The Devil's Betrothed

Chapter 826: Together With Family

Arlan and Oriana headed to the palace. They appeared straight away in the Thistle Palace, while for the sake of name, the carriages were driven on the roads from Wildridge Manor to the palace as a symbol that the Crown Prince and Princess of Griven had finally returned.The royal family had already been informed and waited for their arrival in the drawing hall of the Queen’s Palace.

Arlan and Oriana entered the drawing hall and offered greetings to Ailwin and Julien. "Greetings, Father. Mother."

Ailwin offered a delighted nod, while Julien stood from her chair and hugged Oriana. "I can’t tell you how much I missed you."

Oriana offered her a smile. "I missed you as well, Mother."

Oriana felt like she was finally home, with her people, and was equally glad to see them again.

"All the love is for my wife, while I am being ignored blatantly by my own mother," Arlan commented with a dramatic sigh.

Julien turned to him and slapped his arm playfully. "Stop being dramatic," and hugged him as well. "I missed you. I didn’t know it would take you a year to return home."

Arlan held his mother’s hand and said, "Things just happened that way."

"Now that you are back, I forgive you," she assured him with a smile.

"Are you two done, or do we still have to wait for our turn?" Lenard commented as he let out a sigh. "This overdramatic mother and son." He looked at Alvera. "Isn’t it, sister?"

Alvera nodded. "We can only get used to it." She then went to Oriana. "How have you been?"

"I am good," Oriana said, looking at Alvera’s slightly round belly and then back at her.

Alvera smiled. "Yes, you are going to be an aunt again."

"The title given to your husband was truly perfect," Arlan commented as he looked at Rhys, who was quietly watching the playful siblings while holding his son. "I have no doubt now."

"You should ask your sister," Rhys said. "She was adamant about me living up to my title."

"I wanted another child so my Rayjin could have two caring siblings just like I had," Alvera said. "I might even want another one."

"See, I told you," Rhys said to Arlan. "So, you better not blame me."

"Then that’s good for you to obey my sister," Arlan said and hugged his sister. "Just take care of your health."

She hugged him back. "I am perfectly fine. Don’t worry."

As the King and Queen were there, both didn’t say what title they were talking about.

Arlan went to Rhys and took Ryan from him and pecked his forehead. Ryan simply looked at him, then his small hands touched Arlan’s cheek.

"You recognised Uncle," Arlan said delightedly. "The little guy is no longer the baby I saw before leaving."

"You were gone for a long time, missed his first birthday, and soon he will be two years old," Alvera said.

Arlan looked at Oriana, and she came to him as well. She gently pinched Ryan’s cheeks with a wide smile. "So cute and soft. Come to Aunt."

Ryan went to her quickly while Arlan whispered in his ear, "Your aunt is a demoness. Be good to her."

Oriana offered Arlan a glare and then smiled at Ryan. "Aunt is very sweet, just like you."

"Where’s Rayjin and Leon?" he asked.

"She is with Miera," Alvera answered, "being a big sister to Leon."

Arlan smiled and looked at Lenard. "When will I get to see my nephew?"

"When you agree to offer him half of your inheritance," Lenard said playfully. "My son is precious."

"How about I offer him my entire inheritance?" Arlan said.

"Whoa! That would be too much," Lenard said quickly. "That would be beyond what he could even handle. Don’t burden my cute little son with it."

"Uncle Arlan," a sweet little girl came running to him, arriving with Miera and a nanny who was holding Leon.

Arlan knelt before her, and she hugged him. "I missed you."

Arlan hugged her gently. "I missed my sweet little princess." He then looked at her again. "You grew up."

She pointed. "You left just before my sixth birthday, and now I will be seven soon. So I am grown up now."

He patted her head. "I will make up for the missing birthday and bring lots of gifts."

She cheered up and looked at Oriana, who was holding Ryan. "Aunt, I missed you as well."

Oriana patted her head. "You have turned prettier."

"Thank you, Aunt."

Lenard brought Leon to Arlan. "Here’s your nephew. You can offer him half of your inheritance on his second birthday, along with what you missed offering him on his first birthday."

"Half inheritance for the missed first birthday and the other half on the second birthday," Arlan said as he took Leon in his arms. "Is he fine, little Prince?"

Leon let out a sweet giggle in Arlan’s arms as he gently caressed his cheeks.

Miera greeted the Crown Prince and Princess with a customary bow. Oriana went to her and spoke with her.

"When can we expect to see little Arlan and Oriana?" Alvera asked as she looked at the two of them.

Lenard let out a sigh. "I thought they would return with my sister-in-law already carrying their child." He looked at Arlan. "My elder brother truly disappointed me. An entire year alone, and no result."

"We were enjoying ourselves," Arlan said. "And about creating the next generation of this family, I will leave that to you."

"Hey, that won’t do," Alvera said and looked at Oriana. "Don’t listen to him. My brother is greedy, given how much he loves you. But you better put him in his place, and next you know what to do."

Oriana didn’t know what to say and simply hummed, a light blush covering her face as this matter was raised in front of the entire family.

For everyone, they had been gone for a year, but in reality, it was barely days, given the different realms they were in. And during those days, they were mostly fighting and dealing with one thing after another.

It’s true that she and Arlan became mates and mated as well, but she wasn’t sure why there was no result yet. Maybe because they were busy travelling through realms. Now they were back, they could try to have kids. She wanted it as well.

As she looked at Arlan holding Leon and found herself holding Ryan, that feeling was overwhelming, as if she couldn’t wait to see their own kids in their arms.

Arlan looked at her. As their gazes met, Arlan understood what was on her mind. She quickly looked away and paid attention to Ryan in her arms.

"That sneaky staring at each other," Alvera said playfully.

Lenard chimed in. "I can tell both of them are already planning in their minds," and he looked at the Queen. "Mother, you better not disturb my brother and sister-in-law for some time now."

Julien looked at Arlan with a smile.

"Sure," Arlan replied. "If my wife is ready, you will see another pair of grandkids."

"I want more siblings," Rayjin said and looked at Oriana. "Aunt, soon you will be like my mother. A round belly like a ball," she giggled.

Oriana’s face flushed at the imagination and at being called out in front of everyone.

"Let’s have a meal quickly so my brother can get back to the important work of producing little demons like him," Lenard said as he looked at his mother.

"Just say you are starving," Arlan said as he lightly slapped the back of his brother’s head. "Glutton."

Once more, the drawing room of the Queen’s Palace was filled with playful chatter.

The Queen was visibly happy, her eyes moist. Ailwin held her hand as both of them watched their children.