Two carriages arrived at the Verner residence, where the butler greeted them and led them inside. As they entered the drawing room, Gwen, Paul, and Rina saw a beautiful woman waiting for them. She hurried forward upon seeing them.
"Your Highness," Gwen bowed, followed by Paul.
Rina, though confused, did the same. Why did this royal-looking woman seem so familiar? Why did she look like someone Rina knew? Was she mistaken?
"Aunt Gwen, Uncle Paul, good to see you here," the woman said, her eyes glistening with moisture. "Please, call me Oriana."
Paul and Gwen simply nodded.
Rina raised her head and looked at Oriana. 'Did she just say Oriana? Orian…Oriana?..."
Oriana offered her a pleasant smile. "Rina, good to see you after so long."
'That same smile, same voice. I'm not mistaken,' Rina thought. She couldn't hold back and asked, "Are you Orian? A woman, not a man?"