Arlan's mood change was more than enough to give Rafal goosebumps. Quick on the uptake, he found an excuse to escape. "My lord, I-I shall now head back to my patrol duty."
Imbert also signaled the servants as well to leave.
Within the peaceful garden gazebo, there were only Oriana, Arlan and his knight, these three silently scrutinizing each other. For a good minute, no one said a word.
Oriana never expected to be in such an uncomfortable situation. Arlan was still leisurely reading, his expression nonchalant, as if he had no intention of initiating conversation. Meanwhile, the cold-faced guard standing behind him acted like Oriana did not exist.
'It is as if he is not the same person I met in the market.'
Only now did Oriana truly feel the immense disparity between their status. Outside, Arlan behaved in an easygoing, shameless manner, lowering himself to match her commoner status. It gave her a wrong impression of what Arlan was like.
