Chapter 387: Preparation of Engagement

Chapter 387: Preparation of Engagement The following morning, Oriana’s room door finally swung open, allowing her lady servants to breathe a collective sigh of relief. They assisted Oriana in getting ready, noticing her uncharacteristically subdued demeanor. Ever since they first met Oriana, they had been cautious around her, but today, their wariness was amplified.

Oriana hardly spoke and scarcely acknowledged anything they did. She let them carry out their duties without interference, as if she had little interest in the proceedings. Her quiet demeanor exuded a cold and authoritative aura, making it clear that they should all conduct themselves with utmost care in her presence.

She didn’t display the usual preoccupation with her appearance and behavior that often preoccupied young ladies from noble families. Her demeanor appeared aloof and unapproachable, discouraging any inclination to initiate communication with her.

Even the Queen of the Kingdom seemed more easygoing and approachable in comparison to this Crown Princess.

Once she was ready and had her meal, Oriana stood by the window of her room, gazing blankly outside. Her lady-in-waiting, Ana, informed her, "Your Highness, Mister Barlow has mentioned that Her Majesty has dispatched a team to assist you in preparing for the engagement tomorrow. The master who serves the Royal family is also here to attend to your attire and jewelry."

Oriana remained silent, leaving her servants waiting in anxious anticipation.

’Engagement?’ A smirk tugged at the corners of Oriana’s lips. ’Let’s do that then.’ Her gaze turned icy as she raised her left hand, staring at her ring finger. ’I’m curious to see how he’ll react when he places that ring on my finger.’ That light smirk on her lips, widened as it appeared wicked.

"Y-Your Highness?" The servant called out nervously, finally drawing Oriana’s attention. She turned to face the servant and replied, "Let’s go."

Ana, who had constantly felt like she was treading on thin ice around her mistress, felt the tension in her body ease. She led the way for Oriana, her smile now appearing more genuine.

In the drawing room, the master and his apprentices were well-prepared with an array of dresses and jewelry, having received an urgent notice from the Rose Palace.

They all bowed respectfully to the veiled woman who had entered. The butler, Astral Barlow, addressed her, "Your Highness, please take a seat."

Oriana complied and settled into one of the chairs, her eyes assessing the various items displayed before her.

The master of the Royal family’s attire stepped forward, offering, "Your Highness, these are the most exquisite dresses and jewelry I have prepared for you. Please peruse them and choose those that please you. As this is a momentous occasion, your engagement, I am committed to adjusting any garment to your liking, ensuring you appear as the most beautiful woman..."

"Do I need to exert any effort to be the most beautiful woman here?" Oriana interjected, her words cutting him off. With a self-assured look, she removed the veil covering the lower half of her face, arching an eyebrow to convey her confidence in her own beauty.

The master and his apprentices could only stare at the stunning woman with their mouths slightly agape, utterly captivated by the beauty before them. Her allure was undeniable, and her confidence and hint of arrogance only enhanced her appeal, as though she alone could carry such an attitude and still be utterly enchanting.

Cough!

The butler cleared his throat, snapping the shocked master and apprentices out of their impolite gaze upon the Crown Princess. It was considered inappropriate to look Royalty in the eyes.

"Apologies, Your Highness," the master said, finally regaining his composure. "I withdraw my previous statement. Your Highness’s beauty is beyond compare, and anything you wear will undoubtedly be enhanced by your presence."

"I know," Oriana cut him off and summoned her lady-in-waiting, Ana, who had been standing to the side. "Ana."

Ana stepped forward and responded, "Yes, Your Highness?"

"Choose whatever attire and jewelry you believe will be suitable for tomorrow’s engagement," Oriana declared, leaving those present thoroughly astonished. It was her engagement, and she would be the one to select everything.

"Your Highness, how can I?" Ana stammered, feeling increasingly nervous. She found it incredibly challenging to comprehend this woman’s unpredictability.

"Did you not hear the master say that anything I wear will look better on me?" Oriana retorted.

"Y-Yes, Your Highness."

"Then, don’t waste time. Select anything," Oriana commanded, not bothering to cast her eyes over the array of garments and jewelry before her.

She considered the process a needless expenditure of time and energy when it was something she was doing only for her revenge. Instead, she intended to use this time to strategize her next moves – how she would handle the insufferable man and how she might turn his life into a living nightmare.

