The Devil’s Cursed Witch

At noon, Leeora went to check on Ember, entering without making a single sound. Leeora didn’t knock on the door worried that she might disturb Ember’s sleep.

When she entered the house, she saw the girl still in bed but she was wide awake. She had completely wrapped her body with a blanket, her green eyes warily staring at the door, as if she was scared of something—or someone—but could do nothing but shiver in distress. It didn’t take time for Leeora to understand the human girl had withdrawn once more out of instinctive fear of the King.

“Ember, it’s me, Leeora.” The elderly elf put the basket in her hand on the table and went towards the bed. “I have brought the bread that you like the most. You are probably hungry. Come have some.”

Ember looked at the basket but shook her head saying she didn’t want to.

“Everything will be fine, Ember. Trust me, you can relax. There is no one else but me here. The King has left, and it’s just you and me now.”

Leeora knew Draven wouldn’t come back after leaving her in that state. He had left this girl as if she didn’t matter to him, and if her guess was correct, he was probably already planning to send her to any of the human villages.

Ember seemed to relax after hearing her words. Leeora asked again, “Hmm? What do you think? Doesn’t the smell of freshly-baked bread make your mouth water?”

Ember shook her head.

“One bread…no, even just half a loaf of bread?”

However, Ember’s only response was to clutch the blanket closer to her body.

“Hmm…” Leeora pretended to think. “Well, if you eat, maybe I might allow you to go out with Lusca.”

She knew Ember enjoyed the outside, despite feeling shy around people. The City of Ronan was like a paradise for someone like her who grew up in a cave,  as everything was new and interesting to her.

A tinge of brightness flickered within those red-rimmed eyes, and Leeora got her answer. She went to the table, got two loaves out from the basket and served it in a dish. “You eat this. I will leave for a while, but if you finish it all by the time I return, I will instruct Lusca to play with you outside.”

Leeora left as she knew Ember would only move in her absence and she was right. The moment Leeora left her sight. Ember slowly put the blanket away and started nibbling on the loaf of bread. She didn’t feel like eating but she wanted to go out. Part of her mind was wondering if she should use this chance to go away from here, never to return again.

By the time Leeora returned, Ember had finished eating. Though she only ate a single bread, Leeora was happy to see that she at least ate something.

“Good that you ate. I will let it slide that you didn’t finish your food, so you can now go around the city. Do you want me to come with you?” Leeora asked, though she knew the obvious answer.

“I…I can go alone,” Ember spoke instead of just shaking her head.

Hearing her speak really comforted Leeora. She thought by the time Ember returned from roaming the city, she would have probably recovered enough for them to have a proper conversation. With Lusca as her guide, there was nothing to worry about Ember getting lost.

Leeora ushered Ember down with the help of the tree spirit,  and they walked to where Lusca was staying just under at the base of the tree where Leeora lived. The stag would normally graze in the forest during the daytime, but there was a shelter at the base of the tree prepared for him where he could stay to rest whenever he wanted to.

Seeing the beautiful brown stag, Leeora petted his back, running her fingers through his soft fur. “Are you up, Lusca? Would you like to take Ember to play around the city?” Delighted by her gentle touch, it let out an affirmative bellow. “You have to make sure she enjoys your trip. Understood?”

Lusca just looked at Leeora but that was enough for her to understand what he meant.

Meanwhile, Leeora handed Ember several coins. “Keep them. If you ever get hungry or wish to buy something nice for yourself.” The elf smiled. “Be sure to return by dinner time.”

Warmed by the elf’s kindness, Ember sat on the stag and let Lusca bring her around Ronan. Just like the previous time Ember observed everything in silence—from the lively streets, the cozy residences, the rowdy marketplace.

‘Maybe for the last time I am seeing it.’

Despite wearing ordinary elf clothes, Ember stood out as she’s riding the largest stag in the forest while covered in bandages. But thanks to her pitiful appearance, none of the elves nor other races openly showed hostility.

Interest, doubt, pity… The friendly Wood Elves in particular even nodded their heads in acknowledgement when she met their gazes.

When it felt like Lusca would turn to return, she said, “Let’s go to the cliff.”

She reached the cliff which marked the border of the city of the Wood Elves, highlighted by the presence of that ancient magical tree which had magical fruits that glow like lanterns in the night. During the day, they looked like balls of glass, their surfaces faintly reflecting the light from the sun.

Lusca stopped by the tree, and Ember stepped down while warily eyeing the jutting edge where she fell down from last time. No emotion could be seen on her face, but her chest felt discomfort the longer she stared at the cliff. She then turned her attention at that ancient tree, studying it as if she was looking at it for the last time.

She slowly went closer to the tree, careful not to trip on the roots, and looked at those beautiful fruits hanging from its branches. She wanted to take one, but she was too short to even reach the glowing fruit from the lowest branch. After a while, she gave up and checked on the ground for any fruit that might have fallen, unaware of the fact that someone was keeping an eye on her.

A pair of ashy gray eyes followed her movements.