The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 164

Chapter 164: Aren’t You Being Too Chatty?

Imbert emerged from the other side of the bushes, an unsheathed sword in hand. The knight’s cold glance swept across the armed group, as if checking which prey to strike first. He only kept his sword in its scabbard after receiving a silent signal from his liege.

"He’s my guard," Arlan spoke in their language, informing them that Imbert was his man and that there was no need to fight. His knight cooperatively stayed in place, as if to prove that he had no unfriendly intentions. Only then did the tribesmen lower their weapons.

Time trickled on, and as Oriana said, the boy’s complexion looked better. He could even open his eyes.

Oriana smiled at him, her gaze bright and pleasant. "You are fine now, kid."

The boy didn’t understand what she said and looked at the leader, who spoke to him in a low tone. The boy tried to sit up with Oriana helping him and he said something to her.

"He is thanking you," Arlan explained.

"You are welcome," she said. "Be more careful when you run next time. You probably disturbed a venomous snake hidden under the leaves and got bitten in retaliation. You were fortunate that your friends noticed something was wrong with you."

The boy simply smiled at her though he could not understand her words. Arlan dutifully relayed her message.

The leader said something to her and she could guess he must be thanking her as well and she offered him a smile.

After that, the leader and Arlan exchanged more words. When the prince glanced at Oriana, prompting her to think they were talking about her, it made her wonder what the leader said to make this iceberg smile.

"Take care, kid," Oriana said, standing up with the pauldron in hand.

’She herself is like a kid,’ Arlan thought as he watched her approach him.

They were about to head back to camp when Oriana hesitantly stopped. She lowered her voice in Arlan’s direction. "Umm, do you think they’ll mind if I take a little of these plants with me?"

"You still..."

"These are useful herbs. Who knows if we might need them later?"

Arlan talked to the leader and he permitted them. He watched the way Oriana carefully harvested the silphium flower and leaves. Not touching saplings, selecting healthy ones and taking only the parts she needed. Her actions were steady and skilled, her focus showing her experience in the field of medicinal plants.

She was foolishly kind as well. She didn’t ignore that boy’s plight even though she was threatened by those people. It was as if nothing matters to her other than helping that boy, not even her own life.

’What a troublemaker,’ he could not help but sigh, ’but the kind of troublemaker no one could hate. No one would blame her for not helping, but she is a woman with a good heart and clear mind as well. More reason for me to keep her by my side.’

As the prince, the knight and the attendant headed back to their camp, Arlan spoke up.

"In the Southern Jungle, the natives are fiercely territorial and don’t trust outsiders. They generally use stones and animal skulls to mark the boundaries of their land. The official roads are safe, as well as the designated stops meant for transport, and don’t cross their boundary. Here, the crime of trespassing warrants death."

"Understood."

When they returned, they saw Rafal bidding farewell to the aide of the minister. It appeared that the Crown Prince’s disappearance caused the other delegates to grow restless. A group of knights was about to enter that part of the forest, only stopping when they saw Arlan returning.

Her focus was on his eyes. _{ƒreewebɳovel.com}