The Devil's Cursed Witch

The day passed by just like that without her stepping out of her chamber even for her meals, and this worried her servants.

The next day, Ember also requested for her morning meal to be brought inside her bedchamber. Unlike the routine she followed for the past few days, she did not go to her study and merely decided to stay in her room once again.

Ember was not in the mood to play with her pet and simply sat by the window while looking outside. After Clio cleared the table of the empty plates, she finally asked, "Miss, are you not heading to read in your study today?"

Seeing her shake her head, Reya had an idea. "Oh, Miss, how about you go on a stroll in the garden? The weather is pretty good today."

"I am fine," Ember replied indifferently.

Reya thought to give it another try with a nice excuse. "Miss, you cannot be like this. Think about Ray. See, since you are staying cooped up like this, she is also staying inside her cage only and not going out. This is not good for her health. She needs to go out and fly about. She needs fresh air and sunlight. If her master won't go out, she won't either."

Ember looked at the tiny bird and finally agreed after some thought. "Fine."

Both Reya and Clio cheered when Ember stood up, proud that they persuaded their spiritless master to leave her chamber. Reya went to the cage and held out her hand. "Ray, did you hear that? Let's go out! Come, time to play with the Miss."

Ray immediately hopped out of her cage and perched on Reya's hand, letting out an excited chirp that somehow eased Ember's mood. Together with her servants and pet, Ember went down towards the main garden of the palace. Along the way, Ember watched her pet flying in front of them as if she was guiding their way, letting out singsong-like chirps that caused even the passing palace servants to crack a smile.

A small smile appeared on Ember's lips, seeing her cheerful pet. It was the correct decision to follow Reya's suggestion.

Feeling the warmth of the sun against her skin, Ember could not deny that she felt much better after coming out into the garden. The scenery from her window was beautiful, but still, it was better to experience the beauty of nature up close, walking along the plants and trees, hearing the sound of the leaves rustling and smelling the scent of full blossoms.

With Ray as their guide, they soon reached the part of the garden that had a small stream. To cross it, one had to use a beautiful log bridge wrapped in vines, and on the other side of the garden, there was a lovely gazebo surrounded by pretty ornamental plants everywhere.

"Shall we head there, Miss?"

"Miss, careful, the vines on the trellis might rip your skirt."

Feeling the soft breeze against her face, Ember let out a delicate laugh at her servant's nagging, once again thankful she listened and went out to the garden.

In a certain room located on the other side of the garden, the King was listening to the reports of his aides when he found himself momentarily distracted. He smelled that particular scent coming from his mate in the direction of the window.

'Seems like she has finally come out.'

Part of Yula's daily routine was to keep him informed of his mate's whereabouts. He was aware that Ember had refused to go out since yesterday, preferring to stay in her chamber even at the urging of her servants.

'It's good. Instead of meeting her in an enclosed place, better to meet her outside and talk about her dream.'

"....Your Majesty, your interrupted visit from yesterday, are we returning to Peleg? Or do you want to follow the schedule and head to the next city? Would you like us to inform the Moon Elves..."

"Arrange that for later. You all are excused," Draven interrupted them and stood up.

The aides lowered their heads to their king and saw him leave his study. Their king was spontaneous, doing whatever and whenever he felt like it on a whim. Leaving a meeting midway was not something new for them to see. They knew the matters related to the kingdom didn't interest him much. But then again, his existence as a King of Agartha was a symbol of protection, and it was more than enough to keep any troubles in the kingdom away.

Draven came out of his study and walked towards the open corridor leading out to the vast garden. Following her sweet scent, it didn't take him much time to find her. His mate was standing on the wooden bridge while looking at the water below and chatting with her companions.

Even from a distance, his sharp gaze could see every detail of her frail-looking figure. She was pointing at the water, seemingly interested in the water lilies on the small stream. Her expression was bright, a complete contrast from what he had seen of her after she had that nightmare.

'She looks better, as Leeora said. Gifting her that bird was a good decision.'

He walked towards them. When he was about to reach the other end of that wooden bridge, the two servants noticed the King's presence and immediately bowed to him.

"We pay respects to His Majesty the King."

Startled by her two servants suddenly greeting the King, Ember whirled around and met the gaze of the red-eyed man walking toward her.

Her expression changed the moment she saw Draven and didn't know how to react. Should she copy her servants and bow too? She had embarrassed herself enough and now didn't wish to repeat anything of that sort.

Her attentive servants didn't find it a good idea to remain, so they turned towards the panicking Ember.

"Miss, we will be around. Call for us if you need anything."

The elves left in a hurry without even waiting for her reply.

Though they found it sweet that the King was being thoughtful to the Miss, they were terrified to be in the King's presence. The King surely wanted private time to meet his mate and they didn't wish to meddle in their business.

The words Ember was about to say were left stuck in her throat as she watched her servants run away from the bridge.

'Don't leave me!'

After letting out an internal scream, Ember collected herself and bowed towards Draven who had stopped a certain distance away from her.

They needed to have a proper talk, without him or her losing their minds to each other's scents, that's why though it did look awkward, standing several feet away from her was a must.

Though he could smell her scent, in an open area like this, he was sure he could control himself well.

Ember found herself feeling nervous under the gaze from that pair of red eyes.

"How are you feeling?" she heard him ask when--

"Embarrassed...fell in front of His Majesty...wants to bury herself..."

--the little bird perched at the railing of the bridge answered in her stead even before Ember could say anything.

Ember felt as if all the blood in her body rushed to her face. She turned to look at that brazen pet of hers with panicking emerald green eyes.

"Ray!" she exclaimed as she flustered to catch the naughty bird. "What--"

"New master clumsy...blames me..." the bird said again and dodged her hands. She flew away while chirping as if she was complaining.

'Can I disappear now?' Ember's hands that caught nothing but air clutched her dress as she found her palms turning sweaty in nervousness.

"That little..." Ember mumbled angrily while looking at her pet flying away from her. Her entire body felt hot with shame, and she wanted to just cover her face and run away.

'How could she--'

Ember realised the previous day she had complained to her pet and now she was taking it out like this by embarrassing her master once again in front of the king. 'No wonder they say she is a smart bird.'

Several awkward seconds later, the scarlet-faced Ember nervously peeked at the King's expression, only to get a little shock.

'Wait, is he smiling?'

She blinked, but there was no longer a trace of a smile on that cold face. She felt like it was an illusion. 'I must have seen wrong.' She was sure this ice-cold man doesn't even know how to smile.