124 Chapter 124: Powerless

Hazel wanted to go and protect her kingdom as it was her duty as a Princess, which was easily ousted by Usui.

"The Royal Mages academy need their President alongside them. Leave your kingdom to us."

Hazel had to grudgingly accept his words when her friends agreed with his words. She pursed her lips and looked at Stella, Usui, and Zelal, who wanted to accompany his siblings.

Zeno looked at her apologetically, "I'm sorry but if you disappear at this point, I don't think the students will take it well."

Liz wrapped her arms around Hazel and said, "We are sorry that we are asking you to choose. now."

Loki looked at her and said, "With the way things stand, I'm sure the kingdom would be fine. So, don't worry about it."

Hazel sighed and patted Liz's arm, "I understand... I just have a bad feeling" which made Liz tighten her arms around her. She murmured, "It's not going to be like that always, Freya."

Hazel smiled stiffly and nodded making her relax. 

When the others continued to talk about patrolling, Usui glanced at Hazel who was staring outside the window. He saw her three black lines on her forehead as she stared into the darkness. He glanced back at the rest who were too into the discussion.

He got up from his seat and approached Hazel who seemed to not notice his presence. He sighed as he placed his hand on her shoulder. Hazel flinched slightly before turning around to find Usui looking at her worriedly.

Usui smiled helplessly and raised his finger to smoothen her forehead making Hazel gape at him. She lifted her finger and touched the spot he touched in surprise. 

Usui chuckled, "What? Why are you so shocked? Did you think I would be grumpy throughout the year?"

Hazel shrugged, "Well... you did look like that."

He curled his lips and said, "Haha... I was a little out of mind."

She turned to him and tilted her head, "So, how are you now?"

Usui took a deep breath before glancing into her emerald eyes. He smiled slightly, "I am getting better, I guess?"

Hazel smiled at him before turning back to the window.

She heard him say, "Don't worry too much. If anything happens, I swear that I will protect your family with my life."

Hazel looked at him and shook her head, "I hope nothing happens."

"Me too"

They halted their conversation when they heard the others announce, "Come over, guys. We have prepared the plan."

Hazel exhaled before walking towards the table and raised her eyebrow at Jinha who winked at her.

She shook her head and waited for Zeno to explain. 

Hazel raised her eyebrow at him to which he shrugged, "She wanted to help, and more the people, better the result, right?"

Stella looked at Hazel and said, "I promise I won't be a burden. I would take this as a practice session since I would join the council after the tournament."

Hazel laughed at her words and nodded her head.

"I look forward to seeing that."

Stella flashed her a grin before she focused on what Zeno said, "So you guys would cover each part of the academy till the morning team takes over."

Hazel nodded as she rose from her seat, "So, let's get this done with."

She looked at Zeno and said, "Inform Principal Vernon and look out for the North city."

Zeno nodded and the meeting was disbanded.

....

Midnight

After patrolling the north area, Usui and Hazel turned around the corner to patrol the west area while Loki and Stella would patrol the south and east areas.

"I thought you would accompany Stella for the rounds."

Usui smirked, "Why? Are you jealous?"

Hazel rolled her eyes and acted as if she didn't say anything making Usui laugh.

He pouted sadly, "She wanted to be with Loki."

Hazel raised an eyebrow and remembered when Stella said Loki was her knight. She smiled knowingly, "Looks like someone ranks above you."

Usui clenched his jaw and gritted his teeth hatefully.

Earlier, he was stunned when Stella immediately stopped him and stated, "Okay... so I will go with Loki and you can go with Hazel."

Usui narrowed his eyes and said, "I don't think so, Young Lady. You are coming with me."

Stella stuck out her tongue and ran off towards Hazel before he could stop her. He had no idea what she said to Hazel but he saw Hazel nodding to her before walking towards him.

He glared at Stella who ignored him and walked happily with Loki.

Hazel looked at him and said, "You can still leave if you don't want to be here. I can complete this patrol on my own."

