Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

"My Queen, why are you so quiet? You didn't like the food?" Drayce asked. 

"No, they taste heavenly," she immediately replied, not wanting them to know the two men sitting with her were the reason she was quiet. "I am just enjoying the food here. The taste suits my palate."

"Seems my sister still likes the food in Abetha better," Cian commented. "I doubt the royal chefs from Megaris are less skilled than ours. Food from your homeland is still the best. Should I send some local chefs to Megaris, Seren?"

"No, Brother, I…" she struggled to explain, while Drayce spoke, "She prefers her husband over food."

Seren looked at Drayce with a displeased look, as if asking him to stop embarrassing her in front of her brother. However, she turned to glare at Cian upon hearing his next words.

"As long as my sister won't starve and everything is up to her liking," Cian commented. 

"I make sure she doesn't starve," Drayce replied. 

Seren wanted to cover her face. These two…were they still talking about food or…?

It was fine if they were only mocking each other, but why was she dragged into their conversation every single time? She could not properly eat due to embarrassment. 

Observing the smirks on their faces, she was so tempted to stab these two men with a fork. 

Seren could not do anything about her husband, but she had a good way to stop her brother and change this entire scenario. 

"Brother, all your younger sisters are married now.  As the most eligible bachelor of the kingdom, I am sure so many young ladies are lining up to marry you," she said. But before he could answer she continued, "When will it be your turn?"

The smile on Cian's face stiffened. "I am not in a hurry. I have to handle more important matters—"

Drayce interrupted him, "I heard Queen Niobe has been exchanging correspondence with the Kingdom of Othinia. Perhaps the future Crown Princess of Abetha will hail from one of the daughters of the Nefertiti Royal Family." 

Seren looked at her brother. "A princess of Othinia? That looks like a good marriage arrangement." She was not going to let him off as he was the one to start the series of embarrassments for her.

"I am not going to agree to it."

"Why?" I think it's good." 

As the new Queen of Megaris, Lady Tyra made sure part of her education involved knowing the important figures of the continent. 

"Othinian women are renowned for their beauty and brains, especially since their kingdom has the most educational institutions in the continent. I am sure the princess Queen Niobe chose for you is more than just a pretty young lady. Moreover, the alliance with Othinia will benefit greatly to Abetha. Better to get Othinia on your side than letting them side with the Kingdom of Thevailes."

Cian sighed and glared at Drayce. "King of Megaris, no matter how busy you are, as a newly married couple, pay attention to your wife. You must not be spending enough time with my sister that she still has enough time to look into critical political matters of this continent. How can you bear to have such boring stuff catch her attention?"

"Brother…"

Drayce shrugged at Cian. "You have my word—once we return to our kingdom, I will keep her so busy her attention would never stray away from me. Also, you forget, she had just come of age."

This reminded Seren that with her eighteenth birthday coming to pass, she was considered an adult by society and…she knew what Drayce was implying. She had been so engrossed with the angels and hellfire that she forgot about it. 

She and Drayce would be consummating their marriage…soon.

Seren gulped and stayed quiet, not even realizing the conversation had shifted to the birthday banquet arranged for her coming of age ceremony.

Drayce and Cian exchanged smiles seeing her lower her head in embarrassment. All their attempts were to make her forget everything that happened with her in the past few days and divert her attention to something else. 

When dessert was served, the topic returned to Cian's potential bride.

"Still, Prince Cian, I think you should think about the marriage offer from Othinia," Drayce said.

"I don't support political marriages," Cian replied. "Today, I gain favor from them, and tomorrow, I have to return their favor—that kind of manipulation, I rather stick to a business transaction between equals. Having a foreign princess as a wife comes with a great risk—especially if she shows bias to benefit her homeland rather than the kingdom she married into. If it is about gaining and consolidating power, I prefer to marry a daughter of a local noble instead."

Seren stared at her brother. "You speak of bias, but are you not showing prejudice as well? How can you decide what that princess is like when you don't even know her? Not every princess is like that." She looked at Drayce. "Am I right?"

Drayce nodded. "Maybe Prince Cian would get the chance to visit his potential bride when we go to Othinia for the summit."

"Othinia? Wasn't the alliance summit to be held in Mivesea?" Seren asked. 

Drayce explained to her why it was in Othinia and she understood. "Then it's good. Brother should use this opportunity…"

"It's not going to happen, Seren." Cian countered. "I am not going to let myself be matchmade with any princess."

Seren Sighed, "I hope brother won't have to eat his words."

"Rest assured," Cain replied with the confidence. 

The three had a quiet meal, once again talking about there is a birthday banquette arranged to celebrate Seren's eighteenth birthday. 

"I don't want any celebration," Seren countered. 

"You are a queen of one kingdom now, Seren. You need to get used to it," Cian tried to make her understand. 

She looked at Drayce who assured her, "You have to bear it for a while, then we will celebrate it our way."

Seren nodded while Drayce knew he was yet to do something for his wife on her birthday. She had learned Zither to play that same tune from his childhood days as his birthday gift, how could he not do anything for his lovely wife.