Upon getting the news that Seren regained her consciousness, King Armen and Cian came to see her in her tower. They found her taking a leisurely  stroll in the garden with Drayce. Cian paid his respects towards the couple before smiling at the young queen.

“How are you, Seren?” Cian asked, pleased to see his sister awake. “Why are you not resting? Should you be outside like this?”

Seren chuckled. “I am fine, Brother. I need to stretch my limbs after being in bed for so long.” 

She turned towards the middle-aged man standing behind Cian. The King was silent, but his gaze was observing her from head to toe. She lightly nodded towards the man. “Greetings, King of Abetha.”

“I hope you are feeling fine, Seren. Anything you need, feel free to ask for it.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty,” she said, before turning her attention back to her brother, indicating that she was done exchanging pleasantries with the older man.

Armen inwardly sighed but chose not to mind it.

“Seren, since you came back, I believe you haven’t had the chance to enjoy the capital yet. How about we go out today? Do you have a place you want to go?”

“I would love to visit that farm we last went to. Blackhelm is too cold to grow berries so it’s been long since I last tasted them.”

Cian laughed. “The season for harvesting berries has ended, and you have to wait for next year for a fresh batch. I do have some made into jams. Order your servants to get them from my residence.”

“You can decide where to go then.”

Seren needed something to divert her mind from thinking about that Deity of Fire. Martha had made her drink another bottle of vitality potion so the side effect of her power outburst had been eliminated. 

She looked at Drayce. “Would you like to come with us?”

He offered her a smile. “I follow wherever my Queen goes.”

Despite all the stress piling inside her, his words made her smile. “Alright.” She turned back to her brother. “When are we leaving?”

“If you have nothing to do, we can leave right away. By the way, it is already noon. Have you eaten? If not there is this famous restaurant—”

The presence of her husband and the enthusiasm of her brother made warmth blossom within Seren’s chest. It gave her hope that soon everything will be truly fine.

Cian arranged for the three of them to leave the royal palace with a proper escort, riding carriages bearing the crest of the Ilven Royal Family as well as being guarded by a team of elite knights. This time, they did not disguise themselves as nobles but went out with their real identities as royalty. 

Seren and Drayce sat in one carriage while Cian sat in another. Their magnificent entourage, with royal knights in blue uniform protecting them from both the front and the rear, caused the people on the streets to give way and  bow towards the carriages to pay their respect, despite not knowing which royalty were passing by.

Since his sister and her husband were yet to have their midday meal, Cian played host and took them to The Golden Sea, the current most famous seafood restaurant within the capital of Abetha, a favored place for gatherings by the young socialites. It was so expensive that only wealthy merchants and nobles could afford to dine inside, but at the same time, it received countless praises from its patrons, that there had never been an empty table since it started its business. Even people of status had to place a reservation in advance if they wanted to eat in this luxurious restaurant. 

Of course, that was for nobility. The treatment for royalty was different—as soon as the person in charge learned that royals were coming, he emptied all three floors of the building.

No one was allowed to enter the restaurant as the knights spread around the perimeter of The Golden Sea.

When Seren, Drayce and Cian stepped out of their carriages, the restaurant owner himself welcomed them at the entrance. He was an amiable-looking nobleman.

“Patrick Hayes pays his respect to His Highness the Crown Prince. I am also honored to be in the presence of the King and Queen of Megaris. Welcome, welcome! The Golden Sea welcomes the arrival of such esteemed guests!”

This was not the first time Cian met the man. “Viscount Hayes, I did not expect you to personally come to greet us.”

“Your Highness, as soon as I heard from the overseer that you are coming, I dropped all matters at hand and hurried to welcome you…”

The three followed the owner while he led their way inside the grand hall of that restaurant. 

Seren gaped at the interior of the building, and even Drayce himself found himself admiring the splendid arrangements within. 

It was as if they had entered an underwater palace straight out of the legends. The hall was spacious, the tiles covering the floor made out of white-veined blue marble, reminiscent of the sea waves. The glass chandeliers were adorned with pearls, and every silverware and dish plate was delicately made to resemble creatures from under the sea. There were sculptures of mermaids on every corner, and there was even a gold-plated mermaid fountain in the middle of the lobby spewing water from a vase.

It was worthy of the name ‘The Golden Sea’.

A huge luxurious table decorated with luminous pearls awaited them on the third floor, where they had a view of the entire restaurant. 

After seating Seren, Drayce sat next to her while Cian sat opposite to them. The servers then came to them with aperitif first, and the viscount himself stayed by their side to wait on them, asking for their preferences.

“Can I ask for fruit juice for my wife?” Drayce asked when he saw the white wine placed in front of Seren.

“Of course, King of Megaris,” the owner said. “Server, change the Queen’s drink!”

“This is a beautiful place,” Seren said with bright eyes. It was not only the place, but also the experience. To be choosing her own food, this was a first time for her!

“It is,” Cian replied. “I have eaten here before. I recommend we try their clams and lobsters. What do you think?”

“Ohh, let’s get them then,” she said, feeling amused. “So, who did you eat with last time?”

“Some friends.” Cian enjoyed the refreshing aperitif, the white wine meant to stimulate one’s appetite, as he looked at his sister. “Seems like the King of Megaris has never taken you out to a fancy restaurant before.” His gaze moved to Drayce which had a hint of teasing in it. 

Seren eyed Drayce as well. Indeed, he had never taken her out to eat in any place in Blackhelm. Her gaze was accusing him silently.

Drayce pretended not to see it and looked at Cian. “Not to a restaurant, but she had been to the grand opera house in our capital.”

Seren immediately averted her attention from Drayce at the mention of the opera house. Sudden embarrassment engulfed her as she remembered the outcome of her first visit.  Luckily, she had a veil to hide her blushing face. 

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“I made sure to show her something better than showing her kids story play,” Drayce threw a naughty grin at his embarrassed wife who refused to look at him. “after that, she learned useful things.”

Cian understood what he meant from the way Seren was reacting.

“That’s so thoughtful of you, King Drayce,” Cian commented, with a knowing smile. 

“I was just being a good husband to my wife, Prince Cian,” Drayce replied casually, as he enjoyed the drink as well.

Seren felt like hiding herself. These two blatantly shameless men! How could they talk about such embarrassing things not only in front of her, but also in public? 

Drayce was shameless—this she already knew— but what happened to her brother? Was this still the same Cian she knew?