Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

"Don't pay attention to the rumours. She is not what they say," the Great Lady countered.

"I hope so," he said and decided to merely have tea, leaving his meal barely touched.

Just then, a servant arrived and informed Theron about the arrival of his eldest son. As a lord of a territory, Keiren was outside the capital and he came to visit his father as soon as he heard the news.

"Your Excellency, Prince Keiren is here to visit you."

Theron simply replied with a nod which the servant understood. As the servant left, Great Lady Theodora's mood lifted that she would see her grandson whose face she seldom sees within the royal palace.

A handsome brown-haired man in his late twenties in travel-worn hunting gear was led to the gazebo by the servant. It could be seen that in his hurry, First Prince Keiren did not even stop to fix his appearance and went straight to the Obsidian Palace upon his return.

"Keiren greets Grandmother and Father," he said with a relieved smile, knowing that things were less serious than expected if his father was healthy enough to meet guests in the garden. "Please pardon my unruly appearance."

"Nonsense. Keiren, good to see you back," the Great Lady said smiling pleasantly. "Have a seat."

Keiren sat in one of the empty chairs around that circular wooden table inside the gazebo. The servant who escorted them poured him a cup of tea before leaving the royal family to enjoy their time.

The Great Lady pushed some of the snacks towards her eldest grandson. "Looking at you, you travelled straight without eating or resting. Come, eat some food."

"Grandmother, please do not treat me like a child anymore," Keiren laughed and he looked at his father. "How are you, Father? I heard the injury you received was severe."

"I am fine," Theron replied and asked, "How is Trent? I heard that you allowed some mercenary groups to use one of your cities as a base?"

"Flourishing, of course. It is favourable to simply focus on commerce, buying whatever materials they gain from hunting, while the people find more means to earn," Keiran replied.

As he was the brother of the ruling monarch, Keiren was granted the Duchy of Trent where he had been serving as territory lord. It was a bountiful region in the west where he also served as the protector of the borders.

Theron simply gave a light nod and continued to drink tea. His mother and his son proceeded to have a conversation of their own, aware that Theron's personality had always been like this. He was already satisfied knowing that his son was doing well.

After some time, the servant returned to announce the arrival of more guests.

"Your Excellency, the princesses are here to visit you. Should I bring them to the drawing-room?"

Even before Theron could react, his mother spoke up, "What a beautiful day it is that I am seeing my grandchildren together!" She looked at the servant. "Bring them here in the garden and arrange tasty snacks for them. Did all four come?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Theron simply sighed and let his mother do what she wanted. Soon, several servants came to arrange more chairs inside the gazebo. Not long afterwards, more snacks were put on the table as well.

In a while, the servants escorted four beautiful young ladies to the gazebo, looking as dainty as flowers in their pretty dresses.

The blue-eyed Princess Taisie, the First Princess and Lady Clarissa's daughter.

Princess Coral and Princess Onyx, the dark-haired Second and Third Princess given birth by Lady Yavia.

Princess Ayira, the youngest princess and the shy daughter of Lady Saira.

The four princesses bowed and greeted their grandmother, father and eldest brother.

As Great Lady Theodora told them to join them at the table, the princesses happily complied, in turn inquiring about their father's health, to which he simply replied like how he did to Keiren.

"Just rumours. I really am fine," and that was the end of that topic.

He then posed a brief question about their individual affairs.

"Royal father, I got praised for my horse riding skills."

"I am currently learning archery from the captain of the archery unit."

"The tutor mentioned I have an eye for trade and commerce."

"I am interested in learning to paint."

It was always like this. Theron never talked much, but he was always aware of what was going on with his children. He was the kind of father who never showed much affection to any of his kids, but they knew that nothing they did would escape his eyes. They were used to the silent treatment from their father, content to simply know he cared enough to meet them.

Theron simply sat there while the prince and princesses chatted with their grandmother. Though he was not part of the conversation, he was inwardly content to watch them talking and smiling.

From their talk with their grandmother, he was learning what else was going on in their lives.

But the more he looked at them, the more he felt the warmth in his chest disappear.

His children.

One was missing, and that was his second son.

Just then, the First Princess asked, "Did His Majesty not come here to see Father?"

The old lady felt conflicted to answer about it as she was not sure what she should say. It was an open secret to everyone, not only the royal family, that this father and son never got along well.

Keiren noticed his grandmother's conflicted expression and answered, "He must have visited Father even before we did."

"We thought we would get to see him here," Taisie said and looked at her other sisters, "didn't we?"

The Second and Third princesses nodded while the youngest one kept quiet.

"Dear sisters. You forget the time. The royal court session should have started. He should be in the Grand Palace now, his ears bleeding from listening too much to the officials' complaints," Keiren lightly rebuked his sisters, not wanting the atmosphere to remain serious. "You should know that as the King, he is the busiest man in the entire kingdom."

Theron stood up, "You all can spend time with your Grandmother," he then looked at his mother, "I will take a leave."

His mother didn't stop him and he left.