CHAPTER 4 - NEW ROOM, YOUR GIRL

It is obvious that they are prioritizing the First Rank Noble’s objective more than her welfare. Oriana was stung by the injustice of what had happened. She needs to escape, but how? That grumpy man keeps on threatening her.

            The room was quite big. The Full XL size bed pushed against the wall left space for a desk, the restroom at the edge. It is the biggest prison room she had ever seen. It is past four in the morning. The Grand party was done, everyone was exhausted. Her eyes are still wide awake, hoping that they will not lock her forever. She leaped to her feet as she remembered that the door was not locked. It had taken her much of the night to calm down after her second encounter with the vicious High Members. This is her perfect time to escape.

            Slowly, she opened the door and peaked outside. There is no guard. She slowly walked out of the room until her body was successfully out. She tried to run but flinched when the door banged close. She opened her eyes and saw a fist crumbled at the door. She looked back to check the owner of the fist and saw the man that she never hopes to see again.

            “You tried this again.’’

            This guy, how did he know that I will try to run away again this time?

            “I told you, I will kill you if you run. I’m very busy. Don’t give me any more trouble.” Oriana gulped in fear. She could feel little trickles of panic running up her back. His face is so closed to her. And his eyes - they are so tired.

            “Why do you keep on running away and being caught? Didn’t your senior taught you how to escape properly?” He hissed. Obviously irritated by this scenario.

            “I don’t know what will happen if I’ll stay here so-“

            “So, you are going to escape and be killed by your brother’s men? Is that what you are trying to say?” Oriana stopped. Leon’s words entered her conscious mind. He was right. She was not thinking.

            “Wait until later, and you’ll know what will happen to you. Don’t try to escape again. We will not kill you.” His cold eyes looked at her seriously. Oriana studied his face; it was not as scary as she was thinking.

***

            Silence covered the whole room with warmth from the heater. The room has no windows, and the time was unrecognizable. Oriana opened her eyes. She examined the place, hoping that she was dreaming the whole time. It was past seven in the morning. Her spirit almost jumped out of her body when a woman greeted her at the edge of the room.

            "Pardon me if I startled you. It is my time to babysit you. Come, everyone is waiting at the dining room." That's right. Oriana clearly remembered that she is under surveillance.

            Venice dragged her out of the room without prior notice, climbing up to the living room through the dining room. Oriana almost lost her breath. The vast dining room is adorned with gold and precious stones. The long dining table is filled with various delicacies, and every chair with engraved animal symbols. Each symbol represents the owner's rank.

            "What took you so long? It's your fault my stomach's growling!" A man sitting at the chair with engraved jaguar and hawk grumbled.

            "Sorry, Natsuki. She sleeps so soundly that I hesitated to wake her up." Venice, still grabbing Oriana's hand, led her to a chair with an engraved red panda.  The table was all set, chairs occupied except the three at the edge and one in front of her. When they started to eat, Oriana examined everyone, wondering how a low member of the Second Rank Nobles can eat with the First Rank Nobles and the Ruler.

            "Looking for someone?" Oriana coughs at Olive's sudden question. She opened her mouth but was stopped when the heavy door opened. A man wearing a grey jumper and sweatpants with tired dark brown eyes entered the dining room. Oriana almost fell from her chair if only Venice did not hold her.

            "Good morning, Leon. Your girl is looking for you. Come, fix yourself and dine with us." Perplexity covered his entire face with his twin's words.

            Olive motioned her hand. Ignoring her word, Leon sat on his chair - in front of Oriana. Oriana's eyes widened, and her hands started to tremble that her fork soundly hit her plate.

            "Who gave you permission to leave your room and eat here?" His eyebrows furrowed when he saw Oriana. She gulped, wanting to hide under the table, melt like wax, and escape. But she can't.

            "I invited her." Olive slowly chews her freshly baked avocado toast.

