Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

After visiting her son, Queen Theodora returned to her residence. Inside the royal carriage that was heading back towards the Queen's residence, two women were seemingly lost in their own thoughts. After a while, the Queen looked at Lady Tyra. "The improvement in my son's condition, does Esther have to do something with it?"

Lady Tyra could not deny this claim of the Queen. "Yes, Your Majesty. It was her who saved the Crown Prince."

"Hmm, that young girl, how much will my family owe her? She has saved both my and my son's lives. It feels like no matter how much I try to repay her, it will never be enough," the Queen commented with a smile. "I wonder how we can reward her…"

Lady Tyra said nothing as she wished to refrain from talking more about Esther.

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When the Queen reached her residence, she immediately called for Esther.

"Your Majesty, I believe she is cleaning your chamber at the moment. Shall I call her down?" one of the ladies-in-waiting asked.

"Never mind. I'm going back to my room."

For saving her son, the Queen earnestly wished to thank Esther. When she came into her chamber, Esther and the other servants stopped what they were doing to greet her. She gestured for everyone but Esther to leave. Sitting in her chair, Queen Theodora looked at her young servant with a sincere smile.

"I wish to show you my gratitude, but it feels like no matter what I do, it will never be enough. Rather than a friend of the Ivanovs, you are like the guardian of my family," the Queen teased. "Tell me. Do you desire anything, Esther?"

Esther realized that the Queen knew what she had done. She politely refused. "You don't need to thank me, Your Majesty. Anyone in my place would have done the same to save the Crown Prince of this kingdom."

Queen Theodora shook her head. "Do not be so eager to refuse my offer. I don't know how to repay you this time. If you have any wishes, let me know. I will fulfil whatever it is."

"Thank you for the kindness, Your Majesty, but I don't have any such wish," Esther replied.

The Queen nodded. "I was expecting this from you. If not now, in future, if you ever need something, you can come to me and I will grant it without any question."

It would be burdensome for Esther to continue refusing, so she accepted it this time. "I will, Your Majesty."

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In a span of one week, the Crown Prince was able to completely recover, to the point that he was able to walk on his own and resume his duties in the palace. Even the injuries in his shoulder and waist disappeared and only healed scars that looked like years old were left to prove their existence.

To the royal physicians, it was nothing short of a miraculous recovery. It was magical, and rumours about how Prince Theron inherited the blessings of the founding dragon worshipped by the Kingdom of Megaris became very popular not only within the palace but the entire capital city of Blackhelm as well. No one knew the real reason why the Crown Prince was able to escape death when the physicians predicted he wouldn't wake up the next morning, and how in a span of one week, it was as if he was never injured. The small piece of Esther's soul that she shared with him was the reason for it.

During that week of recovery, Prince Theron stayed within his residence, as his parents strictly told him to not move around until the royal physicians finished observing his condition and gave him their approval. Most of the time, he spent it either in his study or in the drawing-room to receive guests. Many aristocrats and other members of the royal family came to bid him well wishes and brought gifts to cheer him up, but the one he truly wished to see never visited him. Every time his mother came to check on him, Esther never accompanied her.

"How are you feeling today, son?" Queen Theodora asked, looking at the young man who looked better than ever before. He was donned in formal tailored clothes that seemed to imply he was heading out. It was the first time he was allowed to leave his residence as only today did the royal physicians agree that he was healthy enough to resume his official duties as the Crown Prince.

"Strong enough to even join the knights in their morning training, Mother," he replied. The mother and son pair were inside the drawing-room. After gesturing for his servants to serve tea to his mother, his eyes instinctively searched for a certain blond lady among her companions.

'She was the one to save me. How can she not come even once during this week to see me?' he frowned inside.

Seeing him in a daze, Queen Theodora asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing, Mother," he replied quickly, dodging his mother's curious gaze, before asking with a frown, "Are mother's servants too lazy to accompany you? I see only your ladies-in-waiting doing their work."

With a small chuckle, Queen Theodora asked with a meaningful smile, "Is there anyone you are talking about in particular?"

"No one," he denied. "I just noticed you have fewer companions than usual, Mother."

"Is that so? Next time, I will make sure to have a couple of my favourite servants with me then," the Queen assured as the meaningful smile on her lips widened. "Oh, which reminds me, I will be throwing a banquet next week to celebrate your recovery. The invitations had already been sent out. Be sure to stay for the entire duration this time."

Prince Theron chose to ignore the last part. "Is it necessary?"

"Hmm," the Queen nodded. "The entire kingdom was worried about their Crown Prince so it's time for you to officially let everyone know that you are safe and sound. Not only will it alleviate the concerns of our citizens, it will also be a warning to whoever plotted against you that such attacks can't hurt us Ivanovs."