Drayce respectfully gestured to Cian to have a seat. Cian sat on the chair placed on the right side of the square-shaped wooden table, opposite to where Arlan was seated. Both princes sat facing each other, one on the Drayce's left side while the other one was on the right side.
One could not see what Cian was thinking as he spoke to Drayce, "I hope I am not disturbing King Drayce and Prince Arlan from important matters."
Drayce merely looked back at Cian. "May I know the reason for Prince Cian's visit?"
"I am here to get answers to a few questions from King Drayce," Cian replied, getting directly to the point.
"I hope it will only be solved by talking and not fighting," Arlan commented, and the other two turned towards him. Arlan cleared his throat and said, not minding their glares, "Please continue!"
Drayce and Cian ignored him and looked at each other once more.
Though Drayce had guessed what those questions must be, he still said, "You may proceed."
"I am sure King Drayce is aware that your pet is serving the Third Princess. May I know how and why that eagle initially contacted my sister?" Cian asked, looking all serious.
There was no change in Drayce's expression despite the obvious accusation in his tone. "Birds keep flying here and there where humans can't reach."
"Are you implying that this is your pet's initiative and not an order from yourself?" Cian asked in a skeptical voice. "To the extent of providing her with food and water and keeping others away from her, to the point where even her father and brother are not allowed to go to her?"
"Is this not a good thing?" Drayce asked as he commented, "An abandoned and lonely princess found solace in a bird many times better than the scary humans around her."
Cian understood the mocking words of the young king. It was truly unfair that Seren had to be hidden in her residence. To anyone who paid attention, it was obvious that she was neglected by the royal family despite having the title of a princess of Abetha. With only a single person to serve her and not allowed to associate with others, she was forced to live a lonely life instead of a pampered and luxurious one. Although it was said to protect her, from what exactly, Cian was unaware of. But he was sure she wouldn't be safe with normal people around her; that's why his father never allowed her to go out.
Drayce continued, "Dusk is not an ordinary eagle. He belongs to a rare species. His protective instincts are stronger towards the one he had built an attachment to."
"Care to elaborate, King Drayce?? I suddenly have an urge to know the traits of that rare eagle species," Arlan said, smiling teasingly.
Drayce glared at Arlan but answered anyway. "He is egoistic if you challenge him, impatient if you ignore him, unsympathetic when attacking the enemies, and pushy when it comes to protecting someone. One should be wary of his strong claws that can never leave something once he gets hold of it."
As if Arlan was already expecting to hear that kind of response, he commented with a chuckle, "Why does it sound to me more like the exact description of his master instead of the eagle itself?"
Drayce didn't react to Arlan's comment, simply maintaining the neutral expression he always had.
Cian understood the underlying meaning of Drayce's words, but for now, he wanted to know something else.
"I am grateful for the help from King Drayce's pet, but I would like to know the answer to my question—the truth, to be exact," Cian reminded.
"Even I am curious to know how our Dusk has become such a busy body," Arlan commented. He still didn't know the entire situation, except for bringing food for the Third Princess in her tower.
Silence filled the chamber as the two princes waited for Drayce to talk.
"A few days back," Drayce started, "Thick black smoke came out from the Third Princess's tower. The entire capital was scared, thinking it was the result of black magic performed by her and..."
"Black magic? Ridiculous!" Cian scoffed, interrupting Drayce.
Drayce approved of Cian's reaction as he could see Cian didn't believe what others said about his sister. Drayce thought of testing him again as he continued, "They believed the witch was—"
"My sister is not a witch!" Cian interrupted Drayce once again as he gripped the armrest of the chair he's sitting on. "Those audacious brainless creatures!"
"If you are done being angry, let my friend finish. I am dying to know the entire thing," Arlan chastised him. The Crown Prince of Griven looked like he was engrossed in hearing more of the story, like a street wife wanting nothing but pure entertainment and gossip.
Cian threw a frown his way, but he turned silent as he wanted to know the rest of the story too.
"In fact, it was not black magic but the failed attempt of cooking by one clumsy starving princess," Drayce informed.
Cian could almost imagine what happened. "I am sure it was the case. My sister is quite naive and lacking in these things, but I assure you she is harmless, incapable of even harming a bug.."
Drayce smiled lightly. "All she can do is threaten a rat by burning it using some non-existing magic."
Arlan saw Drayce smiling lightly, and he remembered something. "So that day, when we were outside the palace walls and we stopped after seeing that black smoke, is that why you laughed?" Arlan mumbled, "You and your sharp ears..."
Cian didn't understand what Arlan mumbled in the end. "How can King Drayce be so sure about it without even entering the tower? Could it be...."
"Prince Cian can rest assured I entered the tower only on the day I rescued her." With that, Drayce cleared all of Cian's doubts with one reply. "My senses are simply strong enough to understand what's the truth. "
"The King of Megaris values the virtue of a lady," Arlan commented as he threw a meaningful glance towards Drayce. Arlan knew his friend cared for nothing but his goals. If it were not for him stopping this man, Drayce would have ended up going inside the tower regardless of its owner's permission.
Drayce understood the sarcasm from Arlan's remark but chose to ignore it.
"Since the Third Princess is alone, locked up, and unable to feed herself, I only asked my pet to take food for her," Drayce clarified.? "But Dusk seemed to have grown attached to her."
"May I ask why is King Drayce so concerned about her so much?" Cian asked.
"Would it have been better to leave her starving for days?" Drayce countered as his red eyes stared at Cian mockingly.
Cian understood Drayce didn't want to answer, and there was no way he could force him to. He didn't know Drayce's intentions, and neither did he trust him, but for now, he could only thank him for his help.
"I am grateful for the kindness King Drayce showed to my sister. One day, I will surely repay it."
Drayce said nothing, and Cian stood up as he bowed slightly to the other two royals. "Thank you for your time. I am sure you have things to do, so I shall? take my leave."
As he turned to leave the chamber, he heard the First Prince of Griven call out to him.
"Prince Cian, a moment!"
Cian turned to look at him.
"I have received news that Griven has caught the escaping traitors from Abetha who helped with your abduction. I have instructed my men to bring those traitors to the capital. They will likely arrive in the palace by tonight." Arlan's gaze held something that Cian understood.
"I look forward to skinning them alive personally," Cian said as his sapphire blue eyes seemingly turned icy with ruthlessness. He turned to leave as he heard Arlan say, "Have fun."
"You sure know what someone needs best at the best time," Drayce commented.
"He is already annoyed with not being able to help his sister. Let him relax by taking out his anger. Anyways, traitors deserve to be skinned alive."
Drayce said nothing as he agreed that traitors deserve to be punished harshly. He himself had never forgiven anyone who offended him.