            "No. it was me." Xieaniel fixed his glasses and spread butter on his brioche.

            "I told her, 'let us eat together.'" Raith winked at Oriana and smiled. Kate, Natsuki, and Venice claimed the same.

            "You guys… you really do what you-"

            "It is just a meal, Leon. What's wrong with that?" Nathan bump in. "If you are so worried, why don't you watch over her yourself?" He added, sipping his favorite matcha green tea. Leon's eyebrow furrowed deeper, and run his fingers through his hair. He does not want to. Too much job spins his head.

            He took a small plate of Panzanella salad with grilled halloumi, a buttered baguette, and a glass of orange juice. Taking no notice of Oriana, and began to eat. Oriana sighed with relief.

            She looked closely at Ashriel and studied her face, amazed at how beautiful she is. Her unique emerald and crystal blue eyes and her natural red hair. The way others interact with Ashriel amused her the most. They can laugh and enjoy the company of each other without fear. A total opposite of her group. 

            "Eat more. I'll treat your wounds later." Venice smiled and gave Oriana a bowl of berry salad with yogurt. Ashriel looked at her.

            "You are a member of the Second Rank Nobles, so you know how hard your punishments are by running away."

            Oriana slowly dropped her fork and nod. She knew the punishment. She is sure about it. "I would rather die than stay in that place and live with those people." Leon shot her a quick look. Her eyes are filled with seriousness.

            "Amber really changed," Natsuki whispered. Ashriel's face dimmed.

            "Do you want to live?" She asked.

            "I'll give you anything."

            "I need nothing from you. But what I want is one thing. Your Loyalty. Be loyal to this group, be loyal to our law, be loyal to me." Ashriel's words came like a bolt from the blue to Oriana. She wanted to speak, but words left her tongue, voice left her throat.

            "I'll give you a deal. I am the Ruler, so I have the power and authority to do what I want. I will adopt you to the First Rank Nobles in exchange for your Loyalty. Will you accept my offer or not?" Oriana's eyes widened.

            "I-I will, your Highness. I will!" Bliss filled her heart as she stood up. Kate quickly blocked the chair from falling. 

            "Being adopted to the First Rank is not easy. Many will envy you and try hard to pull you down. Can you handle that?" Leon looked at her intently. She nodded her head.

"You will be placed under Thaddeus's care from now on. Worry not. You are safe." Natsuki smiled at her, assuring her that everything will be alright.

***

            Right after their breakfast, Oriana walked back to her jail room to take a bath.

            "Hey," Leon was waiting for her at the lift, carrying her backpack. "Follow me. I'll lead you to your official room." He walked inside the lift, and she followed him.

            Oriana, who was studying the whole floor, bumped at the back of Leon, who stopped when the golden door opened.

            Why do I keep bumping to his back?!

            "You're here! Welcome to your new room, Oriana. I put new clothes and various stuff on your bed. Worry not, they are new." Venice flashed a beautiful smile.

            "Go to my clinic by 2pm so that I can undergo a general checkup with you. But since your left hand is injured…." She transferred her gaze from Oriana's left hand to Leon. "Do you want to treat her yourself?" She smiled and wiggled her eyebrows. 

            "Knock it off, Lady Venice. You said you'll be the one to treat her." He gently took her injured hand. "Do you think I will bandage your wound and treat your injury? I will bind that so tightly that your blood will flow out of your hand, and your arm will rot and fall off." Oriana's eyes widened as her hand began to tremble. He then took her face with his right hand, twist it side by side, and studied her wounds. "Go in and fix yourself." He gently pushed her head through the door and entered his room beside Oriana's room. Venice chuckled. 

            "Pardon him for his attitude. But trust me, he is a kindhearted one. Now, off you go." Venice left her and entered her room as well. Two rooms away from Oriana. As she entered her new space that was triple the size of her previous room, she almost lost her breath for the second time.  The clean, lavender-scented, king-size bed tempted her to sleep for the whole day. But her guts are telling her to take a bath first.

