The Devil's Cursed Witch

Evanthe visited the Witch clan. Everyone cheered to see their queen return. She was not only the Queen of the white witches but also of the black witches, and she headed to visit the small village where the black witches resided—Millow Circle.

Evanthe appeared at the entrance of the small village. "I left after this village was built for the black witches. Glad to know it's still the same," she mumbled and walked inside along with Sierra.

The residents of the village, whoever saw her, recognized her even after more than a century had passed. They were not surprised to see her, just like others who had heard the news of her return. They all bowed to her, ensuring the younger ones bowed in respect as well.

"Who is she?" the children would ask.

"That's our Queen, Her Eminence, Queen Evanthe."

Accepting their greetings and observing that they were all doing well, though still considered outcasts by other clans, she was relieved they were not suffering at least. She knew it was all thanks to Draven who had offered his protection to them.

Evanthe reached Zelda's home, where the older witch walked out of her cottage upon sensing a familiar presence.

"Your Eminence," Zelda was about to get on her knees when Evanthe spoke, "Spare me the formalities. I don't wish to hear the sound of your knees crackling."

Zelda smiled lightly and simply bowed her head, "Milow Circle welcomes you, Your Eminence. Please, come inside."

She led the way into the cottage with the support of her cane, and Evanthe and Sierra followed.

Once inside, Evanthe and Sierra settled down on an old-looking couch. Ursula, a fellow witch residing with Zelda, said happily, "I will brew tea for Her Eminence," and walked away cheerfully.

"This is my friend, Sierra," Evanthe introduced.

Zelda offered Sierra a polite bow and then turned her attention back to Evanthe. "How have you been, Zelda?"

"I am doing well, Your Eminence."

The two conversed about Morpheus, with Evanthe's words reassuring Zelda about his situation. The topic then shifted towards the new Queen of witches.

"She was born," Evanthe informed, "being a powerful black witch, you must have felt it as well, despite my efforts to hide her presence."

"I did, but I understand the need to hide her existence," Zelda replied. "As long as Zaria won't find her." At the mention of Zaria's name, Zelda's expression turned sadder.

Zelda and Zaria were once like the closest friends and were more like sisters. Till date, Zelda could not believe how Zaria changed. All that was left were those memories of good time they spent together and shared even the tiniest of their secrets with each other.

"Queen's existence will be exposed soon, as I can't keep her hidden for long," Evanthe replied. "Despite all the threats, she is still the Queen and it's necessary for her to know it."

"I agree," Zelda nodded, understanding the weight of the situation.

"When the time comes, I can only rely on you to as the elder of Black Witches and guide her well with what you can."

"I will do my best. Though I cannot train her with my broken core, I will do the job of clan elder."

"To train her, we need a powerful black witch," Evanthe spoke.

"There is only one in existence," Zelda added, "and only she can train her."

Evanthe sighed, "Zaria. It's her I tried to hide the new Queen from, but in the end, I have no option but to let Zaria know about her."

"When hide her, didn't you consider this possibility, Your Eminence?"

"I did, but I didn't expect time to pass by so soon."

"Zaria is best at training black witches. We have seen her in the past. There can be no better teacher for the new Queen than Zaria," Zelda added. "Now it's up to new Queen's destiny if she gets to train under her without letting herself turn into Zaria's pet. Though Zaria has turned evil, I believe she would do her best to train our Queen."

"Once I leave Agartha after I take care of the matters here, I will arrange for it. It's time to meet our old friend after long time," Evanthe commented.

"Your Eminence has always been thoughtful."

----

A few more days passed as Evanthe continued to heal Morpheus by aiding him with her powers every day. After a few days, Cornelia finally regained consciousness, her body recovering well under the care provided by Silvia and Talia.

"How are you feeling now?" Evanthe asked Cornelia, who was sitting in her bed.

"I am alright, Your Eminence. How is Commander Morpheus?"

"He is doing better than expected. We are thankful that you recognized the traces of his soul before it was too late."

"But we should thank someone else first, whose powers protected his core before it was completely destroyed," Cornelia commented.

"So, you recognized it as well," Evanthe remarked.

Cornelia nodded. "When I was trying to preserve his soul, I found it. She is the one who saved him. If not for her power protecting his core, we would have lost him."

"Cornelia, for now, I don't want you to mention to anyone about how Morpheus was saved," Evanthe said seriously. "Let others think it was just a miracle."

Cornelia's expression turned disapproving. "Your Eminence?"

"I do not need to tell you the consequences it would bring," Evanthe interrupted her. "You should rest more. Leave everything else to me." Her tone was commanding, as befits a queen.

"Yes, Your Eminence." In front of the Queen, Cornelia could only agree.

Evanthe left, instructing Silvia and Talia to take care of her and not to let Cornelia leave her residence.

Sitting helplessly in her bed, constrained by the Queen's order, Cornelia closed her eyes, her mind fixed on Morpheus's well-being.

'Your Eminence, to save him, if I have to disobey you, I will do it. I will accept the punishment you give me. Please forgive me, but that seems to be the only way,' her thoughts wandered to green eyed woman.

'Ember, forgive me, but you are the only hope Morpheus has. I believe, you value him and to save him you won't mind sacrificing a little. Only you can stop his suffering.'