>>Amber

The moment the King finished his speech, I got down from the stage, descending the stairs without looking anywhere else.

Hael will be personally training me?

Why?

What about me staying away from him? What about that plan? This is not how it was supposed to happen!!

I stepped outside the bustling party hall, the cool night air offered a welcome respite for me. My mind was buzzing with thoughts but I had no idea what to do. I had a feeling Hael was the one behind this, but the question is, why?

Why is he doing all of this? What does he want from me?

I glanced back and saw no one following me.

Good

I turned and exited the place. In the secluded shadows of the garden, away from the prying eyes of the people, I took a breath of relief.

God...

I slowed down but kept walking

What is even happening? Hael's actions are far too suspicious. How will a mage even train a saint? Holy power and magic are two different things. Yes both require mana, but still. And I am to serve the country? Well, I guess that was expected...

!!!

I noticed something as I approached a blind spot. A young woman was cornered by a man there. She stood with her back pressed against the rough stone wall. I couldn't see her face clearly at first, but I recognized her after a few seconds.

It was Serena! But who the hell is that man? He doesn't look like a noble.

He hugged her out of nowhere, startling me

OH!!?

What the hell? Is Serena having an affair? I didn't think she would be having an affair. She doesn't look the type.

I turned around to walk in the opposite direction. Maybe I should leave, it would be rude to stay here.

>>Serena

I simply walked out for fresh air. Who the hell is this man? What is he doing!? Why the hell is he hugging me!!

No!

If anyone sees this! I'll get shamed! I won't be able to get married!!

I tried pushing him off, but only managed to push him away

"Sweetheart," The man leered, his voice dripping with false charm as he advanced menacingly. "What's a pretty thing like you doing out here all alone?"

I recognized him now. My eyes went wide in fear. This man has been stalking me for months!!!

My breath caught in her throat, my heart hammering in my chest as I instinctively edged away from him, "Please, I don't want any trouble."

"Trouble?" He chuckled darkly. "Oh, sweetheart, I think you and I could have a lot of fun together."

Panic surged through my veins as I realized the gravity of the situation. I knew he was doing this on purpose! But how the hell did he even get in!? I tried pushing him off again but his grip tightened on my arm, his fingers like vice gripped me as he leaned in closer, "Now, now, don't be like that," He murmured, his tone laced with menace. "I just want to get to know you better."

I felt a surge of desperation welling up inside of me. "Please, let me go," I implored, tears glistening in my eyes. "I won't tell anyone about this, I promise." Hell! I want someone to help me but at the same time, I can't have anyone catching me like this!!

Gossip spreads like wildfire here!

"Oh, sweetheart," He sneered, "You don't get to make the rules here." He moved in trying to kiss me.

I panicked. In a desperate bid for freedom, I lashed out, clawing and kicking with all the strength I had

But my efforts were in vain as he easily overpowered me, his grip around my wrists tightened as he forced me back against the wall that I had barely managed to move away from, "Nice try, sweetheart. But you're not getting away that easily."

My heart was pounding in my chest like a trapped bird. God! What do I do!?!? "Let me go!" I wanted to cry out, but the rational part of me couldn't bring myself to scream, "Please, I beg you!"

He laughed, "Not without a kiss," He taunted, "I've been waiting for this day for years!"

Years!? My heart fell. How long has he been stalking me?! He moved his way towards me again, in an attempt to soil my lips. So, I pursed them tightly and looked away.

Crash!

A heavy sound of something shattering filled the air and the grip on me loosened.

>>Amber

The sound of the pot crashing on the man's head was horrifying. It startled not only Serena, but also me, who had grabbed a random flower pot and smashed it on the man's head.

Serena's eyes were wide while at the same time, I was horrified by what I had done. I was about to walk away, but then something felt odd to me and I decided to approach her. Good thing that I did.

"Corvina?" Serena recognized me.

"H-Hi?" I glanced at her and then looked at the man who was now on the ground, with a bleeding head.

"Oh!" She moved in and hugged me, "OH! Thank God!!" I wanted to hug her back but something was bothering me, "I couldn't be more relieved to see you! Thank God it's you!"

"Serena, wait," I pushed her away and looked at the man again. My heart fell and my stomach knotted, "Oh no," She looked at the man on the ground as well.

His head was bleeding like crazy. It was dark, yet still I could see the blood just gushing out.

We both looked at each other

What do we do!?!

Shit!

He's going to die at this rate!!

