Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

Drayce and Seren spent the night at Keiren's residence, as Seren was too worried about Edith, who remained unconscious, to leave her side.

Keiren welcomed their stay and instructed the servants to prepare a guest room for them.

Keiren himself didn't leave Edith's side, his worry palpable. He sat in the chair next to her bed, holding her delicate hand. She looked so frail, and he feared that childbirth had taken a severe toll on her. He wanted to be the first person she saw when she woke up.

In the guest room, Seren lay in the comforting embrace of Drayce's arms. "I never thought I would ever see Prince Keiren like this," she murmured.

"Like what?" Drayce asked softly.

"I never expected him to be the kind of man who could be deeply in love with his wife. He always seemed so distant and aloof to me. But the way he cares for Edith, it changed my opinion," she said, raising her head to look at him. "Is it in your blood?" she asked. "I heard from Grandma how much King Esteban loved her, then King Theron and your mother, and now you and your brother.

All of you seem the same."

"You can leave King Theron out of that list," Drayce replied. "Though he wasn't wrong to care for his kingdom and protect everyone from that curse, and he was forced to sacrifice my mother, I wouldn't say he truly loved her."

Seren pressed her lips into a thin line, feeling the weight of the secret she carried. Grandma had told her not to reveal the truth to Drayce, and she wondered how she could ever bring it up to him.

'Maybe his mother can tell him the truth. I shall speak with her about this misunderstanding between father and son,' she thought.

"What are you thinking about?" Drayce asked, sensing her distraction.

"What if it was your mother who chose to make that sacrifice?" Seren suggested gently.

"It wouldn't be surprising. She has always been kind and willing to protect everyone," Drayce admitted.

"Would you still blame your father?" Seren asked softly, her eyes searching his for understanding.

"If he had truly loved her, he would have valued her sacrifice and lived the way she would have wanted him to—a happy life, taking care of the family. But what did he do? He isolated himself from everyone. We grew up without any memories of fatherly warmth."

"As a son, it's normal that you are biased towards your mother, and refuse to understand your father. But, your mother's departure must have broken him to that extent. The pain he felt, we might never be able to fathom it." she said gently. "If I had to leave you one day, what would you do? Would you still be the same Dray?"

Drayce covered her mouth with his hand. "I won't ever let you go, so don't say something like that again."

"You have power, but your father is just human. Imagine how helpless he must have felt at that time. Try to put yourself in his place."

Drayce sighed, a hint of understanding softening his features. "Maybe you're right. I will try to understand him."

Seren offered him a light smile. "Let's sleep now. In the morning, I have to be with the baby and won't have time for you."

"Spend as much time as you want here because soon we are leaving for Agartha," he informed her.

"Leaving? When?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Tomorrow. I wish us to leave then…"

"I am not going," she interrupted, her eyes filled with determination. "There is a baby in our family and you want us to leave? Besides us, Prince Keiren and Edith have no one here to look after them and the baby."

Drayce chuckled softly as he caressed her cheek. "You are becoming more of a mature family woman now."

"Shall I not?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course you should," he replied with a smile. "But you should also learn to listen to the entire thing someone is about to say."

Seren realized what he meant and asked, "What were you going to say?"

"I initially planned to leave earlier, but I decided to extend our stay for a day or two. You can be with them and the baby."

"That sounds good," she said, hugging him tightly. "Drayce, why don't you talk to Prince Keiren about not keeping his family away? Grandma would be so happy to see her grandson."

"I will talk to him tomorrow. But in the end, it's his family and his decision."

"Won't you insist a little if he denies?" she asked, looking up at him with hopeful eyes.

"I will do what I can. Now, let's sleep," he replied, gently stroking her hair.

------

The next morning, when Seren woke up, Clara had arranged everything for her. Drayce had disappeared to the palace, planning to return later so the servants wouldn't worry about their absence.

Edith was awake, and Keiren was still by her side. Seren heard them talking as Edith held the baby in her arms.

"He looks just like you, Ren," Edith commented.

"To me, he looks like you," Keiren replied.

"Huh? I don't think so. He takes after you."

"As long as you want it to be," he said with a smile.

"That won't do, he really looks like you," she insisted and then noticed Seren standing at the door. "Seren, come here and tell us who the baby looks like."

Seren happily walked forward and observed the sleeping baby. "Hmm, his forehead and eyebrows look like his father's, while his nose and mouth resemble his mother's. So basically, he got the best from both of you. As for his eyes, we will only know when he is awake."

"Oh, when he was awake earlier, I saw. His eyes are the same color as Keiren's," Edith replied happily.

Just then, the baby stirred in his sleep. "He sensed his aunt was here and woke up."

Seren was taken aback by what she said. 'Does she know I am truly his aunt?'

"Aunt?" she asked, surprised.

Edith looked at her warmly. "You are like my sister, so aren't you his aunt?"

"Of course," Seren said with a smile. "I thought you would say godmother."

"You are that too, but my child will need an uncle and aunt as well, so you and your husband can fulfill that role. But, of course, only if your husband doesn't mind."

"Why would he mind? He would be happy, in fact," Seren replied, gently patting the baby as Keiren stepped aside to give her space.

"Baby, come to your aunt now," she said, carefully taking the baby from Edith. "He smells so good," Seren commented, breathing in the baby's sweet scent.

"Has Dray left?" Keiren asked.

"He had some work. He will return in a while."

Keiren nodded and left the two women to talk.

"How are you feeling now?" Seren asked Edith.

"Much better," Edith replied. "Last night, I felt like I almost died, and then suddenly, a miracle brought me back."

Seren knew what Edith felt was not wrong but didn't wish to delve into it. "You've given birth to a new life; it's no less than a miracle." She looked at the baby and smiled. "And this new life is a cute bunny."

Edith giggled. "He does feel like a bunny, soft like cotton."

Seren planted a gentle kiss on the baby's forehead. "I wish this sweet bunny to have a healthy and prosperous life. May he be smart, courageous, and kind, as well as beautiful like his parents."

A soft glow appeared where Seren had kissed the baby's forehead, as if her wish for him had been granted, or perhaps it was a blessing from the deity of Earth herself that the baby received.