Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

"You are such a sweet pet. Let me hug you and squeeze you--" Seren stepped forward with her arms open for a hug, but Dusk swiftly dodged, flying a bit before landing back on that wide stone railing of the balcony.

It was instinct. Dusk could feel the sudden change in Drayce's gaze. Deep in his conscience, he knew it was not a good thing to let her touch him more than required as he was deceiving Seren. If by chance one day his identity were to be revealed to her, he didn't want her to recall acting so intimately and regret those innocent touches after realizing she was doing all these with a man, and not just an animal.

Seren looked at the eagle, feeling puzzled that he dodged, and then looked at Drayce. "I wasn't going to really squeeze him. Did I just scare him?"

Drayce moved his gaze from his pet to his wife. "Birds don't find hugs comfortable. If you wish to have a pet that you can hug, we can get you a dog or any other small animal."

"Umm...I will think about it," Seren said and then looked at Dusk. "Fine, I won't hug you."

'Not like I mind, but we just can't. You are someone else's wife,' Dusk thought.

After she talked to him for a bit more, she allowed Dusk to leave while she walked back inside with Drayce to have their meal.

On the way to the dining hall, Seren said, "Dray, I have been thinking...I think I want to get a cute cat as my pet."

"A cat?"

"Aren't they such adorable yet elegant creatures? Dogs are too energetic for me. When I was younger, I did have  a cat... I can hug a cat when I want to and even sleep with my cat since cats love to sleep. It will feel nice to have a soft and fluffy cat in my arms. Imagining one--"

Drayce gave her a side glance. "Are you trying to give my place to a mere pet, my Queen?"

His response puzzled the naive woman. "Why would you say that, Dray? I won't..."

"Then, even if you have a pet, it won't be allowed to stay on your bed and sleep with you. Only I can accompany you in bed. Though I won't feel as soft and fluffy like it, you need to get used to holding me in your arms," Drayce interrupted her.

Seren stopped walking, which made Drayce stop as well, and he turned to look at his wife. Before he could say anything, she spoke as he glanced at his tall and strong body.

"I have a problem. I doubt my thin arms can hold you, Dray."

Drayce understood what she meant. "Then, I have a solution. I will be the one to hold you in my arms."

Seren smiled under her veil. "I never said I don't want to."

Once again, those flirting words...

Drayce held her hand and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly against his body. "Are you tempting me, my Queen?"

She offered him a questioning gaze. "For what?"

"For me to take you back to your chamber instead of going to have our meal."

She looked bewildered and immediately shook her head. "I didn't do anything."

This time, Drayce didn't buy it. "Are you really not aware, my Queen?"

She cleared her throat hesitantly, as she squirmed in his arms. "That...I suddenly realized you are not calling me by my name, Dray." She was quick to change the topic.

"Does it bother you?"

"No, not really..."

He lowered his head such that his mouth was touching the lobe of her delicate ear. "It's because when I call you 'my Queen', it reminds me that you belong to me and me alone...that you are mine..."

Seren shivered as she felt his hot breath against her skin. "Oh, uhh, t-then when would you call my name? I like it when you say it. No one calls me by my name."

Drayce moved his face closer to hers, such that she could clearly see the intensity of his gaze.

"How about tonight?"

Seren's body stiffened in his hold, a blush spreading over her veiled face as she realized his intentions. She gulped and said, "I think I am hungry...Shall we go and eat?"

Drayce took a step back to take a better look at her embarrassed squirming. "What am I going to do with you, my Queen? You speak as if you're bold, but when it comes to the act itself, you turn into a scared kitten. Do you love to check my patience?"

She felt like being accused and shook her head. "No, I... I didn't mean to, Your Majesty."

She went back to calling him from his name to his title, which means she was trying hard to pretend to be brave.

He chuckled and pecked on her veil-covered lips. "I am merely teasing you. You are allowed to flirt with me, but I am not allowed to tease you, hmm?"

She felt relieved to see the tenderness in his gaze. "I won't do it again--"

"I didn't say you can't," Drayce cut her off, "but you better be aware that I am only letting you go just because you are not yet of age. A time will come when you will have to think twice before flirting with me."

"I-I understand..."

Drayce let her go, allowing her nerves to calm down, and the royal couple finally reached the dining hall where the two shared a comfortable meal together.

-----

After having a fulfilling meal with his wife, Drayce had to reluctantly return to the Grand Palace to attend the rest of his schedule for the day. Riding on horseback on the way, he sensed something. Drayce looked around towards the sky and heard Slayer ask in a low voice, "Is he here?"

Drayce nodded. "Would you like to come this time?"

"If Your Majesty wishes me to," Slayer replied.

Drayce turned his horse so he could look at his knight. "I am asking you as your friend, not your liege."

Slayer immediately nodded. "Yes, Dray. I would want to meet him as well."