Even after they returned to the mansion, the invisible tension hanging between Arlan and Oriana remained unresolved.
The prince's return prompted his administrative aide, Lucas Warren, and the ministers to begin a meeting inside the study to talk about the outcome of the second day of the conference. Oriana served them refreshments, then proceeded to stand outside the door with the knights, the epitome of a good servant waiting to be summoned.
Arlan never spoke a single word to her.
Even when the meeting finished, he never called on her to serve him. Despite such obvious disregard of her existence, Oriana showed no reaction. When dusk came, she merely passed the torch to Neil and proceeded towards the servant quarters.
Some time later, Neil came to Arlan.
"Your Highness, the Queen of Megaris sent a message requesting Orian's services. He is summoned to their lodgings. What are your instructions?"
"Send him."
