When it was time for Arlan to retire to his bedchamber, Oriana had been summoned to attend to his needs. Other attendants were assigned to wait on him during the night, and she was currently in the common area of the servant quarters, eating her evening meal.
"Stop, His Highness is not in his room. He is taking a night stroll in the rear garden," Damien, who passed the message, reminded her just as she was about to head to the second floor.
"Ah? Alright. I'll go there now."
As fast she could, she went towards the rear of the Palace of Thistle. Just as she arrived, she saw the prince walking back to the building, his expression unreadable. He was alone.
She followed Arlan on the way back to his chamber, but then belatedly realized that neither the butler nor the other attendants were nearby.
For a split second, her heart thumped with worry.
Earlier in the library, didn't Arlan say he would think of her punishment tonight?