This is her protection to herself, if Saphira were to make a move then everyone in the kingdom will deem her unworthy of being part of that order.
And if something were to happen to her, Willow will be part of the people who will be ostracized.
"All those acts can pay off after all. Having to act as if I care for those people, just how tiring was that?" she then said.
She always had this gentle beauty in her, matching her light green hair and eyes.
It was as if the start of spring was there when one to look at her face.
But right now it was twisted into something no one would have thought will be placed on that gentle face.
The next day, her face became even more twisted when one of her subordinates reported that they couldn't get close to Willow at all.
Since Willow didn't come home the night before, Esther have decided to try and abduct her this time.
If it won't work then she will use her final card of making use of the people to be on her side, ostracizing Willow entirely.
But her subordinate just reported that they couldn't get close because Drake had been with her since she left Stormie's house.
"Why?!?! Why is it her? Why is he taking care of her instead of me? I had sent him letters upon letters but in the end he didn't reply to anyone of them."
She stomped her foot on the ground in agitation.
She had long possessed such strong desire towards Drake but each and every time she was being coldly pushed aside.
Yet even though he showed coldness towards Willow, he still showed much more attention and warmth towards her than the rest of the people around them.
And this brought more jealousy to her making her wishing that Willow would just disappear for good.
"Since it comes to this, then I have no other choice," she seethed.
*****
As Willow and Drake decided to spar with one another at the training ground.
Commotions came from the entrance.
Looking towards it, they found Esther walking in with bandages on her arms and on her neck.
Some band aid on her face.
Willow frowned seeing how she actually dared to show her face here with such look.
"Willow Virescent!! What is the meaning of this?" one knight rushed to her only to be stopped when Drake stepped in front of her.
"You call yourself a hero when you actually left your sister to die in the forest?!?!" another shouted.
Esther slowly made her way towards where Willow and Drake stood.
She was helped by some other knights.
When she saw Willow her eyes shone with happiness, "Thank god you are fine. When we were attacked by the beasts at the Null, and got separated I was worrieed sick if you were okay."
Willow instantly frowned but most knights were already glaring at her.
'Saphira was right, we were just heroes in names. We couldn't compare to the people who stayed and made their names known in the Empire,' she bitterly thought.
She wasn't the only one but even Drake who was hearing some other insulting her for leaving ehr sister behind.
"I heard that you returned yesterday with the otehrs and were so happy to hear that you returned unscathed."
Drake gritted his teeth while clenching his hands into fists.
So much for being the people to protect the Empire.
"I was lucky enough that a knight came and found me before I was to die. Unfortunately I have no idea who he was. I fainted and when I came to I was already at home. I had searched for you when I heard that you have returned as well. I was so worried Willow."
Willow wanted to laugh right now, her act was so beautiful even she would be moved by her 'love' for ehr sister.
Being injured and all but still worrying for her sister.
"What was the meaning of that?!? Esther was not a knight and you are but you dare bring her into such a dangerous place and leaving her alone."
"How low of you, she was so worried about you but you returned yesterday as if nothing happened."
"You must have planned on leaving her on her own from the very beginning."
"And you call yourself a knight. You can use sword while she can't."
Accusations after accusations without waiting for Willow to speak.
Drake wanted to rebuke but he felt her tug at his clothes.
If even he retaliates then surely both of them would be looked at unfavoringly by the people.
On the other hand, Esther had a smile on her lips while her face was being covered by her hands, seemingly crying.
"Please don't blame her. There was just too many of them. If she were to confront them then she would be in danger as well," Esther called out with her crocodile tears.
This enraged the people even more.
More and more came close and started looking at Willow disapprovingly.
"You just have Azure Dragon that is why you are part of the Orderr, if not for that you won't be at all. There are stronger knights here than you are."
'There it is jealousy again. Was this what Saphira had been facing all along? No she was facing more since even I as her companion was doing the same,' Willow thought.
Azure Dragon could just come out and speak but then what the people will believe is hiw words due to their fear and not because it was the truth.
Drake was already trembling in anger.
*SCREECH*
All those who are present were startled when they heard the screech of a bird.
Looking up they were even more shock to see that a giant phoenix was shotting down towards them.
It was so huge that most have runaway, Esther included but since it was crowded almost everyone were unable to leave the moment it hit the ground.
Drake and Willow included.