The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 125

Chapter 125: What A Villain!

This time, the prince was bringing only his escort knights and administrative aides with him; there was no need for his personal attendants to follow.

Before Arlan climbed his carriage, he turned towards Oriana. "Till I return, I expect good progress with the work I gave you. Do not slack."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Oriana continued to look at the departing carriage even after it passed the gate of the Palace of Thistle. Something was different, she felt different. Even when he was cold to her, it didn’t feel bad but...she could not find the words to explain what she felt.

Upon returning inside the palace building, she went to have a morning meal with the other servants. She greeted some of them by name.

As she started eating, she recalled her previous thoughts about her master.

’He works so hard and is always busy. Is he really the black sheep of the royal family? A good-for-nothing prince? That doesn’t seem to be the case. That perv—wait, what was his name again?’

Her eyes widened as she discovered something embarrassing.

’I can’t believe this. Why can’t I still remember his name?

’I know his butler’s name is Roman Chadwicke, his friend is Arthur Clarence, his most trusted knights are Rafal Ahren and Imbert Loyset, the former primary attendant was Neil Lionheart and there’s also the other servants... I can even remember the names of the Miltons, but the prince himself...A-something Cromwell?

’Aaron? Adam? Albert?

’Unbelievable! Ugh! This is so embarrassing! Stupid Ori! Stupid!’

Her face flushed in shame and she tried to cover up that fact by gulping down a glass of water.

’I should at least know the name of the one I am serving. I can’t let everyone know how ignorant I am, not knowing anything about the royal family. Asking one servant should be enough, right?’

After she finished the meal, she started small talk with the servants around her, trying to find the chance to bait them into saying the prince’s name. When most started to leave the dining hall, she decided to ask the kitchen servant who yesterday praised for the incident with the Miltons.

"Jack, right?" She cleared her throat. "Thank you for the praise yesterday."

The manservant smiled. "You deserve it."

She nodded. "Umm, can I ask how long you have been working here?"

"Two years, I guess," he replied as he continued eating.

She pulled out a light smile. "It’s good to work here, isn’t it?"

He nodded while chewing the food in his mouth.

"His Highness treats us all well."

When she went downstairs, she saw servants talking among themselves in the foyer, their expressions filled with delight—the kind derived from another person’s misfortune. Oriana had often seen that expression from gossiping neighbors. _{fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm}

"Our Little Lion, tell me, are you a lucky lad or are you a star of misfortune?"

"What? Something happened?"

"What you did at the Miltons brought us bored people an interesting story to gossip about."

One of the administrative staff who was Neil’s relative began to explain, "It’s like this, earlier in front of His Majesty the King, the House of Milton is forced to pay three ore mines to compensate for their son’s crimes."

The other servants reacted.

"What? But they only have five or six ore mines, if I remember correctly?"

"That’s half of their family’s wealth!"

"Poor Count Milton. Who knew, his son not only attempted to assault a noble lady, but it was also discovered his son also bribes officials from the Ministry of Finance and steals thirty percent of the taxes his household pays to the royal family."

Gasps of disbelief could be heard from those listening.

"To commit theft for years, stealing from the royal coffers? What a villain!"

"It’s already lenient His Majesty did not punish First Young Master Milton to death," the administrative aide said. "Still, he ought to be as good as dead anyway after this. He is penalized by disqualification from holding any official position and punished with imprisonment for two years. His heir title is revoked, no family would allow their daughters to be engaged to him, and the social circles will all reject him from any gathering. Alas! His future is ruined!"