After entering the room, Arlan was bewildered to see the tense atmosphere and realized that he intruded in a war strategy meeting. He bowed to the king. “Your Majesty, I have heard about Prince Cian’s situation.”

On his way to the study, Arlan had been informed by his men about what happened during the council meeting.

The King nodded lightly, and Arlan continued, “I am here to offer help if it’s needed. As the Crown Prince, I can move an army of ten thousand men with my authority, as more would require a decree from the king. If King Armen needs more, I can send a missive to my Royal Father.”

His words visibly lessened the pressure on the shoulders of all the officials inside the study. General Cavrois saluted the prince. “Prince Arlan, Abetha will be taking advantage of your generosity.”

The war strategy meeting proceeded, and Arlan was quickly informed of the plans offered by Sir Berolt and General Cavrois.

Arlan studied the map. “Prince Cian is in Thevailes, so it will be better to get help from Megaris.”

Hearing his words, the general’s eyes brightened up. “Your Highness, in your opinion, will the King of Megaris  agree to it?”

Arlan nodded and looked at King Armen. “It will be better if His Majesty talks to him in person. I’m sure he will agree to help.”

The King looked at Lord Eudes. “Arrange for me to meet King Drayce.”

Bowing, the white-haired advisor, left while they resumed discussing war strategies against Thevailes and Hatha.

——

  A Megaris knight entered his chamber to inform Drayce about Lord Eudes’s arrival. 

“Your Majesty,” the knight bowed at the young king looking out the window. 

Drayce turned to him, and the knight asked, “Was it Dusk, Your Majesty?”

“Hmm.” Drayce nodded and instructed, “You can let him in.”

The knight was not confused; he knew his King was aware of the visitor even earlier than he did. He soon returned with Lord Eudes, who bowed to Drayce as royal etiquette required. 

“Eudes Briggs greets His Majesty, Drayce Ivanov. May Megaris forever prosper under your reign,” the old man said courteously. 

Drayce nodded lightly, accepting the greeting, and waited for King Armen’s right-hand man to talk.

“I am sure King Drayce must have heard about the abduction of Crown Prince Cian,” said Lord Eudes.

“Hmm!” Drayce nodded, looking at the old scholar while standing by the window. 

“With this regard, King Armen invites the King of Megaris to join him in his study,” Lord Eudes informed.

“I’ll be there,” Drayce replied offhandedly.

Lord Eudes left after bowing to him.

———

(Seren’s POV)

It had been two hours since I escaped from the kitchen. Although I want to go back and fix the mess I made and perhaps find something to free me of my biggest problem—my poor starving little tummy—I could not convince myself to return.

“What should I do?” Back in my bedchamber, I continued to sit on my chair, curling myself like a ball. “Should I go to the kitchen and try to look for whatever is left to cook?”

Once again, I stood up from the chair and was about to leave the room, but the thought of having rats there scared me, so I curled myself back into a ball on the chair. I had been pacing back and forth like this since earlier.

‘What if it’s not just one, but there are many more?’ 

The image of countless rodents sent a shiver across my spine.

“Drinking water will do. I won’t die till Martha returns,” I consoled myself and grabbed the brass water pot on the table next to me to pour water into a silver glass. Just as I finished the entire glass of water, another thought struck my mind. “What if Martha takes time to return?”

Just then, I heard some sound outside, and one big eagle sat on my window sill as his wide wings folded into his majestic body.

It was the first time an eagle ever came close to me willingly, much less approached my tower. Wanting to observe him better, I approached him with slow, steady steps.

The proud eagle eyed me and unfolded his wings.

I scooted a bit away, thinking he might fly away upon realizing my presence. Surprisingly, the eagle didn’t look like a wild bird but looked well groomed. When he folded his wings back into his body, I realized there was something tied around his neck, a thick black thread with tiny red color jade hanging to it.

“So you are a pet?” I concluded.

I also noticed that he was not scared of me but looked back at me as if he was observing me. I went closer, but my action didn’t scare him. I noticed something was in his mouth. 

The eagle was eating something, and the sight saddened my mood.

“No wonder you are so healthy. You keep eating. Look at me; I will disappear soon if I don’t eat anything,” I complained, but that bird kept chewing what was in his beak. 

It irked me. “You have too much flesh on you. How about I roast and eat you?” 

When I moved my hand towards him, the eagle fled away.

I looked at him flying away, disappearing in the soon-to-be-dark sky. “As if I would have really eaten you. I am a witch but not an animal.”

My words didn’t reach him, and I returned to my bed. It will be night in the next few hours, and there was no way I would leave my room in the darkness. I hope I won’t die by starving.