Drayce returned to the guest mansion where Seren was waiting for him.
"What took you so long?" she asked, almost clinging onto him, not minding the presence of servants.
"Did you miss me?"
"Hmm, a lot."
He smiled gently at her. "I was late because I made an interesting discovery for you to be entertained."
"Gossip?" Her eyes sparkled, making Drayce wonder if his wife truly didn't want to miss anything. Trapped inside that tower, she could not contact the outside world, but now she was making up for it all. Hearing gossip was her most favorite pastime, and so many times he heard her servants entertaining her with all kinds of gossip they knew. Drayce didn't mind as long as it made her happy.
"Hmm, an interesting one," he replied calmly.
The man who never liked to pry into others' private matters, let alone talk about them, was now ready to gossip for the sake of his wife.
"Tell me, fast. What is it about?"
He lowered his voice and asked, "Do you want the servants to hear about gossip that involves your brother?"
Her eyes widened as she replied in a low voice, "My brother?"
Drayce nodded, only to have his hand gripped by delicate palms as the owner of them dragged him away towards the staircase.
Chuckling inwardly, Drayce followed his wife, letting her drag him. Just as they entered the room, she closed the door in a hurry and turned to him, "Tell me now."
"What do I get in return?"
"Tonight, I will do anything you want me to," she replied boldly.
A wicket smirk braced his lips, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, tell me now," and walked towards him, helping him remove his outer dark robe.
"I met that mysterious woman today," Drayce replied and began to narrate everything that happened.
"That woman seems very brave. Perfect for my brother. If not the Princess of Othinia, I will accept her as my sister-in-law," Seren replied as she hung the robe on the wooden stand, "What do you think about my brother's feelings towards her?"
"He is surely interested in her, but she is not interested in your brother," Drayce replied, clearly drawing the conclusion from Cian and that woman's interaction.
"Not interested?" Seren exclaimed, "Are the women in Othinia blind or do they lack brains? How can they not see a capable and handsome man such as my brother? These women... How can another woman show disinterest in my brother?"
"How do you know it's another woman and not the same one?" Drayce raised a brow playfully.
"My Queen, beware not to be taken advantage of for your kindness. There are sly people around who can easily fool others."
"King Drayce is absolutely right, Queen Seren. You should heed his advice and keep such people away. If you fail to do so, I am here to help you."
"He shall be the first one you should send away," Drayce commented.
"I doubt she will when I have something interesting to tell her," Yorian commented as he looked at Seren, "Something really interesting about your newfound friend."
"Oriana?" Seren's eyes lit up, "Tell me what it is."
Drayce, who was happy before, now felt displeased that his wife would forget about everything whenever there is gossip.
"Maybe King Drayce might not like me here...."
"He won't mind," Seren interrupted quickly, "tell me about Oriana?"
Drayce, a slave to his wife's wishes, would never go against them and kept quiet, only to witness his wife paying attention to the elf and the news he brought.
"Tonight, Oriana finally revealed to Prince Arlan that she is a woman," Yorian answered calmly, but Seren's reaction was totally opposite.
"Really? When? How? What was Prince Arlan's reaction? Where are they now? Are they happily roaming in the garden?
Probably being close like a lovely couple in those stories?....." and so on. Her list of questions was unending, as if it were a story in a book and she couldn't wait to get all the information at once.
"My Queen, calm down," Drayce patted her head.
"Nothing like that has happened," Yorian replied, "After she told him, they both went their own ways. It seems like Prince Arlan wants her to continue pretending to be a man and remain as his personal aide."
Seren pouted her lips under her veil, but heard Drayce, "My Queen, Arlan must have a reason. But you do know she is his mate, and it won't be long until you see your wish of seeing them together fulfilled."
Seren nodded and stayed silent while eating quietly.
"What are you thinking?" Drayce asked.
"Umm...you said there will be a royal ball in a few days after the summit is over? I was thinking, "How about I take Oriana with me as my lady-in-waiting?"
"We cannot disclose her identity to others," Drayce spoke.
"It won't. Just like me, I will make her wear a veil. I am sure Prince Arlan would be happy to see her in a woman's clothes for the first time."
"Queen Seren, you are full of mischievous planning," Yorian commented and stood up as he picked up another cookie, "I will take my leave then."
Once he left, Seren looked at Drayce, waiting to hear him say, "Do as you please."
"Thank you, Dray."