King Armen nodded lightly and said as his heart filled with the hope to convince the man in front of him, "I wish King Drayce never to force her to do anything she does not wish to do and fully respect her wishes."

Drayces smirked as he inwardly laughed at King Armen, 'Was it even something to ask for? Isn't it given since I said I would take care of her nicely? But it seems like he doesn't trust me yet.'

"Fine!" Drayce agreed casually, but from his tone, it sounded as if it was a big favour he was doing to King Armen.

"Thank you!"

Relief was evident in his voice.

"When can I take my bride with me?" Drayce asked, "I am sure we will need a wedding ceremony before that."

King Armen agreed, "We will plan accordingly."

"I prefer only concerned people to be there," Drayce commented.

Drayce's meaning was clear—that he wanted a small wedding and only a few people as witnesses.

"I will keep that in mind," King Armen assured.

Drayce didn't want anyone who could offend his queen to be there, or he was sure he was ready to punish the guilty ones. On the auspicious day of his wedding, he didn't want to see bloodshed.

As the main issue was sorted out, Drayce asked, "I don't see any personal servants or even maids assigned to serve the Third Princess. Should I take it as King Armen had always been indifferent and biased against my future wife?"

This sudden enquiry startled King Armen, but now there was no need to hide anything from Drayce as he would be the one taking care of his daughter soon.

"Seren has a nanny who has been taking care of her since she was a baby. She also acts as her lady-in-waiting and trusted maid. But that woman named Martha has gone out of the palace to deal with her personal affairs."

"Are her personal affairs more important than the princess's wellbeing? Doesn't she understand the circumstances of the Third Princess?" Drayce countered. His voice was calm but underneath lay an accusation.

"There are certain circumstances regarding Martha. Do not speak ill of her. She has been a great support and comfort to my daughter. In fact, she is the one who has been protecting Seren till now."

"When would she be back?" Drayce asked.

Not like Drayce was concerned about a woman who was nothing but a nanny to his future wife, but he had to do it for Erich Winfield.

King Armen shook his head. "It is the first time she has disappeared for so long. We had searched for her, but we couldn't find her. I am afraid she is in some kind of trouble related to my daughter."

The last line could be interpreted that they need to protect Seren if his guess was correct.

"If King Armen needs my help regarding finding her, let me know," Drayce offered.

"I will."

With the conversation between the two over, Drayce left King Armen's study with a light smile on his face.

--------

In the Queen's residence, the loyal puppet of Queen Niobe went to see her as usual after his official duties were done. After the accomplishment they had today, there was no way Darus Count would miss the chance of getting praises from the Queen.

When he was allowed in her chamber, Queen Niobe was already sitting in her chair, waiting for the minister. This time, her expression didn't look grave but mildly pleasant as she sipped her evening tea.

Darus Count bowed to her. "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Have a seat," Queen Niobe instructed.

Most of the time, Darus Count would have conversations with the Queen while standing, but this time, she asked him to sit.

Just as he settled himself, she offered him tea. The lady-in-waiting standing behind the Queen served tea towards the grinning Lord Darus.

With this gesture, the Queen was showing him how satisfied she was with his efforts. If he had not planned to scare Seren by hanging the mutilated bodies inside her residence, all these wouldn't have been so easy. With the disaster she caused, it was a piece of cake to turn everyone against her and create pressure on the King.

"Your Majesty, finally we managed to get rid of the Third Princess," Darus Count said after he took a sip from his cup.

The Queen merely elegantly sipped her tea, but her shining eyes showed how delighted she was inside. Behind her teacup, one side of her lips curved up to reveal a happy smirk.

She only spoke after she put down her empty cup. "Minister Count, this time, you have done really well. I should reward you for solving both of my worries with only one plan."

Hearing about the reward, of course, Darus Count was happy, but her choice of words puzzled him.

'Both of her worries?'

He was aware of only one thing that Queen Niobe wanted, and that was to throw the Third Princess out of this kingdom forever, but what was the other one?

"Your Majesty, may I ask other than the Third Princess, what is the other thing that troubled you?" Darus Count asked, trying to sound as polite as he could.

"The King of Megaris!" Queen Niobe replied. Her eyes carried the same look they had when she looked at Drayce after he announced Seren as his queen. That wicked light smirk appeared again on her lips.

"May I ask how King Drayce had worried Your Majesty?"

Queen Niobe merely signaled her lady-in-waiting to refill her teacup, not deigning to answer him. She rather enjoyed the rare imported tea which had never tasted this good before.

Darus Count didn't mind the Queen's lack of response and merely conversed in good spirits. "Because of him, we could save Crown Prince Cian and could get rid of the Third Princess. It's as if he came here to get rid of all of our worries."

"Just as we used the King of Megaris to get rid of her, we can use that witch to get rid of that young king and shake his reign," Queen Niobe voiced out with a conspiring tone.