"King Drayce!"

The moment the door opened and Drayce came out of Slayer's chamber, Erich Winfield called out for him in a manner he had never done before. It seemed like the old physician had been patiently waiting for him outside all this time. Drayce stopped and turned to look at him, waiting for him to talk.

On the other hand, the knight escorting Drayce gave the physician a narrow-eyed look, somehow pacified to find that this impolite old man finally knew his place and understood who he was talking to.

From the moment they met, Erich Winfield had never treated Drayce as a king and was always so blunt with him, even referring to him as 'you'. The knights from Megaris had never liked his lack of manners, but just like Drayce, they put up with it since this old man had saved their commander. Today was a massive improvement.

Erich Winfield looked visibly distressed as he asked, "I want to know who is the owner of that magic elixir. Who gave it to the Third Princess?"

Drayce knew that the old man was arrogant and fearless in nature, but at this moment, that inborn arrogance was gone. The sheer desperation in his voice made him feel as if the old man was on the verge of breaking down over losing something important to him.

"I only know it belongs to the Third Princess," said Drayce.

His response caused Erich Winfield to be in a daze.

Just as Drayce was to turn his back, ready to leave, the old physician regained his composure and spoke, "I am yet to receive my reward for saving King Drayce's knight."

Drayce stopped and looked at Erich Winfield. Looking at his determined expression, Drayce understood what he wanted.

"Anything else?" Drayce asked.

"That would be enough," Erich Winfield replied.

When Drayce left, Erich Winfield kept looking at his retreating back. All throughout his years working as a physician, he was never the one to seek for some selfish rewards after treating someone, but this time, he had no other option. The person he was looking for was more important to him than his pride.

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Drayce returned to his chamber and thought about what Erich Winfield asked from him. Knowing how naive she was, he was sure Seren was not the one who created those elixirs. She could not even properly cook. Other than scaring others, saying she is a witch, and accidentally using her powers, she was basically an ordinary young girl.

The one who gave Seren those magic elixirs, who could it be?

Drayce recalled the woman who he saw with Seren in the market. It was the same woman he saw her protecting her during the Second Princess's engagement ceremony. Though at that time he was yet to recognize Seren, it was later due to that woman's presence that Drayce understood the purple-eyed young woman he was looking for was the Third Princess.

Oddly, he had been staying in the palace for days, yet ever since he returned to Abetha after rescuing Cian, he never saw that woman again.

From what he understood, she was surely the Third Princess's personal servant, and so she should have been with her all this time, helping nurse her to health. That woman never appeared even after Seren was in bad condition.

Back in the marketplace, Drayce could already sense something was different, even strange, with her. At that time, he did not pay her any attention as getting Seren out of that situation was his top priority.

There was a high chance that it was that old woman who gave Seren those elixirs.

First, he needed to ask King Armen where that woman had gone. If his conclusion was right then, he would be able to repay Erich Winfield.

As Drayce busied himself with the piled-up documents on his desk, someone entered the room without needing his presence to be announced or reported for permission. That person knew, without anyone telling him, Drayce would know who had come to see him.

Not even lifting his head to look at the newcomer, Drayce spoke, "Seems like the Prince of Griven is too free. He can even wander around here and there."

Not minding his bland welcome, Arlan leisurely sat on one of the chairs and spoke, "This wandering Prince of Griven had already saved this entire continent from the fright of wars without even raising a sword."

Drayce finally looked up and saw the light smirk on his friend's face. "Seems like you have played your hand by showing them a good future."

Arlan gave him a not-so-innocent shrug, "How can I not when I am such a peace-loving soul?"

Drayce said nothing and returned his attention to his work.

"Seems like you are determined to take your queen back with you," Arlan commented as he looked at the various parchments on Drayce's desk.

"Shouldn't I?"

"Of course, you should," Arlan replied. He then asked his friend something that bothered him about his decision, "Why are you in such a hurry to marry her and to take her with you? I refuse to believe you are in love as you have yet to even meet her properly. Tell me the real reason."

The reply came nonchalantly.

"It's time for Megaris to get a queen. You know how those old men have been pushing their daughters to me ever since I ascended as a king. Instead of choosing among those annoying women, is it not better to have one little kitten who can be obediently tied to her place?"

Arlan scoffed. He didn't believe Drayce would rush to marry a girl not even of age for such a superficial reason. "You are making it sound like King Armen has raised her to be like that only to aid your comfort."

"I should thank him then."

"To me, it looks like someone is sympathizing with a poor girl because she makes him recall his own past," Arlan commented. "But still, I am sure there is more to it."

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Note-

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