>>Amber

"No," I told her, "I don't need your help."

I can heal myself.

Why would I let her do it?

"Ahin," I looked at the guard holding me, "Sit me down on the chair, I'll heal myself." I turned to glare at Illaris, "I don't know who might hurt me again."

There were audible gasps in the crowd.

This was the drama of a lifetime after all. Who would expect a princess to stab a saint?

"Yes," He responded swiftly, then helped me over to a nearby chair. He stayed close, his eyes never leaving me, ready to intervene at a moment's notice. The tension in the room was palpable as the guests watched, holding their breath.

Illaris took a step closer, her expression concerned. "Saint Amber, please, let me help. I can ensure your safety and—"

I cut her off with a glare. "Saint Illaris, please maintain your distance. I don't wish to die just yet." I said, my voice cold and resolute. The memory of the night's events, the humiliation, and the sudden attack still fresh in my mind. She stopped when I said those words and pursed her lips.

I can tell she's on the princess's side. I have to be wary of her.

Closing my eyes, I placed my hand on my wound. I was beyond dizzy at the moment.

I should heal myself before I pass out. I focused on the warmth of my power, willing it to flow through my body.

"Heal," I whispered

A faint, soothing glow began to emanate from my hands as I pressed them against my wound. The pain slowly started to subside, replaced by a comforting warmth.

The room fell into a hushed silence as the guests watched in awe. After a few seconds I removed my hand to show everyone that I was fine now.

Some low but resolute 'Wow' whispers traveled throughout the place.

"Ophelia," The Queen joined the king, "Explain yourself," She had a cold voice. Everyone turned to look at the Queen.

Now everyone wanted to know how the King and the Queen were going to handle the situation.

That's when I saw Lyal make his way up to the throne. He then whispered something in his father's ears. The king nodded, then stood up.

"I would like to apologize to our esteemed guests, but the party has come to a close."

Classic move.

Lyal must have told his father not to humiliate Ophelia is public,

"But your majesty!" Someone from the crowd spoke, "The princess stabbed a saint, that's a crime!"

"Yeah!" So many roars came in agreement from the crowd.

"You can't just let it slide!"

"The saints are our only hope against the miasma that's spreading everywhere! If they die, we die!"

"Yeah!!" The crowd roared

Oh My, I've become such an important person. They all may not like Corvina, but Saint Amber is a beacon of hope for them.

"I assure you, the princess will be held accountable.But I'm sure the saint needs rest. And the party was originally for the saints, so now that they're leaving, it's only understandable that the rest of the ball closes down as well." He looked at me, "My deepest apologies, Saint Amber," He gave me a bow, "My daughter caused you harm,"

Wow

That's nice. I never thought a day would come that the king would be apologizing to me.

I like it

"Daddy!" Ophelia's color turned pale. She was shocked to see her father bow his head down to someone. I smiled. That's right brat. At the moment, I am superior!

I was hating Hael for what he did to me, but I really like how no one can mess with me so casually!

I looked at Ahin, "I'm going to my room." I smiled at him. The king wants to end this. Sure, I won't stand in his way. I can't make an enemy out of him. So as he said, since the saint needs rest. I should be the first to leave.

"I'll take you," Ahin stood up and walked me out of there

I didn't pay any attention to the glares that came to attack me. I was simply happy that I got to have the upper hand.

I couldn't contain my happiness, so I had to bite down my lip to stop myself from laughing.

***

Ahin took a seat opposite me while we were back in the bedroom.

We sat on the round table set on the balcony. His expression was stern, yet his eyes softened as he looked at me. "Amber, I need to understand," He began, his voice low and serious. "Why did you stab yourself? Why would you put yourself at such risk?"

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. It's best if I don't lie to him.

"Ahin," I started, my voice steady, "I didn't have a choice. The Princess was humiliating me in front of everyone. She pushed me into a corner, metaphorically and literally."

Ahin's brow furrowed. "But why take such a drastic measure? You could have defended yourself in other ways."

I shook my head. "You saw how quickly the situation escalated. If I hadn't acted decisively, the Princess would have continued to manipulate the narrative. She had already made me look like the aggressor with the wine incident. I had to take control,"

He sighed, leaning back in his chair, his eyes filled with worry. "But stabbing yourself... that was extreme. You could have died."

