"If you want, you can always talk to Father," Cian commented.

"Huh?" It pulled her attention back to her brother, her eyes showing insecurity. She shook her head. "There is no need."

"He is our father. You don't have to be hesitant with him."

Seren looked down, not saying anything.

Cian squeezed the hand he was holding as he spun her around. "What is stopping you from voicing what you want?"

The young queen glanced up, her eyes slightly moist. "I'm…scared…"

"Just do as you feel right. There is nothing to fear. Our father, he will welcome you with open arms. Trust me when I say he cared for you, he always has. Just that he could not show it openly."

"Why? Why could he not?" she asked, her voice cracking.

Cian noticed and didn't want her to cry, "Shall we have a chat once this is over? I don't think this is the best time to talk about matters of the heart. People will think I bullied you when they see the Queen of Megaris crying while dancing with me."

"I won't cry, and even if I do, I don't care if they see me."

He chuckled. "Do you want them to think I mistreated you? Worse, maybe they will gossip that your husband mistreated you and you are crying, venting out with your brother."

She immediately shook her head. "Fine, we will talk after this."

Time passed by as everyone enjoyed the music and food. Drayce and Seren stood next to each other near one of the food tables, watching others dance. Prince Cian was currently dancing with Queen Niobe and both looked happy together.

As Seren stared at the blond woman, she realized she hardly ever saw this woman smiling.

The way she smiled at Cian, it was genuine, her gaze filled with motherly love. Like Seren, Cian was also Niobe's stepchild, yet no one would question how the Queen of Abetha doted on his only son.

Back then, Seren wondered why this woman treated her differently, but then…as the truths were unfolding and she herself was now someone's wife, she felt like she could understand Niobe.

When Niobe joined the royal harem, she was aware the King loved the first queen. She was willing to take a step back, wanting to earn his love. As Armen's second woman, she accepted Cian as her own and even gave birth to two daughters. Her family was perfect.

One could only imagine how painful it was for Niobe to learn later that her husband had an unknown mistress. He even acknowledged the illegitimate child he had with her. To her, Seren represented a danger that could ruin her perfect family's happiness.

"...my Queen."

Seren gave Drayce a blank look. She was lost in another world and did not realize he was speaking with her.

Drayce tilted his head in the direction of the King of Abetha. "I was saying, the next music is the last dance music the orchestra will play for tonight. I believe you have another person in mind to be your partner for the final dance."

Seren had already left his side even before Drayce could finish his sentence. His red eyes were filled with gentleness as he watched his wife bravely face her fears on her own.

The young queen stood in front of her father who was taken back when she came for him. "Seren, I hope you enjoyed—"

"Can I dance with you….Your Majesty?" Once again, she could not come up to call him father.

The middle-aged man was shocked, but he immediately recovered his senses. A smile of pure joy painted itself on his lips, the kind that Seren had never seen before. It was as if till date, this was the first real smile she had seen him make.

"Shouldn't it be the other way around?" he said and offered her his hand. "May I have the pleasure of dancing with the most dazzling woman in this ball?"

Seren's hand was cold, but when she placed it on his palm, she felt tender warmth blooming inside her, causing her eyes to turn moist. The pair of father and daughter walked towards the dance floor and they had their first dance together.

Many people in the crowd were stunned. It was their first time seeing King Armen dancing with Seren.

Cian and Niobe had just finished dancing and were walking towards the refreshments table. When he noticed the pair, Cian could not help but smile at the touching scene. He noticed his mother was looking at them as well, her gaze neutral like always, not letting anyone guess what she was thinking.

"Mother, if you keep staring at them like that, people will misunderstand you due to your poker face. At times like this, it is best you honestly show what you are feeling," he commented. "I know you are happy for father."

She simply glanced at her son, her expression still impassive. "As long as he is happy." She said nothing further and simply took a sip of wine.

She was guilty for acting cold towards her husband all these years since the moment Seren arrived at the palace, but she could not be blamed—he was the one who changed her like this. Deep in her heart, she didn't truly hate Armen, and neither did she hate Seren. She was just… jealous. If only he had been more honest to her, it would have been difficult, but she would have accepted how much he loved his other woman and her daughter.

No matter how much she tried to deny it, she loved this man, and her feelings would always be the same even if loving him caused her pain.

The last dance of the day was over, Armen and Seren bowed to each other like a good dance partners. 𝚋𝚎𝚍ｎ𝚘ｖ𝚎𝚕.𝚗𝚎𝚝

"You dance really well, Seren," he praised.

"Thank you,...Your Majesty."

King Armen brought her to Drayce and left them alone.

Drayce held her hand which was shivering after what she did. It took her a lot of courage to go to her father.

"You did well, my Queen," and continued to calm her.