To Bewitch a Devil

Neera smiled faintly and walked up to her. ”What happened to your hand?” Pen asked when she noticed the piece of cloth around her wrist.

”Oh it is nothing;” Neera said, putting her wrist behind her; ”The king is pushing forward with bringing his wife back; the witches needed to take some of my blood. ” Neera said with a smile,

”Oh my, does it hurt?” she asked, and Neera shook her head; ” not in the least.” she lied.

Pen wanted to ask another question, but Lady Beatrice’s voice interrupted her.

”Girls!” she called aloud, and they all turned to her;

”Yes Lady Beatrice;” They answered in a chorus.

”The Dukes and the princesses are arriving at the Castle tomorrow. You know how important this occasion is; no misbehavior will be tolerated. There are seven princesses, and I would assign just of you to each of them. They would be coming with their own maids, but they would need one from the palace in case they find anything difficult.”

There were murmurings among the girls as Lady Beatrice paused; her eyes scanning the girls. She already knew who she wanted to pick to serve the princesses, but she did not want it to seem partial, so she summoned all of them.

.....

”Penelope...” Beatrice called, and Pen, who was talking with Neera behind, turned forward in surprise. She had never been picked for important functions, well, except to go get eaten by the Soul Eaters.

”Yes ma’am. ” Pen answered, tiptoeing so Lady Beatrice could see her;

”Come forward; ” she ordered, and Pen looked at Neera in surprise before walking forward amid the stares of the other maids. Well, everyone wanted to serve the princesses. Not only would it elevate their status in the court, but during the months the princesses would be in the court; they would not do any other chores but serve them. They would be treated as royal personal maids, and they would eat better meals, and wear better clothes. There were just unlimited benefits for serving the princesses.

The maids murmured as they watched Pen walk up to the lifted podium where lady Beatrice stood, and they wondered why she was picked to serve the princesses. They had thought it would be one of the higher-ranking maids, but Penelope had just come to the Palace; it was surprising.

”Shh... I did not ask you to speak; ” Beatrice spoke, silencing the murmurs in the crowd. She had thought overnight about who to choose to serve the Princesses and the best bet was to go for the lower maids. They were humble and would surely do the work thoroughly and not take advantage of the position. The higher-ranking maids were already too exposed. They had thirst for power already and might want to seduce the dukes or the royalties who had come with them. She could not risk such disarray in the court on this important occasion.

”Penelope, you would serve Princess Lyra,” she continued; ”don’t worry, you would know them when they arrive at the Castle.

”Rue. ” Lady Beatrice continued, and the girl stepped out; she was also a new maid in the Castle;

”You would serve Princess Kitana. ”

Rue nodded.

Lady Beatrice went on to call on a few other maids, and when the seven of them stood on top of the podium, she turned to the others.

”Although I have elected these few, any of you can still be called on errands, and you must not hesitate. Have I made myself clear?” Lady Beatrice asked among the jealous eyes of the maids who did not look pleased that they were not selected.

”Yes, Lady Beatrice; ” they all chorused.

”You can leave. ” She said, and they all dispersed. Neera waited behind for Pen, who was smiling excitedly.

”Neera!” Pen exclaimed, she never expected to be selected to serve the Princesses; she did not even dream of it. This was the best thing that had happened to her since she came to the Castle.

”I’m so happy for you. ” Neera smiled and hugged Pen; ”You won’t have to overwork like the rest of us. ”

”You wish, the Princesses have been spoiled all their lives, I just hope the one I have to serve is not wicked. ”

”Me too. ” Neera was happy for her friend. At least, one of them would be happy here.

The day went by quickly and when it was almost night, a guard walked to Neera, where she sat with a few maids picking beans;

”The king has asked for you, ” he informed her. Neera stood up quickly and went to the King’s chambers. The high doors were closed and she knocked a few times before she pushed them open.

She looked around the room but could not see the king; her eyes fell on the ottoman in the corner of the room, and she frowned when she saw new dresses neatly folded inside a small box.

They were not maid dresses and looked like they were made of fine silk. In another box were placed shoes. Neera stopped in her tracks as her eyes looked over the items on the couch, as she wondered who they were for.

Just when she thought about it, the doors pulled open and the king walked in. Neera turned around to look at him.

”Your Majesty; you asked for me. ” She said when she saw him walk in, her head lowered.

Zavian stared at her for a few seconds, then he walked to where she stood; taking her wrist; he inspected it.

”Does it still hurt?” He asked.

Neera shook her head, still staring at the ground. After some seconds, Zavian let her go and then pointed at the boxes.

”These are for you,” he said, and Neera turned to the couch in surprise; walking to it, she picked up the boxes.

”Thank you, Your Majesty. ”