The captain of the knights came forward, his eyes filled with happiness to see his king back, and the same was with other knights. Their young king was their pride, and there were countless tales about his actions both from before and after he was crowned that even to this day, the people of Megaris from all walks of life had admired him.
When the elite knights who joined the allied troop returned and boasted about their successful trip, the listeners were not surprised, knowing who their king was. The rescue of the Prince of Abetha was already a given for them. When they heard about how Drayce reacted after Slayer was hurt, the respect and pride for their king increased in their hearts.
“How are you, Your Majesty?” the captain asked.
“You should worry about those who had faced your king on the battlefield instead,” Arlan replied before Drayce could say a word.
The captain smiled lightly as he agreed with what Prince Arlan said, but the next moment, that smile disappeared. “How is the commander?”
Hearing his question, the other knights standing behind the captain turned alert. Calhoun Sanders might be the terrifying ‘Slayer’ on the battlefield, but only to his enemies; for his own men, he was their most respected commander.
“He is getting treated. He will be fine,” Drayce assured.
Dusk, who was flying high in the sky, finally landed on the captain’s shoulder after seeing his master from up above.
“You two did a good job,” Drayce commented.
“It’s our honor to carry Your Majesty’s order,” the captain said as he lowered his head to bow to his king.
“If you are done, can we go and change these clothes? I am definitely not enjoying these clothes that reveal my beauty,” Arlan commented as he tugged at the lowered neckline of his clothes that made his muscular chest visible.
Drayce agreed, and the two left to go back inside the royal residence.
“I hope you are not thinking about returning to your chamber,” Arlan said after a while.
“I don’t mind,” Drayce replied.
“But there are people who would mind it for sure. Especially the Third Princess. Imagine her screaming again after seeing one red-eyed devil the moment she wakes up.”
“I can use the chamber next to mine.”
“Thank god you understood this time without creating a ruckus,” Arlan said with a sigh of relief. However, his relief was short-lived as something struck his mind. “Wait! The chamber next to yours? Isn’t it mine?”
Drayce didn’t reply, and Arlan spoke again, “Don’t tell me you have some bad intentions towards me…”
“Remember the lizard?”
Arlan turned silent at the memory of the poor lizard on the wall.
When the two were about to reach Arlan’s bedchamber, the Lord Eudes came to them. “Your Majesty King Drayce, your stay has been arranged in another chamber. The one next to Prince Arlan’s.”
Drayce had already expected it and nodded in response, indicating that he accepted the change.
Lord Eudes excused himself to go back to his duties while the two turned to go to their respective chambers. Drayce’s gaze lingered at the door guarded by two royal knights; it was his original room that was now being occupied by a certain princess.
Just as they reached Arlan’s chamber, next to where Seren was resting, Drayce stopped and looked pointedly at Arlan.
Arlan sighed as he mumbled, “I am not surprised at all,” before going to the chamber next to his that was arranged for Drayce.
No words were needed. It was obvious for Arlan that his friend wanted to stay closer to where the Third Princess was resting.
Inside their chambers, everything was ready for them—from a clean set of clothes and food, as well as servants ready to serve their needs.
———
King Armen and Cian remained in the bedchamber to look after Seren to keep vigil while the Head Royal Physician had excused himself to let the Third Princess rest. Since she now stayed inside the royal residence, he could easily return to check on her condition, and there was no need for him to keep watch over her personally. One of his female apprentices was left behind to nurse her back to health.
King Armen looked at his son sitting beside him, who was still clad in the dirty attire of a mercenary. The worry on Cian’s face could not conceal the exhaustion of returning after a long bitter journey, and King Armen could not help but pat his shoulder. “You should get changed and rest.”
“I am fine, Father.”
“I am here, by her side,” King Armen assured. “You need to rest well. We still have other matters to take care of, and I would need your help.”
As its ruler, King Armen couldn’t ignore his kingdom while looking after his daughter. Since the incident in the tower, he had already neglected a lot of duties and meetings. Especially now during wartime, staying inside this room to visit his daughter was already a luxury and a form of rest. Moreover, there were important things regarding what happened with Seren, and King Armen had to keep his eyes on the faction led by the Minister of the Left, who were turning more brazen as time went by.
With his father’s persuasion, Cian reluctantly left the bedchamber, not without giving Seren one last glance as he closed the door behind him.
———-
After having a meal together, Drayce and Arlan went to see Slayer, who had been arranged to stay in a room on the same wing as them, although he was not a royal. Aside from getting treatment from the royal physicians, this was also one of the special arrangements ordered by King Armen to show gratitude to Megaris.
When Drayce and Arlan reached Slayer’s chamber, they saw the mysterious old physician from the fortress, along with his two apprentices, talking with a number of royal physicians crowded around the bed. The old physician had not yet changed out of his white robe, which had turned dirty from the long travel they had.
