Download App
3.05% Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son / Chapter 24: Left Alone

Chapter 24: Left Alone

Martha rushed to Seren's room and saw the young lady sitting in the bed while clutching her quilt to her chest, looking around in panic.

"My lady, is everything alright?" Martha asked.

The flabbergasted Seren looked at Martha and mumbled in disbelief over the realization she had a moment before, "He saw me naked?"

Martha couldn't understand what Seren meant. She sat at the edge of the bed as she studied the panic on Seren's face. "Was it a nightmare, my lady?"

Seren shook her head and mumbled again, "Morning...in my bath...he saw me without clothes."

"Who?" Martha asked.

"The red-eyed man," Seren replied, her eyes seeking affirmation from Martha. At least, this time, she would believe her, right?

Martha held Seren's hand that was clutching the quilt and caressed it. "No one can come here, my lady."

"But I went there," Seren replied, not knowing how to fully explain what happened. "But you won't believe me, I know." She looked helpless.

"Explain," Martha instructed. It was not an instruction from a nanny but from the woman who was there to protect her all her life.

Seren explained to her what happened in the morning when she went to bathe. "And I think it's the same man I saw in the marketplace, the man who beheaded someone."

Martha's expression turned serious, but deep inside, she was just as puzzled. Although she had many questions in mind, her face showed nothing outside, not willing to scare the princess.

"My lady should sleep. We will talk about it tomorrow."

Seren nodded and lay down in bed. Making sure Seren had calmed down, Martha returned to her room.

However, the poor princess continued to toss about in bed.

"That's why he asked me who I am as if he knew me. Definitely, he was that man underwater, and he recognized me because of my eyes and...saw me without clothes. Arghh! Why did it happen when I didn't wear clothes?! Next time, I won't enter the water without clothes!"

Seren continued sulking as sleep left her eyes, not to return anytime soon.

-------

The next day, after taking care of Seren's morning needs, Martha went to see King Armen in his personal study, and it was the secret meeting where Sir Barolt, the commander of the knights, guarded the entrance of the place.

Martha bowed to the King, who sat regally in his chair as he drank his morning tea.

"What's the matter?" the King asked.

"Your Majesty, do we have any guests in the palace who have red eyes?" Martha asked.

The King nodded. "The King of Megaris."

Martha's eyes widened as she repeated, "Megaris?"

"Hmm, the rumored son of the devil…."

"It's not just a rumor, Your Majesty," Martha interrupted the King and mused out loud, "So he is the son of the former Queen of Megaris, Queen Esther."

The King nodded in agreement.

"Your Majesty, I need to go out of the palace," Martha informed. Only she knew what was in her mind.

"Does this concern the Third Princess?" the King asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"How long will it take?"

"This time, I can't confirm how long," Martha replied as she lowered her head. "I request Your Majesty to protect the tower in my absence."

"Rest assured. When are you leaving?" the King of Abetha asked.

"Right away after informing my lady."

Martha excused herself after bowing to the King. Sir Berolt entered as soon as she left and asked, "Are there any instructions for me, Your Majesty?"

"Martha won't be in the palace for a few days. Make sure to guard the tower," the King instructed as he finished his tea.

------

Martha returned to the tower.

"My lady, I will be away for a few days," she informed, making Seren look up from the book she's reading.

Her words startled Seren as it was so sudden. "Where are you going?"

"Some emergency came up," Martha replied.

"What happened? Is it the King who—"

"No, my lady. Trust me. Everything is fine," Martha assured, but her tone implied that Seren shouldn't ask anything more.

"But…"

"My lady should follow the instructions that I give every time I leave the palace," Martha continued.

"I will."

"May I know which instructions those are, my lady?" Martha asked like a strict teacher.

"I should not go out of the tower. If I do, then be quiet in the garden. I should not eat any food if someone sends it for me and I have to cook on my own…" Seren paused and looked at Martha. "Is this why you are adamant about teaching me cooking? So that you can go away whenever you want?"

