The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 248

Chapter 248: Are You Scared He Will Hate You?

With Arlan away in the summit conference, Oriana had nothing to do after she had her morning meal. It would be a good time to create those dried flower brooches she promised Yorian and Arlan. The elf wanted one made out of buckwheat flowers, while for the prince...

Her thoughts strayed to their earlier conversation.

’He said he likes honeysuckles.’

The problem was that Oriana had no dried honeysuckles in her collection. Since they were rather ordinary flowers, common in the wilderness of Griven, she rarely paid them special attention despite their medicinal use.

’I wonder if they grow them here in the royal palace. They ought to have a native variety here in Nefer. If worse comes to worst, I can go to the market in the city to purchase some.’

Oriana proceeded to find a gardener. It was obvious that the caretaker of the gardens would know best the flowers cultivated within the Royal Palace of Othinia.

"Oh, yes, Lord Physician!" the gardener exclaimed, recognizing her identity. "We do not have them in shrubs, but as vines that grow in trellises in the pathway garden. Gorgeous bright pinks, oranges, yellows or whites, I tell you!"

The gardener happily led her to the side of the mansion, where there was a small gate for servants to use. Leading towards the gate was a pergola, the walkway trellises covered with sweet-smelling honeysuckles vines.

This discovery made her pleasantly surprised. She had never strayed to this part of the mansion, thus she had no idea this place existed. She even realized that the small gate was a shortcut to the building next door, which was the guest mansion of Megaris! Instead of leaving through the main gate, she could use this smaller gate next time she visits them.

Oriana sincerely thanked the gardener, and the man left her to resume his work in the front yard.

For the first few minutes, Oriana immersed herself in the fragrance of the honeysuckles. Then, eyeing the multi-colored blossoms, she wondered, ’Which kind of honeysuckle flower does he prefer? I have to make him a gift he will like so he will stop sulking like a little boy.’

She needed to pluck only two or three blossoms to dry and preserve them for a brooch.

She gently touched those colorful flowers.

’But it is surprising to learn that a royal prince likes these flowers. These are not flowers that get much attention like roses or lilies. What a strange man...’

In the end, she chose to pluck the yellow and white flowers. Once she dried them under the sun, the pinks and oranges would only turn into brown.

Just as she carefully put them in the small woven basket in her hand, a flash of silver caught her attention.

"Any special occasion that you are collecting these flowers?"

Startled, Oriana turned to look at the elf who was standing under the archway of the small gate.

"Lord Yorian!"

"May I come in?"

"Of course, my lord." She then replied to his earlier question, "Nothing special. I just needed them for some use."

Yorian walked towards her, his gaze admiring the trellises covered in flowers. "Honeysuckles sure smell nice."

She nodded but said, "I am not that fond of it. It is too heady, too sweet for my liking."

Yorian did not share his opinion on the matter. "Are you in a hurry to go back?"