Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

Late into the night, after troubling Seren both in the bath and on the bed, Drayce found himself cradling his tired wife, who slept soundly in his arms. Though her slumber was deep, sleep evaded him entirely. The previous night, Seren had suffered from the fire element power within her, and now he fretted that tonight might bring a repeat of that ordeal.

His concern for his wife eclipsed any desire his own body had for rest.

Suddenly, a sense of intrusion flooded his awareness, stirring him from his vigil. 'What is he doing here at this hour?'

He glanced at Seren, reluctant to leave her side but knowing he must. With careful movements so as not to disturb her, he began to rise, but Seren, sensing his motions, opened her eyes to gaze at him.

"Are you unable to sleep, Dray?" she inquired, her voice heavy with sleep.

"My Queen, something came up, and I must leave for a time," he replied softly.

She rubbed her eyes, striving to clear her vision. "What's happened?"

"I am uncertain. I will inform you upon my return. Do not worry," he reassured her, placing a tender kiss upon her forehead. "I'll return shortly."

Seren nodded and Drayce left the chamber only to hear him instruct her servants, "Stay by Seren's side and inform me if there is anything. I am in the study."

'What happened? He sounds worried,' Seren wondered, 'I shall wait for him.' She sat in the bed and watched Eva entering the chamber.

"What brought you here at this hour—" Drayce began as he entered his study, only to be cut off by the sight of Arlan carrying Oriana in his arms. Arlan's expression was one of panic, and the unmistakable scent of blood permeated the air—a blood that was not the result of any injury.

"Bring her with me," Drayce instructed, leading Arlan towards an unused guest room on the same floor.

Arlan gently laid Oriana on the bed, his own clothes damp and stained with blood from carrying her. Drayce sympathized with Arlan's inner struggle, knowing that the beast within him stirred at the scent of its mate's blood, awakening primal instincts.

"Wait inside my study," Drayce directed Arlan. "Seren's servants will take care of her."

Despite his concern for Oriana, Arlan agreed and obediently stepped out, relieving Drayce to see his friend retaining his composure amidst the turmoil.

Stepping out of the room, Drayce instructed the knight present, "Summon Martha and any available servants of Seren's."

The knight hurried off, and soon Martha and Marie arrived. "Your Majesty," Martha acknowledged.

"Oriana is here. Take care of her," Drayce instructed urgently.

Martha's expression reflected her concern as she hastened into the chamber, with Marie following closely behind.

Remaining outside, Drayce waited until Martha emerged from the room. "Your Majesty, she is stable. We will attend to her needs."

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With a nod, Drayce left and returned to the study to find Arlan, providing him with fresh clothes to replace his bloodstained attire.

Meanwhile, in Seren's chamber, the knight arrived and informed the servants that Drayce had left with Arlan and would return late.

Seren's concern deepened, prompting her to step out of her chamber. "Eva, where is Martha?" she inquired, recalling Drayce's summons for her servants.

Eva conversed with the knight briefly before leading Seren towards the guest room, where Martha and Marie were attending to Oriana's needs.

"What has happened to her? Is she injured?" Seren queried, her gaze drawn to Oriana, who lay unconscious while being gently tended to and changed into fresh clothing.

"Your Majesty, she is experiencing her monthly cycle," Marie explained.

"Then why is she unconscious?" Seren questioned, noting Oriana's pallor, which hinted at more than just menstrual discomfort.

"I believe there may be underlying issues with her health," Martha speculated. "It seems more than just her usual cycle; we'll have a clearer picture once she wakes up."

Seren's thoughts raced, connecting the seriousness of Oriana's condition with Drayce's urgent departure with Prince Arlan. 'It seems that's why Dray has gone out with Prince Arlan, and he appeared quite serious and worried.'

Yorian arrived at the scene and was granted entry into the room. "I heard something happened to our young witch?" he inquired, to which Martha nodded in confirmation.

Approaching Oriana's bedside, Yorian assessed her condition, checking her pulse thoughtfully. "Her energy flow does seem disrupted, doesn't it?" he heard Martha remarked.

Nodding in agreement, Yorian pondered aloud, "I wonder what she might have consumed to affect her body like this. The feminine energy flow has been greatly disturbed."

"We can inquire once she regains consciousness," Martha suggested, her tone reflecting both concern and determination.

Yorian chuckled softly, his expression reflecting a mix of amusement and skepticism. "As if she would willingly divulge anything," he remarked, gently tucking Oriana's hand under the blanket. "I'll return once I've gathered more information."

With a respectful bow to Seren, Yorian exited the room, leaving Seren and Martha to await his findings.

"Please keep me informed of what Lord Yorian discovers," Seren requested before taking her leave.

An hour passed before Drayce finally returned to his anxiously awaiting wife. Eva respectfully bowed to the king before departing the chamber.

"I went to check on Oriana," Seren informed Drayce, her tone laced with concern. "Is everything alright with Prince Arlan?"

Drayce settled beside her, preparing to offer an explanation. "He is a little troubled because of his mate these days, or shall I say his beast side is troubled."

Puzzled, Seren furrowed her brow. "I don't understand."

Drayce proceeded to elucidate the complexities of Arlan's dual nature, explaining how his beastly instincts clashed with his human consciousness, particularly in the presence of his mate. Now that Oriana was bleeding, Arlan's beast saw it as an opportunity to mate, unaware of the distinctions between human and beast female.

"...and so we must keep Oriana here until her bleeding ceases, ensuring Arlan can maintain control over his beast," Drayce concluded, his gaze meeting Seren's as he awaited her understanding.

Seren nodded, absorbing the gravity of the situation. "Dray, you possess a beast side as well. So when I have my monthly cycle each month, do you experience the same struggle? Yet, I've always seen you maintain such composure as if you are never affected by it."

