The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 438

Chapter 438: How Did You Escape?

The following morning, Arlan awoke, and he found Oriana elegantly perched in a chair, adorned in the garments designated for the Crown Princess. She patiently awaited his awakening. It was evident to him once more that she had orchestrated his return from that witch’s place. He had so many questions for her and he was yet to show his displeasure for what she had caused by meddling in his business, vacated his bed and reached for his overcoat, intending to visit his family. However, as he made his way towards the door, Oriana interjected.

"His Majesty and Prince Lenard are now in good health," Oriana revealed, cognizant of his intentions.

Arlan halted in his tracks, finally directing his gaze at her. "Are you satisfied now that your actions imperiled my entire family?" he questioned, exuding an air of displeasure.

Oriana had anticipated this reproach and sincerely bore the burden of guilt. "I apologize. I merely wished to help...."

"Did I solicit your help?" Gritting his teeth, he cast a withering glare her way. "Are you even qualified to provide it?" His voice took on an icier tone. "You could have been of help by merely removing yourself from this place, yet that seems beyond your capacity. You profess your desire to assist me, but do you comprehend what would truly benefit me in this moment?"

Oriana retreated a step, averted her gaze from his bloodshot, anger-filled eyes, and absorbed his next words. "The most helpful act you could perform now is to vanish from my sight indefinitely. Your family is the root of all this, my family’s present circumstances, and now you claim to be my savior?" He seemed to have lost it, his icy voice ordered, "Get lost and never show up ever again."

Though his words were lacerating, Oriana stood her ground and inquired, "If you harbor such intense animosity towards me and my family, why did you shield me when that Witch wanted to harm me?"

Arlan stood in stunned silence for a moment, absorbing her next words. "I do not know what happened in the past and how my mother and my family had caused all of this, I want to make up for it. I want to....."

"Do not get ahead of yourself," his voice tinged with frustration, cut her off, "I rescued you because of my father. If you had died there, how could I have explained it to him? How would I have justified taking your life, jeopardizing his health, and his medication? My sole concern is my family, and that’s the reason both you and that elderly man still breathe. It might have been better if you had died, leaving that witch without hope of getting her freedom, but now... just because of your presence here, I have to..." Suddenly, his strength waned, and he stumbled on unsteady legs.

Oriana stepped forward to support him. "Your Highness..."

He sensed something and froze and Oriana found this chance to hold him.

"Do not touch me," he pushed her away and made his way to the bed. "Leave this place," he managed to sit on the edge of the bed, "it would be in your best interest to exit the palace immediately, or I may have no choice but to kill you"

"Your Highness..."

"Get out of here!" he erupted.

Just then, a knock resounded at the door, and it creaked open. Oriana turned her gaze towards the door to discover Karla, Arlan’s nanny, standing there. She respectfully inclined her head.

Already frustrated Oriana’s countenance darkened upon seeing Karla. She dared disturb their talk.

Before Oriana could utter a word, Arlan’s voice boomed, "Did you not hear me? Go away. Do not show up in front of me. You disgust me."

Seemingly impervious to Arlan’s emotional outburst, Oriana collected herself. "I’ll depart, but only once I understand why your nanny is here," she asserted with unwavering determination, directing her gaze towards Karla. "Are you going to linger in the doorway, or do you have something to convey, Karla?"

Oriana called her by name, even everyone in the palace addressed her as Lady Karla. It showed, Oriana considered her a mere lowly and insignificant servant.

But Karla, a middle-aged woman, entered the room with poise and greeted them both, "Greetings, Crown Prince and Crown Princess."

Oriana’s tone turned icy as she retorted, "And what brings you here? Has no one ever taught you that it is improper to disrupt your masters when they are in private? Where are your manners?"

"Apologies, I came to check on the Prince, given that he was unwell," Karla replied calmly. "I serve as his nanny so I..."

"No one outside these walls is aware of the Prince’s condition, not even his mother." Oriana’s eyes narrowed at her, her sharp tongue ready with another blow of savage words, "Are you spying on his residence and monitoring the Crown Prince’s private matters from afar?"