The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2: She Spilled The Royal Blood

While Arlan indulged in the moment, a flurry of voices shattered his reverie.

"Your Highness! Where are you?"

"A messenger from the capital has arrived! Your Highness, we must return to the mansion immediately!"

'Ah!'

Just as Arlan exerted his arms to rise, a sharp pain seared across his torso, and he was swiftly flipped over by the masked woman, who seized the opportunity to break free. Her movements were several times faster than those of an elite knight. Despite his attempt to grab her, she eluded his grasp at the last possible moment.

All Arlan managed to snag was the cloth covering her head, affording him a glimpse of a cascade of reddish-brown locks flowing behind her as she fled.

The prince sat up with a resigned sigh. She hadn't even glanced back at him after the attack.

'How resolute.'

Once she vanished from his sight, Arlan examined the wound on his waist more closely. Blood stained his light blue tunic, giving it a more dire appearance than it was.

'She didn't strike deep. It seems she didn't intend to kill me.'

As he gazed in the direction she had vanished, an amused smile lingered on his face.

"Shortie, I'll ensure I find you and repay your 'kindness.' Your audacity in spilling royal blood won't go unpunished."

Arlan regained his feet and made his way back to his knights.

"Your Highness, you're bleeding!" the younger knight, Rafal, exclaimed upon spotting Arlan emerging from the cover of the trees.

Arlan shrugged. "Just a scratch." With measured steps, he strolled toward where he had left his horse, seemingly unfazed by the blood staining his attire.

Rafal cast a concerned look at Imbert, whose expression remained unchanged throughout. The royal knights then silently followed their liege as they exited the forest.

The Crown Prince of Griven, flanked by his two most trusted knights, headed their horses in the direction of the main mansion on the Wimark Estate.

Before long, they arrived at an elegant manor surrounded by lush gardens, where a carriage bearing the crest of the Cromwell Royal Family waited at the entrance.

All the servants in the vicinity halted their tasks at the sight of the handsome prince on horseback. While they paid their respects, none dared approach him, even after he dismounted, not even the stablehand.

Arlan had a reputation for being friendly and amiable, but he was decidedly strict about his possessions—only those he trusted could handle them. Arlan and Imbert silently made their way into the Wimark mansion, leaving their horses for Rafal to personally see to in the stables.

The messenger from the capital awaited him in the drawing room.

Spotting Arlan, the messenger, clad in armor, quickly rose and saluted. He was a familiar face, a knight from the Order of the Rose, the knights directly under the command of his mother, the Queen of Griven.

"Greetings, Your Highness, the Crown Prince."