Under Seren's watchful eye, Drayce lay resting in their chamber. Once he had drifted off to sleep, Seren quietly slipped out of the room and made her way to the lakeside, settling herself inside the gazebo. She sat in an unusual state of calm, her gaze fixed upon the tranquil waters ahead.
"What occupies your thoughts, my dear?" A familiar voice broke the silence, drawing Seren's attention. The older lady, leaning lightly on her cane for support, had joined her at the gazebo.
Seren offered a gentle smile. "Grandma, I was simply admiring the beauty of the lake."
Theodora let out a soft chuckle as she settled onto the bench opposite Seren. "Seems like you have learned to lie as well. My grandson is such a bad influence on you."
Seren was caught off guard. "N- No, grandma. I was just…"
"I would appreciate it if you'd share what's on your mind," Theodora interjected, her smile radiating warmth and comfort.
Unable to evade the truth any longer, Seren hesitated before admitting, "I was indeed thinking about Dray."
The older lady chuckled playfully, and then turned to look at her lady-in-waiting, "Why does that not surprise , my dear Cerviel?"
Cerviel smiled warmly in response. "They are just like you and King Esteban in the past, Great Lady. I can see the depth of their love and affection for each other."
The Great Lady humd in contentnt. "Your words bring great joy, Cerviel."
"How about I enhance that joy with so freshly brewed tea?" Cerviel suggested, receiving a widened smile from her mistress. "You always know just what to do."
With a graceful departure, Cerviel left the gazebo, leaving the Great Lady to turn her attention to Seren, who seed lost in thought, her gaze following Cerviel's retreating figure.
"What troubles you, Seren? Is there sothing else you desire besides tea?" the Great Lady inquired gently.
Seren shook her head, refocusing on the Great Lady. "I... was pondering what Lady Cerviel ntioned."
"And what was that?" the Great Lady prompted.
"Lady Cerviel spoke of love," Seren replied hesitantly.
A soft smile graced the Great Lady's lips. "Ah, why be surprised? It's evident to anyone, even the trees and birds surrounding us, how deeply you and Dray love for each other."
"Do you believe, Grandma, that what I feel for Drayce is love?" Seren asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Of course, my dear," the Great Lady affird. "When Drayce first brought you here first ti after your arrival in garis, I could sense the depth of his love for you, though I couldn't be certain of your feelings then. But now, as I observe you, it's clear that things have changed. My grandson has indeed captured your heart."
Seren felt silent for a while as she didn't know how to tell the old lady she had this weird curse that didn't allow her to fall in love and didn't allow her to distinguish her feelings towards Drayce—whether it was genuine love or rely a blend of gratitude, habit, and dependency.
Seeing her quiet, Theordora decided to address sothing they had not talked about as Seren was busy looking after Drayce, more like nagging him all the ti on resting and not letting him off of her sight even for a mont. The older lady decided to stay out of it and let Seren do as she wished.
Moreover, it was satisfying to see her stubborn grandson obeying soone without saying a word to resist.
"You must have been terrified to see him injured," Theodora remarked softly.
The reminder plunged Seren back into the harrowing mont when she feared losing Drayce. It felt as though her entire world had crumbled, leaving her bereft of the will to carry on.
Nodding in agreent, Seren confessed, "It pained deeply to witness his suffering. I cannot bear to see him in pain. I would gladly endure it in his stead."
"It's a natural instinct to shield our loved ones from harm. Even the slightest injury to them feels like a wound to our own hearts," Theodora offered, her words carrying a soothing reassurance.
Seren nodded, her mind revisiting that mont of fear and reflection. "In that single mont, I felt a wave of regret wash over —for all the missed opportunities, the monts we hadn't seized. I was wondering if we were going to die, was it even worth missing out on them. I would rather do it all and die with him, not having anything left to regret."
"Then make sure you leave nothing to regret. Life is fleeting, and we should pursue what truly matters to us," the older lady advised gently.
"I'll consider it."
Their contemplation was interrupted by the arrival of Cerviel with tea and snacks, bringing a lightness to the atmosphere as they indulged in cheerful conversation and laughter.
After a while, Drayce arrived there as he watched Seren and his grandmother conversing happily.
Seren sohow sensed his presence and watched him walking in their direction. Her gaze stuck at him for so reason like a lovestruck person, her heart started to race, making her wonder, 'Could it be that I truly love him? Has the curse been broken?'
Drayce's gaze t with hers, her loud heartbeats reaching his ears even from a distance, making him smirk lightly. How satisfying it was to see his wife was enchanted by him.
Observing the exchange, Theodora couldn't help but smile knowingly as she shared a aningful glance with Cerviel, who returned it with a smile of her own.
"What are you two discussing, grandma?" Drayce inquired, his gaze not leaving his wife.
"Shall I answer or leave it to your wife?" Theodora teased, amused by Drayce's obvious question directed at her but his unwavering gaze fixed on Seren.
Feeling self-conscious under the scrutiny, Seren awkwardly cleared her throat and lowered her gaze, realizing she had been caught in the act.
Drayce, unfazed, replied, "Either way works."
Rising gracefully, the Great Lady intervened, her words laced with humor. "Let your wife answer that question. I'll take my leave before you accuse of interfering with a pair of lovers."
Seren quickly interjected, halting the Great Lady's departure. "Grandma..."
"Grandma indeed possesses great wisdom," Drayce remarked, agreeing with his grandmother's decision to give them space.
"Hair on my head didn't turn grey by standing simply under the sun," the old lady retorted playfully before turning to leave.
Seren glanced at Drayce, puzzled by his unexpected intervention. "Why did you let grandma leave..."
He settled beside her, his gaze probing. "The way you looked at the entire ti, I thought you had sothing to say."
Did she? Seren pondered, unsure of what she had intended to express. Confess her love to him, perhaps?
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