Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

After spending more than a week at the cottage, enduring Drayce's relentless demands for intimacy, Seren finally broached the subject.

"Dray, when are we returning to the palace?" she asked quietly while eating. She was relieved that he allowed her a reprieve at least during meals. She wished her stomach were bigger so she could spend more time eating, the only time she felt free from his constant attention.

Drayce served more food onto her plate. "Are you bored here, my Queen?"

"No. I was just thinking you have been away from your duties for more than a week. You already had too much work to do after our visit to Othinia. I think you should resume your duties or our people might feel neglected by their King."

He stared at her for a moment, making her lower her gaze like a guilty thief.

"You're learning to make excuses, aren't you?"

"I was just worried about your image as a King. I don't want anyone to doubt my husband's capability as a king."

"You should think about my capabilities as your husband," he said with a meaningful gaze. "I'm sure I excel in that role."

'That's the reason I want to return to the palace. At least there, I won't be with you every moment of the day and night. If this keeps going on, my body will break. I'm sure it's only my divine power keeping me alive,' she thought, offering him a light, awkward smile. "I miss the palace. I want to go back."

He stared at her wordlessly, as if trying to see through her, making her nervous under his gaze. "Alright. We will return right away."

As if her life was being saved, her face brightened up. "Really?"

Seeing her reaction, he chuckled. "When did I not listen to you?"

"These past few days, you didn't listen to me," she mumbled, but Drayce heard her. "Did I?"

She nodded, her gaze accusing him. "You didn't listen even when I said to stop, that I was tired, that I wanted to rest. You didn't listen to me." She could not hold back any longer.

To her clear displeasure, Drayce simply patted her head. "Alright. I will listen to you. I won't overdo it."

"Thank you."

"How about one last time here before we leave?" he asked, as if everything depended on her wish.

Though doubtful, she nodded. "Only once, and then we leave."

"Sure," he offered her a gentle smile, but his gaze... Seren didn't trust that look.

'Have I fallen into his trap again?'

Drayce observed her doubtful gaze and said gently, "You should eat. The food is getting cold."

The sweeter he acted, the more she doubted him. This entire week, she learned one thing- never fall for a man's sweet words."

Her anxiousness made her lose the rest of her appetite. She drank some water and said, "I... am full."

"Good."

Later, Seren realized that agreeing with him had been a mistake. She should have trusted her gut feelings.

"Dray, you said only once…"

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"Of course, only once."

"But... it's been more than once... I can't…"

"I was talking about once for me, not for you, and I am not there yet."

"Dray, you fooled me… Ahh…"

"I am simply following what we agreed on."

"You liar, monster, I won't trust you anymore…."

By late afternoon, Drayce and Seren finally returned to the palace. Seren's tired body, clad in new clothes, was being carried in his arms as he teleported to her chamber. He placed her gently on the bed and pecked her forehead. "Rest."

Too exhausted to reply, she simply closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.

When he brought her back in a half-unconscious state, her face was covered with a veil. He preferred it to be her decision when she wished to remove it and show herself to others. He instructed the servants to let her rest undisturbed and then returned to his study.

Yorian arrived after a while. He greeted Drayce and sat in the chair opposite him.

"Good to see you back, King Drayce."

"It's been just a week since I was gone. Don't tell me I don't deserve to spend a week in silence with my wife."

"When did I say you can't? I've been waiting to inform you about a few things while teleporting between Griven and Megaris. Something that might shock you."

"About Arlan? What did you find out?" Drayce asked, remembering Oriana had called for Yorian.

Yorian explained the entire situation about Arlan and Oriana to Drayce. "...So, Oriana is the one your friend has been looking for desperately, his betrothed he wished to kill."

Drayce was shocked to hear this.

"Also, your friend revealed to her that he is a Dragon," Yorian added. "More like he did it to scare her away, and he revealed it in the most brutal way."

Drayce pinched the bridge of his nose. "He is always extreme in everything he does."

"What I told you is just ordinary gossip. The darker part is yet to come."

"What do you mean?"

Yorian explained what had happened to Arlan and how he had been tormented for almost two decades and was still suffering.

Drayce, shaken to his core and filled with worry for his friend, stood up.

"Where are you going?" Yorian asked.

"Where do you think?" Drayce shot him a cold glare.

"I am coming as well," Slayer declared, gripping the handle of his sword, ready to kill anyone who had hurt his friend.

"Calm down, you two," Yorian raised his voice. "If you two could solve anything, I would have asked you to do it first."

"I can only calm down once I kill that witch," Drayce roared.

"And then kill your friend's family along with her?" Yorian countered. "Do you think Prince Arlan can't kill her? Why is he still suffering for so long? It's time to act rationally, King Drayce."

Drayce inhaled deeply to calm himself and looked at the elf, his red eyes still filled with fury. "What do you suggest then? Let him suffer for eternity?"

"No. I won't let it happen," Yorian replied confidently. "If you two calm down, I can explain."

Drayce sat back in his chair while Slayer also calmed down.

"What do you plan?" Drayce asked, adding, "Whatever you say, the end should be that witch's demise."

"For now, I need Commander Sander's help," Yorian replied.

"I will do whatever you say," Slayer replied, ready to go on a mission to kill someone.

"I need the help of your abilities that no one else possesses," Yorian said, his gaze fixed on Slayer.

Slayer had never acknowledged his secret abilities, but for his friend's sake, he was ready to do anything. "I will do it."

Yorian turned to Drayce. "The night of the full moon is in a few days, and Prince Arlan will go to that witch once more. That night, I plan to use the opportunity to understand the witch better and make her reveal her secrets and intentions before we plan to kill her, without harming Prince Arlan's family.

On that night, Slayer's abilities will protect Arlan and Oriana without anyone being harmed." He then turned to Slayer. "Commander, you are not allowed to kill her. Your job is to scare her and protect Arlan and Oriana. No matter how enraged you are, you won't kill her."

"I won't," Slayer assured.

"Once we know everything, we will devise a plan," Yorian said, standing up. "I will take my leave now. I'll return when needed."

Drayce and Slayer agreed while the elf left.

"We didn't know what he was…." Slayer frowned. "How could he hide it from us for so long?"

Drayce was unusually quiet, having no words as well.

Late that night, Drayce returned to Seren. He was aware she had rested properly and spent a good time with her lady servants, talking and catching up on the latest gossip.

When he entered the chamber, Seren was resting. Sensing his arrival, she turned to look at him as he approached the bed. She wanted to tell him to stay away from her that night, but seeing his troubled expression, she swallowed her words.

She let him climb into the bed and slip under the duvet. Turning to face him, he held her closer.

"Is something troubling you?" she asked.

"It's nothing," he said, holding her closer and closing his eyes. "You need to rest more."

She was certain something was bothering him. "Are you going to hide things from me now?" she mumbled.

"I just don't want to worry you with outrageous things."

"It's fine. I can handle whatever it is."

Drayce sighed and explained what Yorian had told him.

She was shocked but raised her head to look at his worried face. She knew how deep the bond of brotherhood ran between him and his friends and how enraged he must be inside.

"Mister Yorian said they will be fine. Trust in his words."

Drayce could only nod, listening to her as she hugged him softly, offering him the comfort he desperately needed. "Everything will be alright."

Drayce's hands tightened their hold around her, as he hummed and closed his eyes.