Under Seren's watchful eye, Drayce lay resting in their chamber. Once he had drifted off to sleep, Seren quietly slipped out of the room and made her way to the lakeside, settling herself inside the gazebo. She sat in an unusual state of calm, her gaze fixed upon the tranquil waters ahead.
"What occupies your thoughts, my dear?" A familiar voice broke the silence, drawing Seren's attention. The older lady, leaning lightly on her cane for support, had joined her at the gazebo.
Seren offered a gentle smile. "Grandma, I was simply admiring the beauty of the lake."
Theodora let out a soft chuckle as she settled onto the bench opposite Seren. "Seems like you have learned to lie as well. My grandson is such a bad influence on you."
Seren was caught off guard. "N- No, grandma. I was just..."
"I would appreciate it if you'd share what's on your mind," Theodora interjected, her smile radiating warmth and comfort.
Unable to evade the truth any longer, Seren hesitated before admitting, "I was indeed thinking about Dray."
The older lady chuckled playfully, and then turned to look at her lady-in-waiting, "Why does that not surprise me, my dear Cerviel?"
Cerviel smiled warmly in response. "They are just like you and King Esteban in the past, Great Lady. I can see the depth of their love and affection for each other."
The Great Lady hummed in contentment. "Your words bring me great joy, Cerviel."
"How about I enhance that joy with some freshly brewed tea?" Cerviel suggested, receiving a widened smile from her mistress. "You always know just what to do."
With a graceful departure, Cerviel left the gazebo, leaving the Great Lady to turn her attention to Seren, who seemed lost in thought, her gaze following Cerviel's retreating figure.
"What troubles you, Seren? Is there something else you desire besides tea?" the Great Lady inquired gently.
Seren shook her head, refocusing on the Great Lady. "I... was pondering what Lady Cerviel mentioned."
"And what was that?" the Great Lady prompted.
After a while, Drayce arrived there as he watched Seren and his grandmother conversing happily.
Seren somehow sensed his presence and watched him walking in their direction. Her gaze stuck at him for some reason like a lovestruck person, her heart started to race, making her wonder, 'Could it be that I truly love him? Has the curse been broken?'
Drayce's gaze met with hers, her loud heartbeats reaching his ears even from a distance, making him smirk lightly. How satisfying it was to see his wife was enchanted by him.
Observing the exchange, Theodora couldn't help but smile knowingly as she shared a meaningful glance with Cerviel, who returned it with a smile of her own.
"What are you two discussing, grandma?" Drayce inquired, his gaze not leaving his wife.
"Shall I answer or leave it to your wife?" Theodora teased, amused by Drayce's obvious question directed at her but his unwavering gaze fixed on Seren.
Feeling self-conscious under the scrutiny, Seren awkwardly cleared her throat and lowered her gaze, realizing she had been caught in the act.
Drayce, unfazed, replied, "Either way works."
Rising gracefully, the Great Lady intervened, her words laced with humor. "Let your wife answer that question. I'll take my leave before you accuse me of interfering with a pair of lovers."
Seren quickly interjected, halting the Great Lady's departure. "Grandma..."
"Grandma indeed possesses great wisdom," Drayce remarked, agreeing with his grandmother's decision to give them space.
"Hair on my head didn't turn grey by standing simply under the sun," the old lady retorted playfully before turning to leave.
Seren glanced at Drayce, puzzled by his unexpected intervention. "Why did you let grandma leave..."
He settled beside her, his gaze probing. "The way you looked at me the entire time, I thought you had something to say."
Did she? Seren pondered, unsure of what she had intended to express. Confess her love to him, perhaps?