Usui looked at her and shook his head.

"No, I don't mind doing this with you."

Hazel turned her head away from him while she surveyed her surroundings. Her heart thumped faster when he said those words. She was glad that he was back to his previous self even though she couldn't quite figure the reason out.

'Is it because her talk with Stella went well?'

Her heart ached when she thought of him being with her happily. But, she shook it off and focused on her task.

After an hour of patrolling, Usui stretched and asked, "Shall we sit somewhere for some time?"

Hazel nodded her head and followed Usui who approached a huge tree in the yard. Her eyes widened when she saw him climb the tree and make himself comfortable on the branch.

Her lips twitched when she thought of his ideal sitting spot.

Usui looked at her and tilted his head. He teased, "What? You are not going to say that you can't climb the tree, right?"

Hazel's lips twitched before she approached the tree and climbed it. She sat beside him and dusted her hands. She looked at Usui who smiled at her before gazing into the night. 

Frowning, Hazel followed his gaze. A gasp left her lips as her eyes widened in awe. 

The entire city was illuminated by bright yellow and golds. The deep inky black night was so different from the bright bustling city below it. She gazed into the full moon which was gracing us with its bright light leaving a blue light around her.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Hazel nodded her head and smiled at him brightly. She swung her legs as she sat there enjoying the silence. She started humming slowly making Usui smile gently at her.

She looked beautiful in the moonlight that his fingers subconsciously moved forward to caress her cheek. He stopped midway and looked at his hand before retracting it.

After a few moments of the melody filling the silence, Hazel spoke up, "Please protect my family."

Usui opened his eyes and looked at her, frowning slightly. 

"Do you doubt that the demons would attack the kingdom?"

She sighed, "I don't know but I get this bad nagging feeling which is worrying me. The last time that happened.... things didn't end well. "

Usui thought, 'Last time?'

She looked into his eyes and implored, "I can only rest easy if I was there to protect them."

Usui had a small smile on his face as he said, "I swear Hazel... I will do everything to keep your family safe. I will protect them with my life so please keep the academy safe for me."

Hazel nodded and gazed into the moonlit night. She drew her knees towards her chest and wrapped it with her arms as she said softly, "It happened in a full moon night too."

Usui frowned and looked at her who was staring at the dark ground.

He waited for her to continue even though he wanted her to spit it all out. He waited for a few minutes and when he learned that she wouldn't say any more, he exhaled. 

He looked at the time and saw it was four in the morning. A few more hours and then, they could call it a night. He opened his mouth to ask her when he heard her speak.

"I was powerless then." She cracked a painful smile as she said, "My family spoiled me rotten saying that all a princess had to do was to dress prettily every day. Like an idiot, I used to just play around and not do anything else. They would give me anything and everything that I ask for, except to let me out of the castle grounds."

"They always said it was dangerous... that harm will befall on me. But I never listened to them, as I wanted to explore the city. I was very curious about my kingdom, you see." 

Hazel looked at him and asked, "You never expected me to be like that, right?"

Seeing him stare at her dumbfounded, she laughed quietly, "I was too young then to understand the fact that the royals were always surrounded by enemies. You can imagine what it felt like being trapped in all the luxury but never had the freedom to do what I want."

She stretched her hand out and a little blue fire hovered on her palm highlighting her face. She stared into the fire and said, "I had to grow stronger... had to be able to protect my family because it was my fault."

She crushed her palm and the fire disappeared, masking them again in the darkness. 

"If only I had some awareness... if only I was strong back then, I would have been able to protect him. I would have never stood there horror-struck and watch him succumb to his death. I could have saved him if I had this power back then."

She buried her head inside her knees and mumbled, "It was my fault he died... It was my mistake that turned everyone's lives upside down."

She cried regretfully, "If I hadn't tried to explore the city...if I hadn't met that girl... if I hadn't allowed her to influence me... he would have been alive."