Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

Drayce stared at the pair of shapeshifters.

"The woman you are searching for is my wife, but your people are neither my friend nor my foe. The dignity of the royal family cannot be so easily sullied. I will give you one chance.

"Go back to your kingdom and inform your king that I, Drayce Ivanov, the King of Megaris, is officially demanding an explanation for his actions. Depending on his answer, I will decide whether or not Agartha and Megaris can have a non-hostile relationship."

Draven Aramis and the Kingdom of Agartha.

A king whose name was never recorded in history and a kingdom that could never be found on any official map.

Drayce was sure there must be a serious reason for the king who had kept himself and his kingdom hidden from the humans to be suddenly looking for Seren. His wife's life was no less than a mystery and there might be a chance that he would get few answers about her from Draven Aramis.

There were no coincidences in this world, and life is but destiny unfolding for everyone—-that was what his mother used to tell him.

Aureus looked at the unresponsive eagles. "You two can return to your kingdom and inform your king what His Majesty had just said. I will come visit soon."

Though they were disappointed that the young Divine Eagle would not be accompanying them back, the two shapeshifters respected his decision. They stood up and paid proper respects towards Aureus, not neglecting the elf and Drayce as well, sensing the other two had to have important identities as well.

Once the two brown eagles left, Drayce found Aureus wearing a sombre look.

"What are your plans?" he asked, causing the younger man to compose himself.

"First, I will visit Agartha. Let me act as an envoy to test the waters and understand the people of that kingdom. Once I return, then we can more properly plan your meeting with the King of Agartha."

Drayce had the same thoughts. For him, Seren's safety was his priority. He would not easily let himself leave her side. While Aureus was gone, he needed to make sure first that his absence would not put Seren under any threat, and only then could he leave her alone.

"When do you plan to leave?" Drayce asked.

"Today, but before that I need to inform Tyra."

"Fine!"

Bowing to him lightly, Aureus flew away after glancing at the elf.

Within the forest, only Drayce and the silver-haired elf were left. "Elf, you seem very interested in the affairs of my people. I do not believe it's by chance you have made your way here—"

"Yorian," the elf interrupted. "My name is Yorian. Stop calling me 'elf'."

Drayce raised a brow. He had realized it before, but not only was this elf nosy, he was also quite whimsical. He seemed to have forgotten he never introduced himself, so there was no way Drayce would have known his name.

"So Yorian," he said, emphasizing the elf's name, "what you told about the Divine Eagle clan, you sound like you were already aware of everything about Aureus and his mother."

Yorian didn't deny it and simply crossed his arms over his chest.

"Why didn't you say anything before?"

The elf smirked. "Why would I say important intelligence for free? You don't wish to let me get what I want but you want me to tell you everything?"

Drayce ignored his remark as he was sure he would not agree to his demands. "I believe you are sure the strand of hair we found belongs to his mother."

"Hmm," the elf agreed. "That hair sure belongs to a female of the Divine Eagle Clan, and there had  only been one such female for the past thousand years."

Drayce remained silent for a while. "Have you found any clues about the Black Witch and her followers?"

"I have."

"Where are they?"

"Alas, you are once more trying to gain information for free," the silver-haired elf called Yorian complained. "Fine, I will tell you this one since it's useless anyway. Their tracks indicate they have left this kingdom. It might or might not be their real tracks though, as I find it difficult to believe that those black magic practitioners will give up so easily."

"Where are those tracks headed?" Drayce asked.

"I wonder if you will be happy or sad to know it," the elf commented.

Drayce made a guess. "An enemy kingdom?"

High Elf Yorian, being a wanderer of this continent, often heard about major human affairs, such as wars occurring between the kingdoms. "I believe your kingdom is not on good terms with Thevailes."

Drayce could guess what could happen and heard the elf saying the same.

"Since you like free stuff, let me tell you something that is common knowledge among beings my age," Yorian said. "In the past, this group of black magic practitioners belonged to those who sided with humankind, leading to the massacre that shook the world of supernatural beings.

"Young king, these people are experienced slaughterers of the battlefield. You can imagine what can happen if they fight against your kingdom's human army. As an elder, I advise you to tread carefully and not make hasty decisions."

"Seems like they are meant to meet their end in my hands."

"Ah, youth and ego!" Yorian pitifully shook his head at him. "You speak so arrogantly because of your powers, but it is not wise to believe you are invincible. You do not even know your enemies yet, their real numbers and strength. Unless you erase black magic in this world, it won't be that easy to touch that Black Witch. My advice is for you to separate Myra, that child's mother, from that Black Witch first. Though you cannot destroy your enemies yet, you can opt to weaken them."

Drayce had already thought about it. Right now, he still had many things to juggle in his hands.

First, the secret of his wife's past. For that, he needed to meet her nanny. Only she could lead him to the person who had appointed her to look after Seren, possibly Seren's birth mother, and he was sure that person would have all the answers he needed.

Through that, he would find clues about his mother, because she should have met either the nanny or her birth mother when she passed her flower mark to Seren.

Afterwards, he had to meet the King of Agartha and find out why he was after his wife.

After these immediate concerns were dealt with, he still needed to look for that green-eyed woman who Seren saw in her dream and then talk to the King of Abetha about the reason he was protecting Seren.

Drayce could not imagine how many secrets would be revealed when he finished treading this path.