Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

The next day, in the absence of Drayce who had gone to Griven, Seren decided to visit Edith once more. She instructed Xena to prepare some gifts for Edith, especially nutritious supplements needed by a woman with a child. In the afternoon, she set off to meet Edith along with Xena, ready in their ordinary noble attire. Slayer accompanied them as he did the day before.

When she reached the carriage, Seren observed Slayer's serious face; it was clear he was worried about something but was keeping his calm.

"Commander, did Drayce come to you last night?" Seren asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he replied, keeping his head bowed.

"No wonder you look worried," she commented, "Believe me, Prince Arlan will be alright. As long as Mister Yorian and our mothers are with them, nothing can happen to them. They always have a way out to protect us."

Slayer nodded, "I will keep that in mind."

Seren offered him a smile under her veil and climbed into the carriage as Slayer offered her his leather-protected arm. When they reached the First Prince's residence, they were allowed to enter the gate without any interruption.

'Seems like Prince Keiren has no issue with me coming here,' Seren concluded.

When she descended from the carriage, she instructed Slayer, "Commander Sanders, you and the others can return to the palace."

It shocked Slayer, "Your Majesty, I will wait here."

"I know you are concerned about my safety, but trust me, I am safe here."

"His Majesty would never allow me to leave you alone like this."

"I am not alone, and I am with family, not strangers," she assured, "I really want you to leave. I hope you understand. Do not even wait outside the mansion gate. All I want is for you to return to the palace, leaving me here alone."

Slayer, caught between his duty and her command, had to obey her and left.

"Your Majesty, why did you send…."

"I would have sent you back as well. I almost forgot," Seren interrupted her.

Feeling worried that Seren would really do it, Xena kept quiet. She would not leave Seren alone, anywhere.

Edith's servant, Cara, arrived to welcome them. "Good to see you here again, Lady Seren. Lady Edith has been talking about you as if she wanted to meet you again."

"I am glad my arrival is expected."

They entered the drawing room, but Edith was not there. "The lady is in her chamber. I will take you there."

"Is she not well?" Seren asked.

"Her health has always been delicate, and she needs to protect herself from the cold. Last night she was not feeling well, so Lord Ren has forbidden her from stepping out of her chamber so she could stay warm. I am trying to keep her occupied and not feeling bored, but I am out of options. I am glad you are here so she can now feel better."

"I am glad I can be of help."

Along with Cara, Seren and Xena reached Edith's chamber where she was sitting in bed, resting against the headboard. She was doing some knitting work that seemed like clothes for the coming baby.

"My lady, they are here," Cara informed.

Edith looked at Seren and Xena, and her quiet face suddenly brightened with happiness. She was about to move the blanket aside from her legs to get out of bed, but Seren spoke, "Please stay there. I am coming to you."

Edith stopped, and Seren approached her. "You should stay warm, or you will be sick, Edith."

Edith sighed, "I think this is the hundredth time of the day I am hearing it. Ren, Cara, and now you as well."

Seren smiled lightly, "It's because we want you to be healthy. I have brought you some nutritious herbal supplements that will help you cope with the cold."

"Thank you, Seren. Please have a seat." Read more tales on NovelFire-l-em,py-r

Cara arranged a chair for her and Xena next to the bed and went to get refreshments for them.

"I am glad you are here. I thought I would faint with boredom," Edith complained, "You have to come to meet me every day."

"I will."

"Good," Edith then put her hand on her round belly, "When my baby comes out, you will be his or her godmother."

Seren felt excited to hear it. "I would love to." She could not wait to have little born in her arms. She had never experienced it.

"Do you have children?" Edith asked.

Seren was taken aback by the sudden question but shook her head, "Not yet."

Under the veil, her cheeks blushed a little. The thought of having kids with Drayce suddenly felt tempting to her. They had been together for more than a week now. Seren wondered when she would be expecting. Was Drayce ready for it?

"Good, then you can help me take care of my child and do the duty of his godmother."

Seren chuckled at how Edith's every thought involved keeping her around. "I will do my best," she said, then asked, "How long until the baby is delivered?"

"It's the ninth month now. It shall be soon," Edith answered. "Oh, you must be surprised to think my belly looks like it's barely seven months pregnant. It's because my body is thin despite being pregnant, unlike other healthy expectant mothers."

"Honestly, I couldn't tell because I do not have much experience being around pregnant women," Seren replied.