Martha ignored her. "I'm waiting for my lady to complete the list of instructions."

Unwillingly, Seren continued, "I should not reply to anyone if they ask for me. If there is anything suspicious, I should only stay in my room. You will put a spell on the tower's main entrance so no one can enter it, and I'll be safe inside. I can't cry even if I feel lonely; I can't scream even if I feel scared, and I can't even feel angry even if I am frustrated by being locked alone."

Seren stopped, and Martha prompted, "And?"

"Whatever I hear or see, I should never go out of the tower at night," Seren replied reluctantly.

"Good. Wait for me," Martha said as she prepared to leave.

Seren felt like she was being abandoned and almost felt like crying. Not being able to control herself, she stood up and hugged Martha. "You will return, right?"

"It's not the first time I am going out, my lady," Martha said as she caressed the back of the young princess.

"I know, but this time, it feels different. Promise me you will be back," Seren insisted.

"I will."

After assuring Seren once more, Martha left, and Seren couldn't hold back her tears. As she watched the familiar figure go, her chest felt heavy, making her feel as if a part of her was gone.


Chapter 25: Getting To Know The Palace

A day after the engagement ceremony between the Royal Houses of Cromwell and Ilven, the guests representing all the other kingdoms were preparing to depart from the capital of Abetha. 

As their Crown Prince and the eldest son of the Cromwell Family, Arlan was the head of the delegates from Griven. Of course, since he was the one who invited them, he had also personally taken the responsibility of leading the guests from Megaris. 

That very morning, he went knocking to the room of his temperamental friend. When he opened the door, he found Drayce cleaning his sword. "After this courtesy call to King Armen, we are leaving. Have your aide informed your men?"

"I would like to stay here for a day more," Drayce replied as if it's the most natural thing in the world. 

Arlan was starting to have a headache. He should have seen this coming. "I already told you everything about what you wanted to know. Then what's the need of staying here?"

"King Armen might want our help soon," Drayce replied.

His words startled Arlan. "What do you mean?"

"You will know soon," Drayce replied as he put his sword back in its scabbard strapped around his waist and was ready to leave.

"What are you up to?" Arlan asked, following his friend out of his room.

"For now, I'm in a mood to verify some facts that you told me the previous night," Drayce replied, his red eyes flickering with determination.

"This is why…." Arlan could only sigh and shake his head. 

Drayce looked at him with a light smirk on his lips, fully enjoying the annoyance of his goody-two-shoes friend.

Arlan noticed that smirk and rolled his eyes. "This is why I didn't want to tell you anything. You and your rotten curious brain. Spare the witch, at least."

"But she's an interesting thing," Drayce commented. 

By the time the two reached Abetha's royal hall, all the guests from other kingdoms were already present. They were the last to arrive. 

As it was merely a courtesy call, the atmosphere was relaxed, and everyone was bidding each other well wishes. When it was Drayce's turn to talk to King Armen, he stood up in front of the throne and spoke. "I would like to enjoy Abetha's hosting for a few more days. This is my first visit to your kingdom, and I am yet to fully enjoy the beauty of your city."

His announcement startled King Armen, but he controlled himself from showing his curiosity on his face. "It is our honor to host the King of Megaris and strengthen the friendship between our kingdoms."

Queen Niobe was surprised too by this twist, but she didn't show how happy she was inside. Keeping the King of Megaris within the capital worked well with the plans she had in mind.

On the other hand, despite King Armen being generous in accepting his request, deep in his heart, he was worried about the situation. 

He knew why the devil's son requested to stay.

It was evident that the King of Megaris must have heard about his daughter and her being a witch. With Martha not around, King Armen had to keep a tight watch on this curious young king. He was sure this young man would definitely find ways to go to that tower and pay Seren a visit. 

Standing in front of the throne, Drayce could see that King Armen didn't mean what he said. He threw one guilt trap at the King of Abetha to shut him up from being unhappy about his prolonged stay in Abetha.

