Chapter 244: Brave Hidden Tigress

After finishing the Royal court matters, Drayce went to his another study which was on the same premises as the Royal Court. 

This study room was meant for the king if someone wanted to meet him and for discussing any particular matter individually with him, also in case ministers or any other subjects from the kingdom wished to have an audience with him. 

More than a study room, it was his official workroom while the study in his residence was solely reserved for him and a few close ones who he allowed to enter.

Currently, Drayce was talking to the head of the merchants in the city and a few ministers. Jasper had to go out for a while and once he returned, he was desperate to tell something to his King.

Once the head of the merchants and the ministers finished their talk and were dismissed, Jasper went to Drayce. Before he could say a word, Drayce looked at him, "Seems like you have something interesting up your sleeves?"

"What if I say it's about Her Majesty?" Saying he offered a teasing smile to Drayce.

Drayce's eyes brightened up at the mention of his wife, "What about her?"

Just then Slayer entered the study and bowed, "Your Majesty, minister…."

Drayce raised his hand to stop him and continued to look at Jasper, "Continue."

Jasper chuckled and looked at Slayer, "Everything else can wait for our King when it comes to Her Majesty."

Slayer said nothing and Drayce frowned, "Are you going to say it or do you want to lose your tongue?"

"Don't be so harsh. Those courtesans love it when my tongue…."

Cough! Cough!

Slayer coughed at what Jasper was about to say and Drayce pinched his nose bridge and mumbled, "Such a shameless Royal Adviser I have."

Jasper ignored what Drayce said and looked at Slayer, "Such a pure soul we have here. You should come with me and I will introduce you to the best courtesan. It's not good for a healthy man like you to hold back for so many years."

Slayer shot him a glare and looked at Drayce, "Your Majesty, I will be back once our Royal Adviser is done talking useless stuff."

Jasper smiled widely seeing his annoyed friend. Before Slayer could leave, he spoke, "Still so shy huh? There are so many women who are dying to get a single glance from you and here you are saving yourself uselessly."

Slayer stopped and gave him a death glare, "Once you are done, meet me at the sword training court," and left.

Slayer's intentions were clear that he was not going to spare him this time. A line of sweat appeared on Jasper's forehead.

"Are you going to say it or do you want to have one sword training session with me too?" Drayce warned.

"Well, I will but first Your Majesty has to promise to save me from Slayer," he tried to negotiate. 

"Who asked you to mess up with him? Don't you know how he is?" Drayce countered.

"I think good for him and want him to relax a bit but..."

"I will think about it," Drayce interrupted him as he was in a hurry to hear about his wife.

Jasper felt relieved and narrated the entire incident that happened in the Royal Harem. Jasper was not just the Royal adviser but he was aware of everything that happened in the palace. He had a knack for getting everything from others and most of the time, the news followed him on its own given his strong resources inside the palace.

Drayce smiled pleasantly at what he got to know about his Queen. 'As expected, she is not a scared kitten but a brave hidden tigress,' he concluded. 

Seeing him smiling, Jasper asked, "Are you that happy to hear it, Your Majesty?"

Drayce nodded and Jasper asked again, "So can I expect you to save me from that angry man?"

Drayce nodded. 

Feeling relieved, Jasper informed, "This is the time to meet the knights and the soldiers who have returned from Thevailes border."

Drayce stood up and came out of the study as Jasper followed him. The Slayer was standing outside. He didn't spare a glance at Jasper and bowed to Drayce. 

"What were you about to say when you came inside?" Drayce asked him. 

"Minister Ruben asked for an Audience with Your Majesty but as Your Majesty was busy, he said he will return later," Slayer informed. 

Drayce nodded and Slayer said, "The horses are ready."

The three got on the horses and were about to ride towards the quarters of the knights but Drayce suddenly pulled the reins of the horse even before the horse could take a few steps ahead. 

Jasper and Slayer looked at him surprisingly and asked, "Is everything alright, Your Majesty?"

Drayce was busy hearing something and said, "You two go ahead," and rode his horse towards the residence of the King and the Queen. 

"Seems like he had heard something," Jasper said. 

"Must be about Her Majesty," Slayer added with a slight nod. 

"I hope there is nothing to worry about."

"If it was, he would have asked us to come with him or would have ordered us to do something,"

Jasper nodded in agreement and heard Slayer, "Let's go to the training court."

Jasper again felt his palms turn sweaty. Before he could reject he heard Slayer, "I believe you won't like getting dragged there while everyone witnesses it."

"When did I say no?" Jasper retorted and the two left towards the training court.

-----

Seren returned to her residence after visiting the Royal Harem. She was unusually silent and her servants noticed it. She chose to go to her study as she needed to keep herself busy. Seren sat in the chair behind her study table while others stood up to the one side to attend to her.

"Get a tea for Her Majesty," Lady Tyra ordered to Lady Xena and turned to Seren, who looked like she was in a daze, "Your Majesty, are you still thinking about the incident that happened in the Royal Harem?"

Seren shook her head, she looked unusually quiet. 

"Then, may I know what is bothering Your Majesty?" Lady Tyra asked.

"It's nothing, Lady Tyra. I am just tired," Seren replied, clearly not wishing to talk about anything else.

Lady Tyra didn't insist. 

Just then Eva entered the bedchamber carrying a stack of books, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has sent some books for you." 

It reminded Seren that she was yet to read the books that Drayce had asked her to but the previous day they left for the hot water spring so she couldn't read any. She had given her word to Drayce that she would read them all. 

"Keep it here," Seren instructed, not willing to go back on her word. 

Eva kept the books on the study table while Seren only looked at them. She was not in the mood to read anything but needed some peace for her mind after she recalled the hurtful memories from the past. 

Lady Xena brought tea for her and served it. 

"I would like to be alone," Seren said and everyone left the study. 

Seren looked at the tea but she didn't wish to drink it. She stood up from her chair and thought about going to the greenhouse attached to her study. 

On the way, her sight followed the long slender wooden box on the shelf. Without a second delay, she went towards the box, opened it, and pulled out the flute kept inside it. 

She put the box back on the shelf and carried the flute with her to the greenhouse. The atmosphere inside the greenhouse was pleasant enough to make her feel better. She went towards the swing hanging in the center of the greenhouse and sat on it. 

'It feels much better here.' She stared at the sea which gave her the illusion that the greenhouse was surrounded by seawater. 

Seren looked at the flute in her hand and felt so attached to it as if it was calling her to play it.

'It's been so long since I played it. Not sure if I can play it nicely now,' she thought and held the flute in front of her veil-covered lips. The moment she did it, the veil converted into a layer of energy instead of a piece of fabric which didn't hinder her from playing the flute.

She closed her eyes and the next moment everyone inside the Queen and King's residence heard the sweet melody of the flute being played. It was surprising for everyone as no one ever had seen anyone playing the flute here.

"It's Her Majesty," Lady Tyra said and others remembered that the previous day Seren had told them that she knew how to play the flute.

Seren, who had played the flute only with the intention of giving it a try after so many years, unknown to her, she got immersed in it as if that flute, and she was one and she was the master playing the flute.

No one had ever heard such beautiful and pleasant-sounding music from the flute and couldn't help but get immersed in it while leaving whatever work they were doing. It was as if the entire residence was enchanted with that music coming from the flute which touched their souls and felt the atmosphere turned heavenly beautiful that even the birds and trees seemed to move along that music from the flute.