98: My Pet, Only Mine

My Pet, Only Mine

By the time Arlan finished his work, his knights along with the servants from his own entourage were done with their preparations, merely waiting for his signal to leave. Arlan had a rather leisurely midday meal with Count Ahren, Rafal's father, and then afterwards, he came back to his chamber in the second guest mansion.0

Oriana was awaiting his return to help him change his clothes, a set of luxurious attire already chosen by his other servants beforehand. As she was buttoning his jacket, Arlan stared at her solemn face. 

'Have to bear a couple nights without her by my side,' he could not help but sigh. Due to his father's urgent summons, he had to return to the palace within the day. As for Oriana and the other servants borrowed from Ahren, they could only enter the palace after two days.

However, a ghost of a smile lingered on his face. 

'Silly village lass, granting your wish is a show of my goodwill, but know that serving royalty is not a game. Once you enter the royal palace, you become the possession of the royal family. See if you can leave my side so easily…'

Oriana sensed his gaze on her. After much hesitation, she finally looked up at him, only to find him squarely meeting  her puzzled gaze. 

'Why is he looking at me like this?'

'Her eyes are beautiful. She should not look at any man like this.'

'Why does he feel dangerous sometimes?'

'Once she is by my side, these eyes will look at no one but me. My pet, only mine.'

'What is he thinking?'

Suddenly, Arlan felt like teasing her. Why? He didn't know. Maybe it was her scent? Her flustered reaction? An excuse to be nearer to her? Regardless of the reason, the blue-eyed man took a small step forward, forcing her to take a step back out of instinct.

'What…'

He took another step ahead, and she took one more backwards, keeping their distance the same. 

"M-My Lord, what is the matter?"

"I was wondering how do I make a pervert like you pay for taking advantage of my noble body."

"A-Advantage?"

"I believe your hands can vouch for what wrong you have done, hmm?"

"M-My Lord…" She was stopped by the wall behind her. She did not even realize he had cornered her. "I never took advantage of you!"

Arlan leaned closer to her face. 

Countless thoughts flashed before her eyes—hitting her forehead against his, pushing him away, kicking him in the nuts. 

'Will I be imprisoned if I assault this pervert?!'

With his face merely an inch apart from hers, she closed her eyes, her brows knitted together, her lips pressed in a thin line.

The corner of Arlan's lips lifted up seeing her reaction, as if he was going to do something indecent with her. 

'This idiot. You have learned how to hold in your temper now. What a pity.' He moved his mouth towards her ear and whispered, "You should pray that you won't come in front of me once more, or else the next time we meet, I will surely make you pay for your indecent designs on my body."

Oriana felt the strongest urge to beat up this annoying perverted lord and throw caution in the wind, but for some odd reason, the pair of warm lips whispering to her ear, his warm breath fanning against her exposed skin, all these sensations caused her heart to flutter in an unfathomable way. 

She found herself forgetting how to breathe, but so was he.

With Arlan practically pinning the young woman against the wall, her fragrant scent captivated his senses, and he wished to dive into her neck, to give in to his urges and nuzzle in her nape. His desire was growing stronger but…

Arlan decisively moved away and left the chamber without a word. When Oriana opened her eyes, she was all alone, the only sound seemingly the racing of her heart. Only then did she  finally let out the breath she was holding. 

She put her hand over her chest. 

"That damned lord, I know he is moody and unpredictable, but I never knew he could be so scary. My heart almost leaped out of my throat in fear."

Arlan, who was walking in the hallway, heard her curses.

'Shortie, are you sure that it's fear you felt or something else?'

—---

After Arlan's entourage left the Ahrens, Oriana was summoned by Janella to the common area of the servant quarters. When she arrived, there were nine young servants standing in attention, forming two rows in front of the old maid. Their ages generally in their early to mid-twenties, three of them males while the rest were females. 

Oriana stood on the second row where there were only four people.

"We have been asked to send people to temporarily serve in the palace. Though the duration is unknown, this is a good opportunity for your careers to flourish."

Everyone's eyes brightened up hearing her words. Working in the palace was a prestigious thing. Not only was the pay unparalleled, but also being the center of the kingdom would allow them to grow their connections, possibly even gain a chance to leave their commoner status.

"I have selected you all as candidates to work in the royal palace, but the final decision is yet to be made. Even though you will be helping out in the palace, you are still people serving under Count Ahren. Your performance will reflect on our master's reputation, that is why only the best would be sent to the royal palace. 

"You have to undergo training today, and those who will perform well will be taught the basic rules of royal etiquette tomorrow. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes, Miss Janella," everyone responded to the strict-sounding Head Maid. 

She gestured towards a woman and a man just a post below her, "Mia's mother once served as a court lady, she will be teaching your basic royal etiquette, while Elir, as you know, is our master's footman and often runs errands for the Count in the palace.  They will guide you and train you these next two days. Pay attention to whatever they tell you." 

"Yes, Miss Janella."

Janella left, leaving them in the care of Mia and Elir. 

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