After Draven left, Leeora helped Ember get ready with the help of other maidservants. She was the King’s mate now and the servants were being specially careful how to treat her. Since she would be going out, she should look more presentable than how she normally looked.
With the help of one of the servants who was a water-attributed fairy, they gave the human girl a proper bath as she hadn’t properly washed up for the past two days.
The female servants were thrilled to put on new clothes on Ember, as there was rarely a chance for them to dress up anyone in the palace. During the time the King’s mate was unconscious, they weren’t idle either and sewed new clothes for her.
“Oh dear, you look like a doll,” Leeora could not help but exclaim.
It was a layered white and green dress that was easy to move about, the fabric being of the expensive silks used by the palace. Even though they tailored it for Ember, it was still oversized for her since they took note of her injuries. Still, they would continue working on new clothes for her, as they expected that her frail body would still change over time.
‘The King’s mate would soon live with us here in the palace,’ was their collective thought.
Leeora then braided her hair in two braids as she had done before, causing Ember to smile in delight. Finally, they were ready to head back to Ronan.
“Shall we leave?” Leeora asked.
Ember nodded excitedly. She could not be happier than this–she could finally go back to the elf city! She would be allowed to continue staying in her home that was given to her by Leeora. She loved that cozy and comfortable home, and she also loved her silent companion, the tree spirit who guarded her house. Though it could not talk, its presence assured her that she was not alone, and the best thing was that the tree spirit didn’t disturb her.
Just as they stepped out of the chamber, Leeora asked the young elf still standing guard outside, “Where is the King, Erlos?”
“He’s in his study, Elder,” Erlos replied and then he gave the girl a look before giving her a satisfied nod. “Oh, the servants did good work on you. You’re dressed like a human noble. Your scars seem to be getting better too, hmm? That’s good, that’s good.”
The pretty dress had sleeves up till the elbow, and the bandages had been removed on her arms, allowing him to see how much she’d recovered from her injuries.
He continued, “I think the female servants are altering more clothes for you. I’ll have the finished ones sent to your house by the end of the day.”
Erlos was having a relatively easy time lately due to his master’s distraction, that’s why he felt fond of the King’s little mate. She didn’t know how to react to him being this friendly to her, but her eyes showed she acknowledged his goodwill.
Leeora looked at Ember, “We shall say bye to the King before leaving.”
Ember looked hesitant.
She then lightly shook her head and took a step back, as if to say she didn’t want to accompany Leeora.
“It’s fine,” Leeora assured. “You have nothing to be afraid of.”
“It’s not that…” Ember looked up at the taller woman with reluctance. “Being the King’s person…does that mean he wants me to work here as a servant? I remember he said something about me freeloading and being put to work in the palace…”
Leeora smiled lightly. “Given your status now, you don’t qualify to be a servant.”
It only puzzled Ember and Leeora didn’t answer her unspoken question. What could she say? That she was now the King’s mate, and by extension, that also gave her the status of the Queen of the kingdom? Leeora chose to not say it for now.
“It will be rude to not meet the King before leaving,” Leeora insisted.
Ember finally agreed and Erlos led their way to the King’s study.
——-
Inside the study, Draven was talking to a blond young man with thin gossamer wings on his back. It was his aide, the Wind Fae Melion, who was working as his messenger and advisor on the general affairs of the kingdom. He was reporting to the King about the reaction of the people after the news of the King marking the human had spread across the kingdom like a wildfire.
“….For now the situation is calm and everyone is waiting for the result,” Melion informed him. “Many believe that His Majesty’s action was a warning to the human villages. That is why you decided to give that human a cruel death. But most of our people are unhappy thinking that His Majesty has wasted the chance of having a mate to punish a mere human.”
Draven, who was looking through those scrolls that seemed nothing more than trash to him, sighed upon hearing it. “Since when did the King having a mate turn into their concern?”
“Your Majesty, they all expect you to continue your bloodline…”
“…so they will get another protector for them,” Draven finished the statement for Melion, who could not deny it.
Ever since the kingdom was founded, the supernatural beings had all relied on Draven being their protector from humans. With him guarding Agartha for about a thousand years now, they expected him and his bloodline to continue to do so forever.
Feeling awkward, Melion tried to say, “Your Majesty–”
But his next words didn’t reach Draven’s ears as the King suddenly stiffened, his attention grabbed by the unique fragrance that he had been avoiding for the past few hours.
It was the barest hint of fresh jasmines that tensed his nerves, and he knew the source of this sensual floral scent for sure. It made him aware that she was nearby. When he focused on his senses, he realized he could hear footsteps approaching the study–she was coming to him.
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