Chapter 513: We Can Test It

Chapter 513: We Can Test ItOriana sat on the couch beside Arlan, a sense of uncertainty lingering in her expression.

"How are you feeling now, Oriana?" Evanthe asked with a warm smile. "Or shall I start addressing you as my queen now?"

Oriana gazed at the elegant woman before her, the Queen of witches, and couldn’t help but contemplate the immense power she must possess.

"Please call me by my name only, Lady Evanthe," Oriana responded gently. "I am not ready to embrace the title of Queen of witches just yet."

Evanthe nodded understandingly, her smile unwavering. "As you wish. So, how are you feeling?"

"Much better. There is no need for further treatment," Oriana replied, subtly indicating her desire for solitude. She didn’t wish to involve others in her affairs and had no interest in delving deeper into the world of supernaturals.

"That’s reassuring to hear," Evanthe replied, respecting Oriana’s wishes. "Let’s delve into your powers and true identity a bit more. And there are some questions my friend Sierra would like to ask, if you don’t mind."

"I’m fine with it," Oriana replied, though a hint of apprehension flickered in her eyes.

"You already know you’re a Black Witch and the Queen of the entire Witch clan. But beyond that, there’s another significant aspect to your identity," Evanthe explained, locking eyes with Oriana, sensing her growing tension. "Your lineage doesn’t originate from the human realm, but from somewhere else entirely."

"Somewhere else?" Oriana echoed, her voice barely a whisper.

"Other than the Human realm, there are two more realms," Evanthe explained, her tone measured. "Heaven and Demon realms. And out of these two, you belong to..."

"Demon realm," Oriana interjected, a sense of certainty in her voice even before Evanthe could respond.

"Yes, the Demon realm," Evanthe confirmed, studying Oriana closely. "Can you sense it yourself?"

Oriana shook her head slowly. "I’m not sure, but the darkness I felt that night... it leads me to only one conclusion. Heaven’s realm is meant for deities, pure and devoid of darkness. So I can’t belong there. That leaves me with only one possibility.

"Do you believe that belonging to the Demon realm means embracing darkness, while the heaven realm is about purity and goodness?" Sierra interjected, her curiosity evident.

"Deities are often associated with goodness, and Demons..." Oriana paused, her expression tight as if grappling with acceptance.

"It’s not that straightforward, Oriana," Sierra interjected gently. "You’ve been raised among humans, surrounded by their beliefs that gods are inherently good and demons are inherently evil. But reality isn’t so black and white. We often perceive things based on what powerful beings show us, believing it to be absolute truth. But no one is purely good or evil. Every being possesses both good and bad sides, and which side prevails often depends on the circumstances they face. So, don’t be quick to label Demons as purely evil. You certainly are not evil."

Oriana regarded Sierra, the woman in the hood whom Seren had identified as her mother. "Then why am I here and not in the Demon realm?" she finally voiced her question.

"You are reincarnated here in the mortal world," Evanthe stated calmly.

"Reincarnated? Then, who was I before this?" Oriana inquired, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"The Princess of the Demon realm, the most powerful Demoness, Esmeray," Evanthe revealed, her tone steady.

At the mention of the name, Oriana’s body trembled, memories of her nightmares flooding her mind. "Esmeray," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

Sensing her distress, Arlan gently grasped her hand. "What’s wrong?" he asked, concern evident in his tone.

"That name... I heard it in my nightmares," Oriana confessed, her eyes moist with unshed tears.

Arlan continued to comfort her, his touch a reassuring presence. "You don’t have to be afraid anymore. We’ll find a solution."

"Oriana, if you share your nightmares with us, we might be able to understand their significance and find a remedy," Yorian, who had been silent until now, suggested.

Once Oriana regained her composure, she recounted her nightmares to them.

"So, they are attempting to reach her through her dreams," Sierra remarked, exchanging knowing looks with Evanthe and Yorian.

"Who are you referring to, Lady Sierra?" Oriana inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"The inhabitants of the Demon realm, those who reside there, are trying to locate their princess," Sierra explained, echoing the tale she had shared with Evanthe and the others. "...they need you to safeguard the Demon realm and release them from the barrier you’ve erected to seal it off."

Oriana was taken aback. Could she truly possess such power?

"But what if I don’t wish to go back there?" Oriana voiced her concern.

"You may not have a choice," Sierra responded somberly. "You might be compelled to return. We’re uncertain how long your human body can withstand the power of the Demoness within you. There may come a time when you have to go back to protect yourself."

"I don’t want to," Oriana protested, her apprehension palpable.

"Even if you do return, they won’t harm you. Instead, they will cherish and protect you. You are their princess, the one they need the most. You have nothing to fear," Sierra assured her. "However, when the time comes, we’ll do our best to find a solution so you can remain here and avoid returning to the Demon realm. But I cannot make any promises yet."

"Thank you, Lady Sierra," Oriana said gratefully.

"Now, there’s something we must discuss regarding preventing your nightmares," Evanthe interjected, shifting the focus. "You have a knife with you that acts as a talisman."

"How do you know about it?" Oriana asked, surprised. She had never shared this information with anyone except her grandfather.

"I’m the one who gave you that knife," Evanthe revealed, causing Oriana’s expression to turn even more astonished.

