The Devil's Cursed Witch

Leeora understood that Midnight was here as a messenger from the King, otherwise, the owl would not try to fight with the tree spirit. “Midnight, go to my house.”

Upon hearing it, Midnight stopped and turned towards the tree house on the other side of the hanging bridge. Leeora followed him back to her home and received the message that the King would visit Ronan soon.

Last time, he appeared without any announcement, causing alarm among the elves, but they were able to excuse his arrival because of Erlos, but this time he preferred to do it through the proper means.

Midnight conveyed Draven’s message that he would be visiting her house in a while. There was no need for written messages, as it was an innate ability of an elf to communicate with animals.

“Sire will be arriving within the day?” Leeora repeated what Midnight said to her to which the owl nodded his head.

“Let him know I have received his message,” Leeora said, and just then, there was a knock on Leeora’s door. Leeora opened the door by using her powers and she was greeted by the appearance of someone who seemed to be becoming her frequent guest. A red-haired beauty, the Head of the Witches, was standing outside her door.

“Lady Cornelia!” Leeora said in surprise as she was not aware of her arrival. “Please, come inside.”

As soon as she was seated, Lady Cornelia offered a pleasant smile to Leeora. “Seems like Elder Leeora has not been informed of my arrival. As expected of His Majesty.”

“Did Sire invite you here, Lady Cornelia?” Leeora asked, but it was more like she was merely confirming a suspicion. As the leaders of their kind, it was uncommon for people of their status to leave their respective territories.

Lady Cornelia nodded. “I believe His Majesty has something important to talk about with us regarding the council meeting that will be held tomorrow.”

“Looks like it but he could have summoned us to visit him in the palace. Why is he coming here personally?”

“As it’s about that human girl, he must want to meet her in person before making any decision about her.”

“That makes sense,” Leeora agreed but she still had many questions in her mind. “I will inform Ember about the King’s arrival so she won’t be surprised to see him. Please enjoy this tea I just brewed. You can make yourself comfortable in my house. I will return soon.”

Cornelia simply nodded as Leeora headed back to the house next door.

——-

After Leeora stepped out of her house, Ember found herself softly smiling as she looked at her hair in front of the mirror. Her heart was warmed to meet someone like Leeora, who seemed to care for her like Gaia. However, she soon returned to looking outside the window from her favourite spot.

She was watching the lively street below when something seemed to catch her eyes. For some odd reason, she found herself staring at the distant palace, and she saw a familiar streak of energy seemingly leaving that place. She recognized it right away.

‘I-Is he coming here again?’

She found herself gulping as her body became covered in goosebumps. She didn’t know if it was her imagination or not, but it was as if her stitched wound was aching worse than usual. She almost jumped out of her seat when she heard the knock on her door. Subconsciously, her body shrunk back towards the window until she heard the familiar female voice.

“Ember, I am coming in.”

‘It’s not him.’ Ember felt she could breathe finally when it was Leeora who entered her home.

“Ember, I am here to inform you that His Majesty King Draven is arriving in Ronan. If he wishes to meet you, be prepared.”

With her doubts confirmed, she once again shrunk back towards the window, her eyes shaking in fear.

“What is wrong, dear?” Leeora asked with a furrowed brow.

Ember just shook her lowered head.

Leeora walked closer. “Is there a problem meeting with the King?”

“I-I…don’t…want to…”

Leeora let out a gasp. ‘She’s not mute?!’

The human finally spoke up, and though her voice was a little rough from lack of use or probably because it was damaged due to the smoke and the fire, it was still a voice that could be understood.

However, Leeora had been around Ember for more than a week. She felt like it was her illusion due to her old age and thus she had to confirm it once more. “What did you say, dear?”

Ember raised her head up to look at Leeora. This time, her hoarse voice was a little louder.

“I don’t want to meet him.”

“Oh, dear. It’s good to know that you can talk,” Leeora said happily. She went to get honeyed water for her to ease the girl from her obvious discomfort. Using her throat for the first time in days would have probably caused it to ache.

She offered her honeyed water. “Have this first. It will be good for your throat.”

Ember drank the entire glass and Leeora held her hand, gently cupping them within her own.

“Ember,” she said slowly, “you don’t have to be scared of the King. He is a good person, and though he talks and acts a little mean, his intentions are never bad. When he comes to see you, just listen to what he says and try to answer his questions.”

Ember shook her head.

Leeora continued, “You will have me by your side, so you have nothing to fear. If you cannot answer his questions, do not force yourself, all right? We are not unreasonable people.”

The human girl quietly studied her face, and though she was anxious, she reluctantly nodded. She felt it hard to refuse since it was Leeora who was asking for it.

Just then, Leeora heard the loud hoot of an owl beyond the door, telling her that Draven had arrived and was waiting for her to welcome him.

“The King is here. Do you want to come out and welcome him with me?” Leeora asked only to get an obvious answer—Ember adamantly shaking her head to say no.

“I understand. Stay here. I will call you when you’re needed,” Leeora said and left in a hurry as she could not keep the King waiting.