"I know that was extreme," I admitted, my voice softening. "But it was the only way to ensure that everyone saw the truth. By making it look like the Princess had attacked me, I forced everyone to question her actions and motives. It was a gamble, but one I had to take." I smirked, "And I wouldn't have died. I'm the saint, I can always heal myself."

Ahin's eyes narrowed, a flicker of frustration mingling with his concern. "And what if it hadn't worked? What if no one believed you? You would have been gravely injured for nothing."

I reached out, placing a hand on his arm.

GOD!

He's so sweet!

"I had to take that risk, Ahin. It was the only way to stop her from continuing to manipulate and harm me. I couldn't just stand by and let her win."

He looked down at my hand, his expression softening further. "I understand your reasoning, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept. Seeing you like that... It was terrifying."

I squeezed his arm gently. "I'm sorry, Ahin. I didn't mean to scare you. But I had to act, to protect myself and my reputation." I paused, "Disappointed?"

"What?"

"I am a little crazy in the head," I mean, the past me was. I just temporarily let Corvina take over. I don't wish to be her anymore, but this place tends to force out the worst in people.

He stared at me, "I will say, I am surprised." He scratched his eyebrow, "I never knew you could be like this,"

This place is the culprit.

I left this place because I didn't want to be a person like that. Although, this is the first time I've used my brain so much and actually managed to make things work out.

In the past, I used to do things in a manner that only made things worse for me.

I smiled, "I won't do anything like that again," I guess I've grown.

"I hope so too," He smiled back

But then again, I was only able to pull a power move like that because I knew I could heal myself. It would not have been possible otherwise. If it wasn't for my power. I would have stayed there and would have gotten humiliated further.

I looked at the night sky. The scenery was beautiful, the stars shone brightly and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky.

I wonder how they will punish the princess. I looked back down at my hands, then glanced at Ahin

"Ahin,"

"Yes?"

"I'm tired right now," I needed to organize my thoughts, "But before you leave, I want to talk to you," And I need to organize what I need to say.

!!!

I think he understood the underlying meaning of my words.

"Of course," He stood up, "Rest well," He offered me a smile and I waved a 'goodbye' to him.

***

>>Hael

Before entering Hollow Woods we had to inspect the area around it. Eldias and I stood about a mile away from the forest. The area around it was barren as well.

I can sense the poison here as well.

I could sense something odd in the air, but it might just be the influence of the forest. It's best to wait for daylight before venturing in. The forest is filled with poisonous fog but the daylight will provide a better filter.

"Should we camp here?" Eldias asked.

"We could go to the nearest town and get an inn." I looked the other way, "It should be about twenty miles away."

"Alright," He answered, then said something completely out of context, "Why did you make a new saint?"

I wasn't expecting him to ask a question like that.

"Strange thing you're asking me." I replied as I began to walk away from the forest.

"Come on, Master Hael. We both know what the other has done."

I smiled, "Did the king tell you something?"

"When we asked for the saint to be trained with us, he said you knew our 'dirty little secret.' unfortunately for you, it also gave you away."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. With a crisis like miasma, a saint was bound to be born. The world has to preserve itself." I replied

"Strange..." Eldias looked estranged, "It was something that should have happened yet it didn't."

"..."

Come to think of it. If the miasma is becoming such a problem? Why wasn't a saint born?

Why did I make Lady Corvina a saint? Because I wanted her to be in power of course.

I paused

But why did I choose to make her a saint? I could have done something else.

I looked at the night sky. The stars glimmered, another galaxy was faintly visible surrounded by dark luminescent blues and red.

Strange

The idea was planted in my head out of nowhere when I saw that holy flower.

It was in an uncanny place. I found the flower in the forest when I went to do a survey. The moment I discovered it, hiding in the middle of those magic infused weed that covered it like a cacoon, the first thing that ran through my mind was to use it.

I knitted my eyebrows together.

Such a delicate, little thing. Yet the power it held was stronger than any other holy artifact I've known.

Odd