Chapter 57 - THE WITCH REAL FACE

"You look so pretty tonight Lady Jieun." Of course only Prince Haru is the one who can say those.

After the exchange rings ceremony is done, Jieun and Eun-Woo is now in the hall to dine, while waiting for the next tradition which is dancing.

As soon as the couple entered the hall, all the princes continued to gather around the couple.

"You look tense." Prince Ray states the truth to the girl.

"Of course she is when everyone is looking at her." Prince Ethan, who always has something to comment on Prince Ray words, said that.

"You better be good to her Eun-Woo." Prince Leo suddenly giving advise although it's very rare for him to do so.

"This is for you Lady Jieun. Probably it will make you less nervous before dancing."

Jieun looks at the wine that was given to her while laughing, a bit forced. She is actually never drinking alcoholic beverages in her entire life. One, because she is concerned about her health even though she is fine this few years. Second, it's because she didn't really fond of those kind of things.

"She can't drink." Eun-Woo said, strict, while staring sharply at Haru. He actually didn't know if she can drink or not, but observing her, he kind of knowing.

"Alright, alright. Don't be too protective will you."

"It's fine." Jieun said softly to Eun-Woo. Doesn't want them to bicker because of her.

"But, I'm sorry Prince Haru. I really can't drink, but, thank you anyway." Jieun didn't want to make Haru feel discouraged, so she just took that glass, and holding it without drinking the content.

At the very moment, Prince Syaoran comes with the alcoholic drink, serving Jieun with that, automatically changing the glass with the one that Jieun is holding. Jieun smiles thankfully to him.

"Can I see our main character of the night too?" Suddenly a voice that is so melodious is heard there. All the princes now gave way to her. Even Jieun, cannot close her eyes at the time.

That person, walking so confidently closer to her, looking so pretty just like a model. At the time, Jieun could hear Prince Ethan, clearing his throat before introducing the pretty woman that just came there and now stood in front of Jieun.

"Lady Jieun, this is Princess Mia." He said. "My wife." It took a while before he said the important part. But Jieun already know who she was after hearing the name, as she still remember Prince Haru told her about that in the Hilleo Village before.

"I'm Jieun." Jieun awkwardly introduce herself. She actually didn't really know what to do. Shaking hands doesn't seem right. Bowing 90 degresss, also not this world culture. But that woman just keeps on smiling and come closer now, to hug her.

"I'm glad that there's a girl married to one of this prince, and come to living in this palace. Finally, I got a company." She said it kindly. Not once stopping from smiling.

"I'm glad to see you too." Jieun replied. Hoping that they can be a good friend after this. She can feel it will happen anytime now.

"If anything, don't hesitate to find me. I always feel bored here anyway."

"Will do." She didn't know that how thankful Jieun was feeling with her saying that.

At the time, suddenly King Liam was making an appearance with Queen Anna. He said one and two things before the dance tradition finally began. Starting with he and his Queen. Before all the princes also dancing with their partner or the guest who is there tonight.

Jieun that nervous, still manage to proceed with the help of Eun-Woo. She keeps practicing with Ayana before, so she can keep up a bit, but even that, she actually didn't know how much time she stepped on the man's feet. But Eun-Woo, never complain about that. Thankfully.

After 30 minutes, the dance finally stops. And all of them now wandering here and there, eating while talking.

Jieun was also introduced to various dignitaries there. She has yet come close to Ayana and Granny Susan, who also inside that hall as she is busy to get here and there following Eun-Woo around.

Until one point, Jieun said Eun-Woo that she needs to use the toilet. Eun-Woo want to accompany her, but it seems to much protection, so she said its fine. As she already knows where is it. Just at the corner outside the hall. 100 meters only. With that, Eun-Woo with heavy heart just let her go.

After Jieun came out of the toilet, she wanted to go back into the hall. But as she walked, the lights along the area started flashing until it made a sound that was quite frightening to her. Her walking pace, began to slow down. She observed the surroundings at the time.

Jieun didn't want her feelings to overwhelm her so, she persuaded her heart at that point. 'There's nothing wrong. Probably the light needs some fixing. ' She thought about that over and over again.

But, she stopped her walking as all the light there suddenly disappear. All the way through so she couldn't even see where she had to go. Her heart now beating quite fast. The air in there doesn't feel right.

Click clack... Click clack...

She can hear something, or someone walking near where she was standing. Didn't know what to do, as her eyes cannot see anything in the dark, she is just hugging herself. Prepared herself for whatever that comes next.

After a while, she can hear someone snapping a finger once, making only the light above her to light up back.

Jieun make a gasp sound after looking at the scary looking person right infront of her. Its not only the whole appearance but the person aura also making her seem like cannot breath.

White hair, sunken face and neck, dark teeth and eyes. The person looks exactly like a walking corpse, which Jieun never encounter such a person before. She even could see the person vein popping too visible in the hands. The black gown that the person wore also making the entire appearance become even more scarier.

She is feeling scared, but she still keep looking at the person. There must have a reason why the person stood in front of her right then. So she wanted to find out what the reason about.

