Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

Drayce respectfully gestured to Cian to have a seat. Cian sat in a chair placed on the right side of the square-shaped wooden table and opposite to where Arlan sat on the left side of the same table. Both sat facing each other, one on the drayce's left side while the other one on the right side.

Drayce looked at Cian. "May I know the reason for Prince Cian's visit?"

"I am here to get answers to a few questions from King Drayce," Cian replied, getting directly to the point.

"I hope it will only be solved by talking and not fighting," Arlan commented, and the other two looked at him. Arlan cleared his throat and said, not minding their glares, "Please continue!"

Drayce and Cian ignored him and looked at each other to continue their serious talk.

Drayce already had guessed what it must be. "You may proceed."

"King Drayce's pet is serving the Third Princess. May I know how that eagle reached my sister?" Cian asked, looking all serious.

"Birds keep flying here and there where we can't reach," Drayce replied.

"To the extent of providing her with food and water and even protecting her from others, even her father and brother are not allowed to go to her," Cian added.

"Isn't it a good thing?" Drayce asked as he commented, "One abandoned and lonely princess found solace in a bird who is better than the scary humans around her."

Cian understood the mocking words of Drayce. It was sad that Seren had to be imprisoned even after being a princess of Abetha and was forced to live a lonely life. It was to protect her, but from exactly what Cian was unaware of. But he was sure she wouldn't be safe with the normal people around them; that's why his father never allowed her to be out.

Drayce continued, "Dusk is not an ordinary eagle. It's a rare species. His protective instincts are stronger towards the one he had built an attachment to."

"Care to elaborate, King Drayce? Suddenly I have an urge to know the traits of that rare species of an eagle," Arlan said, smiling teasingly. 

Drayce glared at Arlan as he said, "He is egoistic if you challenge him, impatient if you ignore him, unsympathetic when attacking the enemies, and pushy when it comes to protecting someone. One should be wary of his strong claws that can never leave the one once he gets hold of."

As if Arlan was already expecting to hear it, he commented, "Why does it sound to me like the description of that eagle's master."

Drayce didn't react to Arlan's comment as he maintained the same neutral expressions. 

Cian understood the underlying meaning of Drayce's words, but for now, he wanted to know something else.

"I am grateful for the help from King Drayce's pet, but I would like to know other things, the truth," said Cian.

"Even I am curious to know how our Dusk has become such a busy body," Arlan said as he still didn't know the entire thing except for taking food for the third Princess in her tower. 

There was a silence for a moment as the two Princes waited for Drayce to talk about it. "A few days back, everyone saw black smoke coming out of the Third Princess tower. The entire capital was scared by thinking it was the result of black magic performed by her and...."

"Black magic? Ridiculous!" Cian scoffed, interrupting Drayce. 

Drayce liked Cian's reaction as he could see Cian didn't believe what others talked about his sister. Drayce thought to test him again and said, "They believed the witch was ….."

"My sister is not a witch," Cian interrupted Drayce as he gripped his sword, "Those audacious brainless creatures."

"If you are done being angry, let my friend finish. I am dying to know the entire thing," Arlan said as he looked like he was interested in nothing but wanted some entertainment and gossip.

Cian turned silent as he was there to know it too. 

"It was not a black magic but the failed attempt of cooking by one imprisoned starving princess," Drayce informed. 

"I am sure it was the case. She is innocent to know all these things. She is even scared of the bugs," Cian added confidently. 

Drayce smiled lightly. "All she can do is threaten a rat to burn him by using her non-existing magic." 

Arlan saw Drayce smiling lightly, and he remembered something. "So, that day when we were around the tower, and we stopped after seeing that black smoke, is that why you laughed." Arlan concluded and mumbled, "Your and your sharp ears."

Cian didn't understand what Arlan mumbled in the end. "How can King Drayce be so sure about it without even entering the tower or…."

"I entered the tower only the day I rescued her," Drayce cleared all of Cian's doubts with one reply. "My senses are strong enough to understand what's the truth. Prince Cian can rest assured."

"The King of Megaris values the virtue of a lady," Arlan commented as he gave a mocking look to Drayce. Arlan knew his friend cared for nothing. If it were not for him who was there to stop him, Drayce would have ended up visiting the tower nth time. 

Drayce understood the sarcastic remark from Arlan but chose to ignore it.

"I only asked my pet to take food for the third princess. But he seemed to grow attached to her," Drayce clarified.

"May I ask, why is King Drayce so concerned about her so much?" Cian asked. 

"Would it have been better to leave her starving for days?" Drayce countered as his red eyes stared at Cian mockingly. 

Cian understood Drayce didn't want to answer, and there was no way he could force him to. He didn't know Drayce's intentions, and neither did he want to trust him, but for now, he could only thank him for his help.

"I am grateful for the kindness king Drayce showed to my sister. One day I will surely repay it."

Drayce said nothing, and Cian stood up as he bowed slightly to the other two Royals. "I would like to take a leave," and he turned to leave.

"Cian!" Arlan called, and Cian turned to look at him.

"Griven has caught the traitors from Abetha who helped them for your abduction. I have instructed them to bring those traitors to Abetha. They will be here by night," Arlan's sight held something that Cian understood.

"I look forward to skinning them alive personally," Cian said as his sapphire blue eyes looked intimidating and turned to leave as he heard Arlan, "Have fun."

"You sure know when and what someone needs," Drayce commented.

"He is already annoyed with not being able to help his sister. Let him relax by taking out his anger. Anyways traitors deserve to be skinned alive."

Drayce said nothing as he agreed that traitors deserve to be punished harshly. He himself had never forgiven anyone.