The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 453

Chapter 453: Second Deal

"Related to blood?" the witch echoed.

"Yes," Oriana responded. "I seek your assistance in breaking the blood curse afflicting the royal family members...."

"Hahaha!"

The witch’s laughter reverberated through the chamber.

"So, this was your plan all along, huh?" The witch’s voice resonated in the darkness.

Oriana remained poised and unruffled, as though it unfolded precisely as she foresaw.

"Do you take me for a fool, young witch?"

"Do you expect commendation for posing such an obvious question?" Oriana chuckled. "Certainly, I regard you as a fool. In the presence of someone as intelligent as myself, everyone appears a mere fool."

"You consider yourself clever?" the witch questioned. "Do you believe I would liberate the royal family from the blood curse, exposing myself to potential retribution from the Prince?"

"I never entertained such a notion. However, you, in your folly, rushed to assumptions before allowing me to explain my entire proposal. Your cackling interrupted me," Oriana rubbed her ears gently. "Trust me, it nearly deafened me. Do you laugh like that in Arlan’s presence? Please, say you don’t. It’s quite off-putting for a man if you plan to be his mate. He might prefer being deaf than hear your laugh."

A hush enveloped the witch’s side, and Oriana remained as composed as ever, causing Edna to doubt her own judgment.

"Alright, if you’re finished utilizing your nearly nonexistent brain, listen to everything I have to say," Oriana didn’t wait for Edna’s response. "Shall I continue, or do you want me to leave?"

"Speak," the witch replied.

Oriana continued, calmly sitting in her chair, "I’m not proposing the release of the entire royal family, understanding your vested interest in keeping them hostage for your purpose. But I suggest freeing others, using only one person as your bargaining chip with the Prince. Whether it’s one or more individuals Arlan holds dear, the outcome remains unchanged. He’ll always be beholden to your influence, and we only need it until the night of the new moon." _{freewebnoveℓ.com}

"What do you stand to gain from this?" the witch inquired.

"Finally, a question from you that makes sense," Oriana commended. "If you’re under the impression that I harbor a soft spot for the royal family, think again. I’m not that magnanimous toward those responsible for my life in poverty. The reason I seek this from you is simple – you. You are the very reason."

"Me?" the witch’s voice filled with confusion.

"Yes, you," Oriana responded confidently. "Once you become his mate, you’ll have that binding connection to make Arlan heed your words. You’ll have him. But what about me? I’d have nothing to leverage against him. Furthermore, he believes my grandfather killed his mother, so he would only disdain me. All that remains for me is to craft a positive and benevolent image by posing as the savior of those he loves. I need him to owe me something so he will listen to me as well and treat me well."

Edna’s side fell into silence before she finally spoke, "Whom do you propose I spare or not?"

"He’s not as wealthy as Arlan, or I might have considered it," Oriana replied with a bored expression. "I don’t desire a warlock who’s both weaker and poorer than me. I crave someone handsome and affluent, like Arlan."

A brief silence lingered before the witch posed another question to Oriana, "That night, who was that man who remained unaffected by my magic?"

Oriana maintained the same bored look and answered lazily, "He’s just a random friend of mine immune to black magic. I sought his help when I realized an evil witch was trying to covet my man. Honestly, I want to kill you, but I know it’s not possible if I want Arlan as well. So, I had to choose this middle ground," Oriana sighed in helplessness. "I still wish I could just eliminate you outright, but what good would that bring me?"

The witch chuckled, "So, you acknowledge you can’t kill me. Good, you’re well aware."

"Don’t rejoice too soon. Were it not for my dream of a luxurious life through marrying a Prince, I wouldn’t have hesitated to use my friend to end you that day. You were fortunate to escape."

Oriana declared, unabashedly revealing her true intentions. Her confidence in expressing her lingering animosity towards the witch was unmistakable that show she still hated the witch but had to come to the compromise for her own gain.

The witch laughed again, portraying herself as the victor, ravelling in the knowledge that Oriana’s greed prevented her from eliminating the threat.

However, she resumed speaking, "I thought that race had vanished, but it seems they still exist."

"Race? What race?" Oriana inquired, well aware that the witch referred to the Slayer.