4 chapters
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pAn,D a-n0ve1,c-o-m The next two days passed by quietly. With her body adapting to the sea, Seren felt less seasick as their ship coasted on the peaceful waters of Megaris and she was able to spend more and more time on the deck. Just as Drayce said, they took a brief rest on Turtle Island, their last stop before entering the Kingdom of Griven’s territorial waters. Seren enjoyed roaming the island along with her husband and servants.
Meanwhile, Drayce tried to search for traces of the Black Witch on this island as well. If that young witch boarded the merchant ship headed for Griven, then he was sure the ship she was traveling in docked on this island to restock on supplies.
Not to his surprise, he found traces of her magic, but the person herself was no longer on the island. Drayce asked around the inns for a person matching her description, and his discovery left him without a tinge of doubt.
‘She boarded the same ship she arrived in. That means she’s headed for Griven. Arlan would arrive ahead of time to prepare the welcome arrangements for my arrival. He would surely notice her. Even if she tries her best to hide, it would be difficult for her to completely evade the eyes of the owner of that land.’
After they left Turtle Island, their ship sailed without stopping towards Griven, and thanks to the rather temperate weather in the south, their smooth journey allowed them to reach the Port City of Selve right on schedule.
“Is that Selve?”
On the afternoon of the third day after leaving Turtle Island, Seren who was standing at the bow of the ship with Drayce saw the makings of a massive port coming in sight.
“Hmm,” Drayce nodded.
From afar, she could already see the tall lighthouse on the coast, guiding tens of ships and sea vessels towards the thriving port city that was protected from severe storms by a series of craggy but navigable cliffs that jut out of the sea.
“It looks as grand as the port in Blackhelm,” she commented.
“It is,” Drayce agreed. “The Kingdom of Griven is surrounded by water on all sides except for the borders it shares with Megaris. Though Griven is not a militant nation like us, you could say they have heavily invested in seafaring and they are the strongest kingdom in this continent when it comes to naval power. Even our Megaris falls short of them when it comes to maritime warfare; fortunately, the current royal family is more focused on sustaining peace and encouraging its people’s growth than aiming to increase their borders.
“However, just because they do not like warfare doesn’t mean their army and navy are weak. If someone tries to disturb the peace of their kingdom, they show no mercy to stamp out the source of trouble. It’s the kind of kingdom where one benefits from being their friend while enmity with them will bring you to doom.”
Seren had never been interested in military affairs and warfare, and thus, lacked knowledge in this area. What she knew of Griven were things limited to what she read on commerce books and her personal interaction when she met the Cromwell Royal Family after she married Drayce.
“Last time when we visited their capital, I really found it to be a peace-loving kingdom. The King and even Crown Prince Arlan seemed to be kind and easygoing. If the rulers are this kind, then–“
“Kind?” Drayce smirked at her choice of words. “Did you forget what I previously said, my Queen?”
Seren remembered he said that they show no mercy if someone tries to disturb their peace. “Well, if someone harms them, isn’t it normal for the King to show no mercy when it comes to protecting their kingdom?”
Drayce then belatedly realized that Seren did not receive proper education as an heir to the throne. “It’s more a matter of upbringing. The Royal Family of Cromwell wouldn’t have lasted this long with a legacy of kindness. You would not want to know how cruel their family can be and what is buried behind that mask of kindness and peace.”
“It’s hard to believe that after seeing Prince Arlan,” she commented.
The Crown Prince of Griven was probably the most sociable person she had ever met. He was great at conversations, and even if the other party was as cold as Drayce, he was still able to create a warm comfortable atmosphere. He was a far cry from the snobby nobles of Abetha who were arrogant to deal with despite having a lower status than him.
“Arlan? See how he is when someone gets on his bad side. He will make even their coming generations regret it,” Drayce explained. “If people call me the devil of the battlefield, then he is the devil straight out from hell.”
Seren found it hard to believe his words. In front of her eyes, she could see that smiling man doting on his adorable little niece, Rayjin, spoiling her with candies and dolls as he played with her. She could also remember how thoughtful and easygoing Arlan was when Seren was introduced to his parents, the kind King and the sweet Queen of Griven, as well as to his older sister and younger brother.
With that beautiful face and warm personality, she could not even use the word ‘cruel’ in a sentence with his name on it.
Drayce observed her disbelief and said, “My Queen, always remember- Only the best evil can disguise themselves as perfect and flawless Good.”
“Understood!” she said, finding wisdom in his words. “But how come he is your friend when he is that scary?”
“He will always be a friend–no, a brother to me. One doesn’t have to be perfect to be accepted by people; you only need to be real and sincere.”
Seren agreed as she knew they were best friends. “I still need to learn more to understand people.”
He patted her head gently. “Rest assured, my Queen. You will eventually learn more as you come across various people. You are brave and smart and you are already doing good. I believe you will be the best Queen Megaris will ever have.”
“Even better than your mother, the previous Queen?” Seren asked, as she looked at him expectantly. His every word mattered to her.
“Yes! When we find my mother, I bet even she will say the same thing,” he assured her.