[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: WITH MY HEART ~ AHN EUN JIN]

Oriana left the dining room in a happier mood, her body swaying to a song only she could understand as she hummed it. The palace servants didn’t stop to look at her; they were used to the strange princess behaving in an unusual manner.

Not caring one bit about people’s judging eyes, Oriana held her gown up close to her knees to walk comfortably. She made her way to her own quarters when she felt someone yank her hair forcefully.

"Ow!" When Oriana turned to stop the person’s hand, she felt her mother’s hand move across her face, sending a shocking wave of slap over her face.

"You silly girl!" The woman cursed angrily, not letting go of Oriana’s hair. She dragged her inside the room and closed the door.

Oriana held her face, wondering what she had done wrong to get hit, but not a word left her lips. She just watched her mother, who now looked at her with so much hate.

"Are you happy when you humiliate me? Are you? The shame and scars you’ve brought to my life, isn’t it enough for you! Can’t you just live without doing anything?" Queen Saline said with trembling lips, trying to hold back her anger. She pushed her daughter down on the ground, sending another slap to her face, yet Oriana didn’t make a sound.

Oriana wanted to cry, but she didn’t know how to. Not because of the physical pains, but because of the way her mother looked at her, like she was a plague. Something evil that shouldn’t have seen the light of day. Oriana could tell that her mother regretted having her as a daughter, just by the way she glared at her. And she couldn’t understand why.

Queen Saline inhaled deeply, turning around to calm herself down. Then she pointed at the girl, "Do you enjoy when your father humiliates me in front of a stranger? Do you? What exactly do you want, tell me and I’ll do it for you. Just stay still! Or follow your grandmother," the woman sighed, going to push everything on the table. Finally, when she calmed down, she noticed the blood on her golden ring.

"Look, you even ruined my ring. You’re just a bag of disaster. A homewrecker," she spat before going towards the door, slamming it on her exit.

Oriana sat in the same place, with her eyes closed for a brief moment. Then her lips broke into a wry smile, her teeth already had blood in them, this was as a result of the slap which made a forceful impact since the Queen was wearing a ring.

"I was just going to celebrate my victory..." the girl muttered under her breath, going to stand in front of her mirror. Oriana cleaned her face, hiding with her powder the part of her face which had turned red. When she tried to move her jaw, she felt it sting, causing a small tear to escape her eyes. "Nana, maybe I should have gone with you that day."

The princess was about to start crying when her door creaked open, announcing the presence of someone. Oriana quickly wiped her tears and turned with a bright smile on her face,

"Bessie! Where have you been? I have good news for us." She walked to hug her maid tightly, taking in a deep breath.

Bessie tried to move away from the hug, "Princess Oriana, you can’t hug someone as lowly as I am. It’s not right," the maid stuttered, scared of being punished.

"Stay still, Bessie. Just for a minute." Oriana muttered, trying hard to bite down her tears with her lips trembling. "Nothing in this world seems to be right."

The maid knitted her brows worriedly; the princess didn’t sound like her usual self. Her voice was down and devoid of emotions. "Is everything alright?" Bessie asked.

Oriana finally opened her eyes, sniffling back her tears. She pulled away from the hug, "Of course! What could possibly be wrong? You silly girl," she teased. "I felt bad for lying using your name these past few days; it didn’t feel right. But sing out for joy because it has finally come to an end."

Bessie narrowed her eyes subtly; since when did the princess ever apologize for lying. "Come to an end? How?"

"The Crown Prince finally decided to leave!" Oriana announced with a cheerful clap of her hands.

Bessie was surprised; she didn’t expect to hear that the Crown Prince backed down that easily. "How come? What happened?" She asked curiously.

"I made sure he understood his place and told him to leave our kingdom, or else I’ll drop a hot kettle on his neck. He got scared and decided to leave before I unleash my wrath," Oriana demonstrated in the room, but her maid didn’t buy any of that. She knew very well that it was the opposite that must have happened, but Bessie chose to keep quiet.

