Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

It was the first day of the kingdom alliance summit. Representatives of every kingdom had arrived at the royal throne halls of Othinan royalty. The throne hall was the mark of their imposing cultural architecture, large and ornate facades, with intricate detailing and decorative elements that reflect the cultural and artistic influences of the time.

The focal point of the conference hall was the long, elevated dais at the far end of hall, especially the ten people seated on the ornate, high-back thrones. The dais was reserved for the highest-ranking leaders of the continent, and the people occupying this elevated platform commanded attention and respect with their mere presence.

Behind these figures stood their most trusted officials, performing the role as aides, advisors and scribes to the contents of their meeting.

When Drayce and Arlan arrived at the throne hall, they came across another young king wearing a pristine white royal attire glanced at him, that pair of light gray eyes seemingly smiling.

It was a devilishly handsome man with short silvery blond hair and pale white skin common among Northerners. He was wearing a black ear stud, his long fur-lined cloak clasped by a jewel-embedded clasp resembling a fierce white tiger.

Samer Vailes, the newly crowned King of Thevailes.

Though enemies, at this moment they had to act with respect to the situation. They offered each other greetings and walked forward to take their own places.

The King of Othinia sat on the throne and started his welcoming speech for the guests. Meanwhile, Drayce and Arlan exchanged knowing gazes as they waited for the main part of the conference to start. Presence of Samer Vailes somehow gave them a sense of crisis as if something was not right.

Drayce had been following his wife's presence wherever she moved in the capital city. Till now he found nothing unusual and could even see her enjoying her trip in the city.

Along with words said by the people in the conference hall, his ears were focussed on the sweet voice of his wife.

"This city seems more crowded than Karlin." It was Oriana's voice.

"It's because in Griven, its political capital and its economic capital are different. While for Othinia, Nefer is both its political as well as economic capital. All the businesses and big merchants of the kingdom are here and thus, the more people there are."

"Thank you for answering, Your Ma—I mean, my lady."

"It's alright."

Hearing his wife's response of explanation to Oriana, Drayce smiled. His wife, though locked in a tower for all her life, had studied well about this continent and the politics. She was smart.

Seeing him smiling, Arlan offered him a questioning gaze as if saying, 'Are you that happy to see your enemy here that you are smitten by him now?'

Drayce chuckled inwardly as he replied through his gaze, 'I have you to be smitten with. Samer Vailes doesn't stand a chance in front of you.'

Arlan narrowed his gaze, 'You are giving me chill. I shall ask Seren to pay more attention to you.'

Drayce smiled back and focussed on what his wife was doing.

"Orian, come here," he heard Seren's sweet voice again and thought, 'Seems like she is at her shopping spree again. I shall extend the area of her palace when we return so she can keep buying things without worrying for space to keep them.'

"This is a gift for you, Orian."

"F-For me?"

"I gifted one to Xena as well."

"Thank you, my lady. B-But I am a man. What would I do with it?"

Again, that pair of purple eyes appeared to be smiling.

"You can give it to a woman important to you," Seren said. "Take it."

Smile on Drayce's lips widened, 'My wife sure has a kind heart, always caring for the people around her.'

Drayce continued to focus on the conference as well, as the topics were moving to the serious matters in the continent now.

It had been about three hours since the conference started. A tense atmosphere permeated the grand conference hall, a stark contrast to its rather civil and diplomatic air moments ago.

The cause of this was two youngest kings in attendance, the King of Megaris and the King of Thevailes.

As the conference proceeded, Drayce began to show signs of restlessness.

'Why can't I hear Seren anymore?' He extended the extent of his power but he could not feel Seren's presence anywhere as if something had completely broken his connection with her. 'Where did she go? Yorian and Slayer are with her but….'

Though his face appeared calm on the surface, his eyes showed he was distracted, and it was Arlan, as the person seated nearest him, who was first to notice this.

Before Arlan could ask him what's wrong, the King of Megaris stood up from his chair in front of all the attendees inside that grand conference hall. Everyone stared at him with varying levels of surprise and curiosity, which he merely shrugged off with a, "Record it that my kingdom will abstain votes to all the raised concerns for the rest of the day's agenda.

I will affix my signature when the conference resumes tomorrow. I have to go somewhere. Apologies for leaving midway." Drayce then threw a look at Arlan who was sure something bad happened.

Through his gaze, Drayce assured him to stay seated and he would be back soon. Arlan did so and merely watched his friend leave the grand hall. His gaze swept over Samer who offered him a light smile in response. Arlan's intuition was telling him that Samer was aware of what troubled Drayce, and his intuition had never wronged him.

—-

Drayce materialized at the ancient temple, the very place where he had last sensed the profound connection with his wife. Worry and anger etched across his face, mirroring the emotions that had driven him to the temple. As he arrived, Seren and a group of others emerged from its mystical depths.

Rushing towards Seren, he enveloped her in his arms, her petite form colliding with his muscular frame. Holding her tightly, he released a sigh of relief, as though he had been suffocating until this moment, and her presence allowed him to breathe again.

"Are you alright?"

Seren, recognizing that he had picked up on something amiss, reassured him, "I am alright, Dray. You can relax."

Relinquishing his embrace, he peered down at her. "What happened?"

"King Drayce, we should make haste and depart from here," Yorian interjected, "I'll explain everything later."

Drayce glanced at Seren, silently signaling for her to prepare. "We are teleporting."

She nodded, fortifying herself with her powers, and in an instant, both of them vanished from the scene.

Upon arriving at the guest mansion, Drayce gently placed Seren on the bed, his concerned gaze scrutinizing her body to ensure she had not sustained any injuries.

She chuckled, "I told you I am fine. You worry too much."

He returned his gaze to her, his expression serious, "When it's about you, I can't let my guard down." Now assured of her well-being, he inquired, "What happened?"

Seren began recounting the incident, "Upon entering the ancient temple, group of wizards suddenly appeared and attacked us. Mister Yorian and Slayer protected us, along with Oriana, who wielded her power."

"Oriana?" Drayce questioned, "Is she able to use her power now?"

Seren shook her head, "It seemed instinctual, and surprisingly, she tapped into divine power rather than the power of darkness."

This revelation stunned Drayce. 'She's a black witch; how can she possess divine power?'

"Are you certain?" he asked.

"Yes. You can confirm it with Mister Yorian when he returns. It appears she has the divine attribute of an air element."

Drayce felt perplexed. The enigma surrounding this Young Black Witch was deepening with each revelation. Apart from him, only Arlan, a fellow supernatural being, possessed both powers—the Power of Darkness and divine power. They were both Dragons connected to the Devil. But Oriana? How did she come to wield both these powers?

"I need to speak with Arlan. He must be concerned about Oriana," Drayce declared.

"Don't worry about me. We need to attend to Oriana. She has unleashed her powers," Seren reassured.

Drayce gently kissed her forehead and departed, leaving her attended to by her servants. and departed, leaving her attended to by her servants.