Once Seren stopped, everyone clapped and showered her with praise. Lady Tyra could not help but be curious, “Your Majesty, this melody…”
“Isn’t it good?” Seren asked her, her eyes curved with pride.
“Ah, yes. It is beautiful, Your Majesty,” Lady Tyra said as she swallowed the words she was about to say.
The next several days passed by peacefully with Seren busy learning the zither without Drayce’s knowledge. On the other hand, Drayce was occupied as well with the potential problems that would occur at the border between Megaris and Thevailes and was in a meeting day in and day out, discussing military arrangements with his generals.
The day before leaving for Abetha, Drayce and Slayer disappeared from the palace, only to appear at the westernmost territory of the kingdom, at the fortress on the first line of defence against Thevailes, by using his power of teleportation.
Standing at a hidden place, he observed the wall dividing the two kingdoms. ‘Till I return from Abetha, I need to set a barrier in case Thevailes attack.’
It was the first time ever Drayce had decided to use his powers in the situation of war as the opposing kingdom might do the same. The barrier was going to set was only to stop the other side from crossing the border and hold them back till he returned.
He closed his eyes and focussed as the invisible power set the barrier at the border. Once they were done, the two returned to the palace.
Jasper, who had been away from the capital and handling the other political matters, was finally back.
He came to the king’s residence and entered the King’s study, only to be welcomed by the strong gust of wind.
“Woh, is there a storm inside the study?” Jasper commented as the strong gust of wind made him move back.
Drayce looked at him and simply sat in his chair.
He bowed to the king, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“Have you completed the task given to you?” Drayce asked.
“Of course, Your Majesty. By the way what errand you two were running?” Jasper asked, as he smiled playfully at Drayce.
“Went to secure the fencing so that neighbouring dogs won’t sneak inside when I am away,” Drayce answered.
“Only securing the fencing and no dog hunting? tsk,” he then looked at Slayer, “no wonder this guy here looks gloomy. Your Majesty should have let him do some hunting.”
“When the time comes, he will,” Drayce replied, “If you are done, you can report.”
Jasper understood the time for being talkative was over, “Then, Your Majesty, let me report to you about my work.” Jasper explained to him his findings and then informed him about the news related to the Kingdom of Thevailes.
“Your Majesty, there is news that the King of Thevailes would be visiting Othinia, Mivesea and other small kingdoms during our visit to Abetha. Othinia is already supporting Thevailes due to King Samer’s mother’s ties with Othinia royal family. Now because of Othinia other small kingdoms around Othinia will also support Thevailes. That way, Abetha and Griven would be the only two capable kingdoms on our side in the southern part of the continent. If we let him continue this, then Thevailes will take over the entire southern part.”
“Hmm,” was what Drayce replied.
“Seems like he is adamant about getting the support of all those kingdoms and cornering our alliances. That King Samer is becoming more ambitious day-by-day. He doesn’t understand the mercy Megaris keeps showing them after their shameful defeats.”
“We will deal with him once we return from Abetha.”
So many things were coming at once for him to tackle them all together. Thevailes would attack soon, Seren’s birthday which is said to change things for her and put her in danger and her current situation when she gets those painful events.
Just then, Orion entered the study. “Your Majesty, I am here to remind you that Her Majesty has invited you to her study.”
Drayce nodded and stood up to leave. When he reached outside the study, the servants greeted him and opened the door of the study for him.
Just as Drayce entered the study, he saw his wife standing in front of him, waiting for him while smiling at him. Though there was a veil, her beautiful eyes showed she was smiling because she was happy to see him and also she had a reason to invite him there.
He was curious to know what his wife was doing in her study for the past few days while spending hours in her study and not allowing anyone to visit her during that time.
The door behind him closed and Seren walked towards him and held his hand, “Dray, thank you for coming here even though you are busy these days.”
“It’s nothing. How can I not be here when my Queen has asked me to? I can’t dare go against my Queen’s wishes,” he said with a playful smile.
“Umm..No flattering me today. Just have a seat. I have something for you,” she said and dragged him towards the zither. She singled him to sit on the cushioned arrangement made in front of the zither, opposite to where the one who played the zither would be sitting.
Without asking any questions, Drayce sat there while Seren went to sit in front of zither as she was going to play it. Seren offered him a smile and said, “Though I am not that good yet, I hope you like it.”
Drayce stared at her quietly, ‘So these past few days she was learning how to play the zither. There was no teacher assigned to her which means….hmm..Ayira… that was the reason why Ayira visited the Queen every day these past few days. Drayce was sure Seren was up to something but he didn’t expect that she was learning Zither.
Seren’s fingers touched the strings of the zither which pulled Drayce out of his thoughts. The next moment he heard the familiar melody and Drayce was shocked to hear it. Just like lady Tyra, he was shocked as well.
‘Who taught her this?’
