Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

After receiving the message from the Crown Prince's knight, a servant hurried towards the Queen's chamber. "Your Majesty? May I come in?"

"You may enter."

The servant entered the room and saw her fellow-servants together with unfamiliar faces arranging a table inside, setting plates and utensils for two. She bowed towards the beautiful woman sitting on the bed. "Greetings, Your Majesty! I have come to relay that His Highness Crown Prince Theron wishes to eat lunch together with you. Should I have the dining hall arranged for you or do you wish to eat in your room?"

Queen Theodora could not be happier that her only son finally got time to spend with her.

"Arrange everything that Prince Theron likes to eat," she happily instructed one of the servants arranging the table. "We will eat in this room."

Along with the royal physicians, Prince Theron also brought a handful of the Queen's personal servants from the palace since the initial report said that none of the ladies serving his mother survived the attack. These servants were aware of the likings of the royal family members since the royal kitchen was under the supervision of the Queen.

Lunch was quickly arranged inside the Queen's room, and the plates and utensils inside were set for three people.

After learning that not only would she be sharing a meal with the Queen of Megaris, but also with the Crown Prince, Esther felt it would not be appropriate to continue with the meal, not only due to the difference in status but also because as an outsider, she didn't wish to intrude on a family meal. Furthermore, in Prince Theron's view, she was someone suspicious. His impression of her might further drop if she were to act like an uninvited guest when he wanted to spend some alone time with his mother.

"Your Majesty, it would not be appropriate for me to join you for the meal. How about we two have it together next time?" Esther proposed.

"Why would it not be appropriate? Because my son is joining us?" the Queen asked.

Esther nodded. "I think His Highness wants you to have alone time with him, Your Majesty."

"It's fine, Esther," the Queen assured.  "Also, he won't say anything if you accompany us. I know my son best. He's being stubborn now, but once he confirms your innocence, you would find him far more thoughtful and warmer than even me. I wager he would be so grateful to you for saving my life, he won't even blink twice to reward you again, in addition to what I have already offered you."

After realizing that Queen Theodora was committed to having her stay for lunch,  Esther could not find another excuse again and simply nodded in resignation. However, if Prince Theron happened to say something objecting to her presence later, she would excuse herself and grab that chance to leave regardless of what the Queen has to say.

The servants had just placed the last platter taken from the kitchen when Prince Theron arrived at the Queen's chamber. Compared to last night when he was wearing dirty travelling clothes, he was dressed in impeccable dark clothing with golden hems and a crest of the Ivanov Family sewn on his cloak. His cold expression looked considerably milder as well, and it was due to him seeing his mother able to leave bed already. The older lady was sitting in front of a dressing table, and she no longer looked pale despite her wounds.

After he greeted his mother, his wandering gaze noticed a certain blond girl standing beside the Queen with her head lowered just like other servants in the presence of the Crown Prince.

Prince Theron almost did not recognize her, but her long honey blond hair was too peculiar, and it stood out among the reds and browns that were the most common hair colour in this part of the continent. It was a telltale sign of her identity, letting him know who she was despite her well-groomed appearance that could rival any of the noble ladies he had met in his life. Though she was standing with her head lowered, there was a grace in the way she stood. One could not say she was just a wanderer from the forest.

'Is she truly a commoner?' he could not help but wonder. The mild curiosity in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by the Queen.

Prince Theron helped the injured woman walk towards the dining table. Just as they reached the table, the Queen looked at the young lady who was standing silently on one side.

"Esther, why are you still standing there? Why are you not joining us?"

Esther inwardly sighed. In her mind, she was denying that this was a good idea, especially since the Crown Prince did not even acknowledge her existence, but she had to obey the Queen and thus, she forced herself to approach the table with a grateful smile.

The Queen looked at her son who didn't look surprised by what his mother said. He didn't object and simply helped his mother sit on the chair at the head of the table.

"Won't you say anything?" she asked him in a low voice.

"Knowing what mother's temperament is, this is nothing unexpected," he said as he sat on his own chair.

When Esther reached the table, the Queen gestured towards one chair. "Have a seat, my dear."

Esther reluctantly did so as one servant pulled out the chair for her. She was seated exactly opposite to Prince Theron and it made her feel even more awkward. Not like she was scared of him; she was strong enough to protect herself and was not feeling scared at all, but there was something about the presence of Prince Theron that made her feel a little nervous.

'Maybe because he is the Crown Prince? He has the proud dignity suitable as the heir of Megaris. Even though he is still young, he will soon be someone with the highest status in this land, whom everyone in this kingdom will have to bow to…yes, it makes sense. Commoners wouldn't even dare look into his eyes.'

This was how Esther consoled herself because if not for this, she could not find another reason for her nervousness around him.