Drayce and Seren were ready to leave the royal banquet after a while, as she didn't feel comfortable staying with the strange gazes, especially that particular gaze always following her.
"Dray, would it be rude if we leave early?" Seren asked. "Will it offend the Othinian royal family?"
Drayce shook his head. "You are the queen of Megaris, and you can offend whoever you want, even the entire continent."
"Umm... I don't wish to take advantage of being the wife of the most powerful king, but I really wish to leave this place. I don't feel good here," she replied honestly.
"Let's leave then," he agreed as he offered her his hand.
Seren accepted his hand but then looked around to search for someone.
"She is with Arlan," Drayce answered her unspoken question.
Seren looked back at him. "Are you sure about it? I brought Oriana here under my responsibility, so I can't help but be worried."
"Trust me, they are together," he offered her a meaningful look, "...and they are having quite a good time?"
Seren's eyes widened. "Already?"
"She is his mate. How long do you expect him to be patient?" he replied.
"How do you know? I mean..." she realized something—her husband's sharp hearing senses—and immediately extended her hands to cover his ears. "It's rude to listen to someone like this."
Drayce found her adorable as he looked at her, not removing her hands from his ears. "My queen, you shouldn't act so adorable in public. You might attract more attention."
Seren realized they were still inside the banquet hall, and her gesture of covering Drayce's ears had drawn quite a number of gazes and smiles.
She awkwardly pulled her hands back and heard Drayce say, "I didn't listen to them intentionally, but when you were looking for Oriana, I just extended my hearing senses for a moment and grasped the situation. When you're here with me, I don't need to extend my senses to pry on others."
She offered an awkward nod under those gazes and said, "Can we leave now?"
Drayce held her hand with a gentle grip. "Let's leave."
"Do you always keep your ears on me and listen to what I talk about?" she asked.
"Hmm, not always. Only when I feel you need to be under my watch and you might be in trouble," he replied, a smile gracing her lips. "Or sometimes when I miss you in the middle of my work and want to know what you're doing."
"That means you hear what I talk about," she said with a displeased tone. "I have no privacy."
"No, my Queen. I don't intend to invade your privacy... I just..."
"It won't be long," she assured. "They are leaving Othinia tomorrow, and we are ready for them."
Samer gave her a nod, only to hear Zaria again, "Also, once you capture Queen Seren, consider taking control of the entire kingdom of Megaris."
He raised an eyebrow at her suggestion. "After he loses his wife, he'll certainly wage war."
"Yes, he will, but he won't be capable of fighting," Zaria clarified. "The power I intend to use on him will weaken him significantly for an extended period. You can seize this opportunity to order your forces to attack Megaris."
"Is this why you advised me to have our military forces on standby?" Samer inquired.
She smiled. "My preparations are never without purpose."
"Then I'll leave the execution to you."
Zaria nodded, then added, "King Samer, I'm curious about your lineage, about your ancestors."
"Our family founded this kingdom, and we've continued the legacy," he replied nonchalantly.
"Is there a complete record of your ancestors?" she probed further.
"Every royal family maintains a record of its lineage, noting names and achievements. Why this sudden interest in mine?" he questioned, curiosity piqued.
"I was wondering if you'd be interested in learning magic," she proposed.
Scoffing and raising an eyebrow, Samer retorted, "Are you trying to make me one of your minions, like those ineffectual wizards who can't even complete a simple task?"
"You could surpass them with your capabilities," she suggested.
"I have no interest in becoming your minion. I'd rather you serve me, and run brands for me," he stated flatly, his eyes devoid of any desire to learn magic. "When I have a powerful witch like you by my side, why do I need to be like you?"
"You seem to possess a natural affinity for darkness, despite being human. Such cases are rare," she observed. "That's why I inquired about your lineage."
"My lineage is exactly as I've described," he responded, his tone firm. "You should focus on our plan instead of trying to turn me into something I have no interest in."
Zaria chose not to press further. "As you wish, Your Majesty."
Once Zaria left, he leaned back lazily in his chair and remembered the story he had heard about his ancestors from his grandmother when he was a child but he always took it as the words of an old woman who was losing her mind with age.
'Our first ancestor descended from the sky from another realm. We are different from other humans, Samer. Do not be like your father and try to find your true potential. One day, you will be above what you can see and understand. Try to pry beyond it.'
He shook his head, trying to shake those words from the old woman, 'Grandmother sure had a knack for weird imagination.'