"That’s enough!" he said coldly, making her move back instinctively. Arlan stood up, causing lavender-scented water to splash about, and stepped out of the bath.
"...S-Soap is still on your body, my Lord," she stammered after regaining her senses.
"Go out. I will take care of it," he said, his back still facing her.
Oriana pressed her lips together and walked out after bowing. What she did not notice was that the ears of her master were burning bright red under his hair.
Arlan sighed as soon as she disappeared from sight. His gaze landed on the wooden bucket filled with cold water at the side. He picked it up and poured the entire bucket over his head. ’It’s nothing. She startled me, that’s all. I will be fine as soon as the surprise wears off.’ He then threw the bucket away.
Thud!
’What’s this sound? Did he fall or something?’ Oriana didn’t dare go inside after being rudely kicked out. Though she had no idea what happened, she felt that her chances of being in the Lord’s good graces diminished by a large increment. She worriedly paced outside the side chamber.
’How do I make him think highly of me? In the first place, how do I improve his mood?’
After a while, she saw Arlan stepping out of the side chamber with a towel wrapped around his waist.
At the sight of it, Oriana unconsciously gulped and thought, ’I heard the sight of beautiful women can take a man’s breath away, but why is it the other way around for me? What’s happening to me? Am I becoming a pervert woman just like this pervert Lord?’’
Arlan noticed the indecency hidden in her gaze and inwardly berated her, ’And you dare think I am the pervert here? This girl!’
Oriana opened the door of the wardrobe room for him but...
"Call Neil to attend to me," he ordered, sending Oriana to summon one of his personal servants from the palace.
"My Lord—"
"You go check the meal prepared for me," Arlan instructed before she could complete her sentence. He then entered the side chamber, leaving her unable to react.
’If I expose her identity as a woman, I wonder if she would still dare act this bold. Under the disguise of a man, this woman acts worse than a perverted man. A big pervert.’
Oriana did as she was told and went outside. ’Is he not satisfied with my service? Will he ask to get himself another valet? No, I can’t let it happen. I shall put more effort into serving him well. If I don’t succeed in making him like me, I don’t know how long it will take for me to get inside the royal palace.’
During the morning meal, Arlan ate in silence and didn’t instruct Oriana anything after he was done. Once he left, she looked at the leftover food. ’Lord Grumpy didn’t ask me to finish it. Shall I or shall I not?’
Meanwhile, Arlan proceeded to a different drawing room with an open veranda leading to an orchard. The door to the veranda was open, allowing the pleasant breeze to enter the room.
His aide offered the prince a scroll which he accepted, but others there could see their liege’s attention was somewhere else.
The aide started to explain things to him, ’...since the Second Prince is heading for the countryside with his new wife, His Majesty ordered that you attend this gathering as a representative of the royal family in your brother’s stead.
’...The controversy about the ownership of the ruby mines, the royal court made this decision, but His Majesty is yet to approve their proposal. The Marquis asks that you speak in his favor to convince His Majesty—’
Imbert and Rafal were present as well to update Arlan about the situation related to the previous night’s case. They had three prime candidates about the noble house backing the illegal slave market. Though Arlan was listening, his attention didn’t seem to be with them.
That distracted state lasted until a certain young attendant entered the room with freshly brewed tea. Arlan’s gaze moved towards her, following her every step.
Everyone noticed this but no one dared voice out their opinions on this matter.
Rafal criticized in his mind, ’This damn pretty boy. For His Highness to be charmed by him like this. How scary!’
Oriana placed the expensive tea on the table and looked at Arlan, only to have him avert his gaze from her and resume to read the scroll.
"Tea, my Lord. Please enjoy it while it’s hot—"
"You can leave."
Though startled once again with cold behavior, Oriana did as she was told. Arlan placed the scroll in his hand to the side and his aide offered him another one.
"In this scroll, Lord Lucas proposed changes on the initial draft of the covert operation for raiding the suspected headquarters of the slave traders."
"Hmm, well made," was what Arlan said in response, nodding in satisfaction.
The aide awkwardly cleared his throat. "Your Highness, the scroll... is upside down."
’Damn it.’
With a groan, Arlan threw the scroll on the table and closed his eyes. His tense shoulders leaned back in the chair, one hand massaging his temple.
"Your Highness, are you not feeling well?" the aide asked, worriedly sharing glances with the knights. "Shall I call for a royal physician?"
"No need."
"Uhm, shall I ask a servant to brew you soothing tea? Let me get Orian to"
"No!" Arlan exclaimed which shocked others.
’What happened to His Highness? He was fine last night.’
Arlan stood up and grabbed the scroll about the raid. "Let’s take care of this matter."
"Your Highness, you look tired. Maybe you should rest a little," the aide suggested.
"I am alright," Arlan said. Some time later, the prince and his knights left the Ahren Residence on horseback. .
Oriana watched their figures until they disappeared beyond the gates.
She recalled Arlan’s furrowed brows, his grim expression causing everyone who had seen it to worry.
’He doesn’t look well. I thought he’s just being moody. Did something serious happen for real for this brat to act so Grumpy?’