While Seren and Martha were enjoying their brief taste of freedom, the thing that worried them the most was indeed happening inside the Royal Palace.

The gardens within the palace grounds had exploded with pretty colors and fragrant scents due to the flowers blooming everywhere. Not just inside the palace, but even outside, the common people were amazed to see the rarest view they ever got to see.

Everyone understood what these blossoms meant—the witch was happy—but then they felt conflicted.

Should they be happy or curse her for keeping the kingdom devoid of such beauty of nature?

Or should they be worried about the root of her happiness?

For the Kingdom of Abetha, blooming flowers had become a sort of ill omen, for they believe something terrible would soon befall the kingdom. The witch’s daughter ought to be scheming something wicked, as it was common sense that witches could only be happy when they were about to unleash their evil plans.

——-

Inside the palace.

Arlan showed Drayce around the interesting parts of the palace grounds, including the royal court, the arsenal, the military base inside the palace, where they met with high-ranking military officials, and the various offices the concerned people working under them.

“Finally, we are done with the boring part,” Arlan said as he gave out a sigh.

“It was your decision to get bored while I am interested in something else,” Drayce countered.

“I just wanted you to see how they work. As a ruler, one should know everything about other kingdoms as well.”

Drayce touched his sword and gave a meaningful gaze to Arlan. “When I want to know something, I have a better, more efficient way to know it.”

Arlan frowned and mumbled, “This guy loves to talk using a sword.” He looked at Drayce. “Will it hurt if you don’t use violence?”

“You are already handling the part of spreading peace. You alone should be enough.”

Arlan knew there was no use in arguing with his violent friend and changed the topic. “Let’s go to a nice, quiet place in the eastern part of the palace. A lake.”

Accompanied by their personal knights, the two left the last official’s study and went for the greener part of the palace. But as they approached the lake, their eyes were left wide open.

“Since when has this place turned so pretty?” Arlan commented, still in shock.

“I don’t remember seeing anything like this when I entered the palace,” Drayce said in agreement. Although he did not pay special attention to the view, he could swear he had not seen a single flower anywhere in any of the royal gardens, but suddenly, the entire place was full of them as if someone had planted new bushes and shrubs just now.

“Let’s go. I hope this will pacify your always-so-violent mind.” Arlan led the way, and Drayce followed him across the stone path with flowers in full bloom on both sides.

As they admired the gardens, Drayce realized they had almost seen the entire palace but didn’t go to one side of it.

“Why didn’t we go to the northern side of the palace?” Drayce asked.

“That part is deserted, and there is nothing to look at,” Arlan replied.

“Then we should go there,” Drayce said as he turned to the northern direction.

Unknown to them, one of the Abethan knights assigned to assist them was alarmed by their actions, and knowing he could not stop these royal guests, he left the retinue in a hurry.

Arlan caught up to Drayce. “Why do you always go to where there is nothing?”

“We can advise King Armen how to make that deserted place useful.”

“Don’t be a nosy guest, Drayce,” Arlan commented while following him.

“I intend to be a helpful guest,” Drayce countered and continued walking.

Just as they reached the northern part of the palace, they could see a tall stone tower beyond the trees. Before they could go further, two guards stood in their path and bowed them.

“Your Majesty King Drayce, Your Highness Prince Arlan, this place is restricted for anyone to enter,” said one guard.

Drayce didn’t react to the guard and studied the stone tower ahead, which was still far from where he’s standing and was surrounded by tall stone walls.

There were various towers located in the different corners of the palace, but none of them had any walls installed around them, and anyone could freely go in those towers as they wished.

This particular tower seemed suspicious to him.

“We should go back,” Arlan said.

Ignoring his friend, Drayce looked at the guards. “And why is it restricted?”

“King Drayce,” came a familiar calm voice, and Drayce turned to look at the speaker.

Approaching them was King Armen, accompanied by two knights. Both he and Arlan greeted the King of Abetha as well.

“I hope King Drayce enjoyed visiting the palace,” said King Armen in a casual tone.

“It was nothing special,” Drayce replied, not willing to act fake. Normal things never enticed him, but he was always curious about the things that were unapproachable or mysterious.

King Armen didn’t mind what he said as he took it as one of the young king’s quirks.

“This tower belongs to the third princess. My daughter doesn’t like it when people disturb her privacy, so no one is allowed to do so,” King Armen explained what Drayce wished to know, “and it’s not good to go against the wish of a lady.”

Drayce couldn’t deny the last thing King Armen said. It was indeed rude, especially for a stranger like him, to disturb a princess’s royal dwelling.

Arlan wished to take his friend away from there and spoke, “Apology for the inconvenience, Your Majesty.”

King Armen nodded to it lightly and instructed, “The lake in the east has a pretty view. I suggest Prince Arlan show that place to King Drayce.”

“Thank you for the suggestion, Your Majesty. We will take our leave,” said Arlan and signaled his friend to go with him.

Drayce gave a light nod to King Armen and left with Arlan.

Once the two were out of sight, King Armen looked at his knights.

“Didn’t I order you to keep an eye on him?”

“Apology, Your Majesty,” said one of the knights.

The other knight spoke, “They were visiting the offices and arsenal and had been guided to visit the lake, but as royal guests, we cannot forcibly stop them from heading to this part of the palace.”

“Until he leaves the palace, keep a strict watch on him. Don’t let him come across the third princess,” King Armen ordered.

The two knights bowed in response. King Armen’s gaze then fell on the flowers. “Where are they?”

“They have sneaked out a while ago,” replied one of the knights.

King Armen sighed in disappointment. “Ask your men to protect them in the shadows and once they are back, ask Martha to visit me,” King Armen ordered before he turned around and left.