Chapter 415: I Will Leave

Chapter 415: I Will LeaveOriana’s heart seized as she observed Arlan, who sat before her, his form still. His words weighed heavily on her mind as he spoke with a deliberate drawl, "I heard that man is working on the renovation of the Crown Princess’ newly prepared mansion. I was wondering if he is aware of what kind of danger he had put himself in for the sake of a woman who has been deceiving him, pretending to be a man."

The more she listened, the more Oriana felt her body turn to ice, a shock that seemed to paralyze her. Luke—someone she deeply cared for. It wasn’t just Luke; it was his family too. They had always extended their kindness to her and her grandfather.

’What is he doing in the palace? Shouldn’t he have returned to Wimark by now? That means it wasn’t my illusion that day; it was truly Luke. He might be in danger because of me. I need to protect him.’ Her gaze focused on Arlan, convinced that a man who didn’t flinch from harming her grandfather wouldn’t hesitate to harm Luke.

She gathered herself and replied, "He has nothing to do with me. He was merely a son of a neighboring family I addressed as my brother, but he is nothing more than a stranger to me."

"After indulging in the luxuries here, have you already forgotten the poor man?" Arlan quipped with a tone dripping with mockery. He didn’t wait for her response and continued, "Nothing unexpected, coming from greedy and deceitful woman like you."

Oriana didn’t dispute it. "That’s true, so there’s no need for him to know anything about me and my grandfather." Her expression remained cool, as if Luke held no significance in her life.

Arlan let out a disdainful scoff. "And here I thought you’d be concerned to find out he’s suddenly injured and absent from work today. Seems I was mistaken," he added, his gaze fixed on her, awaiting the erosion of her calm façade.

"Injured? Did you do something to him to get back at me?" Oriana’s composure crumbled, replaced by worry as memories of moments spent with Luke flooded her mind.

An evil smirk played on Arlan’s lips as he confessed, "Do you still dare doubt my intentions? Wasn’t it enough to let you see my sword piercing that old man?"

Oriana fought the urge to unleash her anger upon him, her restraint evident in her response. "I’ve already told you, I have no involvement with him. Why do you want to bring harm to that family?"

Arlan’s gaze darkened further as he noticed her concern for Luke. "Then why are you so disturbed to learn that he’s been injured?"

"That family cared for my grandfather in my absence when I was occupied as your servant. I owe them at least some companionship."

Arlan dismissed their kindness with a scornful tone. "Took care of that old man, tsk. Then that entire family deserves punishment. They sheltered and assisted a traitor, and that’s an offense no different from being traitors themselves."

Oriana felt the ground beneath her tremble. This man had a twisted way of thinking, causing her unnecessary turmoil.

"Imbert," Arlan called, summoning the aide. Imbert Loyset promptly entered the drawing room, asking, "Yes, Your Highness?"

"Place that man, Luke, in prison, and send our men to apprehend the rest of his family and bring them to the capital," Arlan ordered.

Oriana’s shock and horror were palpable as she gazed at him, wondering how cruel he could become. In a rush of panic, she pleaded, "Please, do not harm them. I’ve told you they have nothing to do with me."

"But you’ve inadvertently proven their complicity, turning them into traitors. I show no mercy to traitors. You know it well by now, don’t you?" Arlan spoke with indifference. "If not for my father, you both would be dead by now. While my father may have reasons to protect you, he has no such reason to shield that unfortunate family. I can eliminate them, and the King wouldn’t even bat an eye."

Oriana knelt on the floor, her voice filled with desperation as she implored him, "Please, do not harm them. I earnestly request it."

Arlan’s response was unyielding, his tone firm. "You’ve left me with no other recourse."

He turned to Imbert, issuing his command, "What are you waiting for?"

Imbert began to bow and leave, but then Oriana halted him. She turned to Arlan and admitted defeat. "Your Highness, I concede. I will leave as you wish. Please reconsider your orders."

But her pleas seemed to have little impact on Arlan. "How can I trust you when you continually backtrack on your promises, only to return with yet another excuse for staying here?"

