The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 256

Chapter 256: Present For Mother

Arlan timely returned from the summit, and as per his order, Oriana was ready to leave with him. The prince didn’t wish to have many people around him so among his knights, he only allowed Imbert to come.

Disguised asf an ordinary noble with his servants, Arlan left the royal palace bringing only his attendant and knight captain with him. As such, Orian sat in the carriage with Arlan while Imbert rode on horseback.

After last night’s incident, Oriana was too embarrassed to sit in such a small, enclosed space with Arlan. She dared not look at the prince sitting in front of her, more so with her feeling his gaze on her. She found her cheeks heating up and her heart picking up its pace.

’Calm down, heart, calm down. He doesn’t even remember it so there is no need to be embarrassed. No one else saw, no one remembered other than me that means nothing happened. I need to calm down...’

Unknown to her, her racing heartbeats sounded like heavenly music to Arlan’s ears. The light blush on her cheeks was the loveliest shade of pink he had seen. He knew he was the reason she was like this, and this made him hide a smile.

She continued to stare outside the window, doing her best to not look at the prince.

This time, their carriage did not stop in front of a marketplace. Rather, it was a district lined with mansion-like boutiques and parlors, an avenue that catered to the discerning tastes of its target affluent clientele. There were no crowds walking down the streets. Instead, there were lines of carriages parked in front of each shop, while the few customers loitering outside were obviously noblemen shadowed by their subordinates.

’What kind of place...?’

Oriana was struck with incredulity. From the elegant furnishings outside, she would believe if people were to claim these were mansions of aristocrats. If not for the boxes and wrapped purchases she witnessed being carried out by the servants to the carriages, she would not guess this avenue was a shopping district.

’Queen Seren said Nefer is the economical capital of the kingdom. I was wondering why I barely saw nobles in the markets we visited. I thought it was beneath noblemen to shop like commoners, but that was only because they have their own district.’

The carriage stopped in front of one building. The storefront alone was dazzling, with life-like statues sculpted in the form of lions and eagles. Each side of the entrance had statues that were inlaid with various gemstones sparkling under the sun. Oriana could not help but gape.

"We are here to buy souvenirs for my mother," Arlan spoke which brought her attention back to him.

"Welcome, esteemed customer," the doorman politely greeted as he opened the door for them. Only then did Oriana realize what she thought was a mansion was in fact a clothing shop, but instead of an entire set of attires, they specialize in expensive fabric used as shawls and scarves.

As they walked inside the shop, Imbert showed the crest of Silver Oak to the shop attendant in charge of receiving customers. They were led inside that lavish shop without any disturbances.

It was the usual thing as guests coming here were rich or with powerful backgrounds. The shop attendants and shopkeepers were aware that royals would often play outside in disguise to not pull any attention towards them.

Not even a minute later, the shop owner himself came to them and guided their way to a private room where only Arlan and Oriana were present and no one would disturb their shopping. Imbert outside the shop.

"Your Highness, what you are looking for in particular?"

"A present for my mother," he replied. "Show me your highest-quality products."

"Fantastic! We have a fine range of new shawls."

A shop attendant brought out several boxes of beautiful shawls and the shop owner showed them to the prince, explaining them one by one.

"This is the highest quality silk which you won’t find anywhere else in the continent. Not only is the silk high class, but this elegant needlework is made by using the finest threads of gold by the most renowned master weaver of Othinia. A hundred grains of gold was used on this."

Oriana could not help but be shocked by the most expensive piece of clothing she had ever seen in her life. She could only watch and dare not touch it.

Arlan picked the fabric and passed it to Oriana who was next to him. She was taken aback, as if what he passed was some kind of venomous snake.

"Y-Your High—"

"Hold it."