The next day, it was finally ti for the garis delegation to leave. After eting the King and Queen of Othinia, the garis delegation was ready to departed. The Crown Prince of garis, Prince Reuben, ca to see them off. Cian also arrived to bid his sister farewell.
"Take care on the way," Cian said.
"I will," Seren replied, then asked, "Are you going to stay here longer?"
He shook his head. "I will leave at noon after spending so ti with my cousins."
Seren knew he was referring to his cousins who had secretly helped him under orders from Queen Niobe.
"Take care as well," she said and sat inside the carriage after Drayce helped her in.
Cian offered a light bow to Drayce. "Have a safe journey."
Drayce replied with a nod, "You as well," and then sat in the carriage.
The garis royal troop left the Othinian royal palace. From the window of the Thevailes guest mansion, a pair of eyes watched them intently as two figures stood there.
"Are you sure your plan won't fail this ti?" Sar asked, looking at the garis entourage.
"I am certain," Zaria replied, her gaze following Sar's. "Once they cross the border of Nefer and enter the deepest part of the forest, our people are ready to welco them. Once we capture her, you can take her back to Thevailes with you."
"Sounds like a good idea," he said, his gaze narrowing on the particular carriage in which the concerned person was sitting.
Inside the carriage, Seren suddenly felt a shiver across her body and shrank herself into Drayce's comforting embrace.
"What's wrong, Seren? Are you feeling unwell?" Drayce asked as he held her closer.
"Not sure. Suddenly, my body reacted as if it sensed danger," she replied.
Drayce comforted her while gently caressing her. "Once we cross Nefer, I will teleport you directly to garis. If not for a eting in another city, we could have left right away."
"Who are you eting?" she inquired.
"In the next city, I am going to et Duke Maxillious. He is a friend of my father and helped us by sending grains and other necessities during the tis when garis was dealing with the aftereffects of the Devil's curse—above and beyond what the Othinian royalty and other kingdoms provided," he explained. "Grandmother instructed to et him before we return to garis."
"You should definitely do that," she comnted, allowing her tense body to relax in his arms.
As planned, the garis entourage left the capital city, Nefer, and entered the deep forest outside the city after an hour-long journey. The Othinian forests, as majestic as they are, could hide dangers within. After crossing this perilous forest and a few villages, they were set to reach the next city where Drayce intended to go.
"My Queen, are you feeling alright?" Drayce asked, noting that hours had passed since they had been riding in the carriage.
"Just a little uneasy. It may be because I ate too much," she replied.
"Would you like to take a break?"
"Is it safe in this forest?" she asked, her expression conflicted.
"With here, do you even have to worry about it?"
She shook her head. "Then let's rest for a while."
Drayce ordered their entourage to stop by the riverside. Seren stepped out of the carriage and imdiately felt better in the fresh air, relieved to be free from the constant movent.
They set up camp at a nice spot by the river. Seren dipped her feet into the cold water, which was refreshing in the hot Othinian weather.
"Are you feeling better now?" he asked.
"Hmm."
"Servants will bring so snacks and tea for you. If you're still not feeling well after that, I can teleport us to the next city. We can wait there for the entourage to catch up, and then join them before heading to Duke Maxillious' residence."
"No, I am fine. It doesn't feel right to teleport while others keep traveling," she replied.
He smiled gently and patted her head. "You don't have to force yourself to be a good queen. Just focus on what makes you feel comfortable. I'll make up for it by being a good king."
She shook her head. "It's not about being a good queen. They all traveled for us and served us despite their own discomfort. I want to be with them so I don't feel guilty for enjoying the luxuries that co with being a queen. I'll get used to traveling."
"As you wish."
Just then, soone appeared. "I was hoping to catch up with the entourage here."
"Mister Yorian, where have you been?" Seren asked.
"I was just wandering around before leaving this beautiful kingdom," the elf answered.
The servants brought snacks and tea for them as they settled on the rocks at the riverbank, while Seren was led inside the tent by her servants so she could sit in the shade and relax.
"Everything seems fine as far as I can sense," Yorian comnted.
"I did not sense anything unusual either, but I have a strong feeling that sothing will happen. That witch won't stay put unless she pulls another stunt," Drayce said.
"I am not sure what makes her so confident that she is being bold in her intentions," Yorian comnted, "we have to keep Queen Seren close by."
Drayce glanced towards the tent where Seren was busy with her servants. "I can always sense if she is in danger, and she is always in my sight. Today I am taking this risk as I want to know the extent of that witch's power and what she can do, so I can always be prepared to face her. If we avoid them this ti, they will keep attacking when we least expect it."
"I agree with this as well. If she attacks this ti, I am sure she will use everything she has since she needs to deal with you," Yorian replied. "But it can also put the lives of your servants in danger who can't fight the supernaturals."
"Slayer and Azer have been instructed on what to do. If we are attacked, all the servants and knights will separate from us," Drayce inford.
"That's a good approach as they would only lose their lives if they tried to fight," Yorian added.
Slayer approached Drayce. "Your Majesty, everything is being followed as you instructed. All the servants and knights have already been told what to do if there is any attack...but…"
"But your knights are stubborn," Drayce continued, "They would rather die than leave."
Slayer added, "That is what knights are supposed to do."
"Not when the enemy is soone you can't fight," Drayce countered. "I expect my orders to be followed promptly, without mistake." Drayce's gaze followed Azer, who was standing at a distance with another knight. "Especially your vice commander; tell him not to be stubborn and to do as he is told."
"I will," Slayer said. He knew he had to be firm with them to ensure they followed his and the King's orders.
"You really have earned loyal people, King Drayce," Yorian said with a smile, to which Drayce nodded lightly. "I find myself fortunate."
Just then, Yorian's pointed ears twitched as he heard and sensed sothing. He turned to Drayce, who offered him a nod, and then looked at Slayer. "It's ti."
Slayer hurried towards his knights to instruct them to leave the area with the servants. There might be a battle between the supernaturals, and it was not safe for those humans to witness it and put their lives at risk.
On the other hand, Drayce hurried towards the tent and told her servants, "Follow Vice commander Azer."
Though confused, the three servants Xena, Marie and Eva hurried out to follow the king's instructions while Martha stayed with Seren.
"You should leave as well," Drayce talked to Martha.
"Her Eminence had provided with so useful spells," Martha replied which offered a clear aning to Drayce that she was ready to fight.
"What's going on, Dray?" Seren asked, feeling confused that why all the servants and knights were made to leave.
"We are going to face the enemy," he replied and held her hand to make her stand, "stay by my side, alright?"
Though scared, she nodded and held his hand. She knew it must be Zaria who was here to abduct her again. 'Whatever it takes, I won't go with her. Dray won't let her take away.'
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