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3.18% Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son / Chapter 25: Getting To Know The Palace

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.

=====

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Chapter 26: Black Smoke

When the queen's lady-in-waiting entered her chamber to inform her that the Minister of Foreign Affairs sought a private audience with her, Queen Niobe wasn't surprised. He must have heard of the news regarding the prolonged stay of the King of Megaris and had come to ask for her next orders. 

Lord Darus bowed to the Queen, who was sitting regally in her chair. 

"Your Majesty, according to our sources, the Third Princess's servant, Martha, has left the palace," the minister informed in a humble tone. 

His words brightened up the Queen's eyes, and this piece of news improved her already good mood.

"You mean, that witch is alone now?" the Queen asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Why, suddenly, good things are coming. It seems like that witch's fate is against her this time." The Queen smiled in schadenfreude.

"I congratulate Your Majesty in advance. Even the gods are helping you succeed. The only thing that hinders your plans now is the presence of Sir Berolt. His men are strictly guarding that tower," Lord Darus added.

"Create something to keep him busy," the Queen ordered.

"As per your order, Your Majesty, but in the absence of Martha, I doubt the King would let Sir Berolt be away," the minister replied.

The queen agreed to it, "Then you need to invade the tower's security by all means, and this time I won't accept any excuse."

"Yes, Your Majesty." 

Even after the minister left, Queen Niobe had busied herself in making sure that her schemes against that witch would proceed without a problem. 

------

At noon, the entire royal palace was busy as usual. With most of the delegates from other kingdoms gone, those working inside the palace had resumed their normal chores. The guards and maids who happened to be nearby the Third Princess's tower heard some disturbing noises. This caught their attention, and soon, they saw thick black smoke coming out of one of the windows in the tower. 

One of the guards immediately left to inform Sir Berolt and the King. As minutes dragged on, the servants in the palace had gathered to see the black smoke, but no one dared to come close and inquire about the situation as fear enveloped them. 

Soon, even the people outside of the palace saw it too. The tower was tall, and it was easy to see the thick black smoke under the clear, bright sky. The entire capital was gripped in horror as tales of the incident spread widely.

"The witch is up to something this time."

"She must be practicing her black magic."

"Stay inside at home and don't come out."

"Don't know who will die tonight."

The news of something unholy happening had spread everywhere, and soon, the streets went empty, and the capital became a deserted land. 

---------

Drayce and Arlan were riding their horses along the riverbank outside the walls of the royal palace. Drayce was scouting the area, wanting to take a look at the places around the Third Princess's tower so he could plan his entry without anyone noticing.

Just as they reached the backside of the palace, Drayce heard a disturbance and then saw thick black smoke behind the tall palace walls. Arlan followed his sight and was startled.

"What's going on there?" Arlan exclaimed as he continued looking at the black smoke moving towards the sky. It didn't stop coming out from the window of the tower. "Did the tower catch fire? No… it seems something is burning?"

Drayce didn't seem to hear him and was focused on something as he eyed a particular window of the tower. A light smile was painted on his lips.

"What are you smiling about?" Arlan asked. 

Drayce looked at his confused friend. "And why are you looking anxious?"

"I was wondering if what people say about the witch is true. They say when she does black magic, something like this tends to happen."

Drayce gave him a questioning look. "Something like this?"

"This black smoke and…."

"Who knows? Might be a witch who is hungry and trying to cook on her own," Drayce commented as he signaled his friend by raising his hand to keep quiet.

It seemed like Drayce heard something again, and this time couldn't stop laughing a little.

"What?" Arlan asked, feeling all puzzled. "Did you hear something?"

Drayce nodded. "Quite unexpected."

"Tell me."

"Use your own ears."

"I am not gifted like you with a high sense of hearing."

"Then that's your fault," Drayce countered, not willing to tell him anything.

Arlan made a face at him, which he ignored. They continued to ride along the riverbank around the palace, and when they returned to the palace, as expected, everyone was whispering among themselves. Of course, Drayce could hear what they were talking about.

"Don't know what this witch is planning this time."

"Should we leave the palace?"

"She must be practicing some black magic."

"Look at that smoke. It's not stopping even after a long time. It looks like she is planning something dangerous."

Drayce could only smirk at them. "Idiots!"

-------

Not only the common people but also the royals within the palace were worried about what the witch was doing. News had traveled everywhere like a wildfire. 

King Armen was aware his people were in a panic, but he knew the truth wasn't as scary as everyone thought. He called Sir Berolt, who had just returned after checking on Seren. 

"Is she fine?" King Armen asked.

"Apologies, Your Majesty. We can't enter inside the tower because of Martha's magic," Sir Berolt informed him after bowing.

This worried the king. "Try to find a way to know about her condition. If you can't, I will have to enter the tower personally."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Sir Berold bowed again. 

Sensing the worry of the king, Lord Eudes suggested, "Your Majesty, this happens every time Martha leaves the palace. There must be nothing to worry about."

This worried the King even more. "Keep the security tight, and don't let any of the Queen's people close to the tower."

"We have already taken full measures, Your Majesty," Sir Berolt informed.

King Armen looked at Lord Eudes. "Minister Darus Count?"

Lord Eudes understood what King Armen meant and replied to his unspoken question, "He went to see Her Majesty, Queen Niobe. The visits are frequent these days…."

"They must be up to something again," Sir Berolt said coldly, his eyes showing how he was annoyed with this politics and how he wished to use his sword and finish everything at once.

"That's why you need to be more alert this time," Lord Eudes said as he looked at Sir Berolt.

"This time, I won't go easy on them," Sir Berolt hinted at his intentions. As a knight, it irked him every time he had to let them go because the schemes concerned the Queen and to keep the peace between the nobles; the King could never openly punish the Queen for her small dirty tricks. 

After all, because of her identity, even if not the Queen, there were other people who would create troubles for her. All King Armen could do was to protect his daughter. 


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