Chapter 4: Once upon a time

Ella didn't know how this came to be because this certainly wasn't something she wished for.

He had asked for a cup of tea, which she had given to him, but someone please tell her, why he was now once again, in front of her door, asking for more. Soya, who might have questioned the same thing, peeked out behind her.

"Miss Ella, the taste of the tea was heaven, I couldn't help but wish for more."

Once again, she let him inside her house. He, unneeded to be invited had sat down in her living room comfortably as if it was his own home, at the same time, entertained her dog.

Rumbling in the kitchen, she didn't hold back her complains, making the male chuckled happily. She came soon after with a tray in her hands, on it, a kettle, a jar of honey, some cookies and two cups.

Setting the tray down, she sat down on the opposite side, in front of him. She gave some cookies to Soya then poured some tea into the cups, adding some honey to her cup. Bringing it close to her nose, she smelled the sweet scent of ginger and honey before taking a seep.

"Heavenly as usual." The man in front of her said, having taken his cup and drunk from it.

"So ... down to business, I don't know what I can help you with, Your Highness." She cut the chase, revealing his identity.

"You can call me Dean, forget the formalities." He smiled.

"Our relationship shouldn't be that intimate. I'll stick to Your Highness."

"We will though, just making you get used to it."

Without looking up, she continued seeping her tea, drawing a clear line between them. However, she stilled abruptly by his remark. Looking up, she started assessing the man in front of her.

Handsome would be underestimating, godly looks might describe him at the notch. Beneath the face of a gentleman should hide a high-class demon. If she were to compare his powers with hers, it could match evenly.

He had crossed her ⎿Everlong Frost⏋and the shadow illusion without a problem, everything about him stated dangers, yet here they were, drinking tea in harmony.

"Like what you see?" He was looking right into her eyes. "I should, but I'm afraid I cannot." She answered, undisturbed by his gaze. "Oh? Is there anything in this world you cannot?"

Ella smiled, there was a lot she cannot do. A lot she didn't allow herself to do. She signed lightly before continuing drinking her tea. Dean, who saw her pity herself, didn't pursue the issue and followed her actions.

Staying for a while, he left after finishing his tea, just like yesterday. Ella continued on with her life as the prince never crossed her way. But she could find coming back again the next day and the next day after that. Soya, her loved treasure, had come to love this demon too.

...

Monday morning, Ella rose up early. She packed the gloves and snowglobes she made the day before into her basket. Walking to the door, she wore on her black cape, covering her dark red dress. Her hair was let loose today, flowing out of her hood. Readying to go, she went out the door to see a handsome face.

"You're early today, but I can't accompany you." The familiar face didn't surprise her anymore.

"Why? Aren't you on the way to the market?" He smiled knowingly.

She looked at the handsome prince in front of her, never really understood his intention as he didn't show or mention them. Tilting her head a bit, she complied wordlessly. She turned around to say goodbye to Soya before leaving, asking him to guard their home.

The distance from her cottage to the market took an hour to go, thus she had to start early. Casually looking at the man beside her, she wondered how long he was going to follow her. After a while, she heard him speak.

"The road before us is long, shall I tell you a story?"

As if silence was consent, he continued.

"A long time ago, there existed three kinds in the Kingdom of Estron, demons, witches and humans. The humans were weak, sentimental and had too many emotions, some were kind, yet others were evil. Even more evil than the demons, who was the evilest kind, and rumoured to be the work of the devil. Demons had great powers, in strength and manipulation. Sadly used to kill and gain amusement.

Witches, being the last kind, were divided into two factions, the kind ones and the evil ones. The evil ones, coldblooded murders to their core, the good ones, helping all in need. Yet one day, a demon prince died under a witch's poison, a witch hunt started. No matter good or bad, all feel under the flames of revenge. The blood painted these woods read by the killing, yet all was justified by a prince's murder. The number of witches left in this country can be count by one finger.

A hundred year later, everything seemed to be forgotten, as the good deeds, their wonderful medicine and healing, all forgotten with their existence. Such a pity, don't you think. Truly, this kingdom had lost something so great, yet they didn't even know of it.

But how come? It was just a hundred years. It seemed to be, there was one last surviving witch, creating the most powerful memory removing potion in the history, let it rain over the country for 2 days straight. After the second day, all memories of witches from the history was wiped out, leaving people with only rumours from the darkness. "