"Today, I saw something that reminded me of Celia. Tell me if she is here," Erich Winfield asked, as his eyes looked hopeful.

"As far as I know, we don't have anyone with that name around here in the palace," king Armen replied.

With this, Erich Winfield's hopeful eyes looked disappointed, "Is it?"

"Hmm," King Armen nodded.

"Then how come the third princess has those elixir pills?" Erich Winfield asked.

"Elixir Pills?" King Armen asked.

Erich Winfield nodded and explained. "Those help you heal faster as they have magic spells and energy in it."

"Where did you see it? You didn't even see my daughter yet."

"King of Megaris brought it and asked me to give it to commander Calhoun. Upon asking where did he get it, he said it belonged to the Third Princess," Erich Winfield explained.

It shocked King Armen. 'When did he meet Seren? What is going on, and how come I don't know about it?"

"Are you sure, you heard him right?" King Armen asked.

Erich Winfield nodded, "Yes, that is why I am here to ask you about Celia."

"What happened between you two?" King Armen asked.

"One day, she left and didn't tell me where she was going. She requested me not to search for her ever, so I never looked for her," he replied, his eyes showing he was hurt.

"She must have her reasons," King Armen added.

"Hmm." Erich Winfield gave out a helpless sigh, "I thought I could see her finally after so many years, but it seems like I was mistaken."

"I hope you will."

"Seems like seventeen years back, all of our lives have changed," Erich Winfield commented as the memories from the past flooded his mind.

King Armen nodded, "Nothing we can do now."

Just then, something clicked in Erich's mind, "But from where did the third Princess got those elixirs. Can she make it?"

"We will know once she is fine," King Armen replied.

--------

Leaving Slayer in his trustable knight's care after Erich Winfield left to see the king, Drayce and Arlan went to the soldier's quarters, where Drayce had to check on the other injured knights who were part of Crown Prince Cian's rescue mission.

When they reached the quarters, it was about time for the knights and soldiers in the quarters to have an afternoon meal, but due to the arrival of their king, they all preferred to pass it for a while.

"Your Majesty! Your Highness!" Everyone bowed to Drayce and Arlan.

Drayce got updates about his knights and felt relieved to see that they all were doing good.

Drayce raised his hand to excuse everyone and continue what they were doing as only the captain of knights stayed back.

Just then, Dusk arrived there and sat on the captain's shoulder. He looked at Drayce as if he wished to say something.

"What is it this time?" Drayce asked.

As usual, the poor bird had to search for a way to explain his master what he wanted to say. Dusk fled away, not answering them as they could only look at him going away with the speed of the wind.

"Every time he comes in front of us, he has something to say. Such a busy body," Arlan commented.

Drayce smirked teasingly, "Are you jealous that he is more useful than you?"

Arlan glared at him, "I am the prince of Griven who puts others to use."

Dusk returned, and this time he had something with him. Dusk kept it on the wooden bench closer to them and again fled to sit on Captain's shoulder as he looked at Drayce to get what he meant.

"What is it?" Arlan asked, looking at the blue silk cloth wrapped around something square-shaped inside it.

"Arrangement of food for the third princess," Drayce replied.

Arlan had already learned everything about how his friend had helped the Third Princess and said, "Ohh, so this is that fortunate food box! I wonder when I will get such a service from King of Megaris."

"I will ask prince Cian to show some more affection to you," Drayce commented teasingly.

"When all of your affection is only for his sister, so I can only expect it from him."

Drayce looked at Dusk and asked, "For her?"

Dusk pecked on the captain's head twice to say yes to it.

Captain scratched his head where Dusk pecked and mumbled, "You can do it lightly too."

Hearing it, Dusk Pecked on his head again, and the captain had to bear with it as he was the pet of his King.

Drayce thought about something for a moment and then talked to the captain of the knights. "You all might get your stomachs upset by eating such heavy meals for the past few days. Pass the order to the Royal kitchen of Abetha to make simple food for you all. Especially the kind that is good for sick people to eat."

It surprised the captain, "But they must have already prepared it for today."

Drayce glared at the captain.

"Understood, Your Majesty," the Captain bowed.

"You know what to do," said Drayce, and the Captain nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty." The captain left to make essential arrangements.

"Now you are making them eat bland food for the sake of one person," Arlan commented.

"Just because of that one person, they enjoyed a royal meal three times a day," Drayce countered.

Arlan sighed, "If you stay here longer, I am sure Abetha's treasury will hit rock bottom soon."

Drayce didn't bother with it, and Arlan called him again. "Dray!"

"Hmm?"

"How long are you planning to stay here? It seems like you don't plan to return, but I don't have any plan to stay here with you."

"You are the one to bring me here, so you have to take my responsibility till I am here."

"I brought you here?" Arlan frowned, "You had already planned to be here for the sake of your revenge with Marquise Godfrey Percy."

Drayce was not affected by his whining and replied calmly. "You were a great help."

Arlan frowned. "Crafty!"

"Can't be compared to you," Drayce gave him a mocking gaze, "Do you want me to remind you how crafty you are?"

Arlan cleared his throat, "I have things to deal with," and left.

Drayce smirked as he knew his friend very well. Acted sweet all the time, but his mind was always busy planning something which others couldn't think about.