Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

"Do you wish to visit the flower you own?" the Great Lady asked. 

It took a moment for Seren to realize what the Great Lady meant and she agreed, "Yes, Grandmother."

Seren assisted the old lady as they went towards the only plant that was kept isolated within the greenhouse. They had to climb a few stairs to reach the table in the middle of the platform, where a white clay pot held a single plant. 

The Great Lady smiled as she patted Seren's hand that was holding her arm. "I am sure that plant and its flower  missed you."

Seren blinked. "Can they truly feel emotions?"

"Of course, my dear. Even ordinary plants can feel if they are loved or if they bring joy to the ones around them. Plants are more sensitive than you think, and when the plant is divine like that one, they feel lots of emotions like that of a human child, especially the ones coming from their owner," the Great Lady explained. 

"So, it can feel all of my emotions," Seren concluded. 

Great Lady Theodora nodded as they reached the Ashrin plant. She admired the large red flower with petals appearing like tongues of flame. The golden swirl-like energy in its center seemed to pulsate, as if calling out in joy at Seren's arrival.

"Seeing the flower at its prettiest form, I believe these days you are nothing but happy." The Great Lady looked at Seren, her lips carrying a light teasing smile. "I also believe my grandson is the reason for your happiness."

Seren could not deny it, but she also could not boldly admit it. She simply lowered her head. Thankfully, her veil covered cheeks, and no one could see the pink blush spreading on her skin. 

The Great Lady didn't tease her anymore, not willing to embarrass the young queen who was new to everything happening in her life. She decided to change the topic of their conversation.

"Don't you have anything to ask after what you heard in the Obsidian Palace this morning?" the Great Lady asked. 

Though Seren wanted to ask many things about the incident, she did not expect the Great Lady to bring up the topic on her own. She wondered if the Great Lady could read her thoughts. 

Seeing her surprise, the Great Lady spoke, "I can guess it as any wife wants to know more about her husband, especially the things bothering him. It is normal to worry, and it is normal to care."

Seren nodded as she replied, "I do have a few questions to ask, Grandmother. You do not have to answer if you feel my questions are uncomfortable."

Great Lady Theodora touched the dainty petals of Ashrin flower that were emitting the energy and permitted Seren, "You can ask me anything you want, my dear."

Seren let out a shaky breath as she pondered which question to ask first. "His Excellency King Theron and my husband seem to not get along well. Can I ask what happened that soured their relationship?" 

"And why do you feel like their relationship has been soured?" the Great Lady asked idly, still playing with the petals of that single red flower. 

"King Theron told His Majesty that he is not his son and His Majesty retorted the same. We are royals, and we are all taught discipline and manners from an early age. Even so, it is rare to see anyone in a shouting match like that, much less to hear that kind of exchange. To disown your own son, only when a father is truly enraged would that happen."

"Though those words were said in anger, what they said is the truth," the Great Lady explained, which only puzzled Seren. 

"What do you mean, Grandmother?"

"My son, Theron, and my grandson, Drayce, they are not real father and son," Great Lady Theodora replied in a firm voice. There was no hesitation in her voice while saying it as if it didn't matter to her. "It is a secret of the Ivanov Royal Family, and it is only right that you are to be made aware of this as his wife."

Seren could only look at the old lady in shock. 

Drayce was not King Theron's son? He's the illegitimate son of the last queen? Then Drayce was a…

Amidst the turmoil of her mind, she heard the Great Lady continue, "It is the truth, Seren, but there is another truth​​​​—that Drayce will always be my grandson though we don't share the same blood."

"B-But…then..how…" Seren didn't know what exactly she should ask. 

If it was the previous time, when Seren only knew that a woman gets pregnant only after marrying a particular man, she would have refuted the Great Lady; since Queen Esther married King Theron, then Drayce must be their son. But now, Seren knew how babies were made,  and she could not come up to think how it happened. She felt scandalized, and wondered how something so improper happened towards Queen Esther, the very lady she heard nothing but good things about.

"Drayce's father is someone else and there is a long story behind it," the Great Lady said, but her tone implied that she had no will to tell that story. "I hope you are not disappointed to know that Drayce doesn't carry Ivanov's blood in his veins."

"It doesn't matter," Seren replied. To her, Drayce himself as a person was the only thing she cared for.  She married Drayce the person, not his title nor his name; everything else pales in importance. He was the only person who, despite being a stranger, cared for her more than her own family. He respected her wishes, treated her the best, and gave her the freedom she wanted all along.

"May I know who His Majesty's father is?" Seren asked. 

"He is someone we can't talk about," the Great Lady answered, shaking her head.. "Just know that my grandson's extraordinary powers came from Him, and He is capable of turning this entire world upside down."