Chapter 26: Is He Into Pretty Boys?

Chapter 26: Is He Into Pretty Boys?Hearing her, Arlan stopped in a disbelief, as if wondering if he heard something wrong.

There was silence for a while and once again he heard her mumbling, "Ah, now I can breathe finally. Such a relief. Didn’t know one day I would feel like dying only to be able to pee."

Arlan really had no way to react to this. He had the urge to laugh loudly but he suppressed it, not wanting her to realize he could hear her. ’I sure don’t want to imagine what she is doing inside.’

Inside the washroom, Oriana had just washed her hands. She then splashed clean water on her face and looked at the image of a pretty boy staring at her in the mirror.

"...I do not understand. Why is that brat sticking to my side like glue? Why does he look proud about us sleeping in the same bed...? His intentions to a commoner like me..."

A thought struck her, and she gasped loudly, covering her mouth with her wet palms.

"Don’t tell me that brat is into pretty boys and trying to take his chance with me?"

Cough!

Arlan already forgot he was supposed to leave. His legs were like trees rooted on the floor. ’What the...’

"... that must be the reason! No wonder he wouldn’t pay me, no wonder he won’t return my knife. He is waiting for me to offer my body to him and serve him on my own accord. This filthy swine! I thought I would be safe dressing as a man, but playing as a handsome youth is also not safe! He must be dead drunk just like me so he did nothing with me but... I need to run. I need to save myself..."

Arlan frowned at her conclusion and gritted his teeth.

When she stepped out of the washroom, she discovered Arlan watching her intently, his gaze not leaving her even for a moment.

Oriana felt wary of his gaze. ’The way he is staring at me, seems like I was right about him. A swine! He is indeed a filthy swine!’

Seeing the vigilant way she looked at him, Arlan could tell she was having funny, insulting thoughts in her little head. ’This girl! How foolish can one be?’

Oriana schooled her expression into a humble one and bowed. "Young Master, apologies for troubling you, but I shall take my leave now. My family must be worried as I didn’t return home the previous night. I pray for your understanding."

With what she thought about him, he had no heart to stop her. "Leave."

She bowed again and wanted to leave, but she stopped in her tracks when she recalled something. "Uhh, Young Master, when can I expect my knife to be returned?"

"Come find me in Wimark estate when you can," he instructed.

"W-Wimark Estate?"

The House of Wimark was not merely a local tyrant, it was the family of the territory lord. The head of the family was duke! What was the concept of a duke? A high-ranked noble second only to the royal family, and Duke Wimark was a powerful figure who controlled not only Jerusha City but all the cities, towns and villages of the North!

’This brat belonged to such an esteemed family? No wonder he’s such a good-for-nothing pervert!’

"I am a guest staying there," Arlan continued, unaware of the chaos in her mind, and raised a brow at her stupefied face, "or do you expect me to bring it to your home?"

"My home? O-Of course not, Young Master," she smiled awkwardly. "I will surely come there to retrieve my knife."

Knowing he was not part of the House of Wimark brought no relief to Oriana. To be received as a guest of a duke’s family, his identity must not be a simple young master. Regardless, Oriana could not afford to entangle with him anymore.

Arlan didn’t say a word more until she left. When she stepped out of the room, she was welcomed by the sight of two robust knights guarding outside.

Oriana quietly lowered her head and left as fast as she reasonably could. Rafal continued to look at her retreating back. Once she disappeared from sight, he was met with Imbert’s cold gaze, silently asking him why he was staring at that young man.

Rafal smiled awkwardly. "I was just making sure if he stole anything."

Imbert didn’t buy it. He could guess the reason for Rafal’s action."Do not use your brain more than required."

"Understood, Commander." The younger knight lowered his gaze. Imbert knocked before entering the room with Rafal.

They bowed to the prince. "Good morning, Your Highness."

Arlan had a dark expression on his face due to Oriana’s misunderstanding. This made Rafal especially nervous.

The prince glanced at his knights. "Did you take care of the matter?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Those men won’t show up in this city ever."

Arlan simply replied with an approving nod and they returned to the Wimark Estate.

When Arlan accompanied the Duke and Duchess of Wimark for their morning meal, he had already expected his sister to question him about his whereabouts the previous night.

"You stayed outside the entire night. Was it that important of a work? You did not even send a message."

Arlan nodded as he enjoyed the tasty food. "It was important and confidential."

Alvera could not help but sigh. "You should avoid staying outside without any proper security around you. This is the border, not the capital. I know you are strong, but no one is invincible. A small negligence can cost you your life. I heard you had only two knights with you—"

"Those two knights are equal to one squad of Wimark estate guards."

"Are you looking down at the skills of our guards?"

"I am simply stating the facts about my knights."

"There is no use arguing with you." She sighed.

Arlan turned his attention to the Duke. "Merchant Oisin has been taken care of. I had my men send the records of their underground business to your study."

Rhys, who had remained mute while the pair of siblings argued, wiped his mouth with a table napkin. "Once we catch Merchant Finn, I shall send your accomplishments to the royal court.."

"I will leave for Selve Port three days from now," Arlan replied.

"Isn’t Dray arriving at Selve in five days?" Alvera asked.

"I am going there earlier so I can take care of these things first before Drayce arrives."

"As you feel right," she agreed and then observed his face for a moment, "You seem to be in foul mood. Who dared offend you?"

This reminded him of that foolish girl and he could not help but frown inwardly. ’Such an idiot.’