The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 483: Her Silence

Chapter 483: Her Silence

Arlan extended a respectful nod to Seren. "Your Majesty."

Beneath her veil, Seren graced him with a gentle smile. "How is Oriana?"

As expected of him, even Seren was aware of Oriana’s identity, she had been aware of it since long. The pieces clicked into place: Oriana’s presence at the banquet at Othinia as Seren’s lady-in-waiting had been orchestrated by Seren herself. Undoubtedly, she had learned from Drayce that Oriana was his chosen one, his Dragon’s mate.

"She is well, currently resting," Arlan responded with polished courtesy.

As the atmosphere settled, Drayce interjected, "To attend your wedding, the Megaris royal retinue had left for Griven a week prior, led by Slayer, merely for spectacle. I escorted Seren directly, sparing her the journey."

Arlan’s approving gaze met Drayce’s. "You did well. Both of you shall be accommodated here." Turning to Seren, he added, "Your Majesty, make yourself at home. Servants here are at your disposal."

Seren inclined her head gracefully. "I appreciate it, Prince Arlan."

Arlan surveyed the surroundings, noting the absence of Yorian and the two women. "Where might they be?"

"Likely attending to matters," Drayce speculated, "Possibly related to Agartha."

Guest chamber were arranged for both Drayce and Seren, with a selection of female attendants dispatched from the palace of Thistle to cater to the Queen of Megaris.

Returning from ensuring Seren’s comfort, Drayce sought out his friend. "I thought Oriana might find solace in Seren’s familiar presence. They share a bond like friends."

Arlan, his gaze distant as he stood by the window, responded, "You are wise."

His friend who rarely acted this quiet, Drayce could understand him. He had witnessed Oriana’s treatment towards him which didn’t come to him as surprise as well.

Placing a reassuring hand on Arlan’s shoulder, he inquired, "What weighs on your mind?"

"Her silence," Arlan confessed, voice tinged with apprehension. "It scares me."

"Do you fear she’ll leave you?" Drayce ventured, sensing his friend’s mounting unease.

Arlan simply nodded, struggling to contain the whirlwind of emotions churning within him.

Drayce grappled with the right words, sensing the depth of Arlan’s turmoil.

Breaking the lingering silence, Drayce ventured, "Perhaps you should clarify to her that you did not harm her grandfather."

Arlan’s eyes sought Drayce’s. "Have you spoken with Alex?"

"No words with Alex are needed," Drayce asserted confidently. "I know you better than most. Even at your most tempestuous, harming an unarmed elder isn’t in your nature. My temper might falter, but yours remains steadfast."

"There is no use of explaining now," Arlan murmured, his voice heavy with regret. "In the end, it was my blade that wounded him, and he is on the brink of death. I would feel no sorrow if he dies; after all, he was the who killed my mother. Only unfortunate thing is, he is her grandfather."

Their shared silence spoke volumes. Both knew Oriana was a kind of person who once decided on something, it was impossible to stop her unless she willingly gave up.

----

In a distant kingdom, the scene unfolded quite differently.

"Ever since we returned from witnessing our Queen’s awakening, Sister Zaria hasn’t emerged from her chamber. What afflicts her?" questioned one.

"I cannot fathom," pondered the other. "Shouldn’t our focus be on orchestrating the return of our Queen to our clan?"

"I agree. Finally we found Queen then why sister Zaria is not doing anything?"

Suddenly a voice interjected sternly, "Attend to your duties instead of musing over another’s affairs."

Cowed, the two witches murmured in unison, "Forgive us, Sister Keya," before promptly departing.

With a contemplative gaze, Keya pondered the door of the chamber which remained closed for the past three days. She had resisted intruding upon Zaria’s solitude, but hesitation waned. Tentatively, she knocked, met with silence. After a brief pause, she knocked once more before cautiously entering. The chamber was filled with an impenetrable darkness.

With a wave of her hand, Keya summoned her magic, illuminating the room with a soft glow from the candles in the chamber. There sat Zaria, ensconced in a reclined chair, eyes serenely shut.

Approaching her, Keya queried, "How long do you intend to remain ensconced in this solitude, Sister Zaria?"

Without opening her eyes, Zaria responded calmly, "Is there a matter of urgency that demands my attention?"

"Nothing. I just came to check on you," Keya responded softly, taking a seat opposite her.

"I am alright." Zaria murmured.

"Are you still worrying about your student, sister Zaria?"

"Why would I worry about her? She is our queen and I don’t have to worry about the witch as powerful as her."

"But you seem to be bothered by something," Keya insisted, "Are you worried the moment when she would come to know the deal between you and Prince Arlan- that you were aware he was going to sacrifice himself and you helped him despite knowing her plan."

After a pregnant pause, Zaria replied, her voice measured, "Why would I worry about it? I have always been selfish and cruel like this, using everything to my aid to gain more power. Oriana is aware of it. Even so, she can think what she wants, I do not care. Moreover what I did was for her own good or she would have been good for nothing queen without having the full extent of her own powers for the coming hundred years. Triggering her harshly was necessary. We can not keep waiting for the next hundred years more."

Keya chuckled, obviously not believing Zaria’s words. She was clearly worried about her student and indifference she would receive from her upon knowing the truth, but Zaria was prideful to accept bearing any kind of such emotions. She was used to acting cruel and dark.

"Sister Zaria, You do not care but, you, the one who never explains anything to others, is trying to explain it to me. That means what Oriana thinks of you sure bothers you."

As if keya had hit the nail, Zaria finally looked at her, "Are you that bored and having too much free time in your hand to discuss useless things?"

Unperturbed, Keya grinned, jesting, "Yes, I thought to say something meaningless today as talking business is always tiring."

With a stern expression, Zaria retorted, "I might just assign you more tasks to curb this idleness."

But Keya’s mirth was undiminished. "Perhaps, before that decree, we indulge in your favored tea?" Without awaiting Zaria’s response, she gracefully navigated to a nearby table, swiftly preparing the brew.

Moments later, with tea in hand, Keya resumed her musings. "Our queen appears to possess a potency beyond our calculations. Is there more we’re yet to discern?" She took a delicate sip, eyes never leaving Zaria.

Zaria remained silent, seemingly not interested.

Keya, sensing the undercurrents, pressed on gently, "If you are still worried about her, why not go and see how she is doing?"

Zaria’s response was measured. "She will be fine. She’s surrounded by formidable allies capable of taking care of her and heal her."

"But, you, as her master, you have a right to go see her. Worrying while staying here would not help," Keya insisted softly.

Zaria’s response was unequivocal. "I will go when she summons me," she declared with finality.

Keya didn’t insist and spoke, "We have failed once more to get our hands on Queen Seren. I had not expected King Drayce to be this powerful that he...."

"We will talk about it later," Zaria interrupted her, she clearly had no will to talk about anything.

Keya understood that till Zaria gets to see her student, she will be like this.

"Rarely do we witness someone exert such influence over you, Sister Zaria. Previously, it was Tracia; now, it’s our Queen. I trust your commitment to our cause remains unwavering."

"Do not worry about it. Nothing is more important than our ultimate goal," Zaria assured, "You can go back and carry on your duties as usual."

Hearing it, Keya felt relieved and stood up as she had finished the tea in her cup, "Enjoy your tea, sister Zaria," and she left.

Left alone, Zaria set down her cup. She closed her eyes, the room’s candles extinguished, plunging her once more into profound darkness.