The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 414

Chapter 414: I Came To See You

Leaving her grandfather’s side, Oriana retreated to her study, where she instructed her servants not to disturb her. She faced two critical tasks - safeguarding the two men who held paramount importance in her life: her beloved grandfather and Arlan, the man she couldn’t help but care for, despite her best efforts to foster animosity.

Oriana found herself with a dual mission. First, she needed to ascertain the composition of the medicinal pill that Erich had provided her to rescue her ailing grandfather. Secondly, she had to delve into the forbidden realm of black magic, consulting ancient tomes in search of a way to aid Arlan.

She summoned her magical abilities, and with a subtle flourish, a pill materialized in her palm. Carefully, she examined it, scrutinizing its scent and taste, attempting to discern the elusive herbal ingredients it concealed.

"The herbs master uncovered is familiar to me," Oriana mused, "but the rest remain enigmatic, possibly rare species I’ve never encountered. My only recourse is to rely on my knowledge and the insights I’ve gathered while documenting obscure herbs during my time at Thistle Palace a few months ago."

In that contemplative moment, Yorian entered the room. "What occupies your thoughts so deeply?" he asked, directing his gaze toward the object in her hand.

Oriana considered her words before responding, "Could you please examine this pill, Lord Yorian? I must identify its components in order to replicate it for my grandfather’s salvation."

Yorian met Oriana’s gaze for a brief moment, understanding the immense burden she carried, the weight of responsibility for the two individuals most dear to her. He took the proffered pill, inspected it closely, and even ventured to sample a minuscule fragment from its already worn surface. After a moment of contemplation, he inquired, "Where did you come across this pill?"

Oriana recounted, "Master Erich entrusted it to me, claiming that a similar pill had once rescued Sir Calhoun Sanders, the guardian knight of King Drayce, from the brink of death. It is said to possess divine potency, which seems to have waned over time, rendering it ineffective. I must recreate it, infusing it with my own divine power. Given your expertise in crafting elixirs and medicines, could you help discern its contents?" Her eyes conveyed a sense of hope as they locked onto his.

"It’s quite challenging to discern the key herbs in this concoction, as it’s no ordinary herb, and it certainly wasn’t crafted by an ordinary individual. Did Erich happen to mention the creator? Could it have been King Drayce?" Yorian inquired.

Oriana shook her head, her expression grave. "I believe it was his mother, the Queen of Witches. If it was King Drayce, master would have just asked King Drayce about it. Moreover he told it belonged to Queen Seren and she was not the one to make it either as she is not a witch. Miss Martha is not the one either so we are only left with the Queen of Witches."

"That would certainly explain our difficulty in uncovering the essential ingredients," Yorian mused. "Witches are renowned for their knowledge, but they guard their secrets closely, sharing them only within their own circles. Besides crafting these rare medicines and potions, they excel at concealing their recipes, veiling them with their magic so effectively that even those with the desire to discern their composition can’t, unless they, too, possess the skills of a seasoned witch."

Oriana admitted, "While I am indeed a witch, I have not yet attained such advanced skills. What do you suggest? Should we attempt to locate King Drayce’s mother?"

"As you know, she’s departed for Agartha," Yorian explained. "If we pursue her, we might not return for at least a month, even with teleportation. I fear it wouldn’t bode well for us, given the pressing matters at hand. We must aid both your grandfather and Prince Arlan. The full moon is approaching, and I presume you wouldn’t want to be away during this crucial time."

Oriana contemplated the dilemma. "What if you were to leave and return as soon as possible?"

"I am afraid it would be still too late." Yorian arched an eyebrow, his concern evident, "Can you handle the matter involving that malevolent witch on your own?"

Oriana fell silent for a moment, grappling with the reality of her situation. She needed a knowledgeable ally by her side. ’Master mentioned that she wouldn’t assist me in dealing with this wicked witch, and now I only have Lord Yorian, to guide me. But what about my grandfather?’ She could not help but feel worried, ’Do I need to lose one to help other?’

"We will explore alternative methods for making this pill known, but it will have to wait until after the full moon," Yorian decided. "I’ve assessed your grandfather’s condition, and while he is weak, he possesses remarkable resilience. You can take your time to work on deciphering this pill." With a wave of his hand, Yorian employed his magic to divide the small pill into two parts. "I will keep one portion with me, so I can support you in any way I can." He handed her the other portion.

Oriana concurred, her determination firm. "I will spend the day delving into my books and doing my utmost to find a solution."

Seated in the chair opposite her, Yorian inquired, "Would you like to discuss what you experienced under the influence of that black magic?"

Oriana set the pill aside and regarded the elf. "I saw a young boy suffering, reliving all of his painful memories... and I believe..."