I turned around to get someone to help but Serena grabbed my hand, "Don't" She stopped me, "Don't get anyone, let's just leave him here." I looked back at her in horror while she stared back at me with pleading wide eyes, "Please."

"Serena," I shook my head at her, "He'll die,"

She shook her head at me, "Don't," She said, "We'll be the ones who'll get in trouble! You know how our society works! We're two women, who almost killed a man!" Her hand that gripped me was trembling, "Everyone will ask questions," I gulped, "Everyone will try to make us into criminals,"

I couldn't argue with her. She wasn't wrong. If he got the attention of many people, that was bound to happen. In situations like these, a confidant is important.

But who do we trust?

I glanced at the dying man. The blood was pooling around him, creating a puddle. Panic and anxiety gnawed at me.

What do we do?!

"Seems like you're in trouble, My Lady,"

!!!

A third voice made both of us look to the side, but not on the ground. The voice came from above us.

Hael was sitting in the air, his arms folded as he looked down at us, and then at the person on the ground, "That man is as good as dead."

Hael!

Oh God!!! He can help us!!

"Who are you?" Serena said, looking horrified.

??? I shot my head at her in disbelief. She doesn't recognize him?! But she saw him at my birthday party!

Wait-

The realization came to me pretty fast

Did he wipe her memory of him?

Of course he would do that. Only a handful of people had seen him outside the Cory Mansion, he must have wiped the memory of all of them. After all, he's at a position where he can't afford to let people know of his past.

"Hael," I turned to him again.

"Yes?" He looked at me with an amused expression

"We, we need to do something about this." I pointed at the man.

"Alright." He shrugged, "Then do something."

....

I stared at him, baffled.

Does he not intend to help us?! Oh God.. Why would he do that? It's not like he did it.

I did it. I began to fret about it.

What do I do? I can't do anything on my own. Only Hael is capable enough to do something.

Do I have to beg him for it?

>>Hael

A subtle smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I contemplated the situation unfolding before me. Both the ladies seemed desperate but they had opposite things on their minds.

I knew that I held the power to change the course of events—if the price was right.

I can save that man. It's not going to be a problem. That is if My Lady asks me to do that in time. Why would I do it for free?

I won't do it on my own,

I smiled

She had to ask me. She needs to beg for my help. After all, in a world where power was everything, it paid to be selective about who you helped and why. And if I could turn this situation to my advantage, then why not?

>>Amber

"Hael," I have to do this, I have no other choice, "Please, help-" But my words were cut off.

"No," Serena shouted as she yanked my arm, "Don't save him!" We both looked at her.

There was terror in her eyes, "Don't ... He's a nobody," She was visibly shaken and I could understand why.

"Serena, we can't," But I was terrified of something else, "We have to save him!" If he dies, what would that make me?

A murderer. A killer. A criminal.

And no!

I won't be able to look at myself if that happens! That would be too traumatizing for me!!

"Corvina!" She held both my shoulders, "This man has been making my life hell! Let him die, we can get away with this!"

My heart shook at her words.

"We'll find another way!" I started to panic, "We can't just kill him!"

"He's bent on doing something to me!" Serena claimed, "And no one is helping me out! Everyone's taking this as a joke!" Her pupils were shaking, "I tried telling my father and brother someone was stalking me, but they brushed it off and look what happened! Now even if they find out, they'll blame me!"

"Serena..." I frowned, "I don't want to be a killer..."

"You won't be!" She forced a smile, "It was a mistake."

Except it wasn't

I did it intentionally. I attacked him with all my senses in their right places.

She fumbled, "W-we can say he slipped and fell on the pot, o-or, we can say a pot fell from the balcony!"

I shook my head at her. She was delirious at the moment, and I knew she wasn't thinking straight either. And I can't risk this. Serena isn't in her right mind but I can't lose here. Once Hael saves the guy, we'll think of some other solution. We can interrogate him. Threaten him. Do anything! But that comes later!

We have to make sure he doesn't die first!!

I pushed Serena's hands away, shocking her, and then I turned to look at Hael

"Save him, Hael," I looked at him as he floated in the air, laying as if he was laying on a couch sideways, looking down at the body with a blank expression, "Please," I begged him, "Please save him, heal him!"

When I spoke, his eyes traveled to me, "..."

"Hael," I clasped my hands together to beg him, "Please, please do something about this!" My heart was beating wildly, But Hael was my only hope at the moment, "Please!"

He let out an unamused sigh, "I can't," He replied.