’Arlan Cromwell, you want me gone, but what if I want to stay and show you that you have messed up with the wrong person this time. You don’t want to get engaged, but I swear to do everything opposite of what you want. Let’s see how you can stop me.’ Her hazel eyes carried the darkness in them as she touched her neck, ’Yesterday was the last time you had laid your hands on me. After this, I will give you back what you give me. I am already a traitor, so killing a Crown Prince won’t make any difference. Just you wait.’

The butler, Astral Barlow, had been observing her since the moment she entered the room and had been closely attuned to her mannerisms. With years of experience, he possessed a keen understanding of people. It was evident that this woman had no interest in being a Crown Princess, nor did she harbor any desire for luxury.

’Crown Prince certainly has his match,’ Barlow mused, recognizing the strength of character and defiance in the Crown Princess.

Inside Arlan’s study, Alex reported, "Your Highness, we’ve been monitoring the young man named Luke, but we haven’t discovered anything suspicious about him. To the best of our knowledge, even his family is unaware of the Verner family, and they have no knowledge of Miss Verner’s status. This man is employed at the palace for the renovation of the residence adjacent to Thistle Palace, but it seems he doesn’t recognize the Crown Princess."

Arlan, engrossed in his work, offered a simple nod and continued his tasks. "Keep an eye on him. He might come handy when the time comes."

Shortly thereafter, Roman entered the study.

"Your Highness, Her Majesty has sent attire for tomorrow’s engagement," Roman announced. "The master is present and requires your selection for the dress of your preference."

Arlan, who remained focused on his work, didn’t bother to look up as he replied, "Choose whatever you see fit."

"Your Highness..."

"You may leave," Arlan interrupted him.

Roman bowed and exited the study.

In the midst of the renovation at the Crown Princess’s residence, Kane inquired, "What’s your estimate? How many more days until it’s completed?"

Luke, focused on his tasks, replied, "We should have everything finished within a week, considering the workforce we have."

Kane surveyed the mansion while standing in the foyer, remarking, "Everything is turning out exceptionally beautiful. I’m certain the Crown Princess will be pleased."

Luke remained nonchalant; in his view, his duty was to deliver his best craftsmanship.

"Now, only the bedchamber remains. I must say, I’m quite fond of the design you’ve created, Luke."

"It will be finished soon," Luke responded, his tone unwavering, as he retrieved the design sheet and ascended the stairs to reach the Crown Princess’s bedchamber, with Kane following closely. Upon entering the chamber, Kane couldn’t resist complimenting, "Entrusting this chamber’s work to you was undoubtedly the right choice."

Unperturbed by the praise, Luke began his work, and Kane joined him.

After a while, it was time for a lunch break, and they, along with the other workers laboring in the palace, headed to have their meal.

While Luke and Kane ate their meals with the other workers, they couldn’t help but overhear the chatter about palace affairs.

"I heard there’s a Crown Prince’s engagement tomorrow."

"Finally, our Crown Prince is getting married. Even the Second Prince got married before him. It’s good that they finally found Crown Prince’s betrothed."

"Found her? What do you mean by that?"

"Don’t you know the Crown Prince’s betrothed was missing, and they were searching for her for many years?" one of the workers explained. "My distant relative works in the Oak Palace as a guard, and he mentioned that His Majesty even sent his personal knight to protect the Princess."

Another worker chimed in, "But I heard the Crown Prince isn’t too keen on this betrothal."

Someone else added, "How can our Prince agree to marry someone who was missing for so long, and no one knows anything about her? Shouldn’t he marry someone he knows well, who’s deserving of becoming his Queen?"

"What do you know? If His Majesty has chosen someone, then she must be the most deserving to become a Crown Princess."

"But if our Prince doesn’t like her, given how intimidating he is, I doubt he’ll make things easy for her."

"What’s that got to do with us? Don’t you know we shouldn’t gossip about the Royal family? If any guard overhears us, we’ll all be punished."

The conversation came to an abrupt halt.

Luke, although he heard the discussion, was not particularly interested in it. He did, however, wonder what kind of person the Crown Prince must be to command such caution and fear. He’d been at the palace for a while now but had never encountered the man who was to be their future king.

Shaking his head, Luke thought, ’It’s none of my concern.’ Royals and nobles were not his preferred company, and he had no desire to become entangled with them. His primary reason for coming to the capital was for work and to earn a living. If not for Oriana’s employment at the palace, he wouldn’t have ventured there.

His thoughts then shifted to someone he had been missing in recent days. ’I wonder how Orian is doing. It’s been nearly two weeks, and he hasn’t returned yet. I hope everything is alright with his grandfather. Once I complete this work, and if he’s still not back, I’ll return to the village and check on him.’