The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Rafal Spotted Oriana

After gaining a short audience with his father, the King of Griven, Arlan parted ways with his family, bringing his knights with him to return to the Crown Prince’s residence, the Palace of Thistles.

The prince’s carriage soon entered the iron gates of his residence.

Compared to the luxurious magnificence of the main palace, the style of the Palace of Thistles was more grounded, its appearance more like a garden sanctuary with fountains and statues both inside the core building and the gardens.

With high ceilings and windows as tall as the limestone walls, natural light could flood in during the day, giving life to the elegant interior designwork and decorations. The palace proper itself featured the finest furniture and furnishings, beautiful ceramic art including porcelain, as well as tapestry art and small-scale bronze sculptures.

Arlan stepped out of his carriage and took in the familiar sight of his residence. Just like the knights, his servants were lined up to welcome him.

"Welcome back, Your Highness!" a black-haired man with gentle features, his stature short despite being in his early thirties, bowed towards Arlan, prompting the others to greet him in unison.

"Welcome back, Your Highness!" they shouted.

The black-haired man was Roman Chadwicke, one of Arlan’s personal aides and the head butler of the Palace of Thistle.

His butler politely continued, "I hope the journey was not troublesome."

Arlan raised a brow at Roman. "I shall make you spend the greater half of the day sitting inside a carriage, only to be brought out when it’s time for sightseeing and merrymaking, meeting nobles whose names I will forget the next day. Let me know if it was troublesome or not, Roman."

"As you wish, Your Highness. This servant shall obey it. Shall I set my destination or do you have a place in mind?"

Arlan sighed. Roman had no sense of humor. Whatever Arlan says, even if his orders make no sense, this aide of his would perfectly execute it to a fault. "Will you stop being boring?"

He waved a hand to dismiss the servants and entered the residence.

"Apologies, Your Highness." Roman immediately followed his master, keeping at least five steps distance between him and Arlan.

The gentle-looking Roman was extremely efficient and obedient, and anyone would agree he was the perfect butler; however, his personality had the worst combination with Arlan. If teased, his knight Imbert would ignore Arlan’s words or give him an unamused look, but if Roman was teased, the butler would treat his sarcasm seriously, making Arlan always feel guilty deep inside.

"I have arranged a hot water bath and your favorite blend of black tea in order to get rid of His Highness’ tiredness," Roman said, while following Arlan. He also began to report the most important things that happened in the prince’s absence.

Arlan abruptly stopped in his tracks and so did Roman, almost making him breach the five step distance he set, but the man quickly took a step back, his feathers unruffled.

"Honeysuckles."

Roman did not say a word, waiting for his master’s next words.

"Fill all the rooms I frequent with honeysuckle flowers."

The faithful butler could not help but let out a, "Huh?" before regaining his composure. Filling the palace with summer flowers when it was winter? That meant, not only bouquets, they would need to build a new greenhouse and invite experts in order to personally raise the plants.

But in the Palace of Thistle, the words of the Crown Prince were absolute.