The Devil's Cursed Witch novel Chapter 53

That morning, Leeora went to check on Ember as usual. Visiting the human in the morning had become a part of the High Elder’s daily routine. A week had passed by since that ‘thief’ incident, and Ember had recovered enough to even leave her bed.

“Good morning, Ember,” Leeora greeted the young lady who was sitting by the window. Her face no longer had the bruises and small injuries she received from that night, but her skin was still suffering slightly red from the burn marks which were almost healed now, though the scars would probably take some time to fade. Though from what Leeora gathered, if she were not given proper potions soon, those ugly burn scars might permanently remain on the poor girl’s skin.

Ember’s long hair was still messy, almost like a curtain covering her small body, making her look even smaller. She looked like a lost child who had no one to look after her.

“Have you eaten your meal already?” Leeora asked affectionately as she replenished the supply of food, putting some freshly plucked fruits on the table. “I’m sure you are tired of eating porridge and bread so I decided to bring you fruits.”

Ember let out a grateful smile towards the kind elf, and as she was about to stand up to approach her, Leeora gestured for her to keep seated.

“Let me check on your wounds first.” Leeora kneeled down to match her height and began to check on the wounds on her face and arms. After that, she said, “Your leg?”

Ember quietly extended her right leg. Leeora pulled her dress up and inspected the wound as she gave out a satisfying sigh. “You know this cut is life-threatening. You would have lost your entire leg if immediate attention was not given. Fortunately, it didn’t get infected because His Majesty used the cautery technique when stitching it close. It must have hurt when he sewed it, but the pain was worth it. However, remember not to wear anything tight or anything that can make your skin itch until it fully heals—”

Though Leeora was speaking without any motives, Ember could not help but grit her teeth as she remembered that hateful man treating her with cruelty. Not just his actions, but even his words were cruel.

Leeora observed her body and her clothes that were different from the previous day. “You seem to have washed yourself already too. Such a good child!” Leeora then looked at her long mahogany hair and touched its strands. “Hmm, it seems you already brushed your hair but… There are damaged parts, mostly burned at the ends so it will be better if we trim them. What do you think?”

Ember nodded. Leeora returned to her house for a bit and returned with a pair of scissors in hand, smiling as she began her work on Ember’s long hair.

Leeora trimmed the burned parts of her long hair. The hair that was grown originally below her waist was now sheared to a length that reached her chest. “Your hair feels like silk on my hands, Ember. I didn’t realize you have such beautiful hair.. I am sure it will even be lovelier after we wait for your hair to grow back.”

Ember found herself in a daze under Leeora’s praise. It reminded her of Gaia who loved to brush her hair every night before going to sleep.

“You look so beautiful, little princess!”

Ember didn’t know if she was beautiful or not, but she trusted what Gaia said and saw herself through her eyes. To Gaia, she was her beautiful child.

In the morning, before starting their day, Gaia would also often style Ember’s hair, her personal favourite being when her long hair was neatly divided into two braids, each of them falling in front of her shoulders.