She could not tell her that her entire life she had been imprisoned and never mingled with women to know all this. After becoming a queen, there was no one around her who was expecting a child.

"Do not worry, you can be with me till I deliver the baby, and you can get some experience," Edith offered, sounding like an elder sister taking care of the younger one.

"Thank you. I would love to."

An hour passed by while they continued to talk and enjoy themselves.

Meanwhile, Keiren returned home. He was informed about Seren's presence once more. He walked inside and went toward the chamber, only to hear the sounds of women laughing at something. The quiet atmosphere in the home suddenly felt lively. Not willing to disturb them, he walked toward the door, only to find Edith laughing heartily.

"...are you serious, Seren? Were you truly not aware of it?"

Seren giggled with her, "Hmm, I almost scared my husband to death. I was so naive back then."

"Your husband is truly great to keep his patience with you."

"That's true. I am sure your husband is the same. I could see it yesterday," Seren commented.

"Indeed, he is a great man, and I feel fortunate to have him as my husband," Edith's face brightened at the mention of her husband.

Seren wanted to ask her how she and Keiren got married, but considering it was only their second meeting, she found it too personal to ask. Maybe Edith would tell her on her own.

Just then, Edith's gaze moved to the door, "Ren, you are here."

He walked inside so she wouldn't come running toward him. Seren and Xena stood up from their chairs to greet him.

"Ren, Seren and Xena are here, so I didn't feel bored at all," she immediately said. "I plan to call Seren here daily."

"As you wish," he replied and adjusted the blanket over her feet. "Just promise me you will follow the instructions given to you."

"I promise," she said. "It's mealtime. Let's eat together," she looked at Seren, "With you here, I feel like I have a bigger family. I don't fancy eating alone."

"I feel the same," Seren meant what she said, as she had been having lonely meals until she met Drayce.

With Keiren, they had a meal together. Seeing Keiren taking care of delicate Edith, Seren suggested, "Lord Ren, have you taken Edith to the hot water spring?"

"Hot water spring?" Edith asked.

"She has arrived here recently and due to her health, I could not take her anywhere," he replied.

"I would suggest you take her there. The water is magical and will help her and the baby to improve immunity to coldness," Seren suggested. "Only if it's alright for her to go there in her ninth month. When I visited recently, I found the roads are fine and well-prepared for carriages to reach there."

Keiren was aware of it all. After all, he was a royal family member and had his own private spring.

"I want to go there," Edith declared.

"Tomorrow, I will take you there," he assured.

After the meal, Seren was ready to leave. As expected, Keiren walked with her to the carriage.

Noticing only a coachman and not a single royal knight in sight, Keiren frowned and asked Seren, "Where is the commander?"

"I sent him back to the palace. There was no need for him to stay here," Seren replied.

Keiren's brows furrowed even deeper, "So irresponsible of him."

"Do not blame him. I was the one who insisted that he return. After I assured him that I am with family and not with strangers, and that I am entirely safe here, only then did he agree to leave," Seren informed, suddenly finding herself talking with so much ease with Keiren and she was not afraid of him at all. It felt more she was with Cian.

Keiren didn't argue and signaled his knight, who came to him. The knight, aware of everything about Keiren and the royal family, was wearing normal guard clothes instead of the knight's usual uniform.

"Get a few more knights and make sure to safely escort Her Majesty back to the palace," Keiren instructed.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Seren was glad to see this. This Prince was not indifferent to others. His actions clearly showed he cared for Seren as family and considered himself responsible for her safety.

Seren didn't reject his offer as this was what she was going to test and the reason she ordered Slayer to return to the palace.

The moment Seren's carriage arrive at the palace's gate, all the Royal knights came to the carriage as Slayer had already instructed them to keep watch and let the carriage enter the palace without any disturbances.

The Royal knights recognised Keiren's guardian knight. They exchanged silent nods and resumed their works as Keiren's knight returned after assuring Seren was in safe hands.

When Seren's carriage arrived at the Queen's palace, Slayer who had be informed about her arrival, reached there.

"Commander, I had assured you that I would be safe. See," she commented.

"I am glad, Your Majesty. But next time, I would not leave your side," he declared. Only he knew how he had spent every moment, worrying about her safety.

"Next time, there won't be a need for you to leave. What I was looking for, is already achieved," she said, smile playing on her lips. "I will head back inside."

Slayer offered her a polite bow and she left with Xena.