            When she finished cleaning herself and wore the outfit Venice gave, Kate walked inside. She fixed Oriana's hair and putting on light makeup.

            "What do you think of Colonel Leon?" Kate asked curiously.

            "Huh? He's… scary? I guess." She tilted her head. Kate released a small laughed.

            "That's no surprise. If you feel that way, then you haven't had a proper chat alone with him, huh? That can't be helped then." She chuckled.

            Kate warned her about her new life with them. A part of her is scared, but a portion is secured. Knowing that the Highest Leader protects her. When Kate finished her makeup, she fixed Oriana's bag and led her outside.

            "I thought you will never end."

            "Sorry for the waiting, Colonel. Here's your girl." Kate smiled at Oriana, tapped Leon's shoulder, and walked away. The moment Kate turned her back from them, Oriana's heart started to pound like a hammer. Fear struck her again. She refused to face him and look at Kate until she vanished from her sight. Leon inspected her from the head down to the toe. When Oriana still did not look, he hissed and took her wrist, dragging her to the lift through the garage. Questions flooded her mind when Leon told her to get in the car.

            'Where are we going?' 

            'Will he kill me? Or will he bury me live?'

             'But why did Lady Kate fix my hair and makeup? Why did Boss Zi assure me of my safety? Are those acts sign of respect before I die? But am I even worthy of their respect?'

            She looked around; the garage was filled with various cars with different models. "Hey, I said get in." Leon was already pissed. His grumpy face overpowered his neat and beautiful look.

            "Are these the cars of the High Members?" She changed the topic, trying to earn more courage.

            "No. All of these are mine. We all have our own garage. Now, get in." Oriana only stared at him. Irritated by her actions, Leon closed his door, walked towards Oriana, tossed her inside, and put on her seatbelt. "Will you kill me?" Leon's eyebrows met each other.

            "Do you really think I'll kill someone I just saved?" Leon looked at her straight in the eyes. Assuring her that what he is saying is true. His face is only three inches away from her. When Oriana realized how close they were, she looked down and said, "Sorry."

            Leon hissed and went to the driver's seat. The whole ride was filled with silence. They stopped at the biggest mall, still part of the Austere City. "Boss Zi owned this mall, in fact, the whole Kingdom. I'm aware that you know that. You can choose anything that you want but first, let's go to the supermarket." Every staff bowed at Leon. Some put their right hand on their chest and nod. Some secretly greeted him.

            "By the way, grumpy man- I mean, Colonel." Her eyes widened by the slip of her tongue. She bit her lower lip. Leon stopped and faced her.

            Oh no, tongue! Stop being careless, will you?!

            "What did you just call me?" He took a step towards her, making her step back. "Did I hear you right? You called me 'grumpy man'?" His words came out more as a statement than a question. He took another step. She stepped back, but her back hit the shelf. Dead end. Her heart pounded like a hammer again. Slight sweats are forming from her forehead.

            "C-colonel! T-thank you!" She stammered. Leon stopped. Confusion covered his face.

            "Thank you for everything. I heard from Lady Kate that you insisted not to execute me." She looked at him straight in the eyes. For a moment Leon did not move. Then he bent down to flick her forehead. "Aw!" She held her forehead and gently rubbed it. But she stopped when his lips curved a small smile.

            "When I go grocery shopping, there are a bunch of guys who always complain that the fish I buy is old and nasty. Or the vegetables are withered. So, I simply decided to have you come along to help. I hope you've got a keen eye. After this, we will buy new clothes and stuff for you."

            "C-clothes and stuff? But everything here is expensive." Leon's lips quivered, trying to hold his laugh.

            "What you are wearing now cost a year of an office worker's salary. You'll be a part of the First Rank Nobles and will be living with us. So, act your level and be used to luxury and fortune." Leon grabbed her wrist and started doing the grocery.