The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 629: Wife’s Job Is To Remove Clothes

Meanwhile, on the way back to Ahrens, Erin shared a carriage with her father and brother.

"Finally, His Majesty and all of us can be at peace," Walys remarked, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted off his chest.

"Yes, Father," Euron replied. "Prince Arlan and everyone involved have done a commendable job."

"That includes you as well," Walys said, looking at his son with pride.

"I did nothing much compared to what Prince Arlan and the new lords of the northeast have accomplished. Without them, none of this would have been possible," Euron responded.

At the mention of the two new lords, Erin frowned inwardly and narrowed her eyes at her brother. He hadn’t told her about her own bodyguard, even when they had arrived at the royal court together.

Euron sensed her displeased gaze and said, "He was your bodyguard for days, and you couldn’t catch him. That’s your fault. I feel like all our teachings have been in vain."

"Brother, I suspected him long ago. That’s why I hired him as my bodyguard and tried to inspect him. I just didn’t expect him to be the son of the Rainier family," she countered. "And don’t try to avoid my question of why you didn’t tell me beforehand."

"Seeing you shocked in the royal court was worth watching," he replied with a grin.

She wanted to retort, but Walys interrupted, "Erin, though we were not aware of his identity before, we know now. From now on, we have to treat him as Lord Rainier. I will meet him soon and apologize if we have offended him in any way during his stay in Ahrens."

"Father, why should you apologize? It was he who needed us to play along with his disguise to catch Luis. We did nothing but help him. There’s no need to apologize," she insisted. "I’m sure I treated him well even when he was my bodyguard."

"Still, I have to..."

"No need. I will do it," she interrupted, "I do not wish my father to apologize for something he did not do wrong."

Walys was about to protest, but Euron interjected, "Father, let her handle it. It’s her responsibility."

"Alright," Walys conceded. "Just make sure to be polite."

"I know, Father."

Euron looked at her, "That night when someone was reported to have entered the guest mansion where Luis was staying—was it him, your bodyguard?"

Erin nodded, "Yes, but I made sure he wouldn’t do anything reckless."

"My smart sister," Euron chuckled. "That Lord Rainier is quite fierce and cold for someone so young. I wonder how you control him."

"Am I not fierce?" she huffed. "All I see is my father and brother admiring that new lord they’ve known for a few days over me, who they’ve known for years. If not for me, that fierce and cold young lord would have killed Luis in our home, and we would be in trouble."

Both men smiled. "We have surely raised a brave and smart young lady," Walys commented. "I am so proud of her."

Euron nodded. "She and Lord Rainier make quite a match."

Erin glared at her brother, "He is nothing compared to me. He can be foolish in the face of my intelligence."

"Alright, you are smarter than him," Euron conceded with a grin.

----

"What shall we do about Aurialor?" Oriana asked.

"What do you want to do?" Arlan inquired.

"I don’t know. I’ve never been there. It’s a whole kingdom, even if it’s small. There are so many things to handle. I don’t think I can manage it. I mean, I don’t want to go there. I want to stay here with you."

Arlan was delighted to hear this and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. "Of course, you’ll stay here with me. As for Aurialor, we’ll find a way. How about we visit it first? You might want to see where your family lived."

"I want to. When can we go?" she asked.

"For now, you’re coming to my bedchamber with me."

"It’s daytime," she protested, knowing his intentions.

"In daylight, you can see my body better than at night," he teased. "I don’t mind if you miss the tattoo at night and then ask to check again in the day. I don’t mind letting you strip me over and over."

At the mention of the tattoo, she immediately agreed. "You’re right. I can’t wait to see the tattoo. Let’s go to your chamber."

"As you say."

As soon as he spoke, they found themselves in Arlan’s chamber. He released her and stood there. "Go ahead."

"You can take off your clothes," she instructed.

"You want to see the tattoo, so you should do the work."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you trying to trick me into something?"

"You’re the one removing my clothes, not the other way around," he replied.

"Is that so?" she raised an eyebrow. "Then you have to promise you won’t do anything and will stay still, not touching me at all."

"Alright," he agreed with a mischievous smile.

Oriana removed Arlan’s tailcoat and set it aside. She then slipped off his vest and began unbuttoning his shirt.

His gaze fixed on her face, he spoke, "When you were my personal aide, I never thought that instead of putting clothes on me, one day you’d be so eager to take them off."

"A personal aide’s job is to put clothes on you, while a wife’s job is to take them off," she replied with a smile. "And I am your wife now."

"Things couldn’t be better any other way," he commented, watching her remove his white shirt. Her eyes lingered on his exposed torso, finding it hard to look away.

Her hand moved to touch his chest on its own, but...

"Do you see any tattoos?" Arlan asked, interrupting her reverie.

She quickly pulled her hand back and cleared her throat awkwardly. "I’m searching."

Arlan smirked. "I thought you’d forgotten about the tattoo and were trying to take advantage of me."

Oriana didn’t dare lift her gaze. "Don’t overthink." But inside, she scolded herself. ’It’s not the first time you’re seeing him shirtless. Why drool like a hungry demoness?’