Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

Seeing Drayce's serious expression, the silver-haired elf could not help but throw him a look of pity.

"Poor child," Yorian commented, his tone patronizing. "Troubles seem to seek you persistently, and yet you intend to handle them all on your own? It's going to be difficult for you."

Drayce frowned at being addressed as a child, but given his position where he was asking for this esteemed person's help, he had no choice but to let it go. "That is why I am here to get help from you."

"Hmm," the elf sighed. "Well, it will seem ill-mannered of me to turn you away when you are sincerely asking for my assistance. Anyway, there is no reason for me to not agree as our enemy is the same. Moreover, you agreed to let me know what I am curious about, yes? I believe a king such as you will keep his word."

Drayce nodded. "I won't go back on my words as long as you won't cause any harm to my wife."

"That I won't," Yorian assured and then enjoyed his hot tea for a while. After he put down the empty teacup, he said, "Since that Black Witch has gone to Thevailes, soon, you will be facing additional troubles from that side."

"I have already ordered to strengthen the security at the border. More soldiers have been drafted in order to defend Megaris if Thevailes dares to break the ceasefire treaty."

"I believe you are not naive to think that you only have to face ordinary soldiers from Thevailes."

"Once that happens, I will personally step in to take care of it. If the King of Thevailes doesn't wish to fight in a human way, then I see no reason why I should not level the playing field."

The elf sighed. "Tsk, once again so many lives will be lost in a fight between human royalties."

"I have my plans," was all Drayce said to end the matter. "Anything more you have found about that witch other than knowing she has gone to Thevailes?"

"Unfortunately, I lack the means to spy on them with their group being an entire kingdom away, but I will let you know if I discover their tracks back in Megaris. After all, I am keen on finding my old acquaintance who she is hiding and using for her benefits."

Drayce understood who he was talking about and agreed. "Let me know what I can do to help rescue her."

"If we manage to separate Myra from that witch, then it would be easier to catch her and interrogate her about the rest of the black magic practitioners. Afterall, without the source of her strong black magic —a divine eagle's blood—she would have to compensate for it using human sacrifices of equivalent value, and that would be difficult to pull off in a short span of time."

"Hmm."

----

Drayce returned to the royal palace, and by then, Seren was awake. He thought she must be resting but his wife was inside her study and no one was allowed to enter without her permission, not even Drayce.

"Your Majesty, the Queen said she is fine and there is no need for you to worry. However, she refuses to see anyone for the meantime as she does not wish to be disturbed. I would send word to your aide once she opens her doors," Lady Xena, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, informed Drayce who was in front of his wife's study.

Though puzzled, Drayce nodded and left without contention.

This was a first for the young king. As Seren didn't allow anyone to see her, even her own husband, that meant she must have a reason. Though she was his wife, she was a person with her own mind, and it was right to give her privacy. But he could not help but wonder what she was up to, to not permit him to enter her study.

'As long as she is fine and enjoying herself.'

Drayce returned to his residence where he found Slayer waiting for him in his own study. The knight formally greeted Drayce in a knight's salute, his expression stern as usual.

The King sat in his chair behind the desk. "Is everything happening according to the plan?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. The military general will be here soon to discuss the proposed measures."

"Before leaving for Abetha, I need to visit the border. This time, there is a large possibility it is not something that the army can handle with just the soldiers' capabilities."

Slayer understood what Drayce meant. "The arrangement to leave for Abetha, everything is being prepared as you have ordered. About going to the border, be at ease that no one will know it."

-------

Inside the Queen's study.

"Your Majesty, you are amazing. In the short time you've been learning, you are already capable of playing simple tunes without committing a single mistake," the young Ayira praised Seren.

Seren smiled behind her veil. "Thank you, but it's still not good enough. I need to improve more so that I can be confident enough to not make any mistakes even when I am in a nervous state."

This caused the youngest princess to be impressed at the Queen's dedication. "For that, it is simply a matter of practice. You are already excellent at playing the zither."

With the music lesson finished for the day, Ayira only left after she had tea and snacks with Seren.

Lady Xena came in as soon as the princess was gone. "Your Majesty, the King sought to meet you about an hour ago but I did as you have instructed," the lady-in-waiting promptly informed her.

"Did he ask why I was refusing to meet people?"

"His Majesty said nothing."

"Thank you, Xena. That will be all," she said in relief and then went back to sit on the cushion on the floor in front of the zither. Since she had free time for the rest of the afternoon, she decided to practice some more.

After a while, Lady Tyra arrived there. She greeted the Queen and said with concern, "Your Majesty, you should not exert yourself much."

"I am fine, Lady Tyra," Seren responded as she plucked the strings, letting out a playful tone ring in the air. As soon as the sound faded, she caressed the zither with a nostalgic look. "There is something I wish to try and I also want you to tell me if it is right, of course, only if you have time to spare."

"Your Majesty, it is my honour to listen to your music."

Lady Tyra didn't know what Seren meant but she agreed to stay and waited for Seren to play the zither.

Seren's hands gently caressed the wooden top of the zither once more, and she closed her eyes as if she was trying to focus. Under her veil, a light smile appeared on her lips as if she had found something, and with her eyes still closed, her fingers moved the strings of the zither.

Soon enough, the study was filled with a beautiful peaceful melody that seemed to paint the beauty of nature to the listeners' ears,and not only Lady Tyra, even her servants who had been inside the room the entire time felt surprised. During the Queen's lessons, she had only been able to play the simplest folk songs taught by Princess Ayira. To witness their Queen playing unfamiliar music on the zither so skillfully was something beyond their comprehension.

Among them, Lady Tyra was more than shocked. The old lady almost staggered as she could not believe what she was hearing.

'This…how come Her Majesty knows this melody?'