Adam soon returned with a basket filled with plants and the three of them once again started working. Though Erich did not specify exactly what disease the King of Griven was suffering from, he taught Oriana about the uses and effects of the medicines they were concocting. Oriana learned concepts about herbs and their properties never explained in books before, more things from Erich Winfield which would help her in her dream of becoming a physician like her master.
Before she knew it, it was almost sunset.
As she returned to the Palace of Thistle, the long walk allowed her to ponder about the questions her master raised about herself.
Magic...
Her family...
From time to time, Oriana indeed longed for her birth parents, but she could not bear to burden her sick grandfather with questions.
Was it possible she inherited her ability to wield magic from her mother? Her father? What about her grandfather? Could Phil use magic too? After all, if she could keep her magic a secret from him, why could her grandfather not do the same?
’Maybe I should ask Grandpa about magic...black magic...’
Till now, she was taking her magic as a mere talent or innate ability, but when her master said ’black magic’, it shook her.
’Black magic. From the books I read, isn’t that used by evil people? Rituals using people as sacrifice and ominous curses? I would never want to come across it. I am not a bad person.’
That night, when Oriana was finally alone with Arlan inside his bedchamber, the prince asked his unnaturally quiet attendant, "How are your lessons so far with your master?"
"It’s going good, Your Highness. And thank you for allowing me to learn."
"Do not forget you owe me for this."
"Yes, Your Highness," she replied. ’Why is he being petty? What can a poor girl like me give this prince? Can’t he just let it slide?’
"Any progress about my father’s condition?"
"Master is yet to complete his examination, but so far, we are working on improving the natural immunity of the King’s body. I heard Master saying that His Majesty’s complexion has slightly improved today."
Arlan walked towards bed when Oriana called him once again, "Your Highness?"
He didn’t turn to look at her and simply sat down on the bed. Since she was being so polite, then she must need something from him.
She simply looked at him with a hopeful gaze. "I have another request."
"I am not surprised," he commented as he looked at her.
"Apologies..."
"Get to the point," he interrupted her, his voice firm.
"I wish to visit my home."
In response, he raised a brow and heard her continue, "It’s extremely important that I return. I told Your Highness before that I was meeting my master to get help for my family member who is not well." She stopped and looked at him, who merely stared back like he was waiting to hear more. "Master taught me what I needed to do and it’s important that I get that medicine home before my family member’s condition worsens."
There was a stretch of silence that caused Oriana discomfort. Hesitantly, she raised her lowered gaze to look at him.
’Why is he not saying anything? What’s with this silent stare? Is he not planning to permit me? Do I need to run away?’
"I was wondering why a village boy like you came to the capital, even opting to work in the royal palace when you sound satisfied living in the countryside, dedicated to your work as a herbalist. A proud free spirit who doesn’t hesitate to beat a noble is ready to bear the humiliation of serving another person."
Her throat went dry. ’Why is he bringing this up?’
"You coming here is not a coincidence. You learned your master was coming and you entered the palace to meet him. Once you get what you want, you plan to run away, am I correct?"
Shivers ran down her spine. ’How...How did he guess that? Can he read my thoughts of what? she shook her head, ’that can’t be. But what should I say now?’
"Do you know the consequences of a royal servant running away, hmm?"
Arlan raised a brow, waiting for her to reply.
"I-I dare not, Your Highness! Your Highness has treated me well and I have nothing but gratitude for you. I plan to keep serving Your Highness all my life," she cried out, as if she was offended that Arlan thought so lowly of her. ’Let’s lie for now, or else he won’t ever let me go. Since young, I have been lying to the world about my gender. I have spouted worse nonsense than this to save myself. One more lie won’t hurt me.’
Once again, the response she got from the prince was a mere stare. His expression didn’t allow her to know what was going on in his mind.
Under his intense gaze, Oriana’s mood began to plummet. Was there no other way but to run away? Regardless of her reason, even if she managed to escape the palace alive, she would become a wanted fugitive and be hunted for the rest of her life.
"A week."
"Huh?"
"You have to return before the delegation leaves for the summit in Othinia after a week."
"Y-Your Highness? You are giving your permission...?"
"Roman will explain the rest to you," Arlan continued, ignoring her question. "You have to come with me as my personal attendant."
"A week?" she mumbled again. "I won’t get enough time to spend with my—"
"That’s the price for the debt you owe me," she heard him say.
"It will take me a week to reach there and returning another week."
"You are not going by any ordinary transportation which takes time. Let Roman know when you plan to leave for Wimark. He will help you with your transportation."
As soon as he said those words, he lay down in bed.
Baffled yet relieved, Oriana could only stare at him.
His annoyed voice pulled her out of her daze.
"Are you going to keep standing there?"
She hurried to cover his body with a blanket. He turned his back on her, as if there was nothing more to talk about.
Feeling grateful and dejected, she went to sit on the chair, ready to spend her night as his nanny as usual.
Oriana ought to be happy she got what she wanted—his consent to leave the royal palace—but the implication of the prince’s words, determining her future as his servant for life, made her unable to smile. She wondered where things started to go wrong.
’I’m tired.’
At this moment, she didn’t want to think about anything. The constant struggle to survive without getting caught, the happiness of being accepted as an apprentice, the fact that her gender was discovered, that thing about black magic...
Oriana closed her eyes, hoping to get a dreamless sleep.