The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 153

Chapter 153: The Creature Inside Him Wants Her Too

She began to be lulled to sleep by the droning noise of their trip.

An hour passed by when Neil noticed her struggling to sleep comfortably. Oriana was leaning her head against the frame of the carriage and she would be jostled awake every time their carriage hit a rock or a pit.

"Orian, if you can’t sleep comfortably like that, you can keep your head on my shoulder."

The moment he said it, a certain someone from the principal carriage opened his eyes, the usual calm ocean blue color turning stormy.

His hearing sense tended to always lean towards his little pet whenever she was around, and even the smallest details concerning her would catch his attention.

Hearing Neil’s offer, despite it being a gesture made out of goodwill, struck a raw nerve for Arlan. His attendant said something he should not have.

’You better not use his shoulder.’ Arlan narrowed his eyes and heard her say, "It’s alright, Neil. I am fine."

"You sure look tired, Orian. During morning meal you didn’t eat much as well. That’s why you look tired. You should eat more. Are you feeling sick?"

"Not really. I will be fine after some good rest."

"I heard you just came back from Wimark?"

"Yes, I did."

"You are ridiculous. You traveled an entire week with no proper rest," Damien said.

"Ah, I am used to it. Don’t worry."

"You should try getting decent sleep tonight, or else, you will fall sick," Neil said goodnaturedly. "You remind me of my younger brother. Don’t be shy and use my shoulder. Or if you want, you can lay down and use my lap as a pillow—ugh!"

Suddenly, all the carriages stopped, causing those within the carriages to be thrown dizzy while some of those on horseback almost got thrown off their horses. All the horses halted in unison as if they encountered a fearsome monster.

Instinct to survive. The horses dared not move under that suppressive force.

The beat of their hooves disappeared as their bodies froze, locked in a moment of paralyzing fear. All the knights pulled out their weapons, thinking that a daring group of bandits had appeared. The scouts dismounted from their paralyzed mounts to check their surroundings.

Imbert, whose horse was next to Arlan’s carriage, jumped off his mount and opened the door of the prince’s carriage, only to see his liege sitting inside with a grave expression, gold scales flickering on the exposed skin of his hand and neck before disappearing entirely.

The Crown Prince’s guardian knight immediately understood.

"Your Highness, would you like to have a breath of fresh air?" Imbert asked.

Wordlessly, Arlan stepped out of the carriage, and Imbert announced to the entourage. "Until the scouts determine the situation, we camp here for a while."

Everyone obeyed his orders. Oriana and the other two attendants stepped down their carriage as well, only to meet Arlan’s cold gaze. The three immediately lowered their heads, wondering what happened to bring about their master’s bad mood.

’His mood swings sure are crazy.’ _{frёewebηovel.cѳm}

She went to him. "Your Highness, would you like some tea?"

Arlan looked at the source of today’s trouble. This very woman could help him control that thing inside him, but at the same time, she was the main reason he always ended up unintentionally using what didn’t belong to him.

An unaccounted factor, that was what Oriana was.

Her existence itself made him realize how terrible and unreasonable it was to wish to possess and dominate a person. It was instinctive. Not just him, but also what was inside him wished to possess and dominate her as well.

For the first time since their coexistence, both beings agreed on wanting the same thing—no, same person. The desire to have her close, to keep watch on her, to protect her... or to monopolize her.

Not just Arlan, but that nasty creature seemed to be interested in her as well, it bothered him.

At this moment, he wanted to tell her—-stay by my side, do not look at anyone else, do not even dare think about anyone but me. He wanted to dominate her, to thoroughly possess her but...

All of these thoughts could only remain in his mind. After all, she was a person, not an object. She was just his servant, a tool he needed during his weakest moments.

Seeing the prince ignore the teacup she offered, Oriana lifted her head to look at him. Did she do something wrong?

The moment their gazes met, she got the answer. The way he looked at her, he was accusing her of something, as if she had committed a sin she should never have. It puzzled her.

She lowered her head, feeling nervous under the mysterious maze of thoughts.