"Congratulations on showing you true power and having your freedom, Princess Oriana," Bessie said, not meaning any of it.

Oriana waved her hand, "As if! He is the one who was caged; I, on the other hand, was living my best life." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"No, you were looking for where to hide his body if you should kill him," Bessie reminded her, and this caused Oriana to send a scowl her way. The maid bowed, covering her mouth.

Oriana moved her eyes away from the maid, "I am going to celebrate today happily and to the fullest. Bring the best wine and cookies to the spring shed at the east side of the palace; I’ll be there, my loyal one," she patted Bessie’s back before walking out of the room.

Bessie watched the princess’s back disappear through the door; then she smiled. "You must have been so stressed out to want to celebrate," the maid turned to look at the makeup table; the powders were out of place. She quickly fixed them, wondering why Oriana had used makeup since she never liked them.

Outside the palace, Oriana’s golden hair moved with the wind as she walked casually, enjoying the cool breeze. It helped soothe her disturbed mind. Feeling a fly on her face, Oriana wiped it off, unknowingly erasing the powder she had used to cover her red cheek. As she walked towards the east palace, she noticed two persons talking with a serious look on their faces. It was the Crown Prince and his mother.

"You wouldn’t dare!" Oriana heard the Queen scold his son.

Adric, who had a relaxed expression, smiled, "Why? Were you planning on gaining something more from this marriage? Tell me, I won’t tell father..." he remarked.

"What are you trying to say?" Queen Gwen glared at her son.

"Exactly what you think I’m trying to say," Adric replied, moving closer to his mother who now took a step back. "Do you want me to spell it out for you?"

Oriana, feeling that the conversation was getting to the juicy part, tried to lean in closer. It wasn’t every day one heard the secret of a Queen, especially of another kingdom. But it seems luck took a holiday that day, because she stepped on a broken twig which made a sound. Oriana quickly crouched, trying to hide herself.

Adric moved his eyes up to notice the movement, "Don’t make me say it loudly, Mother. Walls do have ears, you know. Now leave for Avon tomorrow, as I no longer have interest in this marriage. Give them any excuse you like; you’re good at making up those."

"You’re going to regret this," Queen Gwen said, walking away angrily.

Oriana waited to hear the receding steps grow distant before she finally stood up. "Whew! That was close," she wiped off the nonexistent sweat of hard work from her forehead, turning to leave the place she saw Adric standing in front of her.

"Ah!" Oriana let out a startled gasp, followed by her losing balance as she fell, raising up her hand waiting for Adric to pull her back, but there was just a smirk on his face telling Oriana he wouldn’t dare.

Oriana, realizing that she was going to land on the ground, steadied her feet before she could fall, then she glared at him. "You were going to let me fall?"

Adric shook his head, "I was going to let you take care of yourself; you’re not a weak girl, so why try to fall when you can stand?" He mused, not dropping the smirk on his face. Oriana cleared her throat because he was right. "I didn’t know you’ve turned into the palace rat, eavesdropping on people. Are we?"

"I didn’t hear anything, and it wasn’t my intention to eavesdrop. I was only passing. This is my home, remember?" Oriana said in her defense, but Adric started walking closer, cornering her. She was going to say something else when she felt him tip her chin up.

"What are you doing right now?" An angry and startled Oriana asked, ready to hit him, but her hands were held above her head.

"If you’re hurt, don’t try to hide it, but treat it." Adric moved the girl’s face to the side; his words had Oriana blink. Did he now care about her? Was he finally becoming a good person after meeting an angel like her? These were Oriana’s thoughts that sank into the deep oceans when she heard his next words,

"Don’t appear in front of me again; next time, I’ll take it that you’re really asking for me to take you...to bed." His words were delivered smoothly that Oriana had to blink continuously to process it until Adric was outside of the palace gate.