The Devil's Cursed Witch

Just as they returned to the main chamber, the three heard a knock on the door, and  Yula entered the room with a concerned smile. After hearing that Ember was awake from the other servants, she immediately hurried to finish whatever she was doing to see her and check on her body. She felt worried for Ember; after all, it was the first time that a delicate human had become a mate of a divine beast. For Ember, it wasn't just any divine beast but a Dragon.

"How are you feeling, Miss?" Yula asked.

"I am feeling better now," Ember answered as she slowly walked towards the bed.

Though she no longer needed her servants' support while walking, Yula could see her struggle. Her weak human body must be having difficulty.

"Miss, I have prepared some herbs for you that will help you regain your strength and you won't feel this weak."

"Thank you, Yula." Ember replied as she continued to take her slow steps.

After Yula gave detailed instructions to Ember's servants, the two excused themselves from their presence.

"Miss, we will brew the herbs Dame Yula prepared for you to make medicinal tea. Shall we add some honey so you won't taste its bitterness?"

"I think we should," Reya commented. "We will return in a bit, Miss."

When the elves left, Yula approached Ember who was about to get into a bed.

"Miss, I have something for you."

Ember looked at her curiously and realized she was carrying something. She held one tiny ceramic container with a lid in her hands.

Ember wondered what it was. "What is it?"

"Miss, it is a specially made ointment," Yula cleared her throat a little awkwardly, "It will help you be relieved of...some muscle pains...heals faster if you are hurt...Umm...you can use it where you are hurt. I am confident it will help you feel better."

Ember felt a little embarrassed as she knew what Yula meant and just looked at the tiny container being offered to her.

Yula observed her hesitant and embarrassed face and smiled gently. "Miss, don't take it as me being nosy. You are a human, and it is a given your physique is much more delicate than ours. I worry for you. I truly wish you well, and besides, it is part of my job to ensure the welfare of everyone residing within this palace."

Ember never doubted Yula's care towards her. Though Yula looked a strict and tough person, she was in fact very caring and responsible. She accepted that tiny ointment container with a grateful smile.

"Thank you, Yula."

"Don't forget to use it. If His Majesty plans to visit you tonight as well, then you have to use it after as well."

Draven was a beast and Yula was aware of the instincts of beasts who had mates when it was around the time of the full moon. Though the night when the urge was strongest had passed, she didn't doubt that Draven would come to his mate again. She could only help the weak human to deal with it as it all was new for her.

'T-Tonight as well?'

Ember felt a shiver run through her entire body and it was because she didn't want to experience 'that' again. She didn't want to go through that same pain and that same embarrassing--

"I..will...I will use it well..." Ember said in a weak voice. If Draven were to come to her chamber, she would be helpless and unable to refuse. As she lowered her head, she felt her heart beating faster and her palms turning sweaty.

"The herbal concoction Clio and Reya will bring you will also help a lot so make sure to drink all of it," Yula informed her.

"Hmm."

"I will take my leave then. Please rest well."

Yula gave her a light nod and turned around to leave, only to see Draven standing at the door that Clio and Reya had left open.

The Moon Elf immediately bowed to him. "Your Majesty, good evening."

As if each cell of Ember's entire body was alerted by his presence, she stiffened in place. She didn't know what to do and could only stare at him.

Draven, still in his form-fitting tailcoat as if he had returned straight from working outdoors, brought in the scent of the forest as he walked inside. He merely accepted the greeting from his servant by raising a hand. Yula took it as a dismissal, and she closed the door behind her.

Draven walked towards his mate who looked like an ice sculpture, not moving even an inch. She was not even breathing. He could clearly hear her loud chaotic heartbeats which picked up the pace with each step he took closer to her.

Things had changed after their union. He no longer had to keep his distance from his mate as her scent could not overpower his rationality because they had completed their bond. It should be a thing worth celebrating yet her reaction...

'Is she still scared of me?'

Her loud heartbeats and her trembling hands that were holding onto a small container were proof of it.

Seeing Draven standing in front of her, Ember got back to her senses. She tried to calm herself and as she stared at his expressionless face, she realized she had not greeted him yet.

"G-Good evening, Your Majesty."

"You can call me by my name from now on," she heard him say in response to her greeting.

She stared at him for a moment. "N-Name?"

"Not like you have not said it before," he commented. His red eyes held no emotions, that was why she could not understand the meaning of his gaze.

Ember recalled she had called him by his name the previous night when he asked her to. Those memories....she shook her head to not think about it.

"I...don't think it's appropriate...?" she tried to speak, as he was a king and didn't find it proper to refer to him in such a casual manner.

"I find it appropriate. Moreover, it sounds nice when you say it," he said straightforwardly, not thinking how his words would affect her.

Well, he had always been like this, straight to the point and saying whatever he wanted.

'Sounds nice?' she repeated in her mind, only to remind herself once more how she called his name again and again.

Her cheeks turned red. 'Is he trying to make me feel embarrassed by trying to remind me of it?'

Seeing her not answering, he continued to speak, "Any issue with what I had asked?"

She shook her head. "No, no! It's just that I...I will call you by your name, Your Majesty...I mean..." she swallowed the rest of her words. She opened her mouth again, but she was not used to saying his name. Her cheeks continued to burn a bright red.

"Draven. Say it without hesitation next time."

He saw Ember visibly gulp before she nodded, but not wanting to push her further, he then looked at the ceramic container in her hand. "That thing in your hand..."

"Ah, it's nothing." She hurried and put it on the table by her bedside as if that was really nothing.

"Are you not going to use it?" he asked, ignoring her embarrassment.

Ember felt like burying herself somewhere. 'Did he hear what Yula told me? Does he know what it is?"

"Do you want me to help you?"