Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

Leaving the tower, Erich Winfield straightway went to king Armen. He had to get answers to a few more things from King Armen and he could not wait anymore. 

Erich Winfield had seen Martha during the wedding ceremony of the Third Princess and he was waiting for it to be over so he could talk to her. 

Lord Eudes entered King Armen's study where Cian still accompanied his father. 

"Your Majesty, Physician Erich Winfield seeks an audience."

King Armen nodded. Lord Eudes left and King Armen looked at his son, "You should rest now."

Cian understood his father didn't want him to be there when Erich Winfield would talk with him. He bowed lightly and left as the old Physician entered the study.

As if King Armen already guessed why Erich Winfield was there, he was calm and waited for him to talk. He was sure his companion from the past wouldn't be so calm after he met Martha.

Erich Winfield stood facing King Arman and jumped to the point, "Why didn't you tell me Celia was with you all these years. When I asked you that day, why did you lie to me saying she is not in the palace?"

"I said there is no person named Celia Woss," King Armen replied.

Erich Winfield looked at him in disbelief. He thought when he will go to King Armen and question him about why he lied, he would feel guilty but there was no stress of guilt on his face.

"Valen, you have always been so selfish. You only think about yourself and not others. Back then you were selfish because of Sierra and now because of your daughter. But what about others? You are king, you have a family but what about me? You took away the only person I had and even hid her. I understand your reason for protecting your daughter but don't you feel even a bit guilty towards me? When I asked you a few days back, why didn't you tell me she is here? Why?" Erich Winfield asked as he raised his voice. Didn't matter to him if the person in front of him was the king of this kingdom where he was standing at the moment.

"Because she didn't wish me to tell you or anyone," King Armen replied calmly to Erich Winfield's outrage.

"She didn't want but you could have still told me. I spent all these years wandering here and there hoping to find her one day. Do you even understand what I have gone through all these years?" Erich Winfield could only be angrier over the lack of remorse from King Armen.

"I understand," King Armen said, "Seventeen years back when she came to the palace just the day after Seren came here, she asked me to not let anyone know her true identity. She changed her name and said she has nothing to do with her previous name. She only asked me for one thing and that was to hide her identity. I couldn't go back on my words that I assured her. I owe her more than anyone I owe in this lifetime."

"Still Valen, you should have…." Erich Winfield stopped as he turned emotional. "So many years passed by."

Seeing him emotional, King Armen felt bad. "That day when you asked me, I wanted to tell you. For the first time I wished to go back on my words but she was not in the palace. I didn't know where she was gone and if she would ever return. I didn't want to break your heart if I had told you she was here but you missed the chance to see her. You would have been hurt," King Armen explained, hoping his friend would be calm. 

Erich Winfield calmed himself down and spoke after a short pause, "This time I am taking her with me. I finally found her and I don't wish to let her go."

"If she wishes to," King Armen agreed.

"I will be leaving in a while," Erich Winfield informed. 

"Where do you plan to stay?" King Armen asked, "I can help you with…."

"No need! Though you are a king, I am not a beggar," Erich Winfield countered. 

"It's for Martha's...Celia's sake," King Armen corrected.

"I can take care of her on my own."

"As you wish, but if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come to me," King Armen offered.

He knew how prideful Erich Winfield was so there was no use in insisting on him. Moreover, king Armen really wished Martha and Erich Winfield to be together. The guilt he had for unintentionally separating two people, would never lesson despite whatever he did. 

-----

Martha came to visit King Armen before she would leave the palace. 

Martha bowed to him, "Your Majesty, thank you for letting me stay here for so many years. But I would like to take my leave now."

King Armen looked at the woman who stood in front of him with her head bowed. This woman selflessly sacrificed so many things in life just to protect his daughter and never ever complained. Even if she did, then it was all related to Seren and to her well-being. How can someone be so selfless and devoted to the words once they had promised someone? King Armen could feel nothing but only respect for her in his heart.

"I am thankful to you for looking after Seren for so many years and taking care of her like a mother. Whatever I do or give it to you, it would never be enough to return how much I owe you. Still, in return for everything, you can ask me anything and I will fulfill that wish."

There was a pause for a moment and Martha looked at King Armen, "I wish Your Majesty to show his fatherly love to his daughter when she will meet her father. I wish you to let her know how much her father loved her that she is not aware of. I wish you would tell her the reason why you always pushed her away and could never show her all that affection openly."

Though King Armen had stern expressions on his face, his eyes wavered with the words from Martha. Though he acted cold, it was the truth that every time it hurt him more than it hurt Seren. What an unfortunate father he was for not being able to show his daughter how precious she was to him but instead he made her hate him only. 

Martha kept looking at King Armen who looked in a daze after what she said. From his eyes, she knew what was going in his mind and she could only feel sad for this father.

"Your Majesty, that is the only wish I have," she repeated.

It pulled King Armen out of the daze and he looked at her. This woman, even when she was leaving, she was only thinking about lessening his daughter's pain. 

"I will," he finally agreed.

"I will take a leave then," she said and King Armen agreed. 

-------

Martha and Erich Winfield were ready to leave with two apprentices. 

Sir Berolt came to Erich Winfield, "His Majesty has asked me to arrange the horse carriage for you to travel comfortably. He wishes you to accept at least this much." 

Erich Winfield looked at the hurt woman beside him and he decided to accept it for her sake at least.

"Tell your king that we are grateful." Still, there was no politeness in the way Erich Winfield talked about King Armen. Though Sir Berolt didn't like it, he was used to hearing it from him now. 

There were two horse carriages waiting for them. They got into the carriage and left the palace.

------

Sir Berolt returned to King Armen after Erich Winfield and Martha left. 

"Did it go well?" King Armen asked.

Sir Berolt nodded, "He accepted it."

King Armen felt relieved and instructed, " As I told you before, keep someone around them and take care of their needs without letting them know."

"Understood, Your Majesty!"