King Armen and Cian looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Was this bird dangerous? If so, they needed to scare him away.
‘If it was sent to attack her…’
Given the situation around Seren’s reality that only King Armen knew, he could trust no one, not even a bird. It might have been sent by those who wished to harm his daughter.
Again there was a loud noise of eagle’s screech as he flapped his mighty wings and flew towards Seren. King Armen and Cian gripped their swords but before they could get them out of the scabbard completely, the majestic bird landed on Seren’s bed, near her feet.
In front of his majestic body with the wings opened, she looked terribly small and weak.
Dusk folded his wings back. Seren’s gaze followed his movement with half of her face still hidden in the circle of her arms. Dusk lowered his head and rubbed it against her arm as if asking to be petted.
Finally, Seren moved— letting her guard down as she reached out one trembling hand to caress Dusk’s head.
Seeing that sight, the two swords which just came out of their scabbards went back inside. Questions arose in King Armen’s and Cian’s minds. How did Seren know this bird and where exactly did this bird come from? They had never seen it before.
Seren continued to caress Dusk’s head lightly and it appeared that this majestic bird thoroughly enjoyed her gentle touch. Not just his master, he got one more person who petted him.
“Seren?” King Armen called out softly with hope inside his gaze.
Hearing his voice, Seren retreated her hand that was caressing Dusk and again sank back into her own world like before. The difference this time was she at least didn’t hide her face as she continued to look at Dusk.
Another voice could be heard inside the chamber. “Seren, won’t you look at your brother? I know I am late and apologize for it…”
Cian took a step forward, but in response, Dusk looked at him and screeched loudly as he spread his wings, as if to scare Cian; his golden eyes looked dangerous, like a predator glaring at its prey. It was obvious that the eagle was asking Cian to stay away from Seren.
Cian frowned and gripped his sword, intending to get rid of this brazen bird who dared to threaten him. Just as he pulled it out halfway, Seren immediately reached out her hands to protect Dusk, who was just big enough for her to get him into her arms.
Seeing his sick sister being protective towards the unruly eagle, Cian put his sword back into its scabbard. He guessed that it must be her pet, only he had not received word of it; after all, he had rarely visited the capital in past few years. He felt that he could trust this eagle—he tried to protect her when Cian stepped towards her, which meant he was no stranger to her.
The Head Royal Physician had witnessed the entire thing and came to the two royals after some thinking.
“Your Majesty, I believe this is a good opportunity for Her Highness. Seeing her respond like this, it would be better if we let Her Highness be comforted by this bird. The Third Princess has just woken up and must be overwhelmed. It will take time for her to come out of the shock. We need to give her an opportunity to process everything calmly.”
King Armen and Cian agreed to it and Heath Leuven added, “I will ask the royal kitchen to prepare her a simple meal. Her Highness must eat something since she has been unconscious for days, and is? weak and needs energy.”
King Armen nodded as he looked at his daughter who could see no one but a mere bird in her sight. He decreed for the nurses to not disturb the eagle, and let the eagle stay for as long as it wanted.
Dusk didn’t leave Seren’s side. He would stay with her as long as she wanted him to be there.
——
Soon, the royal servants carried a cart of food inside the room. The meal was made light as per the royal physician’s advice, mostly porridge and sliced fruits that would allow a weak patient to easily digest the food.
One nurse picked up a wooden tray from the cart with the porridge in it and carried it towards Seren.
“Your Highness, It’s time for a meal,” the nurse said but Seren didn’t react, as if she did not hear the nurse speak. She continued to sit quietly at one corner of the bed in the same position since she woke up.
Seren didn’t even look at anyone in the chamber other than Dusk, as if she was scared that if she was to move her sight to somewhere else, she would again witness the terrifying scene she had seen that night.
King Armen and Cian could only stand on the side and look at her helplessly.
“Seren?” King called for her as gently as he could. Though there was no reaction from her, he continued, “Martha has not returned yet so she can’t cook food for you. Do not worry. This food is safe. You can eat it.”
Sadly, King Armen’s words fell on the deaf ears. King Armen couldn’t even lie saying Martha had prepared this food for her. If Martha was back, there was no way she wouldn’t be by Seren’s side.
Martha… she was an existence King Armen had mixed feelings for at the moment. That woman was the only person Seren truly trusted, a person who could bring comfort and protection to his daughter. However, at the same time, she was the one to blame for this situation. If she hadn’t left Seren alone, all this would have never happened to his daughter.
Unfortunately, even after hearing Martha’s name, Seren didn’t react to it.
King Armen was at a loss. What was so special about this bird that she only responded to him? Was it because she was scared of humans, and only animals seemed harmless to her?
Cian tried to plead once more. “Sister, please, you need to eat. If you won’t, you will turn even weaker. You are not well as it is. Don’t you want to be healthy enough to go out now you are no longer inside the tower? Once you are better, I can accompany you to walk wherever you want to go..”
Just like with King Armen, all of Cian’s efforts were useless. They could see how gravely the incident had impacted her. Although the fact that she woke up was something to rejoice about, it was painful for them to see her terrified of her own family.
Though Seren was never close to her father,? she was doted upon by Cian. She talked to her brother whenever he had free time in the royal palace. Though he was not allowed to enter the tower itself, he would go meet his sister at least in the garden of her residence. They would often spend time together chatting, and he would often entertain her with tales about his work in the military or his diplomatic visits to other kingdoms. Every time he returned to the palace, he would offer her the various gifts he bought for her.
