"I will be glad to work together with Your Majesty," Aureus replied.
"You can stay in the palace till then," Drayce offered despite knowing there was no need, as in his eagle form, his pet Dusk would always be in the palace premises anyway.
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty, but I shall refuse your kindness. I have my place. I will simply co when you need my presence," Aureus replied, his tone implying that he's about to excuse himself.
Jasper then stepped in to escort him out. "I am the King's aide. Allow to lead you out. Where do you stay exactly, Mister Aureus? I shall have a carriage arranged for you, and I'll have one ssenger be placed by your side."
But the young man with golden hair shook his head. "I live in a cave at the top of one of the mountains on the northern side of the capital. Your arrangents would be inconvenient and unnecessary."
"Top of the mountain? Those peaks that are covered by clouds all year round. Isn't that place too far?" Jasper asked curiously.
"Not for ," Aureus replied. "I shall leave then, Your Majesty."
"Fine then, as you wish," Drayce agreed to his wishes. "How do I call you when I want to et you?"
Aureus stood silently for a mont. "The whistle you have with you, Your Majesty, the sa one you use to call for your pet, you can use that to call for . I will co if you blow three short whistles on it."
Drayce didn't even ask him how he knew about the whistle. As Aureus bowed and walked to leave through the door, Seren hesitantly spoke up, "Are you not going to fly, Aureus?"
Aureus turned to look at her while others looked at her as well. She was simply curious to see the pair of wings she had seen before going unconscious in the arms of her savior.
She sensed everyone's gazes on her and then realized what she had done. "Apologies…I was just…"
The next mont, a pair of golden wings showed behind Aureus, fully stretching them to show them off as if he knew what she wanted from him. She looked at his wings like a kid got to see sothing really amazing. Not just her, but even the rest looked at him the sa way, except for Drayce and Lady Tyra who had seen his winged form before.
With those wings flapping behind him, his entire body emitted the golden shine that made him look divine.
"They are so huge," Seren mumbled as she smiled.
Aureus bowed to her lightly, and the next mont, the Divine Eagle flew out of the window, his fast speed causing his form to disappear from their sights within a manner of several seconds. What was left behind was just a strong gust of wind.
"That was amazing," Jasper mumbled as he looked at Slayer. "Isn't it?"
Slayer simply nodded while Jasper's excitent matched with that of Seren's.
------
After the sun had set and darkness covered the sky, Drayce dressed himself in simple practical clothes that would allow easy movent within the forest to search for evidence that would lead him to those mysterious people.
"Are you leaving sowhere?" Seren asked, seeing him getting ready as if he's heading out.
Drayce nodded as he hung his signature black clothes with the gold embroidery on a nearby rack. The long outer robe he used whenever he's on official duty was gone, leaving him dressed in a pure black undershirt covered by a body-fitting vest of the sa style and sturdy fitted pants with the dark boots made of thick hide on his feet. He tied the belt with a simple scabbard at his waist and then turned to look at his wife who had a concerned look in her eyes.
"I will leave to investigate those hooded figures," Drayce replied as he walked towards his wife who was standing a few steps away from him. From her eyes, he could see her anxiety upon hearing his plan for the night.
"I don't want you to go. I don't want you to be hurt," she said as she saw him coming towards her.
"Don't you know how strong your husband is?"
"But they're dangerous people, and you're heading on your own—"
Drayce stopped in front of her. He could understand her worry. He held her hands gently and spoke, "They are dangerous but you should not underestimate your husband, my Queen."
His words reminded Seren about who Drayce really was. He was the son of the Devil and his mother was one powerful witch as well. From what Grandmother told her, Drayce was blessed with extraordinary powers because he inherited much of his parents' talents.
"I know…but I can't help but worry. I just don't want you to be hurt."
"I promise, I will return with not a single scratch on even if I have to face those people," he assured. "Besides, I am going there to investigate, to understand who they are and estimate their true strength. Since they're a group, then it's highly likely those who ca to abduct you are only a fraction of their strength. I will go purely for reconnaissance so that I will be able to get rid of them in one swoop later on."
Her anxious eyes looked into his pair of determined eyes. "You have to keep your promise."
"I will," he assured and then asked as a teasing smirk appeared on his lips. "In exchange for keeping my promise, what do I get? I will be more motivated if I get a reward from my wife."
Seren didn't think much as she had now started to understand the aning behind that teasing smirk and his words. She tiptoed and left a soft peck on his lips as her hands gripped onto his arms for support.
It lasted for only a brief second, but Drayce felt his heart shake. Her eyes were closed, that's why she didn't get to see the surprise in Drayce's open eyes.
'She initiated a kiss…?'
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