Traveling through the busy streets of a trading center like Selve would have been slow had it not been for the combined force of the royal knights and the men arranged by Duke Maxil. However, their carriage ride was particularly smooth thanks to the strengthened public order, a merit that showed the importance Griven had put in receiving the guests from Megaris.

The estate of the House of Selve showed off the great wealth accumulated by the family for generations. In Seren’s eyes, the architecture of the manor strongly resembled the Royal Palace of Griven, the buildings made of white marble with hints of gold, albeit the scale were considerably smaller and less luxurious than the one found in the capital of Karlin. From the casual words of Arlan who acted as host to them, he mentioned that several generations ago, the Queen of Griven came from the House of Selve and she remodeled the Selve manor after she retired from politics.

“Our Selve Family is honored to be in the presence of His Majesty the Dragon and Her Majesty the Phoenix of Megaris.”

After exchanging pleasantries with the Duke who warmly welcomed them to his home, Drayce and Seren were then guided towards their chamber. A banquet had been prepared to honor their arrival, but only Drayce attended as Seren opted to rest after the three-day long journey.

Late in the evening, when she woke up, she found her husband was yet to retire for the night. After freshening up and having a small meal, she stepped out of her chamber, wanting to look around. Her lady-in-waiting, ever-prepared to attend to her needs, had already asked the servants of the Duke to ask for the King’s whereabouts

“Your Majesty, the maids said the King is in the garden.”

While walking along the pavement leading outside, Seren spotted her husband together with Arlan and Yorian. They were inside the floating gazebo  in the center of a large pond, leisurely sitting on cushions arranged on the wooden floor rather than on chairs.

Several feet away from them were three knights, Slayer and Azer from Megaris, and Imbert Loyset from Griven, and from their looks, standing at the bottom of the steps leading to the gazebo, they must have chased away other people from the area.

Seren wondered what they were talking about and then found them looking at her as if they had sensed her presence even from a distance.

Drayce stood up the moment he saw his wife and disappeared from his place. Because only Arlan and Yorian were present, he didn’t mind casually using his powers in the open, and the three knights had served their lords for so long, they didn’t feel surprised at all.

The young king appeared in front of Seren who was a little taken aback seeing him disappearing and reappearing in front of her without any warning.

The Queen’s lady-in-waiting bowed to him and took a few steps back. Even she was no longer surprised as she had grown accustomed to the King’s supernatural abilities.

“My Queen, did you have a good rest?” Drayce asked, looking at her with a gentle gaze.

p AndD nOve1.cO,m “I did,” Seren replied. “Did I disturb your conversation with them?”

“Not at all, my Queen. And even if that’s the case, you are always allowed to disturb me.”

She smiled at his response and asked, “Anything serious?” She found no outsiders around the garden so she thought the group of men must be talking about highly sensitive matters.

“Nothing serious but would you like to join us?” he offered.

“Will it be fine?” she asked hesitantly.

“Of course, it is.” He offered her his hand. “May I escort my lovely wife?”please visit panda(-)N0ve1.co)m

This time, Drayce didn’t use his powers and led her way towards the gazebo like a gentleman.

As the royal couple approached, the knights acting guard bowed to them. Arlan and Yorian stood up from the cushioned sitting arrangement and bowed to greet her.

Drayce made her sit next to him and only then did the other two sit down as well.

“I hope I am not disturbing you,” she said hesitantly as she looked at two men on the other side of the low table.

“Not at all, Your Majesty,” the prince replied, while the elf said, “In fact, your arrival is time. We were talking about you, Queen Seren.”

“About me?” she asked, feeling a little surprised, throwing a puzzled look at her husband. Drayce simply gestured for her to continue listening to Yorian.

“We were talking about the powers hidden inside you, Queen Seren. The moon is full and there is no one here to disturb us. I think it’s a good opportunity to delve  into the mysteries of your powers.”

Though Seren had agreed to this, she didn’t expect it to happen so soon. Once again, she looked at Drayce who only said, “If you are willing.”

She thought about it for a moment. “I am willing. What should I do?”

The silver-haired elf brightened, his eyes sparkling like starlight in the dark. “You don’t need to do much, Queen Seren. You just have to let me hold your hands. Everything else is up to me.”

‘Holding hands?’ She thought that other than Drayce, no man had held her hands…well,  except for Slayer who was protecting her during that stormy night, but that was under the direct orders from Drayce. She wondered if this was appropriate.

“It’s alright, my Queen,” Drayce said as he could see through her thoughts.

She nodded and allowed Yorian. “Fine. I can do that.”

Yorian offered her a reassuring smile that said she made the right decision. He then adjusted his seat to face the empty place next to him. “The moonlight is best on this side. Queen Seren, can you sit here so it will be more comfortable for us?”

This time, she didn’t have to get Drayce’s permission. She moved and sat facing Yorian.

“Well, then, may I ask that we be given a little space? King Drayce, Prince Arlan, you don’t need to go far. Just standing at the edge of the gazebo will do. It’s more efficient to scry if no other variables will affect my powers, and you two…”

Yorian didn’t have to say more as both men left their seats to stand at a suitable distance.

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