The Devil's Cursed Witch

Ember's gaze was only on Draven. Just as they reached each other, her senses were suddenly brought back to reality when she heard the man next to her mate speak while bowing to her.

"Etorn from the White Tiger Clan greets His Majesty's mate."

"Uhm, nice to meet you, Sir Etorn."

Ember didn't know how to respond so she simply offered a light courteous smile. She subtly glanced at Draven, silently asking if her response was proper, but the King had no change in his expression. His gaze was simply fixed at his mate.

The man with white hair, despite looking to be in his mid-thirties, straightened his bulky body. He was wearing clothes made of animal hide with a pattern of black long patches on wide cloth which resembled white tigers' appearance- an opened front waistcoat, a knee-length long skirt which was secured with a leather belt and boots.

"I am honoured to be in your presence. I came here to invite His Majesty and you to attend the festival in our clan's city. His Majesty was saying that the decision is yours to make, that was why I sought your audience, my lady. I believe you will enjoy it."

Ember didn't know what to say and moved her gaze towards Draven once more. She wondered if what the man said was true, that the decision was hers to make.

Understanding what her gaze meant, Draven spoke, "If you wish to go, I can take you there."

For a moment, Ember felt she heard it wrong but then got back to her senses. "I wish to go!"

Draven nodded and then looked at Etorn. "We will be there."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. The elders will be pleased and honored to receive you. I will take my leave then to bring back the good news." The white-haired man bowed to both of them before leaving.

Draven looked at Ember. "We will leave at noon."

Ember nodded and Draven turned to leave, but she stopped him. "Your Majesty, wait!"

Her mate silently gazed at her, waiting for her to speak.

She let out a shaky breath as she looked up. "Thank you for giving my jade pendant back to me."

"Don't lose it again," was all he said.

"I won't."

Awkward silence enveloped the two. It was Draven who broke the silence.

"Anything else?"

As he asked, she felt caught off guard and quickly shook her head. Only then did Draven turn around to leave.

Ember sighed in relief. Though brief, she confirmed once more how hard it was to communicate with the King. She understood the reason why he refused to stay close to her, but she could not help but wonder if it was all right for their conversations to remain stiff and awkward like this.

-----

As soon as they returned to Ember's chamber, Clio and Reya hurried towards her wardrobe, excited to prepare Ember for her first outing with the King.

"There is no need to hurry. We still have hours till noon--"

"No, Miss! Not 'we still have'. It's 'we only have'! We need to make you look lovelier than usual!"

"Yes, please let us dress you well. Your outfit must be comfortable yet pretty since it will be your first time being seen in public with His Majesty."

The two elves continued to match the clothes inside her side chamber, arguing and giggling as they paired the dresses with the different boots inside the shelves. Ember simply watched them since they looked like they were enjoying themselves.

Reya then remarked, "See, Miss? We told you every male takes his mate out for the festival, but you didn't believe us."

"I am really happy for you, Miss. When His Majesty said you two will attend the festival, I almost gasped in happiness."

"Right? It was surprising. Who would have guessed? His Majesty is also like the other males who show how they care--no, love their mate!"

Ember, who was standing in front of the mirror, found her cheeks turning red as she heard her servants.

'I know he cares for me but...love? Does he?'

Just then, they heard a knock on the door and a short blue-haired elf entered the chamber. "Good day, Miss. I think that red dress suits you better. You'll look like a rose."

Ember was grateful her arrival caused her two servants to stop pushing clothes towards her. The red dress was already the fifth or the sixth combination they were trying on her. "What brings you here, Yula?"

Yula then looked at the two young servants. "I came to make sure both Clio and Reya know they're going outside with you. You two will be accompanying Miss. Make sure to take care of her and do not leave her side."

"Us? Are we going?"

"Isn't His Majesty taking Miss out for the festival?"

Ember suddenly felt betrayed. 'He clearly said he will take me out.'

She heard Yula continue, "Of course, His Majesty is accompanying Miss, but you two have to go as well. If you do not want, the others can replace--"

"No, Dame! We are very honored to have this chance!"

"We will serve Miss with utmost care!"

One second, the two servants felt bad for their master, the next they were excited to go outside and play at the festival.

Several minutes before noon, Ember came out to the front yard of the palace with her servants, all three of them clad in comfortable casual dresses made of lightweight fabric.

Outside the entrance, she spied several horses loitering along with the people. Erlos together with some other servants were tending to the horses. Draven was there as well, standing next to a beautiful black stallion and was caressing its long mane. The horse had his head lowered, looking like he was enjoying the petting.

Ember had a scary thought as to why the horses were there.

'Don't tell me I have to ride a horse?!'

She gulped and looked at those handsome horses even taller than her. Perhaps because they were horses raised in the wild, their sizes were larger than the domesticated ones used by humans.

To her, they looked beautiful but dangerous.

'Sitting on Lusca was easy as he was fluffy and small like a pony but a horse...?'

Just as her mind blanked, she heard her servants talking as if this was expected.

"I want the one with chestnut fur and the black mane."

"I will take the dapple gray one."

Hearing her fear come true, Ember gulped once more and gazed at those large creatures. If it weren't for her servants, she might have frozen in place and been unable to approach.

As she stepped forward, an image seemingly flashed in front of her eyes--she could see herself falling down the horse and embarrassing herself in front of Draven once again.

'Ahh! No! He already believes I am clumsy, and this will only solidify that belief. I don't know how to ride a horse and since this will be my first time--ah! He will again get a chance to look down on me!'

Frightened by her own thoughts, she soon reached the horses where Erlos greeted her with a pleasant smile. Draven glanced at her pale face. It was as if his sharp gaze could see through her, Ember averted her gaze which was full of panic and fear.