The Devil's Cursed Witch-Chapter 489: Talk With Brother

A/N- Dear readers, this novel doesn't have a tag "Reverse Harem" that means it's not a Reverse Harem. So kindly calm your minds and do not get frustrated over what is not even written by author.

If Morpheus was going to mate with Ember, there was no need for me to create a different bond for them. He is her protector and reasons you will know when you keep reading.

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The human leader and those with him bowed to Draven.

"Welcome to the human clan, Your Majesty," the leader said.

Draven simply hummed, his gaze sweeping around. There were quite a few humans gathered, but he sensed nothing unusual.

Ember observed the human leader closely. He was young, like Erlos and Aureus, with a strong and tall build draped in dark clothes. His face carried a roguishness and confidence that remained firm even in front of the strongest supernaturals.

The leader turned to Ember. "Lady Ember, I am delighted to see you here. Finally, we could meet."

Ember only nodded, her sharp gaze scrutinizing the man.

Then, turning to Morpheus, the leader said, "Commander... My apologies, Divine Eagle Morpheus, welcome."

Everyone was used to calling Morpheus Commander, but he no longer held that title — and clearly, even the human clan had come to know of it.

Morpheus met his gaze coldly. "Seems like you're very well-informed about what happens in our territory."

"As a leader of a clan, I must keep track of everything," the human leader replied smoothly. "Don't you also gather information about what happens in ours?"

"Today, we'll find out just how well-informed we are," Morpheus said sarcastically.

The leader simply smiled and turned to Ember. "Lady Ember, allow me to introduce someone to you."

He gestured toward Rhian, who had been quietly watching Ember all this time.

"Prince Rhian, I have fulfilled my promise of bringing your sister to you."

Ember turned her face to follow the leader's gaze. A young man stood ahead, with two knights behind him. Though he wore similar dark clothes as the human clan leader, anyone could tell at a glance that this young man didn't belong here.

Despite the simplicity of his attire, he carried himself with royal elegance. His features were sharp, and his gaze was steady, filled with warmth and kindness as he looked at her.

Rhian walked toward her, his eyes never leaving her as if trying to etch her image into memory — trying to match her face with a forgotten one.

Those green eyes—eyes he had barely seen when she was a newborn—still felt familiar, the most beautiful pair he had ever seen.

She resembled that woman he had loved like a second mother — the woman who was brutally killed while giving birth to her child.

With those blurred memories swirling in his mind, he finally stood facing Ember, while his two knights respectfully kept their distance.

As the two siblings stared at one another, neither knew what to say.

Finally regaining his composure, Rhian spoke:

"I am the third prince of Valor, Prince Rhian Valor... and your third brother, princess of Valor."

Hearing him, Ember felt a wave of emotion — a strange connection she couldn't explain. But as soon as she heard him call her princess of Valor, her expression hardened.

"I am not a princess of any kingdom, Prince Rhian," she said firmly. "I am simply the mate of King Draven and Divine Eagle Morpheus."

Rhian could sense the displeasure in her voice. Of course, she would be upset, after everything she had gone through.

"If I may ask," she continued, her gaze unwavering, "why are you here? I believe from such a far distance, I'm not bringing any bad omen to your kingdom. Are you here to kill me as you all failed to burn me on that mountain?"

All the pent-up emotions — the hurt, the loss, the helplessness, and all those soul-burning feelings she had endured for years on that dead mountain — were about to resurface as Ember stood face-to-face with someone connected to it all. Even if he was her brother, as he claimed, to her, he was one of them.

Rhian remained calm. Her anger and sharp words were justified. Anyone in her place would have felt the same.

In response to her words, Rhian suddenly dropped to his knees in front of everyone, taking Ember completely by surprise.

Lowering his head, he said, "I know nothing can make up for what you've been through, but I'm here to apologize on behalf of everyone who hurt you. I apologize as your brother — the one who failed to protect you. You might never forgive us, but still, I wish to seek your forgiveness. Just know this — our mother, the Queen of Valor, did everything she could all these years to protect you, with the help of that witch who raised you as your nanny. But that doesn't spare us from the guilt of not being able to protect you ourselves. Mother sent me to ensure you are safe and well protected. If you are not, I will do everything in my power to protect you now."

Ember was taken aback, her mind swirling with emotions she didn't know how to process.

Draven gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder, offering silent support, while Morpheus finally lowered his wings, which disappeared behind his back.

It was nothing unusual for the humans, but Rhian's two knights were shocked.

Where did those huge wings go? What kind of craftsmanship is that?

The human leader stepped in. "Lady Ember, I think you and Prince Rhian should have a good talk."

Ember looked up at Draven, seeking his opinion. He nodded in agreement. Finding Agartha and reaching this place was no small feat — this prince's determination was clear. Giving him a chance wouldn't be a loss.

