn't like talking about my parents, but I look nothing like Grandpa, be it the eyes or hair color or even the shape of our faces. Since he's my paternal relative, then I guess I inherited my mother's looks.' 

Oriana continued to brush her hair, her eyes lost in a daze.

'Did Mother have long hair like mine? Did she prefer wearing it in a bun, braiding it, or letting it loose? 

'I can't help but envy Rina whenever I see Aunt Gwen brushing her daughter's hair. I bet my mother would also love to fix ribbons in my hair if she were alive. 

'I wish I had a memory of her, even just one memory…'

As she put down the hairbrush on the dresser drawer, her image reflected the bitter smile on her face.

'But what is the use of beauty when it brings nothing but troubles?' 

  Memories from a past she would rather forget surfaced and her expression turned frightened. 

'A pretty little thing like you deserves to serve my master. Be grateful that I am giving you this honor.'

'Such a beautiful girl. You must serve us well.'

'This face, Master will be surely satisfied—'

The trembling voice of a little girl begged in between sobs. 

'Grandpa…hic…help me…' 

'Let me go…'

'Eek, Grandpa, help!'

'No!!!'

The cries of her younger self continued to echo in her mind. She closed her eyes for a moment, realizing a bit too late that  tears had rolled down her cheeks. 

'Ugh, look at me. This is not the time to remember all that. I guess I am more tired than I thought.'

She lay on her bed after putting out the candle. 

'Shall I sleep? He did say that I should sleep. But what if he returns and needs something? I don't want to be a normal servant. I want to be an outstanding one so he will like and trust me more.'

She let out a yawn.

'Hmm, I will just lie down for a while till he returns.'

Unknown to her, Oriana fell asleep mere seconds after she had that thought. A bird chirping by her window happened to wake her up hours later. The sun had already half risen on the horizon. 

'Did I fall asleep for real?!' 

She stepped out of the bed at the speed of lightning and hurried to change into her uniform. After making sure her male appearance was in order, she peeked out of her room's door, only to find the main chamber empty. There was no one on the bed.

'Is he awake already?' Upon closer inspection, the sheets were untouched, as if no one slept on it. 'Did he not return last night?'

Oriana stepped out of the main chamber to look for Arlan. 

Just then, a maidservant happened to pass by. 

"Excuse me. Do you know where the Lord is?"

"Oh, Orian. Good morning," the maidservant greeted her. "Why are you asking me when you should know where he is more than I do? Did you forget I only do laundry?"

"I, umm, I just woke up," Oriana answered sheepishly, "and I couldn't find the Lord anywhere. I don't want to be reprimanded by the Head Maid for slacking off. Is he already in the dining room?"

"Huh? No. The cooks are yet to even begin cooking."

"Did he not return?" 

"The Lord did. I didn't personally see him return but I saw the Lords' knights outside their lodgings earlier. However, the Lord is not with them. Maybe you should ask them."

"Thank you!" 

After asking another passing servant about the missing Arlan, Oriana went to the assigned quarters for the knights where she found Imbert in the common hall. 

"Good morning, Sir Loyset! May I speak with you for a moment?" 

At this point, she had already learned the names of Arlan's closest knights as well as the palace servants he brought with him.

Imbert, who was talking to other knights, turned to look at her. 

Under the cold gaze of that tall and robust knight, Oriana suddenly felt small. This knight never talked uselessly and always maintained an unfriendly expression on his face. Others were generally afraid of him, but Oriana was different. She was friends with Luke. Imbert's apathy was nowhere as bad at that walking iceberg.

"Speak," the knight said after dismissing the others.

"Uhm, that…the Lord, did he not return last night?"

'Not return? He came back with me,' Imbert thought. However, his face remained impassive. "Why do you say that?"0

Oriana continued, "He was not in his chamber when I woke up. I tried to ask around but no one has seen him. Do you know where he is?" 

The prince's guardian knight realized there must be a reason why Arlan was nowhere to be found. "Do not worry about the Lord. Go back to your chores and wait for him to summon you."

Imbert dodged her question since he was not aware of Arlan's whereabouts as well. 

Once Oriana left, Rafal approached his captain. "His Highness left without a word?"

"Seems like it."

"Shall I go to the palace and see if His Highness went there?"

"Wait for a while," Imbert said before turning around to enter the mansion with Rafal following right behind him.

Oriana found herself getting a headache. 'He's here but not here. Are we playing hide-and-seek so early in the morning? Am I an attendant or a nanny? Dear Spirits, I am way too hungry to play this game. If I really can't find him, I guess I should go help out in the kitchen, maybe sample the dishes they're preparing…'

When Oriana reached the chamber, to her surprise, the handsome source of her headache was inside! 

'Don't tell me he's been in this room the entire time?' 

"My Lord, good morning. Did you sleep well?"

Arlan was standing by the window, his expression unfathomable as he turned to face the woman in male attire. 

Last night, this atrocious woman dared to wash her naked body in his personal bath, unashamed of taking advantage of his supposed absence. Who would have guessed that the simple cut garment of an attendant was hiding such a beautiful body underneath?

Flawless skin, slightly pink due to the warmth of the water, those slim arms and delicate curves and her full bottom—

For an entire night, that blasted image remained stuck in his head. Her body was temptation incarnate. He tried to get rid of those improper thoughts for hours and hours to no avail.

Who would have thought that other than his nightmares,  the poor prince had a brand new reason to give him sleepless nights? 

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