The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 388

Chapter 388: A Step Towards Revenge

The following day, the entire palace had been adorned with stunning decorations and was prepared to receive the guests. Since the engagement had been arranged hastily, only guests from the capital city were invited, including numerous noble and prestigious families.

By early noon, everything was in place, and guests began arriving at the palace. The second Prince, Lenard, and his wife, Miera, were present to personally welcome the guests, representing the royal family.

In Thistle Palace, Arlan’s personal aide, Roman, and the others were busy getting the Prince ready for his engagement ceremony. As they observed the Prince standing before the mirror, his countenance appeared devoid of any happiness, and he seemed even colder than his usual self. It raised concerns among the servants, but they could only follow the orders from the Oak Palace, coming directly from the King.

The Prince who was used to doing everything according to his own will, was now being forced into the most important event in one’s life and he could not say no to this arrangement.

A similar atmosphere prevailed at the Crown Princess’s guest mansion, where servants were preparing Oriana. The beautiful woman stood before the mirror, her expression solemn. Though she gazed at her reflection, her eyes held no spark of joy or radiance that one might expect on such a momentous day. The servants could only worry in silence.

Once Oriana was fully prepared, the servants couldn’t help but gaze at her in awe, their eyes fixated on her for an extended moment, unable to tear their attention away from her. Such an astonishingly beautiful woman was soon to wed their handsome Prince.

Oriana donned a stunning and refined ivory dress, adorned with delicate gold-thread embroidery on its fine fabric. The dress clung flawlessly to her slender figure, and its long, billowing skirt moved gracefully with each of her steps. Her long hair flowed freely, with front locks artfully arranged and secured at the back of her head with a delicate gold accessory.

Her delicate features, beautiful eyes, and fair, unadorned skin needed no enhancement. The servants hesitated to place a veil over her captivating face, but they had to follow protocol. It was the sort of beauty that deserved universal admiration, and the servants wished for everyone to know that such a stunning woman was their Crown Princess. _{freewebnσvel.cѳm}

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince will be arriving shortly. You must depart with him for the grand hall," Ana informed her.

Oriana could only nod and made her way downstairs to sit beside her grandfather. She gently held his hand and caressed his frail, wrinkled hand within hers. His pale face indicated that life was gradually slipping away from his weakened body, leaving her with a sense of helplessness, knowing she could do little to change the situation.

"Grandpa, today I am to be engaged to that man. I detest him, but I have no choice. I’ve sworn to avenge you, but that can only happen if I stay by his side. If something happens to you, I promise to ensure he meets a worse fate," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I will make certain he rots in hell. I’m here to seek your blessings, not because I’m getting engaged, but because I need your blessing to carry out my revenge and make him rue what he did to us." Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke.

When the carriages came to a halt in front of the grand palace, Arlan exited first, ignoring Oriana completely as if she were of no concern to him. Oriana didn’t take offense. Observing Arlan’s lack of interest in assisting her out of the carriage, Imbert signaled for Ana to come forward and offer her assistance.

Assisted by Ana, Oriana gracefully disembarked from the carriage and was greeted by the resplendently decorated exterior of the grand palace. A row of royal guards stood at attention, offering their respect to the Crown Prince and Princess. The immense doors of the grand hall remained firmly closed, waiting to swing open upon the couple’s arrival.

Arlan stood ahead, waiting for Oriana to join him. Under different circumstances, he might have already proceeded inside, but the formality of their engagement compelled him to wait. Oriana reached his side at the entrance, and the guard announced their arrival. In response, the grand hall’s doors swung open, and the couple made their entrance, followed closely by Oriana’s Lady-in-Waiting and Arlan’s two knights, Imbert and Rafal.

Arlan, however, refrained from extending the customary gesture of holding Oriana’s hand, and they entered the hall side by side, an air of icy formality surrounding them.

As the announcement rang through the grand hall, the assembled guests eagerly directed their attention toward the entrance. All eyes were fixated on the doors, awaiting their first glimpse of the woman who had been the subject of conversation among the guests - the Crown Prince’s long-lost betrothed.