"Why don't you sit and talk? We've prepared everything in honor of our guests," the leader said, motioning toward a sitting area set up in the open. Several tents glowed softly with lamplight around them.

"Prince Rhian and Lady Ember, you may have a quiet conversation there," the leader offered.

Ember glanced at Rhian, who softly asked, "Shall we?"

She looked at Draven once more for reassurance.

"Go ahead," Draven said gently.

As Rhian began to lead the way, Morpheus followed immediately, falling into step beside them.

Rhian stopped and turned to him. "I would like to speak with her alone."

Morpheus glared at Rhian, not caring that he was Ember's brother — a silent warning in his eyes, One wrong move, and I will end you.

But before tensions rose further, Draven placed a hand on Morpheus's shoulder.

The angry eagle turned to look at Draven, reading the silent message in his calm gaze — It's time to let them show their tricks.

As they had agreed beforehand, using this as an opportunity to uncover all the dirty schemes humans were planning, Morpheus gave in, though reluctantly. Thanks to their sharp senses, they could hear every word exchanged between the siblings anyway.

The human prince was not even a threat to Ember. She was invincible and could never be harmed.

"I've arranged a place for us as well," the leader said, "Until Lady Ember finishes speaking with her brother, why don't we sit down, have drinks, and discuss the territorial matters? It's not every day that we meet like this."

The leader gestured toward the table surrounded by chairs, motioning for Draven to sit first. Morpheus remained standing, his senses sharp, his gaze fixed on Ember and Rhian in the distance.

"It's cold here," Rhian said gently as he poured tea for Ember.

Ember eyed the cup warily, as though unsure if she could trust a drink offered by a stranger.

Understanding her hesitation, Rhian took the first sip himself without a word.

He then poured another cup and offered it to her.

This time, Ember accepted it and began sipping slowly, still cautious but willing to listen.

"What's your true purpose for coming here?" she asked, her voice sharp. "I believe everyone must think this witchalready burned and died on that mountain."

"My mother said nothing can harm you — that you are alive," Rhian replied softly. "All she wanted was to make sure you are safe. She asked me to find you and take you somewhere secure, where no one could ever reach you."

"Why would she do that when even the king wants his daughter dead?" Ember asked coldly.

"That's not true. Father is bound by a decree his father — the previous king — issued," Rhian said, and he went on to explain everything that had happened in the past.

Ember listened quietly, her eyes turning moist.

"But now, I have nothing to do with any of you," she said firmly. "Now that you've found me, you can return and never speak of me to anyone. I don't want any of you intruding on my peaceful life."

Rhian looked at her for a long moment before speaking again.

"I heard the people here are powerful and dangerous. Are you truly safe here? Has the king kept you here by force? If he—"

"He didn't," Ember interrupted, her voice unwavering. "I'm with him because I love him, and he is my true home. Trust me, they are far better than you treacherous humans — who are nothing but cruel and selfish. And even if he had kept me here by force, you weak humans could have done nothing about it."

"You are a human as well…" Rhian tried to argue.

"I am a witch. Have you forgotten?" she cut him off, her gaze sharp and cold.

Rhian could still see the deep hurt she carried.

"For me, you are and will always be my sister," he said gently. "If I hadn't been a mere child back then, I would have protected you — even at the cost of my life. Our other two brothers would have done the same."

Ember could sense his sincerity but didn't want to let herself believe it.

"Then after growing up, you could have come to my rescue on that mountain," she said bitterly.

"That mountain was the safest place for you," he explained. "Mother had planned to send you away secretly to an ancient temple, where no one would recognize or bother you. But before that could happen, the incident took place — and we lost you. Trust me, I searched for you on that dead mountain for so long. I wandered to every place on the continent I could. Now that I've found you, you can choose to come with me — and I promise, I will protect you."

"It's far too late for that," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "If any of you had come to those mountains and asked me to come with you — even after all the pain you caused me — I would have followed you like a loyal dog. But not now." Her voice broke slightly. "You can return and tell your mother that I am dead. I don't want anyone to ever know about me again."

"I can't do that. Mother would be heartbroken. She has gone against her own husband since then, for your sake. They are no longer husband and wife — just the King and Queen of Valor. I must tell my mother that you are alive and living a good life."

"Do as you wish," Ember said coldly. "But if any of you come here again to disturb my life, don't blame me for being cruel. My mates won't spare anyone who tries to harm me."

"No one would harm you," Rhian said, his voice resolute. "If anyone even dared, I would be the first to stand in the way and protect you."

Though her heart could tell he meant what he said, but unwilling to trust any human, she shot him a look full of doubt, as though she didn't trust a word he said.

"I think that's enough," she said flatly. "If there's nothing else, I'd like to leave."

Just as Ember turned to leave —

Swish! Ugh!

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

All Ember knew was that a man's body had suddenly enveloped her in a protective embrace — and something had pierced his back, leaving him in terrible pain. Soon a warm started to smear her hands that held the man in reflex.