King Armen looked at Drayce in disbelief, and a strange silence weighed down the atmosphere within the hall. The others present could only silently watch these two monarchs, who looked like neither would be backing down anytime soon.

Finally, Cian interrupted the staredown, "King Drayce, no one here is ungrateful for the help you've given Abetha, and I, as one of the recipients of your grace, especially appreciate the assistance you have given my kingdom. However, I will share my honest thoughts as a family member who wishes the best for his sick sister. Even if you have reached an agreement with my father about a political union between Abetha and Megaris, it won't be possible to marry her off now when she is not well and even not ready to face the outside world. This sudden marriage and forcing her to go to another kingdom might negatively affect her situation. As strangers—"

"Strangers?" Drayce scoffed. "What an interesting choice of word when her own people are no more than strangers to her."

Drayce swept his gaze across the royal court, and everyone understood he was mocking them all. Despite being a princess of the direct royal lineage, Seren was never treated as one.

"How can you say that? We are her own family—"

Drayce looked at Cian before looking at King Armen as if to drive a point. "When she woke up, did she even recognize her own father and brother? Who did she trust the most?" Drayce countered, causing the outsiders who were hearing it for the first time to whisper among each other. "She trusted an animal, a bird, which is not even a native of Abetha."

Cian was unable to refute as it was the truth. As a proud prince, he was normally aggressive, even on par with Drayce, but when it came to his sister, he would become emotional inside, which turned into his weakness. Even at this very moment, the fact that he was not able to do anything for his sister made him feel guilty. He didn't want her to be taken away just like this...

With a shaky breath, King Armen finally managed to calm himself down. He needed to have a rational talk with this young king, but not like this, where the entire royal court was spectating at their exchange like it was some entertainment.

"King Drayce, as this issue concerns my daughter, I would like to have a private word with you in my study."

Drayce nodded lightly, silently agreeing to it.

Finally, the royal court session came to an end, and everyone was dismissed after King Armen left.

All the ministers were curious to know how King Armen would decide on this marriage alliance. Through his choice of words, they could all feel that King Armen was unwilling, but the stance Megaris was taking was not even a mere proposal or engagement, but an actual marriage before their young king travels back to his kingdom.

The daughter he had protected for all these years although she was a witch, what would King Armen decide for her future?

--------

Despite his reluctance, Cian guided the way for Drayce towards the King's study as King Armen along with his advisor had already left them behind.

Cian looked restless, and Arlan put his hand on his shoulder, "I told you to trust him."

Cain said nothing as if he did not hear anything. In fact, he looked tense, thinking about what his father would say to Drayce.

His gut feeling was telling him things would end up favoring Drayce. The determination he saw in Drayce's eyes was real, and as a man, he could see through the young king's intent that he would not give up.

Being a king of a powerful kingdom, things were already leaning in his favor.

In fact, if emotions were to be put aside, in the eyes of the nobles and common people, having a marriage alliance with Megaris would bring nothing but peace and prosperity to Abetha. Aside from her age and her lack of consent, there was no real reason to refuse. Seren was not the crown princess and would not inherit the throne. She wouldn't be playing any major role in politics or business within the kingdom.

In the future, after she came of age like Giselle and Meira, she would also probably be married off to either a son of high nobility or to a royal from another kingdom.

Would a union with this infamous devil make his sister's life better, or would it end up sending her to another hell?

-----

When they reached the King's study, Lord Eudes ushered Drayce to enter the room by himself. Knowing that they would be talking about private matters, Arlan soon excused himself, leaving Cian and Lord Eudes to wait outside the door.

Inside the study, King Armen gestured for Drayce to have a seat. There was tea and snacks prepared on the table, but neither of them were paying attention.

Drayce waited for King Armen to initiate the talk.

"King Drayce," the older king started, "I appreciate all the help we received from your Kingdom of Megaris, so as a gesture of friendship, I wish to be frank with you. What you have asked for is not possible."

The first time Drayce asked for Seren's hand in marriage, King Armen did not say no directly. It was easy for Drayce to guess that he was buying time till Seren gets better, and later, he will find a reason to refuse Drayce's proposal. That's why Drayce had to bring that matter in front of the royal court, where he knew the nobles, who only thought of benefits, would agree to it, and King Armen would find it difficult to openly decline since the matter was already out in public.

Things happened exactly as expected.

The royal court did intend to send Seren out of this kingdom, so they put pressure on King Armen in the name of the new alliance with Megaris. The witch would be gone, and the kingdom would get Megaris as their ally—both things were beneficial for their interests.

"May I know the reason?" Drayce asked.

King Armen calmly stared at Drayce, as if to convey he would stop at nothing to convince Drayce to give up on his demand.

"King Drayce, I have already mentioned the matter of my daughter's health and her age, so I will not be repeating those anymore. Let us talk about this decision as fellow rulers. From Megaris's perspective, the people might find it hard to accept her as a queen, given the rumors about her. It is not a secret that my daughter is not an ordinary person, and her identity will end up troubling her. Imagine how hard it is for her here in her own kingdom; what more in a faraway place where she has neither family nor friends? It will surely create trouble for King Drayce's authority as a king."

Drayce smiled at the first thing King Armen pointed out to convince him. His authority as a king? With his reputation, would anyone even dare to challenge it in Megaris? Not to mention his enemies, even his own people, were scared at only the sight of their Devil King.

"I am glad to see how thoughtful King Armen is towards my authority as a king but rest assured. If they can accept one devil as their king, then one witch as their queen is not a big deal. Those who oppose it, I always have my way to deal with them." As if to drive his point, Drayce tightened his grip on the sword.

King Arman sighed, seeing how stubborn this king was. Finally, he decided to come to a much more sensitive issue.

"As King Drayce himself is special, you can understand the circumstances of my daughter." King hesitated for a bit, unsure about how much he should be telling this man regarding Seren's secrets. "That tower is the safest place for her if I want to protect her. Sending her away will put her in danger."

Drayce sneered. "So to protect her, King Armen imprisoned an innocent girl in a tower, which is as good as living like a dead person. Won't it be better to let her live free and die early?"

Guilt could be seen in King Armen's face, but there was also helplessness and anger mixed in his stern tone. "It's not about just protecting her. If I fail to protect her, it will bring chaos not only in our kingdom but the entire continent. She is not an ordinary person, and I am afraid I can't explain it to King Drayce. I can only say, to protect her and everyone, I have to keep her here."

"From whom?"

"Those who we can't see. The powerful and supernatural beings."

With a grim expression, Drayce nodded. Although King Armen did not say much, his own experience allowed him to see lots of things normal people would have found unimaginable. He had reason to trust king Armen's words.

"Then, given my identity and my ability, doesn't King Armen think I would be a better protection for her?" Drayce asked.

At first, King Armen looked at Drayce with a confused expression, but then understood. Drayce was not an ordinary human too.

Drayce continued, "I will give you my word that she won't be a prisoner in my kingdom. She will live the way she wants and no harm will befall her because I will protect her."

The determination and sincerity of his declaration seemed to have moved King Armen. The older king closed his eyes, saying nothing.

After a minute or so, King Armen finally opened his mouth.

"I will need some more time to think about it."

Drayce nodded. He was sure the end would be what he wanted.