>>Amber

The fire burned their dresses and started to expose their skin. Their screams grew louder while I watched them.

Look, I could run to fetch someone, but the thing is, I can't run. So that's not going to work out. And with this amount of screaming, they will eventually summon people here anyway.

But, the only downside is, I can't let any of them get seriously hurt.

"Hael," I called his name, "You should stop," I knew it was him. I don't know anyone else bold and crazy enough to do this. I don't see him, but I know he's perfectly able to do stuff like this while being out of sight.

"There!" I noticed some people entering the garden from the corridors, "The screams are coming from there!" It was a butler. Must be a royal staff member.

Rumbling

Hmm? There was the sound of rumbling.

The sound made me look up and I noticed dark clouds above the girls.

!!!

These were definitely magic clouds. I stepped even further back, away from the area that the clouds were covering. And just the next moment like a deluge from the clouds, the water cascaded down upon them, drenching them completely and extinguishing the flames in an instant.

A number of people came running towards us while I waved my hand to move away the steam that the rain caused.

As the smoke cleared and the water settled, the once-proud bullies stood before us, their clothes clinging to their bodies in a soggy mess. Oh? They were able to move now. I guess Hael finished all his spells together.

"Are you alright!" The staff members along with some noblemen came over to see what had happened but the moment the steam subsided, everyone paused.

The men stared at the women who were in confusion and pain. I glanced at their legs.

Those are some serious burns, but I don't think they've noticed them fully yet.

"I can move," Thorn said, and the girls looked at each other, then froze. They could now see what kind of sorry and compromising state they were in. It's something in the aristocratic world that can be called as being naked. The outer wear was completely burned off while their legs were utterly exposed.

The staff and the noblemen who came weren't sure what to do, so they all watched.

Typical men,

Humiliation painted the faces of the girls as they scrambled to cover themselves.

"AHHHH!!!" Ravioli and Honey screamed, their dignity shattered by the unexpected turn of events but the others glared at them for screaming at a time like this!

The onlookers gasped in disbelief at the spectacle before them, their murmurs of shock and awe filling the air. It was a sight to behold. I mean, they were all in their prime and had great figures.

"Um,"

"Are you okay?"

As the crowd moved forward to offer aid and support, my ex-friends scattered in different directions, their faces flushed with embarrassment and shame.

"Don't come near me!" Rize was the first one to run towards the corridor, "Stay away!!" The men stopped while the other ladies ran as well. They stumbled and tripped over themselves, desperately attempting to cover their exposed forms as they fled the scene in disgrace.

This is something they won't be able to forget for a lifetime. Maybe the humiliation of this incident will tone them down too. I know normally, one wouldn't think something like this would happen, but you also won't ever become a victim of a situation like this if you don't go and bully people for no reason at all.

Some of the staff members dispersed, quietly going after the ladies to see if they could help but the noblemen immediately started gossiping.

I let out a sigh.

This incident is going to spread everywhere by nightfall.

I turned to leave as I looked around to see where Hael was. I was right. It was him, because if it wasn't, he wouldn't have stopped the fire.

He listened to me... Which feels a little weird. There are times he does exactly what I say to him.

I walked out of the garden, into an open corridor that was huge, with a view of big fountains on either side. Where am I supposed to go from here? Should I just leave the palace?

I stopped and looked for an exit. I've never been to this part of the palace, so I'm a little lost

"Should I ask a staff member where the exit is?" I whispered to myself.

"Why would you look for the exit?" Hael's voice came out of nowhere, startling me, "You can't leave yet," His voice was right next to my ear. I felt his breath on my neck which sent shivers down my spine.

A jolt of surprise coursed through my veins. I stumbled backward, my heart pounding in my chest as I lost my footing, the ground rushing up to meet me in a dizzying blur.

But before I could hit the hard earth below, strong arms wrapped around me, catching me in a tender embrace. I gasped in shock, my breath stolen away by the suddenness of it all

For a moment, time seemed to stand still as we stood there locked in each other's embrace. As I gazed up into his eyes, I felt a rush of emotions wash over me

Wait, no!

