The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 283

Chapter 283: Lost The Chance Again

Oriana was in the foyer, lingering near the pendulum clock while glancing at the grand staircase, waiting for the first signs of people leaving the prince’s study. Arlan’s meeting with the officials had been ongoing for more than an hour.

’Why is their meeting taking longer than usual today?’

She could only sigh helplessly, but in the end, she chose to wait outside the study, making small talk with the officials’ subordinates standing outside.

Her expression brightened the moment the officials came out of the study.

’His Highness is finally free!’

Oriana entered the study, only to witness Arlan standing up from his chair. "Get my coat. I am heading outside the palace."

He was ordering her to fetch the ordinary-looking coat meant for disguise.

"Anything the matter, Your Highness?" Oriana asked.

"Hmm. Call Imbert in," was all he said, not sharing more information.

Doing as ordered, only then did she notice that under his cloak, the knight captain had changed out of his uniform, and instead was wearing dark clothes underneath. He removed anything that would give a hint of his identity or affiliation.

’It seems we are going out to deal with important matters? What can it be? Could it be...the banned herb issue?’ Oriana wondered but she didn’t dare voice out her questions.

After Oriana returned from the prince’s chamber and helped him put on the brown coat, Arlan walked out of the study. Oriana faithfully followed behind him.

’Maybe I will talk to him inside the carriage while traveling out,’ she thought. ’Wait, I am still in my attendant uniform. Shouldn’t I also change into a less conspicuous attire?’

By the time she had that realization, they had come out of the mansion. Instead of a carriage, two saddled horses were waiting in front of the entrance along with Imbert. Oriana was shocked.

’Only two horses? That means... Is he not planning to take me, his personal attendant, with him?’

Arlan got on one horse while Imbert mounted the other. Arlan glanced down at the disappointed Oriana. "You don’t need to follow me." His gaze went next to the other person standing on the front porch, wearing an expression worse than Oriana.

Rafal looked like he was wronged. He could tell they were going on some kind of mission, but the presence of only two horses meant his master was not allowing him to join him.

The prince confirmed his guess.

"Your physician still doesn’t approve of you for excessive physical work."

Rafal narrowed his eyes at Oriana but could only follow his liege’s intention. "Please take care, Your Highness."

"We will be late to return," Imbert informed the younger knight. "It’s your duty to take care of everything here."

"Yes, Captain."

Oriana didn’t bother with Rafal’s displeasure as she was plenty unhappy on her own. It seemed impossible to have a proper conversation with Arlan today. Helplessly, she watched him disappear from her sight.

—-

That night, the city of Nefer appeared more silent and tranquil than usual, with less civilian folks on the streets but more city guards on patrol. A small group of six men on horseback were taking a secluded route towards the royal palace.

It was Arlan, Drayce, and Cian along with their guardian knights returning after dealing with important matters outside.

"Finally, we managed to destroy the black nightshade plantation," Cian said. "Since we burned everything, we won’t leave any clues behind."

The rest shared the sentiment. Arlan, in particular, was in a good mood to have the chance to wield his sword to his satisfaction after so long.