The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 326

Chapter 326: She Chose To Live As A Boy

When the storm finally stopped, Oriana found herself both horrified and relieved. She did not know how many casualties there were nor did she check if the men buried under the ruined house were dead or alive.

She only wanted to escape.

The first thing she did was grab the nearest article of clothing large enough to cover herself before fleeing.

Oriana ran and ran and ran.

When her short legs collapsed due to exhaustion, it was fortunately at the borders of a familiar town, a place she frequented with Phil, who was then still an active mercenary. From there, she determined the direction towards her house but it still took her the rest of the night to reach home.

When she reached home, it was still dark so none of the neighbors saw her pitiful state. She took care of her injuries on her own. Her grandpa was away for a few days and she was left in the care of an old woman living next to their home.

The old woman was aghast to find the little girl hurt when she visited her that morning, but Oriana lied about playing in the forest and falling down along a dangerous slope. The old woman could only believe her. When her grandfather returned after two days, she told the same story. A week later, they moved to another town due to Phil’s work and this matter was buried in her memories as if the abduction never happened in the first place.

But it left a great impact on Oriana. Before she hated it whenever her grandfather made her wear clothes meant for boys. On that one day she chose to disobey Phil and wear a beuatiful dress outside, she was abducted.

It was a bitter lesson learned in the most painful way.

If only she was more obedient and had not wore girl’s clothes. If only she had just stayed at home.

Oriana hated being a girl, weak and helpless and treated like property, and since then she chose to wear boys’ clothes and acted like one. Her chest where that man had touched indecently, she could not help but want to wrap them, to hide them, as if to cover the shame of that night.

That chest wrap was her armor, her shield and her source of comfort, and she could never give up on it.

Once the sounds of her crying stopped, Arlan lowered his head and looked at her tear-stained face. "How old were you?"

"Eight or nine maybe," she answered, her voice hoarse from crying.

"Do you remember anything about who abducted you? Or that filthy noble?"

Oriana shook her head, sniffling as she dried her cheeks.

"Anything you heard or seen which can give a clue about their identities?" Arlan prodded. Though his voice was calm, his eyes carried dangerous killing intent.

"The man who abducted me, I think they called him Big Bear and that nobleman was called a viscount, and he was in his early forties then. I only remember this."

Oriana didn’t tell him that it happened in the southern part of Griven. In Arlan’s eyes, she was a lady from a noble family in Megaris.

Arlan didn’t question her either as he could guess she would not want to tell more details. But having these clues were enough for him and he could get those vermin under his feet anytime soon.

Arlan released her and got water for her. Her throat was dry and her mouth tasted sour so she accepted it. Drinking cold water made her feel much better, but somehow she tried not to look at Arlan and meet with his gaze. She felt embarrassed.