The Devil's Cursed Witch

After they returned to the main chamber from the side chamber, Ember noticed the familiar red flowers that were now kept in a vase instead of wrapped with a ribbon.

'The bouquet, I wasn't holding it when I entered my chamber. I even forgot where I lost them.'

Reya noticed Ember's gaze and answered, "Miss, you happened to drop them at the palace entrance when you left with His Majesty in a hurry. I brought them back." She said all these with an expectant beam, as if she was asking to be praised.

'Left in a hurry? Who? I was brought here without my knowledge.'

"Miss, His Majesty sure is a good mate. Today His Majesty did everything for you a male should do for his female."

"Yes, Miss. We are so happy for you."

Ember heard them and thought the same. 'He sure did everything.'

Her servants arranged a small meal for her inside her chamber, but she had no appetite due to all those disturbing thoughts and ate a little.

"Miss, you ate almost nothing."

"The trip outside exhausted me, and all I want to do is rest," was all she could say.

"Have this tea perhaps? It will help your mind relax," Clio offered.

Ember accepted as it was what she needed at this moment and asked her servants to leave her alone as she wished to rest.

As the night started to deepen, the round shape of the moon shone brighter in contrast, and each passing moment felt like sweet torture to Ember. Her body had started to react differently, hot and wanting for something to make it feel better. She curled in bed, tightly holding her folded knees. At this point, she had thrown away the blanket that was covering her.

Despite the cold weather, she was feeling so hot beads of sweat had started to form on her skin.

'What is happening with me? Am I sick?'

She clutched onto the bedsheet as if it would ease that unknown pain she was feeling. 'It's just I am so exhausted. Once I rest, I will be fine,' she consoled herself.

The entire night went by with Ember struggling to sleep, and sleep came to her only around the crack of dawn.

When her servants entered her chamber about an hour after the sun rose, they found her still sleeping. Thinking she was still recovering from playing too much at the city of the White Tigers, no one woke her up and the elves left the chamber to let her continue her rest.

Ember woke up just before noon. She sluggishly looked around her chamber that was brightened by strong sunlight. With a yawn, she sat up in the bed and pressed her hand against her heart.

'It feels fine now. My entire body seems alright.' She sighed in relief. 'I was exhausted, that's it.' After a good stretch, she happily stepped out of the bed. 'Nothing is wrong with my body.'

She recalled something and realized, 'So he didn't come to me. He kept his words.'

After a while, her servants arrived to check on her.

"Oh, Miss! You are awake? Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes. Thank you for letting me sleep in."

"Why are you thanking us for something like that? Anyway, shall we get you ready?"

"Yes, please."

As the elves helped her out of her nightwear and into a comfortable dress, they chatted about the things they did yesterday at Nimer, somewhat passing jokes about the things they observed.

"Oh, Miss, by the way, Elder Leeora has arrived at the palace to check on the burnt trees," Clio infomed while applying light pink pigment to her lips.

"Elder is here?"

"Yes. She arrived about an hour ago. She asked about you but you were sleeping so she didn't disturb you."

Ember's eyes widened. "Is she still in the garden?"

"Not sure. I think she must be leaving or must have already left?"

Ember immediately stood up. "Maybe I can still

"Miss, your lips...."

Ember didn't hear that as she had run out of her chamber, holding the skirt of her ankle-length dress as she hurried. All the servants she had passed wondered what must have happened.

The human girl was gasping for air by the time she reached the rear garden of the palace.

"E-Excuse me," she called out one of the servants nearby as she tried to catch her breath. "Elder Leeora. Where is she?"

The servant bowed. "Last I saw the High Elder, she is headed for the King's study, Miss."

Ember was about to take a step in the direction of the study when she recalled something, causing her to stop.

'His Majesty asked me to not come in front of him unless...What should I do? I really want to meet the Elder.'

She didn't think much and ran towards the King's study. As she entered the hallway leading to the study, she came across Draven which made her stop running. Even before she could bump into him this time, she was stopped by the strong hold of his hands at her shoulder.

However, despite this, his senses were filled by her sweet scent.

"Elder...Elder Leeora, is she in your study?" she asked with a gulp.

He shook his head quietly and looked at her lips where the pink pigment applied to her lips had smeared on the corner of her lip towards her cheek. It happened when she suddenly stood up while Clio was applying it.

"Has she already left?" Ember asked.

"She is with Erlos. You will find them at the end of the hallway."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." She bowed and was about to leave but he stopped her.

"Wait."

Ember turned around to look at him and found him looking at her lips. Under her puzzled gaze, he moved his hand towards her face and wiped that smeared lip colour.

She simply let him do as he pleased while holding her breath.

He made sure everything was fine and said, "You can go now."

Ember nodded and left to meet Leeora while Draven looked at the fingertips of his glove-covered fingers. The black glove was stained with pink colour but he didn't mind it and looked in the direction where she had run.

'So careless to run like this without caring to fall down and hurt herself.'