The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 455

Chapter 455: Giving Her Blood

Oriana retraced her steps to the rear section of the Queen’s palace, finding Karla stationed outside the door, seemingly rooted in place. It appeared she had been standing there for an indefinite period.

Unperturbed by Karla’s presence, Oriana proceeded to enter the room. With the door closed behind her, she remarked, "You certainly held up your end of the bargain. My doubts were unfounded."

The witch offered no response, only stating, "Now, provide your blood."

Despite the calm tone, Oriana could discern a palpable eagerness in the witch’s demeanor to obtain her blood. Seating herself, Oriana glanced in the witch’s direction and remarked, "Is it that simple to inflicting a wound upon myself to extract my own blood? I’m scared of even the slightest pain, especially when I’m conscious of its source, let alone intentionally harming myself."

"I will consult Karla," the witch suggested, but...

"Do you propose that I allow that lowly slave of yours to lay hands on the Queen of this Kingdom? Permit her not only to touch me but also to inflict harm on me?" Oriana scoffed with indignation. "Have you lost your mind? Do you believe I would forsake my dignity merely because I’ve offered to share my body with another witch, even one as lowly as yourself?"

A tense silence enveloped the witch’s end. Oriana keenly sensed the simmering anger, which the witch was evidently attempting to suppress, recognizing that she required Oriana’s blood.

"How do you propose I obtain your blood?" the witch inquired calmly, swallowing her anger.

"You need it, so you take it. Though you are no better than Karla, still as we are going to share my body, I can allow you to touch me." Oriana warned with a piercing gaze, "However, be forewarned— if there’s even the slightest pain, I won’t hesitate to reciprocate. I am afraid of pain, so you better be careful."

The witch remained silent but advanced. Cloaked entirely in dark fabric from head to toe, a woman materialized from the shadows, moving towards Oriana and positioning herself directly in front. Despite the concealment, Oriana sensed an unyielding gaze fixed upon her face from behind that dark cloth.

Edna put forward her hand and said, "Your hand."

Oriana observed the fingers and palm visible beneath the long black sleeve. The palm exhibited discolored patches and layered wrinkles, the same hand that had touched Arlan. For a fleeting moment, Oriana harbored a vehement desire to sever that hand from its owner.

’Now is not the time.’

Suppressing her urge, Oriana gingerly placed her hand in the witch’s. The witch extended her other hand, tracing Oriana’s palm with her thumb. It reminded Oriana that this is what she must be doing with Alran and it angered her, only to swallow it quietly.

The witch applied the long nail of her thumb to the fleshy part of Oriana’s palm, just below the thumb...

Thud!

"Ah...you accursed witch..."

Fueled by anger, Oriana rose abruptly, causing the table before her to crash to the floor as she vented her frustration with a vehement curse.

In the next instant, she seized the witch’s hand, driving her nail into her palm, extracting a measure of blood with a vindictive force from Edan’s palm. "This is the pain you’ve inflicted, you wretch," Oriana spat out, releasing Edna’s hand. Her face, flushed with anger, seemed poised to exact vengeance for the minor injury. "I told you I am afraid of pain." _{ƒreewebηoveℓ.com}

Unfazed, the witch remained stoic, as though impervious to pain. Ignoring Oriana, she employed her magic to gather the blood that seeped from Oriana’s palm.

"Why do you desire it?" Edna questioned, curious about Oriana’s motive.

"I need it to deal with a few individuals who have irked me since my arrival in the palace," Oriana responded matter-of-factly.

"That’s all?"

"Yes. Just provide me with that. I’m a benevolent soul, asking for a wicked potion in exchange for sharing my beautiful body to an unsightly witch," Oriana taunted Edna, who seemed accustomed to her sarcasm by now.

While Oriana knew that Edna was swallowing the insults, she anticipated that the witch would unleash her retribution once her objectives were met.

Suddenly, the fallen table moved, righting itself, and a vial materialized on its surface. "There it is. Just one drop is enough to inflict a lifetime of pain on a person."

Oriana picked up the vial and scrutinized it. "How can I be certain it works, and you’re not deceiving me?"

"Why would I deceive you over such a trivial matter, especially when I didn’t deceive you regarding the liberation of the royal family from the blood curse?" Edna questioned.

"Apologies, but I have trust issues. Didn’t I personally verify their freedom? I must do the same for this," Oriana declared, glancing at the door. "Let’s summon that peasant standing outside."

Edna looked at the door, and it obediently swung open. "Karla, come inside."