The Devil's Cursed Witch

3 chapters

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After having tea on the balcony, Erlos immediately returned to his chores, but his mind was still on the confrontation between Ember and Isa. Fortunately, he could feel more at ease knowing that the cunning fox was currently outside the palace grounds and he could avoid seeing that two-faced vixen.

As soon as he finished his most urgent work, he decided he needed to speak to his master.

When Erlos entered the study of the King, Draven was looking at the map of the continent he personally created. Melion had just returned to him the original after making copies to give to their spies and scouts outside of Agartha. Draven was expecting to receive some news soon as his aide reported they had already gone beyond the southern mountain ranges.

In particular, Draven was looking at the largest kingdom on that other part of the continent--the Kingdom of Megaris.

"I wonder if you are still there," he mumbled as if he was remembering someone. "I hope you are doing well."

"Sire?" Erlos said in a little raised tone.

Draven didn't raise his head to look at him as if he had already expected such a reaction from his attendant and started rolling the map.

"Sire, did you know what happened?" By the tone of his question, it was easy to understand that Erlos was truly upset with the fox.

Draven stared at him, his red eyes emotionless as he nodded.

Erlos felt conflicted. "You know and yet you have no plans to intervene? Shouldn't you--"

But Draven cut him off. "She needs to learn to deal with such things on her own."

"On her own?" Erlos scoffed. "Miss doesn't know much about people."

"Then it's time for her to get to know about people and this is a good start."

"Must you truly do this, Sire?" Erlos sighed. He could not understand how his master's mind works. "When Isa used to cause troubles for me, you ignore it, and now she's making Miss upset, you are ignoring it as well. It seems that fox is more important to you than your mate, Sire."

A normal person wouldn't openly point out his master's fault, but Erlos was never the type to mince his words.

Still, that didn't mean Draven would let him question him like that.

"Erlos," he started, his voice dignified, "when I left you to deal with your problems on your own, didn't it help you to get strong? Didn't it help hone your character? Didn't you forget about the pain when you were busy fighting her?"

"Umm..." As Erlos thought about it and remembered those days, he could not deny it. "Well, that might be true but..."

"Ember is a good person, but kindness alone is not enough of quality for the future  Queen of this kingdom. She is naive and reckless and trusts too easily. Moreover, she is a human and she will have to go through so much--hate and criticism being some of them--as she comes across more people.

"My mate can't simply sit inside the palace all her life and be protected. If I stand by her side all the time, others won't dare say a word as they fear me. I don't want her to live in my shadows. She needs to hear all the criticism coming her way and deal with them on her own. She needs to gain the trust of others on her own and win the people who'll stay on her side to support her on her own.

"What this kingdom needs is a queen who has the trust and support of her people."

Erlos thought about it and realized Draven was not wrong. It was just a single Isa and how could she rule an entire kingdom if she couldn't even deal with one person? Moreover, they were in the palace, within the King's surveillance, so Draven could still go to Ember if a need arises.

What if in the future she had to go out and mingle among other races? What if she met supernatural beings who were more intimidating and more aggressive than that young cunning vixen? Would she have another Erlos who she could use as a shield? Would another Morpheus pop out to disperse the tension?

As a human who would be the Queen of Agartha, she wouldn't be able to avoid these kinds of situations. One day, she had to face them.

"You are right, Sire, but I still cannot help but worry--"

"Seems like she has already won your trust and support," Draven commented.

He had sent Erlos there on purpose and Erlos didn't fail him. The way he acted to defend Ember and stood in front of Isa to protect Ember, he was satisfied by the outcome.

"I am but a single person, a young elf. How much can it help her?"

"Don't underestimate yourself. You are a High Elf with the purest bloodline. One day, you will understand your true power, the reason why other elves are unable to raise their heads in front of your clan."

Erlos felt glad to hear it though he didn't think he was strong enough to fit Draven's narrative. There were countless other supernatural beings of his age who were stronger than him, just like Isa of the Divine Fox Clan.

"I am not sure how but I will always protect Miss when she is in any kind of danger," Erlos assured his master.

Draven nodded slightly as he put the map in his hand back on the shelves.

Erlos had more to say. "Sire? Back when Isa offended the Miss, I think she felt anger and there was a strange fluctuation in the air around her."

Draven turned to him without a change in his expression.

The young elf continued, "It was not just strong--it was terrifying. It was as if it would just destroy everything around her at a moment's notice."

Draven once again nodded. "We will get answers soon."

Erlos understood that his master would no longer say more on the matter and excused himself to resume his work.

Draven was not surprised to sense Ember's powers this time.

Back in his dreams, he had seen the woman with emerald green eyes use a flame that seemed to be destruction personified. With that as reference, Ember's current power, though much stronger than what he had felt before, was within the range of his understanding. He could relate it to her being angry this time.

Last time, it was because she was trying to forcefully use her powers, and this time, she was not trying to use her powers but it reacted to her sudden change in emotions-- anger.

An anger seeking to harm another.

Vengeance! Her soul is tainted with vengeance.

She is not what she seems.