Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

As Lady Clarisa continued her half-hearted apology on the side, Seren observed her chamber that seemed to deeply reflect the luxurious taste of the older lady. The decorations were lavish, showing a heavy preference for gold and gemstones as blue as her eyes. It made Seren idly recall that the jewelry set she received earlier as a gift also had blue gemstones. On one side, there seemed to be a shelf displaying all sorts of fancy jeweled antiques and animal hunting trophies.

Crossing that huge chamber with several side chambers, Lady Clarisa guided her way towards the balcony, which extended towards a garden. "This way, your Majesty."

Descending a few steps from the open balcony, they reached a small private garden with a small gazebo in the center, surrounded by ornamental plants and beautiful flowers that surely bloomed due to Seren's abilities affecting the entire palace. 

Lady Clarisa's servants pulled out the chairs for them as the two ladies sat opposite each other around the circular wooden table. Afterwards, the servants arranged freshly brewed tea and small snacks for them. 

As soon as the servants served the teacups in front of them, Lady Clarisa raised her hand to instruct them to step away. 

"Please have a taste of my favorite tea, Your Majesty," Lady Clarisa offered with a sweet smile. 

Seren nodded lightly and picked up the teacup to warm her hands, but didn't drink.  She then heard Lady Clarisa say, "Your Majesty, I sincerely wish you to be a great queen…"

Seren looked at her and heard her continue, "…unlike the previous queen who could not keep the glory of her title."

The way she talked, it didn't seem appropriate to Seren, but she didn't know what exactly had happened to queen Esther and why Lady Clarisa talked about her like this. 

Seeing the young queen remain silent, not asking anything, Lady Clarisa covered her mouth with a gloved hand, looking apologetic once more. "Don't take me wrong, Your Majesty. I just want you to do well. Doesn't matter what the previous queen has done. I hope you are aware of everything so you will be careful, not repeating the mistakes done by the previous queen. Such unworthy woman, bringing shame to the Ivanovs and the kingdom—"

Seren could no longer keep her mouth shut. "His Excellency, King Theron still didn't make any of his wives Queen even after the kingdom lost her.  To keep the Queen's throne empty for thirteen years, it shows how much King Theron valued Her Majesty Queen Esther's worth."

Lady Clarisa froze, nearly spilling the hot liquid on her hand, as she didn't expect Seren to say those words in such a firm manner. She was expecting her to ask what happened with Queen Esther, but the opposite happened. She thought this little witch was stupid, but she realized she underestimated this new queen. With a stiff smile, she swallowed this indirect insult that said King Theron loved Queen Esther and only her, and that her mistakes meant nothing to him. It also suggested that King Theron didn't consider Lady Clarisa as qualified or worthy enough to become the Queen of Megaris. 

'Are you saying I am lacking? That I am less than that lowly woman?!' Lady Clarisa immediately steadied herself as suspicion settled in her mind. 'Is this little witch already aware of what happened in the past? Only Drayce would have told her this ugly secret, but does he trust her this much to tell her everything? I don't think so. She is still new, and he has not even known her for a few months.'

With a pretty yet sad smile, Lady Clarisa said with a sigh, "My husband, Theron, sure is a great man with a big heart. Don't you think so?  To still respect his wife despite not deserving it and handing over his throne to the young bast—I mean, the young Drayce who doesn't carry his blood. But of course, His Majesty is a dragon showing great capabilities despite his young age. There is surely merit in my husband's decision, as His Majesty is a great swordsman and commander in the battlefield…"

Seren stared at her, trying to understand what she was trying to do. Since the start, Seren had no good feelings about this lady. After all, the impression she had of her on their first meeting by the lake was bad. 

Lady Clarisa let out a delicate gasp. "Oh! Your Majesty, are you not aware of the fact that King Drayce doesn't carry the Ivanov bloodline? Apologies! I hope you are not disappointed to discover yourself married to someone who is not from a royal bloodline."

