Chapter 22 : A Morning Disturbance
1168 Words
The first rays of dawn painted the sky in soft hues of violet and gold as Devorah walked through the forest surrounding Evernight Manor. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and blooming nightshade. Birds chirped lazily in the trees, their melodies weaving into the natural symphony of the waking woods.
She wasn’t usually one for early morning walks, but something about this place felt… different. Peaceful. As if the land itself whispered secrets to those who listened.
The moment of serenity shattered when a muffled cry echoed through the trees.
Devorah’s sharp gaze snapped toward the sound. She moved swiftly, her steps silent as she approached a small clearing. There, she found a young servant being dragged to the ground by two cloaked figures. A third assailant loomed over her, blade glinting in the weak morning light.
Devorah didn’t hesitate.
In a flash, she closed the distance, gripping the nearest attacker’s wrist and twisting it sharply. A sickening crunch filled the air as the man howled in pain, his weapon clattering to the ground. Without breaking stride, Devorah spun and delivered a swift kick to his chest, sending him crashing into a tree.
The other two turned, eyes widening in alarm. One lunged at her, but she easily sidestepped, catching his arm mid-strike and using his own momentum to slam him face-first into the dirt. The last attacker barely had time to react before she delivered a precise, bone-rattling swing kick to the side of his head. His body collapsed with a dull thud.
The young servant scrambled back, staring at Devorah with wide, startled eyes.
Devorah extended a hand. “You’re safe now.”
The girl hesitated before taking it, her breathing uneven. As she stood, recognition flickered across her face.
“I’ve seen you before,” Devorah said, studying her. “At the imperial palace.”
The girl, still shaken, nodded quickly. “Y-yes, my lady. I—. Thank you,truly”
A rustling sound cut her off.
Devorah tensed, ready for another fight—until Sean stepped out of the trees.
She blinked. He looked... ridiculous.
His crimson eyes, still clouded with sleep, barely managed to stay open. His black silk pajamas were slightly rumpled, and his normally sleek hair was a complete disaster—sticking out in every direction, as if he had lost a battle with his pillow.
He stared at the scene before him, frowning. “What happened?”
The servant lowered her head in respect. “I was attacked, Your Highness, but she saved me.”
Sean barely acknowledged her nervousness, his gaze sweeping over the scene before landing on the minor cuts on Becky’s arms. His lips pressed into a thin line, irritation flickering in his expression—though whether at the attackers or himself for arriving late, Devorah couldn’t tell.
With a sigh, he stepped closer, patting Becky’s head with an uncharacteristically gentle touch. "Are you hurt anywhere else?"
The girl shook her head, cheeks flushed. “N-No, Your Highness.”
Sean’s gaze shifted to Devorah. He studied her for a moment.
Sean gestured to the guard who had followed him. "Take her back to the manor. Have someone tend to her injuries."
The guard obeyed immediately, leading Becky away.
The moment she was out of earshot, Devorah turned to Sean with an unreadable expression. Then, suddenly—
She laughed.
Loudly.
Sean blinked, caught completely off guard. This was the first time he had heard her laugh in months.
For a brief second, he didn’t know how to react. Devorah’s usual demeanor was sharp, composed, always measured—but now, standing there in the early morning light, she looked different.
Sean frowned, looking more confused than ever. “What?”
Devorah gestured vaguely at his entire appearance. “Your hair—” she broke into another fit of laughter, clutching her stomach. “It looks like a bird’s nest!”
Sean scowled. “I heard a commotion and came to check. Forgive me for not styling my hair before investigating an attack.”
Devorah only laughed harder. “Oh, this is gold. I wish I had a mirror so you could see yourself.”
Sean ran a hand through his hair in an attempt to fix it, but Devorah smirked, tilting her head as if considering his words. Then, with a mischievous glint in her royal blue eyes, she reached up and tousled his hair even more, making it stick out at all angles.
Sean’s jaw dropped. “You—”
“You look like a storm hit you.” She smirked.
Sean glared at Devorah, his expression a mix of disbelief and childlike irritation. “Are you done?”
She gave him a once-over, as if seriously considering it, then shrugged. “Not really.”
Sean exhaled through his nose, closing his eyes for a moment as if summoning patience. “You know, most people in this empire wouldn’t dare—”
“I’m not most people.” Devorah cut him off smoothly, her smirk widening.
He swatted her hand away and quickly tried to smooth his hair back into place, but Devorah flicked a strand up again with a single finger, undoing all his work.
He glared. “You are impossible.”
“And yet, here I am,” she replied smugly.
Sean groaned, clearly regretting all his life choices that led to this moment. “Why did I even bring you here?”
Devorah grinned. “Because deep down, you knew I’d make things interesting.”
Sean muttered something under his breath, too quiet for her to hear.
Sean scoffed, turning his head slightly away. “You’re my special adviser. If something happened to you, it’d be... inconvenient.”
She hummed, unimpressed. “Mhm. Sure. ‘Inconvenient.’”
Devorah smirked, tilting her head. “Or you were just worried about me. Because I’m damn sure you went to my room to look for me didn't you?.”
He shot her a sharp look, but she only smirked, completely unbothered.
Sean sighed dramatically and turned toward the manor. “I’m going inside before I throw you into a tree.”
Devorah grinned, falling into step beside him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
She chuckled. “You like me too much.”
Instead of arguing, he just continued walking towards the manor, clearly done with this entire conversation.
Devorah nudging his shoulder playfully. “You know, for someone who’s supposed to be terrifying, you’re pretty easy to mess with.”
Sean rolled his eyes. “You talk too much.”
Devorah grinned. “And you’re just mad you can’t keep up.”
He groaned dramatically. “I’m going inside before I regret my decision to bring you along.”
“Too late,” she teased.
Sean didn’t reply, but Devorah caught the way his lips twitched—just barely—as if holding back a smile.
And for some reason, that made the morning feel just a little brighter.
- Writer
