The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140: He Is Engaged?

"Erich, you are here. Is it that time already?" the King asked in an easygoing manner, talking to the old physician as if they had been friends for a long time.

Oriana bowed as Erich responded irritably, "You know the schedule best. Don’t tell me your butler did not remind you."

Erich told the King to go towards the bed and started examining his condition, monitoring his body temperature, pulse and breathing while asking about how the King felt after drinking his new medicines. Because of their conversation, Oriana was able to learn that the King’s name was Ailwin, while the Queen was Julien.

As the patient and physician talked, others kept quiet. Oriana never spoke as well, only assisting her master by handing him the items from the case when he asked for them.

Because of the medicines Erich gave him, Ailwin soon grew drowsy and drifted to peaceful sleep. All stepped out of the King’s chamber without making a single sound.

Once they were outside, the Queen concernedly asked, "How is my husband faring, Physician Winfield?"

Both Arlan and Oriana waited for the old man’s response.

"His Majesty’s body seems to be reacting positively to the new treatment. However, it is too early to tell. He claims he feels better already, but it might only be the result of getting much needed rest he deprived his body of. I need at least a week of observation to tell whether the medicines are truly effective."

"Thank you for all your efforts," the Queen said with a gentle smile.

"I am merely doing what I’m responsible for."

As they talked, the Queen noticed the boy with a headwrap standing two steps behind Erich.

"I see a new helper with you today, Physician Winfield."

Erich glanced at Oriana. "He is my other apprentice. Your son should know him well. Now, if you wish to chat, I will leave you three to enjoy yourselves."

The old physician did not like small talk. True to his blunt personality, Erich left without caring for the other person’s response, even if she was a queen, leaving Oriana too stunned to move. Her master could afford to be disrespectful, but that was not the case for a servant like her.

Oriana found the woman’s gaze on her and didn’t dare raise her head. _{freewēbnoveℓ.com}

"From your uniform, it looks like you work in the Palace of Thistle, young boy."

It was a direct question for her so Oriana replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I am a personal attendant serving His Highness."

The Queen looked at her son with a surprised gaze. "You allowed your personal attendant to do something else other than serving you. Am I discovering a secret I shouldn’t know?"

"When I leave the palace, these servants have nothing to do but idle around. It’s better to learn something which might be useful to the Palace of Thistle."

’Idle?’ Oriana frowned inside. ’When have I been idle? Have you forgotten how you made me do scholarly work beyond an attendant’s job scope? Does reading all those books and copying them by hand sound like idle time to you?

’Attendant duties in the morning, apothecary work in the afternoon, and then at night, I can’t even rest because I have to be by your bedside playing nanny! Idle? Can you tell me your definition of ’idle’?!’

Their group stepped onto a beautiful and vast landscape of shrubberies and trees, the winter-blooming plants with their red and yellow blossoms uplifting to the spirits despite the colder months ahead.

Ranging from winter hazel, witch hazel and primrose, to snowdrops, crocus and winter aconites, Oriana could name the meticulously curated plants that would surely thrive during the winter season. From a distance, the massive ancient oak tree could be seen standing like a monarch overseeing its subjects.

"Lenard should be coming back to the palace with his wife this week," Oriana heard the Queen say.

"I thought they would be staying in the warmer South until the end of winter."

"He worries for your father. Besides, he regrets not being able to celebrate the end of year with us."

"He is now married and starting his own family. It’s understandable."

"Speaking of marriage, your mother is finding it hard to reject the marriage proposals coming her way. You will be turning twenty-six in a few months. Why don’t you choose one and make everything easy for your old mother?"

"Mother, you can send me the proposals. I promise you I will help you reject all the proposals my way."

The older woman sighed as she leaned her head on the shoulder of her stubborn son. "We do not know when your betrothed will be found. You should at least accept a concubine to stop others from pestering us, especially I, who face all those noblewomen during social gatherings and listen to their buttering me up."

’Betrothed?’ Oriana’s ears twitched. ’He is already engaged? And what about finding her? Is she missing? How can a lady of noble family be missing? Was she abducted, or did she run away? It is highly possible she hated how overbearing this prince was, or maybe she found out he is a pervert who likes men so she must have chosen to run away. If I was her, I would have done the same. Who would want to marry this brat?’