<h4>Chapter 144: Last Day In Abetha</h4>


    When King Armen''s and Cian''s arrival was announced, both Seren and Martha stood up to politely receive them.


    "How are you?" King Armen asked as he stood in front of Seren.


    Though Seren was upset with her father, she could not disrespect the King of Abetha. When she replied, she didn''t look at him, keeping her gaze fixed on the marble floor. "I am fine, Your Majesty."


    "Won''t you even look at me?" King Armen asked.


    "This subject dare not disrespect? Your Majesty by looking into your eyes," she replied.


    His voice softened. "I am here as your father."


    "Sincere apologies, but I am not sure what Your Majesty is referring to," she said coldly, still refusing to look at him.


    King Armen silently stared at his youngest daughter. That head full of long red-brown hair, that small fragile body… He closed his eyes for a moment, and nobody saw the chaotic emotions he hid behind his calm mask. "I understand."."


    Though King Armen seemingly treated her like a cold and stern man, inside he was truly hurting. He was used to acting like an indifferent father in front of her so that she would never demand him to let her free and would always be wary in front of him. All these years, he had steeled his heart to never show her the affection of a father as he was afraid of being soft with her. He was worried, always worried, that the smallest mistake would put her into danger.


    Now, he was reaping what he had sown. Though he wanted to show her his true feelings, it was toote and she would never ept his affection. However, his youngest daughter was leaving, and with the hatred in her heart, she might never wish to return again. This might be thest time he would ever get to say these words.


    "Seren, my daughter," he started with a hoarse voice, "I apologize for what you have gone through all these years but it was always to protect you. I am not asking you to forgive me but just remember if you face any difficulty, your father and brother are always here."


    Without waiting for her response, King Armen left. Though Cian sympathized with their father, he knew that he could not meddle between the rtionship of King Armen and Seren. He simply talked with his sister about other random stuff before bidding her farewell.


    As soon as he''s gone, Seren turned to look outside of the window and stayed silent for a long time.


    "What is mydy thinking?" Martha asked Seren who was looking at the dark starry sky.


    "This is thest night I am spending here," Seren answered with a soft voice. A strange emotion appeared in her eyes. "Not like I love this ce but it''s better than an unknown ce and people that I have never seen."


    "A new ce means a new beginning, mydy. Do not fret. The King of Megaris will take care of you," Martha assured.


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    Drayce had just finished talking to King Armen and Queen Niobe about the next day''s wedding rituals. An apanied him when he returned to his chamber. Just as they settled on their chairs a knight entered and informed Drayce, "Your Majesty, the things we have asked from the Megaris have arrived. Shall we bring them in?"


    Drayce permitted them to enter and several knights brought two heavy wooden trunks inside Drayce''s bedchamber. They opened it for Drayce to check stuff inside.


    "Someone is ready to show his love for his queen," Anmented while curiously looking into those boxes.


    Drayce went through everything and nodded in satisfaction. He then pulled out one small exquisitely carved wooden box from the contents and instructed one of the knights, "Hand this to the Third Princess and inform her that she must wear this as part of her wedding regalia."


    The knights left with those two boxes and Drayce kept that small wooden box on the bedside table.


    "This belongs to…?" An asked as he eyed the box.


    "My mother," Drayce answered.


    An had nothing else to say about it aside from a fewforting words, "You are doing the right thing."


    Drayce did not say anything in response, and a sudden heavy silence apanied the two. Whenever it was about Drayce''s mother, things always turned quiet. Drayce tended to lose himself in his memories while An respected his friend''s privacy.


    --------


    The knights from Megaris were quick to head to their future queen''s lodging, carrying those boxes. When they knocked on her door, Martha attended to them.


    "We greet Her Highness Princess Seren," one of them spoke politely. "Apologies for intruding at thiste hour. The King of Megaris had sent wedding gifts for Her Highness."


    Martha permitted the knights from Megaris to enter the bedchamber and they carried those huge wooden trunks inside. However, the knights did not stay long and quickly asked to be excused.


    As soon as they''re gone, Martha opened those two boxes and Seren apanied her to see what they contained. Though she was not interested in receiving wedding gifts, the young girl inside her was curious to know what it was. She had never seen nor heard before what people normally sent for weddings as she had never attended nor participated in any such rituals. Her experiences mostly involved simple attendance on the wedding day itself, marking her presence among the royals witnessing the ceremony itself, not even staying long enough to enjoy the banquet after.


    The two boxes had various kinds of jewelry, all made of precious and rare gems.


    Seren nced at them from a distance and said, "You can close them, Martha."


    Martha did so and Seren sighed, "I would like to rest."


    Martha helped Seren into her nightgown and settled in her bed, covering her with the nket. Without another word, Seren closed her eyes, not knowing how the next day would change her life.


    ''Will she be a prisoner like in Abetha or will get to live a free life?''