Her eyes welled with tears, and she pressed on, her voice trembling with sincerity. "I give you my word. I swear on my grandfather’s life that I will leave. Please, Your Highness, retract your orders."

Arlan shifted his gaze between Oriana and Imbert, finally relenting by dismissing the aide as if rescinding his earlier orders. He then turned back to Oriana. "I have done as you asked. Now, you must leave."

"I promise to depart, but grant me some time," Oriana pleaded with urgency. "My grandfather is in no condition to be moved. I’m working on a potent medicine that requires a bit more time. Once it’s ready, my grandpa will recover, and I will leave. Trust me; it won’t take long."

Arlan remained impassive, as if her words couldn’t sway him.

Understanding his reluctance to have her around and his reluctance to marry her, she added, "I have no desire to marry you either. I’ll leave long before our wedding day arrives. You can then marry the one destined for you. Our betrothal won’t hinder your path. I request you to grant me this time."

Arlan clenched his fist, visibly torn. After a moment, he released his grip and rose from his seat. "I have no wish to see you in the wedding hall."

"I won’t be there," she assured with determination.

Arlan didn’t meet her gaze and turned to leave, but then halted as he heard her again. "Wait."

He stopped but remained facing away from her.

"Where is he? Luke. I want to see him," she asked.

An eerie silence filled the room, and a sense of unease settled over Oriana. She couldn’t fathom why, but she felt a gnawing fear creeping into her heart, as though she had asked something terribly wrong.

"At least not dead, yet," Arlan’s cold voice replied, and without providing any more information, he left, leaving Oriana kneeling on the floor, her life’s difficulties seemingly endless. She needed to find out about Luke, to ensure his well-being. He was the man who had always protected her in his own way, and she felt a deep gratitude toward him. The thought of him being harmed was unbearable.

With a deep breath, Oriana composed herself, wiped away her tears, and stood. By the time she stepped out of the drawing room, Arlan and his knights had vanished.

Conor approached Oriana, asking, "Your Highness, is everything all right?"

Realizing she could seek assistance from this man, she nodded and addressed him, "I need your help, Commander Loyset."

"Please, go ahead, Your Highness," Conor replied.

"There’s a man named Luke working on the renovation of the Crown Prince’s new palace. Can you please find out his whereabouts and inform me?"

"I will," Conor affirmed. "Is there anything else you require my assistance with?"

Shaking her head, Oriana responded, "That will be all. Just make it as soon as possible."

Conor nodded and left, setting off to fulfill her request.

Oriana returned to her study, her ever-watchful servant, Ana, trailing behind her. Ana always had a foreboding sense whenever Oriana had to interact with Arlan, and she could only worry for her mistress. She knew that Oriana would keep her thoughts guarded, so her way of caring for her was through preparing tea and snacks and silently tending to her needs.

Seated behind her desk, Oriana leaned back in her chair, her eyes closed. Her mind was a blank canvas, not knowing how to confront the challenges that lay ahead. She felt lost, yearning for a miraculous solution to erase all her difficulties.

After approximately half an hour, Conor arrived at the study.

Oriana looked at the knight, her voice filled with anxiety. "Any news about him?"

Conor nodded. "He was injured during his work. It seems that someone mishandled the heavy wooden materials meant for the renovation, and Luke hurt his hand while attempting to save his friend."

"Trying to save his friend, and not a direct injury?" she inquired.

"It seems to have been an accident," Conor assured.

Half relieved and half worried, Oriana found herself uncertain. She wasn’t sure if it was genuinely an accident or if there was more to the story. "Is his injury severe?"

"It’s not life-threatening, but he might need some time to recover and won’t be able to work for a while," the knight explained.

"Where is he now?"

"He received medical treatment, but despite being advised to rest for the day, he’s still helping with the work."

Oriana’s expression darkened inwardly. She stood up, declaring, "I wish to see the progress of the renovation at my new residence."

"Your Highness, it might not be safe to visit while the work is ongoing."

"I’ve grown up dealing with perilous situations. I fear nothing," she asserted as she walked out of the study, her determination evident that she was determined to go there, regardless of the risks.

It was time to face Luke.