Visiting Aurialor

After the Rainier family left, Arlan arrived at the Verner Mansion and found Oriana gazing at her mother's portrait in the drawing room.

She noticed his arrival and turned to look at him. "If you had been here a little earlier, you could have met them."

"I was caught up with something, so I got delayed," he said, approaching her. "I met them at the palace anyway."

"What were you busy with?" she asked.

A few servants entered, carrying a large portrait covered with a silk cloth.

"What is that?" she inquired.

Arlan remained silent as the servants hung the portrait next to Amaya's. When they removed the cloth, Oriana was stunned.

"Grandpa?"

"Yes."

She looked at him, "When was this made?"

"After your grandfather woke up, my mother arranged for an artist to paint it."

"Mother?"

"She must have thought you would miss him. But the artist could only complete half of it before your grandfather passed away."