"Well..." The person is now started talking, kind of whisper in eerie tone.

"Who are you?" Jieun let out her question.

"You are the brave one are you..." The person is now walking closer to Jieun, still with the clacking sound of her heels there.

"In your opinion... Who do you think I am...?" The person seems like to want to play puzzles with her. But Jieun didn't answer.

One that she confident to say is the person is a woman. Although not really looking like one.

Suddenly the person walking round and round, surround Jieun, while looking at the girl from top to bottom. Several times. Before she roughly grab Jieun face with her hand.

"Your face really look like Aera... No doubt in the eyes that you're her daughter..." The scary looking woman now moving her hand, rubbing Jieun face with her long sharp nail then, she grabs Jieun neck after that, slightly choking her. Making Jieun feel a little hurt as the person nail is now stab at her skin.

"Tell me... Who is your father in that Elysium Land? Did your mother left you with a will before she died? Do you know the secret of the royal? How you get your power? Tell me!"

The women now bombard a lot of questions to Jieun now with a raging breath. Seem like she already had those questions for long and right now she cannot wait to ask all of that.

"Why would I tell you that?" Suddenly her courage came, Jieun alone did not know where she got that. It just that, from the beginning, when the woman mentioned about her mother, she had already decided to confidently stand there without showing that she is scared.

"Ha Ha..." The women let go of Jieun now and started laughing hysterically while holding her stomach.

Just like a crazy person that just got out of a mental hospital, Jieun said that in her mind while keep watching. Who knows if the person tries to attack her or anything? So she needs to stay alert.

Abruptly, the woman back on her scary aura. No more laughing.

"How... interesting... Too... interesting..."

At the time, a gentle breeze suddenly passed through the area. Jieun could feel that the wind seems to contain a dew, as her feeling her skin kind of cold now.

"Arghh!"

But, after that, the woman infront of her suddenly groaned in pain loudly. Jieun could see that the woman face and skin seem like to be burning. Small, orange red fire now appear here and there.

With that, the area is bright again. All the light that's gone before, get back to function properly.

"What are you trying to do to Jieun, Freya?"

Jieun feel a little relieved now when someone helps her there. Queen Anna showing up at the right time. Who knows what the scary looking women want to do with her as she knows she will refuse to answer all of her question.

But to Jieun surprised, the scary looking woman in front of her before, now turn to such a beauty. The scary looking just like a walking corpse, is gone all of sudden.

Queen Anna comes closer and stand in front of Jieun. Like wanted to protect her from the person.

"You're playing rough My Queen." Freya said. It took a while before she gets hold of herself from the pain, caused by those holy waters. Even if it's just a sprinkle.

"You are the one who should think twice before attacking a royal member. How rude of you to her when it's just the first day she come in here. Now go before I do something worse." Queen Anna gives a warning, as she already feels rage coming to her heart when facing the witch.

"Tch." Not wanting to make a fuss anymore, Freya now decide to disappear. As she usually does.

Queen Anna then watched Jieun. She inspects her here and there while holding the girl's shoulder.

"Are you okay?" She is asking softly, sound worried just like a mother.

"I'm fine. But who is she?" Jieun actually have an idea about who that person is, but she just wanted to make a conversation so that things are not awkward between her and the Queen.

The Queen hit Jieun softly in her hand.

"What's okay? Your neck is bleeding. Thankfully, it just a small cut." Queen Anna said, regretted the incident.

"That person is the witch. unfortunately she is this palace witch that hired by the King. I never like her as she always ambush people that interest her like that. Remember, if you come across her again, run the other way if possible. No, I should hire someone to accompany you all the time. Just, don't meet the witch alone. We never know what she is thinking." Queen Anna gave a long message.

Jieun smile wide. She already could feel the love from the woman. That honestly worried about her. She is not fortune teller or anything, but her judgment of character is actually quite good.

"Thank you for worrying Queen Anna. But I am just fine. I just feeling a bit scared as I never encounter such a person before."

Queen Anna nodded in understanding.

"Look like someone else is worried about you too." She said while smiling meaningfully.

Jieun takes a look behind her now and found that Eun-Woo running fast approaching them. As he already there, he didn't say anything, but just keep staring at her and the Queen.

"Well, now you're here. It's your turn to take care of Jieun. The witch almost scared her to death just now."

"What?" Eun-Woo face looks cold now after knowing what just happen.

"Let me, excuse myself first." Said Queen Anna, in fast walking away, leaving Jieun and Eun-woo there.

"The witch confront you?" Eun Woo is asking a bit too serious in his face. Clearly he also doesn't like the witch just like the Queen.

"She did. With her scary old look. But Queen Anna come and help me."

Eun-Woo seem not to hear what she is saying and keep on looking at her wound in the neck.

Jieun realize what is that look all about, and she slowly holding her neck cover the hurting part.

"It didn't hurt. I promise. I will put some ointment later and it will be fine."

Jieun try to assure the man. Trying to look unbothered by what she just going through.

But Eun-Woo knows better than that. His face clearly show his discomfort.. He swear next time he come across the witch, he will do the same thing, as what she had done to Jieun.