Evanthe then proceeded to explain the events that occurred after Oriana’s birth, detailing how she had sealed Oriana’s existence and that of the knife. "So, I’m curious, have you ever experienced not having nightmares even when you didn’t have this knife with you?"

Oriana herself had been pondering a realization for some time, and she finally spoke up, "I experienced it when I couldn’t have that knife with me, whenever I had to be with His Highness."

"Arlan," the man beside her corrected gently.

With a frown, she glanced at him, "I was recalling the days when I was your servant, so it slipped out like that."

"You should also remember the night you spent with me as my wife," Arlan reminded her softly. "The previous night, you slept soundly next to me without any nightmares."

Oriana frowned, her discomfort evident. "Can’t you be more careful about what you say in front of others?"

"They’re not just others. They’re like friends and family," Arlan countered, casting a warm glance at the others. "Isn’t that right?"

"Of course," Evanthe chuckled.

Sierra chimed in, "So it seems you don’t experience those nightmares whenever Prince Arlan is with you."

"I believe so," Oriana confirmed tentatively.

"We can put it to the test tonight," Yorian proposed.

"A test?" Oriana echoed, her brow furrowing.

Arlan shot a disapproving look at the elf. He wasn’t thrilled about the idea of his wife sleeping alone or more like he had to stay away from her.

Sensing Arlan’s reaction, Yorian offered a playful smirk, "You won’t mind, Prince Arlan, will you?"

Arlan sighed, relenting, "Whatever is best for her."

Evanthe explained further, "Oriana, tonight you’ll sleep alone and without the knife. Once you’ve drifted off, we’ll observe and provide you with a definitive answer. It might help us to solve other issues you might face."

"Alright," Oriana agreed, though a sense of unease lingered in her mind at the thought of experiencing another nightmare.

"Now that you know your true identity, don’t be afraid of anything. We’re all here to support you," Sierra reassured her. "Is there anything else you’d like to ask, Oriana?"

Oriana nodded. "Lady Sierra, you mentioned being from the heavenly realm, and despite the historical conflict between heaven and demon realms, your lack of animosity towards Esmeray, the Demoness, intrigues me. Did you know her?"

Sierra nodded solemnly. "We used to be friends."

"Can you share more about her, about my past life?" Oriana pressed further.

"Just know that you weren’t just the most powerful Demoness, but also a kind soul who protected the innocent and stood by justice. You were cherished by many," Sierra replied with a gentle smile.

Oriana nodded, determination glinting in her eyes. "I’ll eagerly await that day."

"Perhaps you’ll remember them sooner than I can tell you," Sierra remarked. "All I can recall are the times we spent as friends. Your experiences within the Demon I am not aware of it. You’ll have to unravel on your own as you regain your memories."

"I will," Oriana affirmed with a nod.

As the three friends rose to leave, Yorian cast a gentle gaze at Oriana. "Take care. If anything troubles you, don’t hesitate to call on me."

"There’s no need," Arlan interjected, wrapping an arm around Oriana’s shoulder. "She has me to handle all her troubles."

"I was referring to troubles caused by a certain prince. Like before, she might need her friend to clear her mind," Yorian directed his gaze at Oriana, prompting a nod of agreement from her, much to Arlan’s chagrin.

Before Arlan could respond, the three friends vanished from their spots, leaving him to confront Oriana’s troubled expression. He had intended to caution her against turning to another man when she had him, but seeing her anxiety about the upcoming night and the possibility of nightmares, he chose to remain silent.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be right beside you," he reassured her, noting her silent nod.

Arlan gently turned her to face him, his desire to protect her outweighing any jealousy he might have felt.

"How about we go out? You’ve been invited by Drayce and Seren. It’s Seren’s first time visiting the tavern, so she wanted you to accompany her," Arlan informed Oriana.

"The tavern?" Oriana raised an eyebrow. "The Queen is going to a place like a tavern?"

Arlan nodded, offering an explanation. "It wouldn’t hurt for you to accompany her. You’re no stranger to such places."

Oriana’s mind flashed back to her previous visit to the tavern with Arlan. She had indulged in drinking and even spent a night with him. How foolish she had been...but... wait there was something she was more curious and needed to get answer finally.

"I have something to ask," she announced.

"Go ahead," Arlan encouraged.

"Since when were you aware that I’m a woman?" Oriana inquired.

"Since our first encounter," Arlan replied casually.

"Our first encounter?" Oriana furrowed her brow, trying to recall. "You mean the one in the alley, where you were following me and I caught you?"

A playful chuckle escaped Arlan as he tilted his head slightly. "Was that truly our first encounter?"

Oriana blinked in confusion, trying to decipher his playful demeanor.

"In the forest... when you were on the hunt..." she murmured, pieces of memory falling into place.

"When you fell on me, and I distinctly felt you were a woman," Arlan’s gaze shifted meaningfully from her face downward, causing Oriana to instinctively cross her arms over her chest.

"Pervert," she accused him, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Arlan chuckled, unfazed. "Trying to hide as if I haven’t touched them."

Flushed with embarrassment, Oriana muttered, "Shameless," before turning to walk away, leaving Arlan to suppress his laughter as he watched her retreat.