I pushed him away as I stood up straight, "Ahem," I cleared my throat, "Why can't I leave?" I looked away shyly. Hael didn't answer immediately, so I glanced at him. He had his hands placed on his chest again, right at the place where I pushed him away.

Deja vu...

After a moment, he looked at me with an intense gaze

!!!

And it startled me a bit, but that look in his eyes only lasted for a split second.

"You'll have to stay the night here," He said

"What?" I said, "At the palace?" I shook my head, "No," I stated firmly, "There is no way I'll be staying at the palace."

"It's important, you'll need to show your face as the new saint at tonight's gathering. The king will introduce you." He said, "Because of Lyal's injury, they're going to finish the tournament today."

You mean, because of the stunt you pulled. Everyone must be thinking that there's an assassination attempt! Getting injured in a tournament isn't a big deal, but threat to a prince's life is a completely different story!

"No," I shook my head, "I want to go back to the cafe." I glared at him, "Take me back."

"You can't," He replied calmly, "If you don't agree to stay, the temple will have you,"

"What?" My glare gave away to surprise and confusion, "The temple will have me?" As soon as I asked that, I recalled the rules of the temple. Any person that has anything related to holy power will be taken to the temple and has to live there, "Shit,"

"That's right," Hael smiled, "You understand, don't you?" He folded his arms, "If you leave, the temple will take you forcefully."

"But," I shook my head lightly, "What difference will it make if I stay the night here?" I asked, "Even if I attend the party, so what?"

He stepped closer to me, "Everything," He said leaning his face into mine, "I'll take care of everything, you just need to attend the party tonight." His closeness didn't sit well with me, it made me feel weird, "Everyone needs to see you're the new saint, and the king's announcement along with your face reveal is important. Once that is done, you'll be fine."

I furrowed my brows and gulped, my eyes stared into his, "So, if I stay, you'll make sure I won't be forced to become a priestess there? Oh wait, I'll be the saint." I squinted my eyes in doom. The temple is known for being strict. Everything that happens there is controlled.

"I will," He stepped even closer to me, making me aware of him, "It felt good," Hael said, "Didn't it?" He placed his hand on my cheek.

"What?" I flinched. His hand was cold, but something even cooler came out of the palm of his hand.

Is he healing my cheek?

"Having the upper hand, having people beg you." His face was so close to mine, I could feel his cool breath, "Having power over others,"

"I-" His beautiful eyes narrowed to look into mine, "I didn't-"

"Don't try to lie, My lady," He smiled, "I was watching you." His voice was low, "You enjoyed it."

!!!

His words made me tremble and got me in a shock. Simply because he was right.

I clutched the ruined rose in my hands and brought it up to my chest. The rose Ahin gave me. I still had it, I didn't let it go even when I was bullied.

Hael noticed that. He removed his hand from my cheek as he stepped back. His gaze fixed on the red flower, "Who gave you that?" He said and I noticed immediately that he was glaring at it.

"Why?" I asked, moving the rose away from his gaze by turning my body.

His expressions turned sour, "I'm sure I burned the one Lyal was giving you," He pointed at it, "Who gave you that?"

...

I looked at the flower. I had a feeling I shouldn't give him a name.

"Someone... Who is husband material." I answered and looked at him again. I don't know what I was expecting his reaction would be but I saw the color drain from his face,

"What?"

...

"What?" I just repeated the question in confusion.

Why does he look like that? He stared at me with his eyes wide, like he had received a shock. Then he frowned.

"Hael?" I called his name, but he didn't answer. And then the next moment, he turned around and walked away, "Hael!" What is he doing? Is he planning on leaving me in the middle of nowhere?!? "Hael, wait!" I went limping after him. He gave me a split second glance, his eyes traveling to my weird jog. He grimaced and looked ahead again, "Hael!!" But a few steps in and Hael was out of sight.

I froze, "Hael?" Gone from right in front of me as if he was never there.

With my mouth agape, I stared at the empty space in front of me.

GOD!!

My blood boiled.

What the hell is wrong with these mages!?!? Is it fun for them to disappear into thin air?!?!

Eid Mubarak Everyone!!!