Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

Slayer held the boat prepared for them steady while standing at the wooden platform so that the two women could get inside easily. Marie climbed the boat first and she helped her queen get inside by offering her hand.

Seren noticed that this time there was a ferryman on one end of the boat who was ready with the oars in his hands. Not everyone had powers like her husband to move the boat on its own on the water.

Seren sat on one side while Marie sat opposite to her. Once the two women were sitting comfortably, Slayer climbed the boat and signalled the ferryman to start moving the boat.

Marie helped Seren cover herself with a thick coat for warmth though the young queen was already wearing the bracelet given by Drayce. The temperature had considerably dropped above the surface of the lake, and it would only be colder with the wind blowing against the boat as the boat travelled towards the Crystal Palace.

Soon, their group reached the Crystal Palace. Great Lady Theodora was at the dock, waiting to welcome the young queen to her residence.

"Welcome, dear," the Great Lady greeted her.

"I am back, Grandmother," Seren replied with a happy sparkle in her eyes. "You should have waited inside the drawing-room where it's more comfortable for you."

The old woman beamed at her. "Oh, you sweet child. I live by the lake, and I am used to the cold. This is nothing."

Seren had lunch with the Great Lady, and the old woman was quite happy to have someone she could share her passion for gardening about. They mostly talked about some secrets for rearing flowers, but Seren could not help but be distracted.

Since the moment she arrived at the Crystal Palace, there was only one thing in her mind she wanted to ask the most—the story behind Drayce and his mother, Queen Esther. She had many questions in her mind, but she dared not raise them as she did not want to dampen the enthusiasm being shown by the Great Lady.

After finishing their meal, Great Lady Theodora asked with a satisfied smile, "How about taking a short walk in the garden?"

Seren nodded, sensing the subtle change in the Great Lady's mood. "I would love to, Grandmother."

Just as Seren and the Great Lady came to the hanging garden, the old lady instructed the servants following behind them, "No need to attend us."

The servants understood that the Great Lady wanted to be alone with the young queen and obeyed the orders.

"This way." Great Lady Theodora led the way for Seren. The young woman silently accompanied the old lady with a cane, matching her slow steps.

A few minutes had passed before the Great Lady broke the comfortable silence between them.

"You look like you have many things in mind. Are the Queen's official duties and responsibilities troubling you greatly?" the Great Lady asked.

"No, Grandmother. I have yet to actually start, and I'm still in the middle of understanding my role. Lady Tyra and my ladies-in-waiting are doing their best to help me in my preparations," Seren answered, feeling grateful that many people had been supporting her.

"Then, may I know what is troubling my dear?" Great Lady Theodora asked, her words were gentle and caring.

Seren gripped her thick coat closer to her body as she hesitated. "I…I am not sure if I should say it."

The Great Lady watched her with a tender gaze before smiling like a doting elder. "It is always better to say your worries out loud instead of keeping it inside. What can happen? If you try to face your troubles, you may or you may not get a satisfactory result, but at least you acted. It is better to regret doing something than to regret not trying even once."

Seren lowered her head as she repeated those words in her heart. "You are right, Grandmother."

"Then tell me what it is," the Great Lady probed. "Perhaps I can be of help."

"I…" Seren hesitated, thinking how to properly voice out her worries. Since she was a quiet person by nature, she often struggled to voice out her thoughts. "I just… I wish to know about what happened with the previous Queen. Why did she leave? And why did the previous King say that Dray is not his son?"

Her voice was getting softer and softer with each word as she could understand the seriousness of those royal secrets she was trying to know.

"Hmm!" The Great Lady gave a little nod. "That is quite a long story to tell, my dear." She turned towards the little gazebo by the water lily pond. "Let's sit there as this old lady's legs won't last standing that long."

Seren let out a quiet sigh of relief. She wasn't confident that the Great Lady would agree to spill the secrets of her family so easily. However, now that the old woman would open up to her, Seren actually felt nervous.

The two royal ladies entered the gazebo and sat side by side on a long bench that was facing the still waters of the lily pond. Beyond, one could see the crystal clear lake reflecting the tall rugged snow-covered peaks on the other side of the lake.

The Great Lady's gaze seemingly softened as she opened her mouth.

"Perhaps, I should begin by telling you about Esther…"

The old woman had a melancholic smile on her aged face when she mentioned the name 'Esther'. Her gaze seemed not to be on the scenery in front of them—rather, it was like she was reminiscing memories with equal sadness and fondness. Even though many years had passed, she still missed someone precious to her heart and she had not yet gotten over losing that person.

"What kind of person is Queen Esther?" Seren asked.

Seren had caught vague glimpses of the woman from the memories she had when she touched the things used by the former Queen.