The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 604

Chapter 604: Husband, Wife And A Physician

The next morning, Arlan and Oriana returned to the palace from Wildridge Manor. Inside the carriage, Oriana sat quietly, her thoughts drifting to the previous ride they had shared. She felt her cheeks heat up and did her best to push the memory aside. After avoiding looking at Arlan for a long while, she finally glanced at him, only to find him staring at her.

"What happened?" she asked, feeling conflicted. ’My heartbeats are normal, my breathing is normal,’ she reassured herself.

He raised a brow. "What do you expect to happen?"

"I mean, why are you staring at me?" she asked nervously. ’Is he planning to do it again? Not in the carriage, right?’

"When my beautiful wife is sitting in front of me, where do you expect me to look?" he replied. "Or do you think there should be a meaning or reason behind it?"

"No. I..."

"Rest assured, I don’t plan to hurt your knees again," he commented. "We are returning to the palace, and at this hour, we don’t want you arriving in a disheveled state."

"Good, I’m glad you understand that well," she retorted, feeling a wave of relief at his words. "I’m going to nap. Do not disturb me," she said, closing her eyes.

Arlan didn’t disturb her. Instead, he picked up a soft folded warmer from the seat and gently covered her with it. A light smile painted her lips, but she kept her eyes closed.

They reached the palace, and Oriana woke up as the carriage came to a stop. "We’re here?"

"Hmm." Arlan gently pulled away the warmer, put it aside, and offered her his hand. She accepted it and stepped out of the carriage, only to find herself in an unexpected place.

"Why are we here?" she asked.

"Yesterday we talked about you visiting Erich. He is leaving soon, so you better take this chance to meet him," Arlan said.

Oriana felt surprised as she had not expected him to remember and prioritize it. "Thank you. I will go see the master."

She walked ahead, only to find Arlan following her. She stopped. "Are you coming in as well?"

"Wrong question," he said, taking her hand and leading the way inside.

"You don’t have to. You have other important matters to attend to."

"Nothing is more important than you."

As she looked at his hand holding hers, she felt like a little girl being led by her family to see the physician. When she was a child, her grandfather would do this; now it was Arlan. She didn’t stop him and let him accompany her.

Reaching the foyer, they found the servants busy packing things.

"You’re here, Oriana?" Erich approached them.

"Are you leaving, Master?"

"Tomorrow, once I make a final visit to my current patient."

She understood he was referring to Gwen. "How is she?"

"She is doing really well and doesn’t need me anymore. I have informed the other physician about her treatment, and he will continue giving her the medicine."

"Thank you, Master."

"Let’s head inside," he said, leading them to his study. "I got the message you are here for a reason. What’s the matter?"

Erich settled in his chair, and Oriana took a seat as Arlan wandered around the study, glancing through the books scattered about. He picked up one at random, giving Oriana the privacy to talk to her master.

Oriana understood that Arlan must have already informed Erich about her visit. "Master, you are aware I have been taking those herbs to suppress my monthly cycle."

"Hmm, are you not taking any medicines to revive your body?" Erich asked.

She shook her head. "I haven’t. So much was going on that I didn’t pay attention. I feel like I have affected my body gravely, that..."

"Don’t be disheartened. Let me have a look first."

Erich checked her pulse, taking his time. After a while, he spoke. "Though you have disturbed the normal energy flow of a woman’s body, it’s not too late yet. I will give you some medicine, and we can use some needles while I’m here."

Oriana nodded, and Erich added, "You might like to change into a simple dress."

Her dress was heavy, suited for a Crown Princess but not appropriate for a medical examination.

"I will change."

Arlan had ordered a simple dress to be brought for her, and she changed into it. Once she returned, Erich guided her to the examination table. Oriana lay on it, ready for the treatment.

Arlan, observing closely, asked Erich, "Where are you going to use the needles?"

"Some points on her body to correct her hormonal imbalance and provide blood flow to her uterus, which will help regulate her monthly cycle," Erich explained.

"And what are those points?"

"Two points along the Ren meridian at her lower belly and three points on her legs, around the ankle."

Oriana felt like crying inside for being treated like a little child. She wanted to tell him she was not scared at all and could prick hundreds of such needles into her body with her own hands. It was his actions that embarrassed her in front of her master, leaving her no choice but to act this way. But seeing him worried for her, she swallowed all that frustration.

After some time, Erich returned with the medicines in his hands. He watched as Arlan was still sitting by Oriana’s side, holding her hand as if she were suffering from a serious illness.

He chuckled inwardly and went to Oriana. "It’s time to remove these needles." He removed the needles and returned to sit in his chair. Arlan removed the warmer, straightened her dress, and helped her stand up.

Once seated in front of Erich, he spoke, "These are the medicines I have prepared for you. Take them for a few months, and you will be fine," he said, placing a folded piece of paper in front of her. "I have written the recipe for these medicines so you can prepare them on your own."

"Thank you, Master."

"Tomorrow, before leaving, come to me. We will use some needles once more."

Oriana nodded, and Erich looked at Arlan. "You can also come with her. Your presence today was really helpful."

Arlan simply hummed, while Oriana sighed inwardly. This man didn’t realize her master was mocking him.

Oriana changed into her dress and came out into the foyer. She watched as everything in the mansion was being tidied up, with herbs being moved back to the royal infirmary.

"This place will feel really empty once the master is gone," Oriana commented. "I will miss it."

"Who said it would be empty?" Arlan replied.

"Master is leaving, so..."

"Another physician will take over this place," Arlan interrupted.

"Another physician?"

"You. You are going to take over this place," Arlan answered. "This will be your own private infirmary. Everything here is being moved so it can be renovated nicely before it is given to you."

She was shocked. "My private infirmary?"

He hummed. "If you do not like this place, we can have another one built for you."

"No. I...I like this place," she replied immediately.

"Then it’s settled."

"Thank you so much," she felt like offering him a tight hug and even kissing him, but she controlled herself as her master and the servants were present.

Her face was brimming with happiness as she looked at Erich, who offered her a smile as well. One’s own private infirmary, filled with herbs and a place to work without any disturbances—what more could an aspiring physician want?