"The Kingdom of Megaris thanks you for your generosity, King Armen. My soldiers are still injured thanks to the interesting welcome from Abetha, and it won't be good for them to travel far away in such conditions. I am sure these few days of recuperation will indeed be good for their welfare."

With such an excuse, King Armen had nothing more to say. 

Arlan could only glare at his friend. 'Trust him not to let go of any chance to make others feel guilty for nothing.' 

"We will make sure the Megaris soldiers will get the best treatment so they may recover fast. I will appoint the royal physicians to check on them," King Armen informed. 

"Till then, I hope Abetha won't be troubled with our presence," said Drayce calmly, but his eyes told otherwise. Those red eyes were a pair of intimidating and daunting eyes that could never be gentle nor calm.

"Of course not." King Armen maintained the same polite smile. "Please feel at home."

"Thank you so much, King of Abetha. My friend, Prince Arlan, will also be taking advantage of your generosity," Drayce informed, ignoring the glare thrown by his friend that was piercing the back of his head. 

King Armen felt relieved upon learning King Drayce wouldn't be staying alone. He trusted that Prince Arlan would surely try his best to stop his friend if he had something mischievous in mind. 

The older man looked at Arlan. "I hope Prince Arlan won't mind staying here to help entertain his friend." 

The real meaning of those words was clear for Arlan, and he bowed lightly. "I'll do my best, Your Majesty."

Drayce was also aware of what the exchange meant and could only smirk over it.

Once the two friends came out of the royal hall, Drayce instructed Arlan. "I need the map of this palace."

"What for?"

"I should know where I am in case there is any threat."

Arlan chuckled at the excuse. "Who will dare harm you?"

Drayce looked at his friend like he's an idiot. "Didn't they already dare?"

Arlan was reminded of the attack on his friend in the mountain ranges on the border of Abetha. Many questions remained unanswered as the investigation about the incident was still ongoing. The only thing they were sure of was that another party had pretended to be Abethan soldiers.

Drayce knew what his friend was thinking. "You can keep those questions to yourself. For now, do what I said."

"It's not ethical to ask for a map of this palace, especially since it affects the security of the Royal House of Ilven. Even if I do ask, I have to ask it secretly," Arlan said helplessly.

"I am not a devotee of ethical ways, and it's supposed to be secret, that's why I asked you," said Drayce as the two came out to an open place outside the main palace. As it was the central region of the palace grounds, the two had a perfect view of the entire Royal Palace of Abetha. 

Drayce looked around, only to stop his sight on the tower where the Third Princess lived. "Except for that secret tower, I can draw the entire palace map in my mind. If I go there, I can save you the trouble of getting a map secretly."

"Don't even think about it. I'll get it for you. I only hope you won't plan anything against Abetha."

"Rest assured. I have more important things to do," Drayce replied, his eyes still fixed on that tower.

Whatever those 'important things' meant, Arlan could only shake his head, aware that his friend would not give up until he got what he wanted. All he could do was wish Abetha good luck.

=====

The gift function for the novel is open now. You can gift if you wish. 


Load failed, please RETRY

Gifts

Gift -- Gift received

    Weekly Power Status

    Batch unlock chapters

    Table of Contents

    Display Options

    Background

    Font

    Size

    Chapter comments

    Write a review Reading Status: C24
    Fail to post. Please try again
    • Writing Quality
    • Stability of Updates
    • Story Development
    • Character Design
    • World Background

    The total score 0.0

    Review posted successfully! Read more reviews
    Vote with Power Stone
    Rank 200+ Power Ranking
    Stone 39 Power Stone
    Report inappropriate content
    error Tip

    Report abuse

    Paragraph comments

    Login

    tip Paragraph comment

    Paragraph comment feature is now on the Web! Move mouse over any paragraph and click the icon to add your comment.

    Also, you can always turn it off/on in Settings.

    GOT IT