The Devil's Cursed Witch

"I am sorry," Ember replied in a weak voice.

Erlos stared at her for a while and said, "Miss, why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong." His long ears twitched as he voiced out his frustration. "It should be me who should apologize. I should have warned you what kind of person she is beforehand. But you don't need to bother with her. She is nothing but a spoiled brat because Sire is her guardian."

Ember simply smiled at him to show her thanks, and just then, Clio and Reya appeared with the tea and snacks. When they saw Isa was not there, they felt instant relief.

"Miss, you should have tea to help improve your mood." Clio arranged tea for her on the balcony.

Erlos was ready to leave, "I shall excuse myself then."

"Wait," Ember stopped him. "Have a tea with me? They made more than enough for two people…"

Seeing her large innocent gaze, Erlos did not have the heart to refuse.

"Umm…perhaps, just a cup," Erlos agreed as he sat in the chair opposite hers.

Clio and Reya were about to remain standing on the side but Ember asked them to join them for tea.

Reya proceeded to serve the tea for everyone. After they each took a sip, she heard Ember ask, "Who exactly is Young Lady Isa? Why is she…"

The three elves glanced at each other, their eyes seemingly urging one another to answer Ember's question. In the end, Erlos cleared his throat. "She is…I guess she is like a little sister to the King? She grew up under Sire's care and spent most of her time here in the palace, though unlike me who helps the King, she acts like a princess and orders everyone around."

"And His Majesty doesn't say anything?" Ember asked.

Reya sneered at that, and Erlos continued to explain.

"Well, he's the sister of Sire's good friend who died in the last battle with the humans. The thing is, Isa became the King's ward because not just his friend but even her entire family  was killed back then. Her brother's dying will was for Sire to take care of his little sister, and Sire faithfully follow the words he had given to his friend," Erlos replied. "Not just Sire, this is also the case with Morpheus as well. Those two were good friends with Isa's brother, and thus, they treat her well, acting like a replacement to the family she lost."

"It is fine for her to keep ordering us around, but what we can't stand is her two-faced attitude," Reya complained.

"She seems to not like me." Ember could not understand her reason for acting like this with her when they didn't even know each other.

"It's because everyone thought she would be His Majesty's mate," Erlos sighed. "She has been the only female that His Majesty cherished. For the past century, only she was allowed to constantly be by his side."

Reya added, "Many people expect her to be the Queen of Agartha. Since her parents and brother were Nine-Tailed Foxes, they know she has the same potential to grow into one as well."

"She has all the qualifications that made people think she would become Sire's mate—her appearance, the purity of her bloodline, her relationship with Sire and what not."

"But Miss's sudden appearance changed the playing board. With His Majesty successfully marking you, it must be a shock not only for Young Lady Isa but also for everyone in the kingdom. She must be quite I don't know—brokenhearted?— since she had always looked up to His Majesty. This must be the reason she doesn't like you, Miss."

Ember understood. She finished her tea calmly and said, "I would like to rest."

For some odd reason, the entire incident had tired her out and she could not wait to rest.

Lying in the bed, Ember could not help but remember the words Isa said. She tried not to think about them, but she could not help herself from feeling hurt. Isa had successfully raised a doubt in her mind about her and Draven's relationship.

'I remember the council's words. They did mention about testing me and now I ended up being his mate… so did that mean His Majesty has no choice but to keep me here? I thought he marked me because he wanted me to stay. Since I have survived the test, is His Majesty forced to keep me here as his mate?"

Ember turned and tossed in bed.

'Does he not want to consummate the bond? Is that why he keeps asking me what I want on the night of the full moon? He doesn't love me so he would not want it, right? In those books I've read, the husbands all loved their wives.

"If His Majesty loved me, he would have told me about it but he never did. His attraction only happens due to the scent…

"Will that always be the case going forward?"

"Will he not love me ever?"

Ember felt like a huge rock weighed her chest.

'An unwanted mate,' she sighed. 'I have to answer his questions.'

But then, she remembered about Isa once again and how Morpheus took her with him.

'Not just His Majesty, but even Morph is so close to her and cares for her.'

Though he was helping her out of trouble earlier, Ember remembered how Morpheus called Isa affectionately.

Little fox

'I was so dumb. Though he is my only friend, that isn't the same with him.  Morpheus is so nice, so he must have other precious friends as well. Like Isa. He seems to be close with her as well, closer than me. I am the new one here and she is here for a long time. Obviously, compared to me, His Majesty and Draven would cherish her more.'

Sudden fear of loss engulfed her mind as she could not help but feel left out and didn't belong here.