After the conclusion of the second day of the conference, Drayce and An made a decision to explore the city, aiming to create a better experience for Seren, who had endured a harrowing attack by wizards the day before.


    As they settled into the carriage, Seren voiced her wish, "I wish brother Cian could join us."


    "He''s preupied with important matters to attend to," Drayce replied.


    Seren''s expression shifted with concern. "His hand is injured, and yet he ventures into foreignnds for investigation."


    "He''s under the protection of Queen Niobe, his mother. There''s no need for concern," Drayce reassured.


    Seren regarded him with surprise, prompting Drayce to borate, "Queen Niobe isn''t merely a figurehead; she wields considerable power. Once the beloved princess of this kingdom and the daughter of the previous King, she still exerts influence here andmands formidable allies. Despite residing in Abetha, she holds sway over political affairs in Othinia.


    Her top priority is safeguarding her son, and anyone foolish enough to threaten him invites their own demise."


    "Is her influence truly that significant?" Seren interjected.


    Drayce affirmed with a nod, "Even under King Armen''s watch, she remains a formidable force. Your father, the King, finds himself powerless against her sway in the royal court of Abetha."


    "I''ve always sensed her strength, but I hadn''t grasped its full extent," Oriana admitted.


    "She''s a shrewd political operator, capable of foreseeing the continent''s future. Unlike other queens content with familial bliss, she harbors ambitions. Undoubtedly, she has high expectations for her son and has invested heavily in his upbringing. Though Prince Cian isn''t her biological child, he''s inherited her qualities, poised to be a formidable leader of Abetha.


    He''s more than capable of defending himself," Drayce remarked.


    "You hold Queen Niobe in high regard," Seren observed.


    "If not for her past transgressions against you, I would have respected her without reservation," Drayce admitted.


    "That''s all behind us now. Everything is well," Seren replied. "I harbor no ill will toward her, and neither should you. I''m grateful for the love and care she bestows upon my brother. Hearing about her from you, I realize there are admirable traits to learn from her."


    "Hmm," Drayce acknowledged with a thoughtful nod.


    ----


    Meanwhile, Cian had ventured into the forest with a select few trained knights. Acting on a lead, they had discovered that a significant quantity of banned herbs was being smuggled through a hidden passage in the forest, destined to be loaded onto ships and transported via waterways.


    His party remained concealed in the forest at a secret location, keeping a vignt watch for any signs of activity that could lead them to the source of the illicit herbs.


    "Stay cautious," Cian warned his knights. "We cannot afford to lose them today."


    "Yes, Your Highness. They should be arriving soon," Eliot affirmed. "Our intelligence seems reliable this time. We''ll apprehend them and gather all the necessary information."


    Time passed, but there was no sign of the smugglers using the secret passage through the forest.


    "They should have arrived by now," Eliot remarked, exchanging a concerned nce with his subordinate.


    "Captain, I''ll investigate," one of the knights volunteered. Before he could depart, another scout arrived with urgent news.


    "Captain, the smugglers are under attack by an unknown group," the scout reported.


    "What?" Eliot eximed, while Cian approached the scout. "Where?"


    "Not far from here, just beyond that small wooden bridge we crossed earlier," the scout informed.


    "Who are these attackers?" Cian inquired.


    "It''s uncertain, Your Highness. They could be bandits or simply opportunistic robbers targeting unsuspecting travelers," the scout replied.


    "This secret passage is not meant for such encounters," Cian mused. "All of you, remain here. Eliot and I will investigate."


    "Yes, Your Highness," the knights acknowledged in unison.


    Cian and Eliot followed the spy, who led them to the scene of the confrontation. There, they witnessed a group of mysterious assants mercilessly ughtering the smugglers. These individuals wore dark clothing and obscured their faces with cloth, revealing only their eyes.


    "Their swordsmanship is remarkable, reminiscent of the rigorous training in traditional Othinian styles," Cian remarked.


    "They''re definitely not your run-of-the-mill robbers," Eliot concurred. "They seem to belong to someone with considerable influence tomand such skilled operatives."


    "We''ll observe and assess the situation," Cian decided, and they continued to monitor the events unfolding before them.


    After dispatching all the smugglers, a tall swordman approached a particr figure,pared smaller to him and addressed them, "Leader, we''ve eliminated everyst one of them."


    "Hmm. Secure the carriages and burn the herbs. Ensure nothing remains," the leader, whose voice revealed her gender,manded, her words reaching Cian and Eliot''s ears.


    "A woman?" Cian and Eliot uttered simultaneously, exchanging puzzled nces with the spy, who mirrored their confusion. "A woman... leading them?"


    Cian''s gaze lingered on the departing leader as she mounted her horse, the group setting off with the carriagesden with herbs.


    "They''re intent on destroying the herbs, indicating opposition to their use," Eliot observed. "But who would dare defy the King of Othinia, who openly supports this smuggling?"


    Cian pondered the same question. "Someone formidable, unafraid of the King''s power."


    "Your Highness, if our goals align, they could be valuable allies," Eliot suggested.


    "Not yet. Let''s observe for now," Cian replied, turning to the spy. "Follow them discreetly and report back their whereabouts."


    As the spy departed, Cian and Eliot approached the fallen bodies. "Check for survivors and examine their attire," Cian instructed, beginning his own examination.


    "In typical circumstances, one would capture them alive for interrogation to uncover the main source," Eliot remarked, continuing his task.


    "Unless they''ve attempted it before and found no answers. They dispatched them swiftly, suggesting familiarity with such raids and opting to eliminate all witnesses, taking only the herbs to destroy," Cian surmised.


    They returned to others and Cian instructed them on what to do before leaving.


    Riding the horses, Cian didn''t take turn to the city instead the opposite direction.


    "Your Highness, are we not retuning to pce?" Eliot asked, willing to know what his liege nned so he couldbe prepared.


    "We will, but before that I wish to visit certain ce," they rode ahead and Eliot realised Cian was riding towards the ce from the day before by the hillside where they were waiting for their spy.


    They reached the ce where like the day before, no one was present. Cian as if expecting something, his gaze wandered around but there was no sign of anyone.


    Eliot observed his gaze and looked around as well but there was no sign of anyone. He didn''t dare ask anything either.


    "Let''s go back," Cian said and turned his horse to return to the city.