A different servant came forward and began tasting the food for poison, and only after he assured it was safe did Arlan begin to eat. While he had his meal, Oriana stood on one side with her head lowered along with other servants.
The various thoughts she suppressed earlier began to spill out.
She sneaked a glance at him. ’A prince, huh? Which son of the King is he? Wait, how many sons does the King have? Damn, I should have asked around before entering the palace. I was too fixated on training about etiquette and basic rules, I know nothing about the royal family.
’The royal family...I only know their family name is Cromwell. The King is known for his benevolence and the Queen deeply loves the arts. Uhh, the Crown Prince is the First Prince known for his cruelty and the Second Prince...’
Oriana recalled the parade she chanced on within the city.
’I heard people talking about the Second Prince bringing back a foreign princess as a wife recently. This brat has been playing around Wimark back then, and he doesn’t wear a wedding ring so he shouldn’t be the Second Prince
’First prince? Nah. If the Second Prince is married, then the First Prince who is older should be married as well. This brat who loves men should be the black sheep of the royal family, maybe their youngest prince? An illegitimate prince? It makes sense. A prince who plays around with commoners in a tavern, who chases after pretty boys and roams around in the countryside instead of working in the palace, only a prince who is far from inheriting the throne can afford such a carefree lifestyle.’
Suspicion appeared in her eyes.
’This can’t be just a coincidence that he appears wherever I go. Meeting him in Jerusha was an accident, but the Ahrens...and being assigned to the Palace of Thistle...? Don’t tell me he has been stalking me? Damn, did he really go this far because of my pretty face?’
A shiver ran through her spine. She carefully recalled the things that happened since the day she came across him.
’I feel like he knows it was I who stabbed him in the forest. Damn it. I will be beheaded for stabbing a prince. This pervert probably found my face to his liking, that was why he didn’t pursue that crime but I...I even held a knife against his neck in that alley and threatened him...
’I also made him carry my drunk self to the inn, shared a bed with him... The list of offenses didn’t end here...’
Oriana was horrified the more she recalled each of their interactions. Indeed, though she found Arlan annoying, if not for his leniency, a commoner like her would have died many times over.
’This is all thanks to my beauty. Dear spirits, this is the first time I felt so relieved that this pervert likes men, but staying here is not good for me. I need to leave as soon as I can. Since he has been chasing me for so long, I don’t think he will allow me to leave easily. This is his own residence, not to mention he is royalty, so even if he tries to do something indecent, I will be helpless.
’But I am not a pretty boy! I am not a man! If this pervert learns I’m a bonafide woman, he will be disgusted, and in his rage, he will surely punish me for all the crimes I committed...
’Before he discovers the truth, I need to find a way to leave the royal palace properly, because I can neither resign without his approval nor can I run away as this brat knows where I live. Since he is a prince, he can find my village in no time. I need to plan it well so he will allow me to leave. Maybe I will make an excuse of visiting my sick grandpa and then run away to Megaris. As long as we cross the border to another kingdom, no one will be able to find us. All my life I have been on the run with Grandpa, so it’s nothing new for me. It is just a pity I need to bid an early farewell to Luke and his family.’
While she was busy cooking all this in her mind, Arlan had finished his meal. When he stood up, Oriana got alerted. Her gaze was firm, determined to not make more mistakes anymore.
’From hereon, I must focus on three goals: to avoid being targeted by this perverted prince, to meet Master Cenric and to find a way to safely leave the royal palace.’
As Arlan walked away, silently Roman and Oriana trailed behind him like shadows. When they reached a certain door on the second floor, Oriana remembered Roman’s earlier introduction.
’This room, this should be his personal study?’
The moment the knight standing guard opened the door, Oriana let out an inaudible gasp.
Such a wide space, perhaps the size of five or six of Oriana’s current bedchamber, was only a personal study?
’These straight grains...a wood that lacks imperfection...Mahogany?’
Back when Oriana stayed in the house of Luke’s cousin, she overheard the furniture maker mention how some noble lady demanded her wardrobe dresser to be made of mahogany and that it ought to be Ken’s best masterpiece so far. Mahogany is considered one of the most luxurious and beautiful woods in the entire continent, and because of its rarity and excellence, working with genuine mahogany is the dream of most master craftsmen and artisans in Griven.
The red color of mahogany wood was both elegant and timeless, ushering warmth into any room lucky enough to be graced with its presence.
That lady from Ahren only wanted a dresser...but the study of Arlan, the entire place was made of the most precious mahogany.
From the seamless floorboards to the shelves on the walls, and the stairs leading to a second floor where books and documents were kept, even the furniture such as the antique-looking master desk and the side tables holding vases...
Floor-to-ceiling windows with lush velvety curtains, three crystal chandeliers, golden candleholders and oil lamps... There were maps on the walls, along with paintings of royalty comprising several generations, as well as three tables with stacks of scrolls and a lounge area, and another two smaller desks on the sides...
’How much does this room cost?!’