Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

The atmosphere within the royal carriage was strangely quiet as it left Obsidian Palace. Drayce was a man of few words, and among the many times Seren had shared a carriage ride with him, a majority of them were spent in silence. However, the silence this time was different— one could sense an unusual coldness around Drayce, giving one the notion that he was covered in thorns and it was dangerous to disturb him. 

Her husband stared blankly at the passing view outside the window. He was obviously upset and angry, but Seren did not know how to comfort him. She could only look at him and wonder about what she overheard from the drawing-room. 

'Just like me, he doesn't get along with his father.' Seren sighed at their similarity. 'But I wonder how bad their relationship is. What happened in the past? How could it have gotten to the point that King Theron could say that Dray is not his son and vice versa? Could it be true or was it an outburst of anger like how I don't accept King Armen as a parent, but more as a warden? But…it's impossible that they are not blood-related. What kind of king would not hand the crown to his heir? If Drayce is not his real son, Prince Keiren should have been made king instead of Drayce…so it must be that their father-son relationship grew bad after Drayce was crowned. To call his son a devil, it seems like there's a blood feud between them. There are so many things that are difficult to understand. Ahh…but one thing is clear: that their relationship has grown so bad, even Grandma finds it impossible to fix.'

Drayce sensed her gaze that was stuck to him from the start. He could see the curiosity in her eyes, but he had no intention to explain. "Just ignore whatever you have heard there. Nothing good will come out of thinking about it."

Seren nodded as she tried to suppress the questions in her mind. She didn't want to further upset him. She only caught the last part of their conversation, and she had little understanding about the Ivanovs. In fact, she was clueless not only about the relationships within the royal family but also with the high society of Megaris. Although she was unused to gossip, she realized that she should pay more attention in the future since it pertained to understanding her husband and the family she married into. Drayce appeared greatly affected by whatever the father and son talked about. Maybe in the future, he would open up on his own, and until then, she could only wait.

They soon returned to the Grand Palace to grant an audience to the delegates from the other kingdoms, along with some of the important personages who came to the wedding ceremony. It didn't take much time and the King and Queen were free just in time for lunch. 

"Your Majesty, the Great Lady has invited you and the Queen to the Crystal Palace. I have already cleared your schedule for the rest of the afternoon," Jasper informed the young king, knowing that when it came to the Great Lady, Drayce would never turn her down. "She has also extended invitations to the delegates from Abetha and Griven as well, and they are all waiting by the lake. Shall we set off now?"

Drayce nodded and while something clicked in Seren's mind. 'Should I ask Grandmother about why Dray and his father are like this? Will it be fine to ask her once I visit her in the crystal palace? I hope grandmother won't think that I am being nosy.'

The royal couple rode the carriage once more towards the large ancient lake with crystalline waters. Inside the gazebo, they saw the same group they had their morning meal with. Arlan, Lenard, Cian, and Duke Wimark were all conversing with each other, while Little Rayjin was looking at the floor made of pure glass, enjoying the view of the colorful fishes swimming in the water. 

The moment she saw Seren, she ran towards her. "Oh, Seren! The gazebo has glass flooring! I can see the fishes! Many colorful fishes! Have you seen those colorful fishes?"

Seren nodded at the excited girl. "I have."

"They are so pretty!" exclaimed the little girl, smiling from ear to ear. "There are baby fishes as well. Come with me, I'll show them to you! They are swimming in this area—"

Seren went with Rayjin while Drayce turned towards the group of men. 

"It has been a long time since I last visited this gazebo, and the view remains breathtaking. Looking from here, everything feels so peaceful," Arlan said and looked at Cian. "I say, this has to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire continent."

Cian was used to traveling around and he agreed to Arlan's sentiment. "Indeed. I will even believe it if you are to claim that the reason why the royal palace is built in this area is due to this ancient lake." 

Upon seeing Drayce approach them, everyone except Arlan gave him a bow. Drayce raised a brow. "Why are you all waiting here instead of heading straight to the Crystal Palace? Grandmother must be waiting for you." 

Drayce knew his grandmother was fond of Arlan and thought of him as a grandson as well. During their younger days, Arlan used to spend a lot of time in the Royal Palace of Megaris.

"The Great Lady was with us just a while ago," Arlan told him. "We were touring the gardens when she saw us from her carriage. When Rayjin heard you would be coming as well, she insisted that she wants to ride with you and your wife so the Great Lady said she'll go ahead first."

Everyone then left for the Crystal Palace. Drayce and Seren of course had a boat for themselves and Rayjin accompanied them.  The four men sat in another boat. 

As their boat moved away from the gazebo, Rayjin squealed as she leaned over the edge, excited to see the fishes swimming near the boat. Her eyes widened when she noticed the colorful bottom of the lake covered with plants and pebbles. 

"It's so pretty," Rayjin said and stretched her hand to touch the water. 

"Rayjin, water is cold. Don't touch it," Seren instructed. "Don't lean too much as well. What if you fall into the lake?"

Rayjin, who was sitting next to Seren, nodded and obediently sat back on her heels. She continued to stare at the water. 

Drayce looked at his wife who was sitting opposite him and said, "Rayjin reminds me of when you visited this lake for the first time. I remember you enjoying the boat ride."

Seren remembered that time and her lips curved into a smile. "It sure was exciting.  I have never seen water as clear as this lake, and it was my first time seeing what the world underwater looks like."

Just then, she heard Drayce continue, "I believe now you understand the meaning of all the things I said at that time."

Seren's face was covered in pink blush as it didn't take her time to remember everything. She frowned at herself. 'How silly I was.'

"Do you?" Drayce asked again. 

"I do," she replied. 

"What are you two talking about?" Rayjin asked suddenly. 

Seren didn't know what to say and Drayce answered, "We were talking about the first time Seren visited this lake and rode this boat."

"Ohh," Rayjin said and looked at Seren. "Were you happy like me?"

Seren nodded as she straightened Rayjin's hooded winter coat and asked, "Aren't you feeling cold, Rayjin?" 

Seren recalled how cold she felt when she was here for the first time. Thankfully, she no longer had to worry about it as she wore the stone gifted by Drayce whenever she headed out. 

Rayjin rubbed her glove-covered hands. "It's really cold." She then looked at Seren. "Didn't you feel cold when you first came here?"

"I did," Seren replied. She pulled Rayjin closer to her and put an arm around her to provide her some warmth. 

"Then what did you do?" Rayjin asked. "Did you bring a blanket?" 

Seren stared at her for a moment. 

What did she do? She sat on Drayce's lap and let herself be wrapped in his warm embrace. 

Seren gulped and looked at Drayce who was also looking back at her while carrying a light smirk on his lips. 

"She sat on my lap and held me tight to feel warmer," Drayce answered Rayjin's question.