Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

Seren sat up in bed and declared, "I will call Mister Yorian to check on you."

"There's no need. I'm fine," Drayce interrupted, attempting to sit up, only to let out a groan.

"Dray?" Seren exclaimed, her voice laced with concern, but Drayce managed to sit up and insist, "I am alright."

She wasn't convinced as she had never seen Drayce in pain as if he was invincible man. Even after her fought with angels on the night of her eighteenth birthday and was gravely hurt, he never showed a sign of experiencing any pain. But, now he could not hide that means he was seriously hurt.

"No, you're not," she said firmly. "Stay in bed and don't move." She then called for a servant and instructed them to fetch Yorian.

After some time, Yorian arrived in the chamber, accompanied by Slayer and the Great Lady.

The Great Lady approached with a cheerful smile. "Good to see you awake. You have no idea how worried you've made our little girl."

Drayce looked at Seren with an apologetic expression. "It won't happen again."

Seren turned to Yorian, concern evident in her tone, "He seems to be in pain."

Drayce glanced at Yorian and dismissed her worries. "She's concerned over nothing. I'm fine."

"That is for me to decide," Yorian countered as he approached the bed. "I did not expect you to wake up so soon, given your condition last night. I must wonder if my initial diagnosis was incorrect or if some miracle occurred overnight."

Drayce glanced at his wife, noticing the traces of dried tears around her dense eyelashes, and he knew he had made her cry. He had always kept Seren's secret—the power her tears held—close to his heart, never revealing it to anyone.

He could not bear the thought of her sorrow being used as a remedy for others, nor did he want anyone to view her as merely a means to heal their ailments. She was a person, not an object to be utilized. If it were within his power, he would have refused her tears for his own healing, preferring to endure his suffering rather than exploit her gift.

"You must have misjudged the extent of a Dragon's self-healing abilities, Yorian," Drayce said. "It's alright to be wrong sometimes."

"I believe that might be the case," Yorian replied with a playful smirk, taking Drayce's hand to examine him more closely.

"Is there anything to worry about?" Seren asked, her eyes brimming with concern.

Yorian shook his head. "There is nothing to worry about. The wound has healed entirely due to a miraculous healing ability typical of Dragons," he said, giving Drayce a knowing look. He seemed skeptical of Drayce's natural recovery but chose not to voice his doubts. "However, the divine aspect of his core is still mending and might take a week or two to fully recover."

"Not healed yet?" Seren asked.

"Queen Seren, though he is a Dragon, healing of physical wounds is different from healing of the spiritual ones. When the energy core is injured, it takes time to fully regenerate and regain its strength, even for a deity. King Drayce will be fine; just give it time," Yorian explained. "Do you understand?"

Seren nodded and turned to Drayce, her tone firm but caring, "Until you are entirely healed, you are staying right here. You need to rest."

"I will do as you say," Drayce agreed readily, not wanting to cause her any further worry. He had already brought her to tears once; conceding to her wishes now was the least he could do to make amends.

As the days unfolded, Drayce had little choice but to adhere to Seren's vigilant care. He passed the time mostly confined to his bed, occasionally walking in the garden or sitting by the lake, all the while focusing on rejuvenating his energy core under Yorian's supervision.

After two weeks, Seren, unable to contain her concern, asked, "Dray, how are you feeling now? Any discomfort or weakness still troubling you?"

As they prepared for bed, Drayce, sitting on the edge, seized the moment. He grasped her hand and pulled her onto the bed. "It seems it's time I proved to you that I'm fully recovered."

Underneath him, Seren pushed against his chest with her hands, her expression serious—a stark contrast to the blushing that might have colored such a moment previously. "Dray, I'm serious. Don't joke about your health."

"For the past two weeks, you've been using my health as a reason to keep me at bay and stop me being close to you. How can I convince you I'm well if you don't let me show you?"

"Is this really the only way?" she asked, her eyebrows knitting together in deep frown.

"For now, this is the only method I know," he replied, putting on a woefully sad expression. "Please, don't push me away tonight. I swear I'm completely healed."

Seren merely glared at him in response.

"Please, my Queen, my sweet Seren," he implored, his face melting into an even more pitiable expression.

Despite her attempts to maintain a stern facade, Seren couldn't suppress the laughter bubbling up at Drayce's exaggeratedly woeful expression. Her laughter was a clear defeat of her earlier severity.

"I'll take that as a yes," Drayce declared with a grin, gently holding her face to still her laughter with his hand and sealed her lips.

"Umm... I didn't say yes."

"I know your answers even if you don't say them."

Their playful banter continued, filling the room with light-hearted laughter until it gradually gave way to a quiet filled with softer, more intimate sounds.

Late into the night, while Seren lay asleep, Drayce received a discreet signal. Careful not to disturb her, he silently left the chamber and made his way to the lakeside.

"Why did you call me at this hour?" Drayce asked the shadowy figure awaiting him.

"I received a message from Oriana," came the response.

"What is it about?" Drayce inquired, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

"The last time she called for me was during the fullmoon in Othinia, and tonight marks another fullmoon," Yorian spoke as he looked at the bright moon, "I think Prince Arlan is facing the same trouble."

Drayce's expression shifted from calm to stern. "I will come with you."

"You've just recovered, and teleportation could be too taxing for you," Yorian advised. "I'll go first to assess the situation and report back. Then we can decide how best to proceed."

Drayce nodded reluctantly and watched as Yorian vanished into the thin air.

Left alone, Drayce gazed up at the moon, now luminous and full in the night sky. 'Arlan, you better be safe. Don't give me a reason to worry under these circumstances.'