Like A Bird Whose Wings Have Been Cut

That evening, after Oriana had her meal, she first sought out a certain knight within the Palace of Thistle. 

"Sir Rafal, may I have a word?" 

She bowed to the large man sitting alone inside the indoor training grounds, in the middle of polishing his broadsword. It appeared the vice-captain of the Order of Thistle had just finished punishing several unruly knights through an hour-long sword spar.

Rafal looked at the innocent-looking youth with a raised brow. The existence of this pretty boy was a thorn piercing his heart. 

'The Crown Prince's pet', this was the secret moniker people used to refer to Oriana.  Everyone in the Palace of Thistle was aware that she sleeps inside Arlan's chamber every night, but no one dared breathe a word about it. Not only had she caught their prince's interest, the favors she received was striking enough to breed gossip that could potentially harm the Crown Prince's reputation.