Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

Theodora was surprised to see her first grandson there. "Keiren?"

"Yes, Grandma." He approached her and stopped in front of her. "This is my residence, Grandma."

Theodora was speechless for a moment before finally finding her words. "So, that's…."

"Your granddaughter-in-law and great-grandson," Keiren completed her sentence.

Theodora's free hand covered her mouth as her eyes filled with tears. "My…" Words failed her as the sudden shock overwhelmed her. She looked at Seren, who added, "Yes, Grandma, that is why I brought you here."

Her eyes brimming with tears, Theodora turned back to Keiren. "My great-grandson," she murmured, looking at her trembling free hand, while the other was occupied with holding her cane. "I just held him. No wonder I felt as if he were my kin. I could feel it."

"Apologies for keeping it from you, Grandma. I will visit Crystal Palace soon and explain everything to you," he assured her. "I do not wish to hide it from you any longer."

A light smile spread across her lips. "I will wait for you."

Seren had a contented smile on her face, her own eyes moist with happiness for them. She appreciated Keiren's decision, knowing how much he cared about his grandmother.

Keiren looked at Seren, not knowing what to say, but his gaze was full of gratitude for what she had done. The happiness he saw in his grandmother's eyes made telling her the truth worth it.

Seren offered him a light nod, accepting his unspoken gratitude, and then turned to the older lady. "Grandma, let's return. It's not good for you to stay out in such cold weather for too long."

The old lady nodded. After exchanging a few more words with Keiren, they left. Inside the carriage, the older lady's eyes remained moist, as she struggled to hold back her tears.

She turned to Seren. "I am not sure how many things I should thank you for or how I can even begin to express my gratitude."

"You don't need to, Grandma. The love you've shown me since I arrived in this kingdom and became part of this family is far more precious."

-----

That afternoon, Keiren visited Theodora and explained to her why he had kept his family away and what he planned for the future. He told her the same thing he had told Drayce.

Theodora hummed thoughtfully. "I can't blame you for anything, Keiren," the older lady said, not upset. "Though you are royals and the most powerful people in the kingdom, you young ones have faced unfair situations and a lack of love from the family. If one day Drayce has to do the same, I wouldn't stop him either. You both deserve to live the life you desire."

"Thank you for understanding, Grandma." He then began explaining how he met Edith.

"...When I found her in the forest, she was not in a good state. Despite being from a noble family, she was abused for being born to a lowly maid. I took her with me with the thought of saving that frail young woman. She was scared of nobles, so I continued to pretend to be an ordinary merchant.

She had nowhere to go, so I allowed her to stay and work as a servant at my residence in the north, where others knew me as a merchant as well. My identity was never revealed to her."

His tone became a little hesitant. "But…I hadn't expected to fall for her…and…"

Grandma chuckled. "It would have been disappointing if you hadn't fallen for such a beautiful and sweet young woman. I'm glad that you saved her and provided her with a good life. You don't have to be hesitant. Falling in love is the best thing that can happen to anyone. But, are you never going to tell her the truth?"

"I have not given it a thought yet," he replied. "Her body has been frail because she wasn't treated well, so it's difficult for her to cope with the extreme cold in the north. I'll be moving to a city in the south where the weather stays warm most of the year."

"That's a good decision," Theodora commented. "She looks healthy despite giving birth to a child. It seems like the weather here is good for her. She even gave birth to a healthy child."

Keiren contemplated what the old lady said and asked, "Grandma, you must be aware that Seren is not an ordinary woman."

The older woman looked at him for a moment before smiling. "She is a good soul. Her presence can bless any place she steps into."

Keiren explained what had happened during childbirth. "She saved both of them, and I owe her my entire life. Edith's sudden improvement in health seems to be because of her as well."

"That can certainly be true. Edith and my great-grandson are fortunate to receive her blessings. From now on, you can rest assured about their well-being. It's as good as receiving a blessing from the deity of life herself."

Theodora's words left him shocked, but he quickly regained his composure. He didn't ask what Seren truly was, but he knew he would always be grateful to her.

-----

As everything was settled, Drayce and Seren were ready to leave for Agartha after making all the necessary arrangements.

Seren had informed Edith that she would be gone for a long time with her husband and that, in her absence, Grandma Theodora would continue to visit her, ensuring Edith would still feel like she had a family around. Edith was happy to have an elder with her.

Drayce visited Keiren, requesting him to look after the kingdom's matters along with Jasper until he returned from his long journey. Since the baby was still small and traveling in the cold wasn't advisable, Keiren postponed his plan to move to another city and accepted Drayce's request.

The next morning, before leaving, Drayce gave instructions to his two knights, Slayer and Azer, whom he was leaving behind.

"Slayer, the estate given to you—you have never visited it. I order you to go there and take care of it," Drayce commanded. "When you have a family and kids in the coming year, they will need a proper estate suitable to your status as the King's guardian knight."

Slayer sighed. "There is…"

"I don't want to hear that there's no need, that you plan to stay single forever, and so on. I value your loyalty, but not to that extent. I want to see you have a family, and once I return, we will see to it. Until then, take care of your estate the way a duke is supposed to. That's an order from your king."

Slayer could only keep silent and obey the King.

Drayce then turned to Azer. "You can use this time to be with your family for a while and then return to take charge in Slayer's place, commanding all the knights who will have their short vacations as well."

"Your Majesty, there's no need for me to visit home. I'll just take over the Commander's responsibilities."

"Don't want to go home?" Drayce raised a brow. "Would you rather I transfer you to Griven to work under Captain Imbert Loyset?"

Azer was taken aback. "Y-Your Majesty, why would I go there? I would rather go with the Commander to help him with his estate."

"I don't need your help. You can return to your home," Slayer declared.

Azer lowered his head in submission, sighing inwardly.

After taking care of everything, Drayce went to Seren, who was ready to leave.

"Do you know the way to Agartha?" Seren asked. "I heard it's difficult."

"You don't have to worry when I'm with you two," a familiar voice caught her attention.

"Mother," Seren smiled at Evanthe, who spoke, "I'm here to take you both there," and hugged Seren gently.

Seren offered her a sweet smile. "Thank you, Mother."

Evanthe let go of her and observed Seren's face, now unveiled. "When I held you in my hands for the first time when you were a baby and saw you without a veil, I knew I was looking at the most beautiful woman in this universe."

Seren felt a little shy at her words and didn't know what to say. "Thank you, Mother," she replied, her tone a little hesitant.

"Who do I look like?" Seren asked, knowing Evanthe had seen both her parents.

"You are as beautiful as your mother. Being a deity of nature, it's only natural that no one can match your beauty," Evanthe praised her once more, then turned to Drayce. "Looking at both of you, I can tell I'm going to be blessed with the most beautiful grandkids."

Though shy, Seren chuckled at this. "And they will have the most beautiful grandma."

Evanthe laughed softly. "I agree with that. I know I'm quite beautiful."

"But Mother, you won't look like a grandma at all. You still look like a young lady who's yet to be married."

"Then shall I use a magic spell to give myself some wrinkles and gray hair?" Evanthe asked playfully.

"Is that possible?"

"With magic, anything is possible. Want to see?"

"No, no. I want my baby to see a beautiful and young grandma."

Drayce simply stayed quiet, a light smile playing on his lips to see their warm interaction. He looked forward to what they were talking about and felt like he could not wait for the day when he would be holding his own child in his hands.

Once ready, they disappeared from the chamber, finally leaving for Agartha.