"I believe a man's worth is determined by his actions and not the blood he carries."

"You are truly kind, as expected of our Queen!" Lady Clarisa nodded with a smile, hiding her disappointment that this young queen sure knew how to talk back. She didn't give her a chance to humiliate herself.

Seren continued as she had an idea of Lady Clarisa's true intentions. It somehow reminded her of the different treatment she received from the people of her homeland. The people of Abetha looked down on her due to her having half of her mother's blood, the same way Lady Clarisa seemed to look down on Drayce. 

"After knowing my husband, I am glad that I got to marry a man like him. He is a king not only by title, as he himself embodies every value a good ruler should have. The entire continent is aware of how capable he is as a king. He made this kingdom stronger and larger than ever, even if one browses through the history of the continent.  Every kingdom is wary of Megaris because of him. His Excellency's foresight is truly amazing to appoint my husband as a king."

Lady Clarisa could only agree to her words, but her sly mind could not be at peace. "Your Majesty, aren't you curious whose blood your future kids would be carrying?"

Seren gave her cold look and Lady Clarisa held herself back, "Don't take me wrong, Your Majesty. I do not mean to offend. I-I, yes, I am merely being an overly curious woman. Apologies for spewing nonsense. It is undeniable His Majesty is a great king. He truly is, yes, but what I mean is…Am I not considered your mother, and you my daughter? As we are one family, I am being curious about you and my future grandchildren. Is it wrong to care for our family?"

Seren's response was calm. 

"My kids will of course carry the glorious blood of their father. Doesn't matter the origin of it." 

Lady Clarisa nodded. "Such a broad and benevolent heart you have, Your Majesty. His Majesty sure is fortunate to have you as his wife," she praised. "I hope your kids won't look at their father's title that everyone calls him—the Devil's son—and like you, they will love him with such broadness."

Though Seren was always curious about Drayce and his past, she didn't wish to hear anything from this crafty lady. The way she spun her words made her feel…angry. Yes, Lady Clarisa was making her feel anger, something she didn't even feel towards the people who talked badly about her back in Abetha. She would wait till her next visit to the Great Lady. She was sure that her husband was not what they call him to be, and even if he was, then he was not any scary monster that they think of him.

"I believe our kids will love their father as much as their mother does," Seren replied to shut Lady Clarisa's annoying mouth. 

"That would be great," Lady Clarisa said. Despite her efforts, even the fake smile on her face could not hide her displeasure now. 

Just then, there was a loud screech in the sky, causing both Seren and Lady Clarisa to look up. It was Dusk who made a beautiful dive and landed at the railing of the garden gazebo. 

Glad for his arrival, Seren stood up and went to him. She as usual caressed the feathers of his head. "Didn't see you around for two days. Where were you?" she asked, knowing he would not even answer. 

"Seems like King Drayce does not trust us. To even send his pet to keep an eye on Your Majesty…" Lady Clarisa said as she glared at the majestic eagle. 

"This shows how much he cares for me," Seren said and looked at Lady Clarisa. "Isn't it?"

Lady Clarisa could only nod, schooling her expression once more. Still, she was upset inside as she discovered it was not easy to deal with this little witch.

"Did Dray send you here?" Seren asked, caressing Dusk's head. 

Dusk pecked on her hand. Only then did Lady Clarisa's attention latch into something. 

'Dray? So she is already calling him by his nickname. They are already intimate this quickly?' Lady Clarisa was aware that only a few people could call Drayce by that name, and those were the ones he valued more than anything, people who had been by his side for years and proved worthy of his trust. This young queen was added to them now.

'How did I forget? She is a witch.' Lady Clarisa looked at the scales on Seren's forehead. 'Witches are the epitome of vileness and deceit.  They are meant to be crafty. It is my fault to think she's just some innocent lamb. Witches sure are not easy to deal with though they are young,' she smirked.. 'Huh. A witch and  a devil, such an unholy pair!'