274: She Is Smart And Reckless

She Is Smart And Reckless

The summit conference was over, and the participants had emerged from the grand hall. Some were still amidst conversation, while others began making their way  towards their respective carriages. Arlan was one of the latter.

Drayce caught up to him. Though Arlan acted his usual self, not letting anyone get even a slight hint of his inner struggle, what happened this early morning was not something a proper friend would ignore.

"How are you?" Drayce asked as they walked side by side, followed by their knights. 

Arlan glanced at him, raising a brow as if asking what kind of a question is this. Drayce could see he was acting nonchalant and said. "Get inside your carriage first."

The prince said nothing as he entered his carriage and Drayce went to his. Just as their carriages started moving, the King of Megaris disappeared from his ride and appeared inside Arlan's carriage. No one outside knew what was going on. 

"Is your carriage not comfortable?" Arlan asked. 

"Today, I like yours more," Drayce replied. 

"What is it?" Arlan asked, as he looked at his friend with a serious gaze. 

"What happened last night?"

"Last night?"

Drayce sighed. "You were unconscious so did not know, but I came to see you. Even Yorian and Seren came. Your servant was so scared, she had to call for us."

Arlan understood. "It was nothing."

"I would not ask if it was nothing," Drayce insisted.  "Arlan, what is going on?" 

"Whatever it is, I can handle it."

"You won't stop being stubborn," Drayce frowned. 

"You won't stop being nosy."

Drayce gave him a deep stare, and Arlan could only cross his arms and look away, unable to meet his gaze.

"This was not the first time," Drayce started. "A few years back, back when we were in training school, I remember an incident similar to this. You disappeared one night and when you returned, you were visibly weak and unresponsive, with traces of black magic on you. That time, you told me that you  came across some dark magic creature and overspent your magic fighting with it. "

"That was so long ago. You still remember it?"

"Don't change the subject."

Arlan was silent for a while, gazing at the passing scenery outside the window. 

"What excuse do you have this time?"

Arlan looked at him, his gaze serious. "No excuse this time."

"Then?"

"Drop it, Dray. There are things you should not meddle in. Let me handle my own problems.."

"I worry for you, and if you are in any trouble…"

"Don't you trust me?"

"I do."

"Then, do not ask me about this again," Arlan said with finality, wanting to end the conversation.

Drayce sighed, respecting his friend's decision. Arlan was Drayce's closest friend, closer to him than a real brother, and his entire life, it had always been Arlan helping him out and supporting him. This time, he wanted to be the one to help him instead.

However, it was true that as a friend, he had to know his boundaries. Offering unsolicited help and fixing other people's problems were simply his own arrogance clouding his judgment.

"Alright, I will do as you say," he took a step back, "but you have to come to me if things go out of hand."

Arlan nodded. 

"I knew you would understand." A brief smile lifted the corner of his mouth. "Thanks, Dray."

Drayce disappeared from his seat, while Arlan continued to look out the window, his gaze noticing nothing in particular. It was a blank stare, as if he were looking into oblivion. His mind seemed to have no thoughts at all.

When his carriage reached the guest mansion, Oriana was present at the entrance to welcome him. Their gazes met and the two acted their usual master-servant selves. 

Oriana wished to ask him about the previous night, but decided to wait till she sees him in a better mood. 

—

Drayce had just dismissed his ministers and aides when Yorian entered the study. The elf sat in the chair opposite Drayce after greeting him. 

"Hmm, let me guess. Prince Arlan did not tell you what happened to him," Yorian said, speaking with assurance, as if he had witnessed their entire exchange inside the carriage. 

Drayce, sighed helplessly. "That stubborn dragon won't spill the beans."

Yorian thought for a moment. "I was wondering what can turn a powerful divine beast in that state. He was not injured, that meant he did not battle with an enemy nor was he captured unaware. No supernatural being is powerful enough to control or harm him to the extent he could not give a proper fight, even if he is a young dragon. You are a dragon yourself. Even with your own abilities, King Drayce, you will not be able to silently bring Prince Arlan away without alarming me."

