The Oreans

Chapter 46

Chapter 46

More Pleasant and Unpleasant Surprises

Divan watched incredulously as Adrien, closely followed by Lord Melvil, marched out of the field after acknowledging him and Rafim. Was he really Prince Reihan — he with whom he had shared several adventures under the heat of the sun and through the coldness of winter? There had not been a single sign — no allusion to anything regal. His marked intelligence and talent could have been an indication, but Adrien had been quite unassuming and unobtrusive. No one had suspected — not even the commander.

"Rafim! Divan! I'm here." It was Alen, calling from among the confused audience. This had shaken him from his reverie. He looked around at Rafim, but the latter was already walking towards the direction opposite to what Adrien — or Prince Reihan had taken.

He remembered just then that he had to talk to her. He could not let her go away without explaining what he had done. "Rafim, wait! We need to talk," he cried, running after her. He needed to make her understand that he had not meant her any harm ... that what he had done was for her sake.

Rafim, however, did not even spare him a glance. She rushed towards the entry. Rinea met her there from the stands and took her away straight off.

"Van, what's going on?" Alen, breathing heavily, had just caught up with him.

He came to a halt, feeling it was futile to chase her with all these people swarming between them, and faced the lad.

"That was quite a fight." There was more reproach than appreciation in the lad's tone. "You both frightened me."

"You know we can't help it."

"Rafim looks angry with you." It was not a question, but a statement.

Divan shook his head distractedly. It would take a lot of explanations before Alen could understand the situation.

"Van?"

He decided for a half-truth just to satisfy him. "It's something I told her back there," he said, averting his eyes.

"Her?"

All at once, Divan realized his blunder. "I mean—"

"You said 'her'," Alen cut in. "You know that Rafim is..."

Divan had thought that he had had enough surprise for one day; he was wrong. "You know Rafim's secret, too, then?" he asked cautiously.

Wearing a hesitant air, Alen looked around at the gate where Rafim had just disappeared with Rinea. Divan had never thought until now how much he had underestimated Alen. The boy might have been Rafim's confidant all this while.

"I understand we cannot talk about it freely here," he said. "Come on. Everyone else is leaving."

"Who would imagine that we're living under the same roof with the prince of Florea?" Divan said as he pushed open the door to their house. "Isn't it overwhelming?"

Alen did not reply. Divan, looking around, caught him staring at the next house, lost in thought. Was Alen still preoccupied with what he had witnessed in the arena a while ago or with something else?

"How long have you known it, Van?" Alen suddenly asked, peering at him searchingly.

"Known what?" he returned though he understood Alen's question perfectly. He stepped into the house, trying to avoid the boy's gaze. Alen simply followed him in and stood face to face with him.

"How long have you known Rafim's secret?"

Divan had been wishing Alen would ask about Adrien instead. He was not ready to talk about Rafim yet. There were so many things he had to work out first—alone. He made for the study.