Yorian was standing outside the room where Martha and Oriana were preparing the medicine for Seren. He was curious to know what this young witch had to do with Martha when they were meeting for the first time itself.
"Miss Martha, my master mentioned you to me." Yorian heard Oriana talk. "When I told him I am coming to Othinia, he told me I might get to meet someone he knows. She goes by the name of Martha, the nanny of the Queen of Megaris, but her real name is Celia Voss."
Martha's voice could be heard, "Is he living well?"
"Master is doing well in Griven. He is currently attending to a patient, though I believe he will once again journey around the continent to continue helping poor people once he resolves that patient's health problems."
"Good to know."
There was a silence for a while inside the room when finally Yorian heard something useful.
"There is something I need to talk with you about, Miss Martha."
"What is it?"
"Not now as it's a personal matter that is sensitive in nature. Maybe, when you are free from work?"
"Alright. I will let you know."
Yorian frowned inwardly, 'Seems like I have to wait a little more to learn what this little black witch is up to.'
After preparing the medicines, Oriana and Martha returned to Seren's chamber where Oriana offered the prepared medicines to Seren. Drayce was reluctant to let Seren eat the medicine prepared by this black witch but he trusted Martha who was with her while preparing medicines.
Oriana left Seren's chamber while Seren looked at Drayce who patted her head, "You shall rest. I will be back soon."
Seren nodded and closed her eyes while Drayce stepped out of the room only to find Yorian outside, "Got to know anything?"
"Not yet, but she said she has something important to talk to Martha," Yorian answered, "We might know it soon."
Drayce and Yorian returned to the Drawing room where Cian enquired about his sister, "How is Seren?"
"Asleep" Drayce replied as his gaze passed by Oriana who was standing on the sidelines. He then looked back at Arlan. "I need to discuss something with you."
The way Drayce looked at him, Arlan understood it was a private matter only for their ears.
"Imbert, Orian, return to our guest mansion."
"Yes, Your Highness," Imbert replied. Oriana paused hesitantly, "Your Highness, can I talk to Miss Martha for a while? I have a message for her from Master Erich."
Arlan looked at Drayce who offered him an approving gaze. "Alright, but after that return immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness." She left to meet Martha.
Yorian looked at the retreating back of the young woman and said, "You pair of friends can chat nicely. I will stay behind."
"I have important matters to attend to regarding what we talked about earlier. I will update you two when I get something useful," Cian said as he bowed lightly and excused himself.
The Crown Prince of Griven and the King of Megaris disappeared from their places under the gazes of those left behind inside the drawing room.
—
Outside Martha's room, Yorian was standing, waiting to hear something important.
As the conversation between two women started, finally Yorian got to hear something important which made his pointed ears twitch in excitement.
"About a month ago," she started, "Master and I prepared a certain ancient concoction which includes the use of one banned herb....black nightshade..." her voice seemed hesitant.
'Finally she mentioned that herb,' Yorian thought.
"Continue," Martha instructed.
"This medicine, the end result should be a vibrant green concoction. However, every time I prepared it, the liquid would turn black. In the past, I had always successfully created many concoctions but when I use black nightshade, there seems to be some issue with me. Master said the black magic can be the reason."
"For what?" Oriana asked, feeling uncomfortable about it.
"Trust me if you wish to get answers," he replied.
Hesitantly, Oriana turned around, her back facing him.
"I just need to check a mark on your nape so don't be scared," he assured her.
The back collars of her attire could not hinder what Yorian wanted to see. It was a pale smooth skin.
'Empty as expected,' Yorian observed. 'It has been hidden by a spell. I can not unseal it but I see through it.' He closed his eyes and mumbled something.
Just as he opened his eyes, they were met with the view of a symbol shining at the back of her neck.
'A circle and a four-cornered knot. This symbol...This child ought to be this generation's Queen of Witches. However, not only are her powers sealed, even her identity is hidden. This child is not even aware of what she is.'
"You can turn back around now," Yorian instructed.
Oriana looked at him with a gaze full of questions.
"Do you really want to know about yourself?"
"Yes."
"Do you know that this means there is no going back?"
Oriana's eyes flickered before determination set in. "Please, Lord Yorian, tell me what you discovered."
"You are not human."
Hearing it, she clearly looked shocked. "Not human?"
Yorian continued, "...among those beings who can use magic, there are countless races in this continent, normally unseen since that side of the world is well-hidden from human eyes. You, Martha and I belong to that side of the world.."
"What race do I belong to?" Yorian heard her ask.
"You are a witch."
-----
After an hour, Drayce returned to the guest mansion and went to his study after checking on his sleeping wife. Inside the study Yorian was already waiting for him. He had nice long chat with the new found young Black Witch, explaining to her about her existence. Once she was gone, Yorian was waiting for Drayce to return.
"Seems like King Drayce had a nice talk with his friend."
"Something like this," Drayce replied and asked, "So what did you find out about her?"
"She is not just a black witch but a new Queen of Witches, the one who can control entire race of witches at her command."
Drayce was stunned to hear it. His mother was the previous Queen of witches and a new Queen was there and she was a black witch at that.
"So Arlan's mate is a Black Witch?" Drayce said, looking like in a disbelief.
"What?" Yorian exclaimed. "Prince Arlan's mate?"
Drayce nodded, "His Dragon has chosen her a mate."
"So Gold Dragon's mate is a Black Witch?" Yorian chuckled. "Why does it feel so satisfying?"
Drayce frowned, "It's not a good news for now. Arlan doesn't know she is a black witch."
Yorian nodded but said, "If his Dragon has chosen her as his mate, there is nothing he can do."
Drayce could only sigh helplessly as he knew his friend very well. It was sure not a good thing when he doesn't know who he had chosen as his mate.