Drayce nodded. "I was thinking the same. The only thing we are sure of is that he willingly came to meet a black magic practitioner, but what they did to him or why he came on his own, we have no idea."

"Must be a big trouble if your friend is keeping silent," Yorian commented.

"I fear the same, and I need to get to the bottom of it whether he likes it or not."

Yorian could only agree to it. There was a silence for a while, and suddenly, Drayce spoke, "You can tell me what you came here for."

Yorian smiled. "Guess?" Drayce had an uncanny ability to read people.

Drayce put the work on his desk aside and leaned back in his chair. "I believe it's something about Oriana."

Yorian nodded. "I was worried about how to find a teacher for Oriana. After that war a century ago, more than half of the witch race in Agartha were decimated. There are hardly any witches left, much less the rarer Black Witches. 

"Most of them followed Zaria and hid themselves from the world, while the rest of them died while fighting against the coven led by your mother back then. When I left Agartha, I remember there were only less than twenty survivor Black Witches. Among them were mostly young Black Witches, basically apprentices themselves. There were only two senior witches with damaged cores, and I am not sure if both those ladies are still alive right now. One of them specialized purely on divination, while the other on taming familiars.

"Basically, among the good Black Witches, there is no qualified teacher powerful and knowledgeable enough who can teach the new Queen of Witches about witchcraft, and White Witches cannot teach her, not even your own mother. We need only a powerful Black Witch to teach her and there is none."

"None?" There was light smirk on Drayce's lips as if he had something in mind already.

"Hmm, none of the good ones are left," the elf emphasized, "but our smart young queen, Oriana, solved it on her own and saved us from worry. She had solved her life's most important problem with her own smartness and I must say with her recklessness."

The smirk on Drayce's lips widened as he listened to Yorian's account of what happened this morning. Though the elf was not privy to the exact conversation Rosetta and Oriana had, he could easily make a guess based on what he saw.

"She doesn't wait for anyone, does she?" Drayce idly tapped a finger on the desk as the corner of his lips curved in an amused smile. "Using the enemy to her own beniefit is not just smart but a bold move as well."

"She is pretty courageous, isn't she? The makings of a good queen," Yorian added.

Drayce nodded at what the elf said. "It should not come as a surprise as she is the kind willing to take risks. She even had the guts to negotiate terms with me, the King of Megaris who everyone fears. But she fears no one when it comes to achieving her goal. She had come this far on her own, without any support, all because of her goal-driven personality."

"She is indeed bold and reckless, and there is no success without risks. Her recklessness is her strength," Yorian added. "She will be trained really well under Zaria."

Drayce continued to idly tap a finger on the desk. "However, I'm still not comfortable with her decision. Is there a way we can ensure her safety?" 

"We have no other option than Zaria and we can not leave queen of witches without any knowledge of her powers," Yorian replied, "About your worry, Oriana should be safe for now. We know Zaria will not harm her. Instead, she will train her well to be able to use her in the future for her own gain. At this stage, Zaria Lynx will become the most dependable ally of the Queen of Witches. That woman will be even more concerned about Oriana's safety than we are. She will not dare harm the Queen herself."

Since Yorian was confident, Drayce also put his worries aside. "I wonder what Zaria asked Oriana in exchange for teaching her? From what you described before, Zaria is not even close to being generous."1

"I will try to probe, but I believe Oriana has handled it well," Yorian continued, "She is no naive girl. Whatever she must have offered in exchange, we have to trust Oriana and her decisions. Everyone has their own destiny and we can not be gods for everyone to protect them all the time. Odds are always there in the way to face for everyone."

Drayce nodded, "I agree with that."

"Also, unlike your proud and stubborn friend, Prince Arlan, Oriana has no qualms accepting her own ignorance and weaknesses—she knows how to ask for help when she needs it."

Drayce commented with an amused smile which was brought due to Oriana's boldness. "Arlan should learn from her."

"He should," Yorian agreed and chuckled. "They are a perfect match for each other."

Drayce didn't deny the claim.  "Isn't that a given? That is why they are destined to be mates, ones who complete each other."

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