As per Drayce's order, a table with a set of chairs and a shed were arranged on the deck of the ship for Seren. Seren's servants also arranged tea and snacks for her while she enjoyed watching the calmness of the vast sea. With the beautiful weather and the soothing sounds of the ocean waves, she was experiencing a truly idyllic journey via ship.
After some time, Seren turned towards her three servants who were standing by her side, waiting on her needs. "You three should sit as well."
"We are fine, Your Majesty," Lady Xena replied as it was not proper for them to sit with the Queen.
"The chairs are empty anyways. If you keep standing here, I won't feel fine either. Just accompany me and enjoy the view with me."
Lady Xena could not say 'no' to her twice and took one chair while she gestured to Eva and Marie to sit down as well.
"Have you three ever travelled by ship?" Seren asked curiously.
"I have, but that was a merchant ship, and it was only to go to the island territories east of the coast. That ship was much smaller than this. His Majesty owns the biggest ship in all of Megaris," Lady Xena replied.
"This is my first time, Your Majesty. Though, I have been on a boat ride before as I often visit my mother in my hometown. It's on the other side of the river that passes through the capital," Marie answered.
"It's the first time for me as well to be on the ship," Eva said. "I was born and raised in the capital, and so was my family, that's why there hadn't been a need for me to use a ship before. I have always watched them from a distance and wondered how it would feel to travel by one."
"It's the first time for me as well," Seren commented.
It surprised the servants. Seren was a princess of Abetha, and given that it was a kingdom famous for their commerce, it was kind of expected that even ordinary nobles of her kingdom own ships.
"Do the Royal Family of Abetha not prefer to use ships to travel around, Your Majesty?" Eva asked.
"We do, depending on the circumstances, but I never had the chance to even see a ship closely. My life was different there from how it is now," Seren replied as her eyes lowered to the empty teacup in her hand.
The three servants had heard before that the King of Abetha had kept his third daughter locked inside a tower, and they also heard various speculations about the reason why. They could only feel bad for their Queen as after knowing her, they could see there was nothing ominous about her. Though her appearance was a mystery and the scales on her skin were strange, she was a good person.
Meanwhile, Drayce was talking to Yorian while standing at the railing near the bow of the ship.
"...so it will be her coming of age," Yorian commented, "which would highly likely bring change to her existence."
Drayce nodded. "I don't know what exactly would happen, but they seemed to be worried about her upcoming birthday. This time, I will make sure to get every bit of information from her father, but from what I guess, even he doesn't have a complete understanding of the situation."
"If her coming of age is a crucial event then those who have been secretly protecting her might show up."
"I am guessing the same. We might get to see them," Drayce said, and somewhere in his mind, he was expecting to see a certain important woman in his life.
If his mother had passed such an important mark to Seren, that meant she was trying to help or protect her. This also meant his mother was among those who would appear to protect Seren if she were to fall into danger. Call it intuition, but he had a feeling that this trip to Abetha would not be a peaceful one. Many things that troubled him for a long time would probably be addressed. Not only for Seren, but this journey might bring about a significant change for his life as well.
Yorian turned his face and glanced at the part of the deck where Seren was talking to her servants. "Will you be fine with it if I try to scry the mystery of her powers?"
Drayce followed the direction of his gaze, his expression softening the moment his eyes landed on his wife. He didn't answer immediately and heard Yorian again.
"I know her power is of the earth attribute, but as I said before, I am curious about the other strong power inside her. I have told you before that it can harm her as it is of another element. You think I am being nosy, but you cannot deny that it will also be a great help to your wife."
"For that, I will have to ask her permission. If she agrees, only then..."
"As long as you agree, I don't think she would mind," Yorian countered. "I see she completely trusts you."
"Still, she has her own mind and thoughts. If she feels even a little uncomfortable, I won't allow it."
"Sure."
"Well, aside from your mysterious wife, I also find myself growing curious about another thing," the silver-haired elf chuckled, his expression somewhat provocative as he deliberately looked at Drayce from head to toe. "You know, I am also curious about you."
Drayce merely raised a brow at Yorian, who continued to voice out his concerns without holding back.
"Particularly, about how you are born in a human family. Though you say your mother is a witch, you have powers other than what you can inherit from your mother. You have a bloodline of that of a divine beast, but as far as I know, the previous King of Megaris, and even his ancestors, are pureblooded humans."
"I will suggest you to give rest to your curious mind," Drayce commented dryly.
He was not willing to tell him anything. The secret about his birth was hidden by his family for so many years and there was no way he would ever disclose it to the world. Even though his mother had saved this kingdom, it was better to keep them ignorant of the truth. Afterall, though her sacrifice was for the greater good, the means were quite scandalous from the perspective of humankind. The ungrateful people would refuse to understand it, and instead, wouldn't hesitate to slander her. For his mother's sake, he would take this secret to his grave.
Yorian simply offered him a smile, accepting his decision. His gaze wandered around the people loitering around the deck as he commented, "Megaris is such a strange human kingdom. Their king is not ordinary and neither are the people around him." His gaze stopped at Slayer, who was busy keeping watch on the men on ship, his stare even more threatening than the captain's, causing none of the sailors to slack while doing their job. "For example, that young cold knight of yours."
Drayce frowned. "Keep your eyes off of him."
"What if I am interested in knowing him?"
"Try it. He will gladly separate your head from your shoulder," Drayce warned.
Just then Slayer happened to look at these two and found them staring at him. Slayer didn't mind as he slightly bowed to them and continued his patrol.
"Such a dedicated and loyal friend you have," Yorian commented.
"One needs to earn such people by showing the same dedication and loyalty."
"I shall try it then," Yorian said as he continued to observe Slayer.
"Keep your eyes in check. If you step beyond the line, you might get to try picking up your eyes that had rolled around the deck with your very own hands."
Yorian chuckled. "Your remarks are entertaining, King Drayce."
"They are clear facts."
Yorian didn't argue and got back to serious conversation. "What kind of Dragon are you?"
"Red."
"I have seen the black one and now I get to meet the red one. Being a wanderer is truly the best, as I get to experience lots of fun things. I must say I am excited to see your true form."
His remark reminded Drayce of something and he asked, "What kind of person is the Black Dragon, King Draven Aramis?"
"Proud, arrogant, merciless," Yorian sighed as he looked ahead at the white foams forming on the surface of the sea as he remembered some things he didn't want to remember.
Drayce listened silently. The High Elf Yorian seemed to have no good opinion about the King of Agartha while his mother always told him that Draven Aramis was a good person.
"Well, those are the things one feels when they meet him for the first time," Yorian continued, "but in my eyes, that powerful man is nothing but a pitiful soul who hides his suffering behind a mask, carrying heavy burdens for thousands of years even though it is not his responsibility in the first place.
It made Drayce more curious about the King of Agartha, Draven Aramis.
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