Drayce's smile softened, his eyes reflecting a depth of understanding. "It would be wrong to say I am not affected whenever you bleed. It's just that I am better at controlling my beast side because he is me and part of my soul but Arlan's beast is not him but another soul living in his body. That is why it is difficult for him to control his beast.

Moreover, I am a warlock as well and the powers I got from my mother helps me to live like a human and suppress my beast instincts"

"Then what would happen to Prince Arlan. Not like he can keep Oriana away always."

"He must to learn to control. There's no alternative," Drayce replied with conviction. "I have faith in him. It is his first time to face it. It's just a matter of time till he learns to deal with it."

"Must be difficult for him."

Drayce nodded and informed, "Arlan doesn't want us to tell Oriana that he is the one to bring her here. He doesn't want to let her know that he is aware of her identity as a woman."

"But how will we explain her presence here?"

"Yorian will handle it. Oriana trusts him implicitly."

"I hope everything between them turns out well," she commented. "It will. I trust my friend," Drayce assured.

-----

Inside the dimly lit room in the guest mansion of Thevailes, a woman draped in a dark dress sat regally, savoring a cup of tea with an air of elegance.

A fellow woman entered the room, addressing her respectfully, "Sister Zaria."

"What have you discovered?" Zaria inquired, her demeanor composed yet curious.

"The individual who wielded divine power within the temple, thwarting our wizards' attempt to abduct the Queen of Megaris, is none other than a personal aide to Prince Arlan of Griven," the woman reported.

"Are you certain?" Zaria questioned, taking a contemplative sip of her tea.

"Yes, Sister Zaria. Just this morning, a similar display of divine power occurred at the guest mansion of Abetha, causing minor chaos by shattering a large glass window. Our sources confirm that Prince Arlan's aide was present at the scene," the woman affirmed.

"Hmm, yet another possessor of divine power," Zaria mused aloud. "I must investigate this individual personally."

"The aide is currently residing at the Megaris guest mansion," the woman added, catching Zaria's interest.

"It appears the aide has fallen ill and was escorted to the Megaris estate by Prince Arlan himself," the woman continued. "Remarkably, this aide also serves as a physician and frequently tends to Queen Seren's health."

"Fascinating," Zaria remarked with a wry smile. "It's unusual for the King of Megaris to permit another's aide to attend to his wife. Quite unlike the possessive ruler we know."

"Indeed, Sister Zaria. This aide seems to have garnered significant access to the Megaris estate, often seen in close proximity to Queen Seren as if he were their own trusted servant," the woman elaborated.

"Consistently in the Queen's presence?" Zaria pondered aloud, pouring herself another cup of tea. "creating an opportunity to bring that aide to Thevailes guest mansion. I want to see him personally."

"Yes, sister Zaria," the woman nodded and left.

"Why do I feel like there is something interesting about that aide?" Zaria mumbled and continued to drink her tea with mused expressions on her face.

----

In the late hours at the Abetha guest mansion, Prince Cian found himself unable to sleep, fully engrossed in his work. Despite the lateness of the hour, he immersed himself in his tasks, pouring over the contents of the day's summit and meticulously preparing for the upcoming conference.

Eliot, one of his trusted knights, entered the study, prompting Cian to glance up from his work. "Why are you not resting, Eliot?"

"I have rested, Your Highness," Eliot replied respectfully. "I am here because our spy has uncovered a new lead, and there is a message from your cousin regarding the mysterious group led by the woman."

Cian's interest was immediately piqued, and he turned his full attention to Eliot as he continued. "According to the information provided by your cousin, today's incident was not the only one. Smugglers carrying those herbs have been targeted before by that group, and your cousin is also trying to find them.

Tomorrow, another group of smugglers transporting the herbs will be traveling via a different route. It's likely that mysterious group will strike once again."

Cian nodded thoughtfully. "This time, our objective is not only to apprehend them but also to safeguard the herbs."

"Safeguard the herbs?" Eliot questioned, seeking clarification.

"Yes," Cian affirmed. "We must ensure to have portion of those well preserved herbs."

"For what purpose, Your Highness?" Eliot inquired.

"The King of Megaris has requested it, and we are obligated to comply," Cian explained, his tone resolute.

"Understood, Your Highness."

"You may go and rest now," Cian instructed Eliot. "Tomorrow, we will need to depart the conference halfway as well. It will be a busy day."

"Your Highness, you should also consider getting some rest," Eliot suggested, expressing concern for his prince's well-being.

"In a little while," Cian assured him, his mind already consumed with thoughts of the mysterious woman who had crossed his path.

As Eliot exited the room, Cian leaned back in his chair, the image of the skilled fighter occupying his thoughts. "She's remarkably skilled. It's evident she has trained in swordsmanship since childhood, particularly in the ancient Othian techniques, which not everyone is allowed to learn. But what drives her to confront smugglers and defy the Othian royalty? Is she not afraid of the consequences?

So courageous, indeed."

"She must be from a noble family opposed to the Othian royalty, or perhaps she seeks revenge for some past wrong," Cian speculated, contemplating the woman's motives. "Her purpose can't simply be just to fight for the sake of humanity by putting herself in grave danger often. No one is that noble. Tomorrow I will find out."

He wrapped up all the documents and opened the drawer to put them inside but his gaze fell on something that he had kept in the drawer since that day he saw her- the woman with a windmill.

When she collided with him and fell over him, the gold jewelry she wore on her head fell and stuck with his clothes. He wished to return it to her, but he had to leave for his mission and didn't have time to mingle with some random unknown woman. His mission was more important.

'Maybe, I will find her again and return it to her,' he put it back along with the documents and left the study.