To Bewitch a Devil

“Haha, I guess that was a little fun show, it is good that the king does not consider the slave girl his wife, this ceremony will go as planned. Cheers!”

He exclaimed and the guests cheered, although some were still having small talks about the girl.

Those that had not seen her before were still awed at the resemblance; they were surprised that the king did not stop the ceremony because of the girl because she was too alike to ignore.

Axel’s actions had saved her and also the throne. It meant that the king had not taken a liking to her, unlike what the rumors had said, and he was indeed serious about the queen selection.

But those that paid attention, like Princess Kitana, Jasmine, and Emma; noticed the girl’s dress.

They were not royal, but they were not of those that worked in the fields. They were of fine silk and since they wore many dresses and visited the tailors often, they knew a dress that was not poorly made.

The clothes she wore and the shoes on her feet were not from a lowly tailor.

Their eyes followed Axel as he led her outside the hall, and they continued the party as though they did not notice.

.....

Zavian breathed a sigh of relief after Axel saved her, but he instantly grew suspicious. How did he know her? Where did they meet? Why did he save her?

His thoughts raged with worry as he thought of where Axel had seen her. He did not want to look concerned about the girl, so he kept all emotions off his countenance.

Zavian’s eyes followed Fredrick as he walked back to his seat. Fredrick looked at him and smiled, an obvious wicked smile, and Zavian knew that he did what he did intentionally.

Zavian picked up his cup of wine and took a sip. It seemed like because he had been quiet for long, Fredrick had quite forgotten who he was.

It seemed it was time to remind him.

...

Axel took Neera out to an alley where no one was, and let her hand go.

“Hmm, I never thought I would meet you again.” He said with a smirk, his hands dipping into his pockets.

Neera lowered her head, tears gathering in her eyes.

“Thank you for saving me. I owe you.”

She said, tears falling from her eyes.

“Oh, don’t cry,” Axel spoke, walking to where she stood; he tried to wipe her tears, but she moved her head and did not let him touch her.

Axel’s hand hung in the air for a few seconds before he lowered it.

“What happened to your face?” He asked, and Neera touched her head; for a moment, she had forgotten her injury.

“I fell when I tried escaping from the Duke.” She replied.

“Come with me, let me tend to it,” Axel spoke and tried to take her hand, but Neera pulled away from him. Again.

“Thank you, your majesty, but it’s a minor bruise, I don’t want to inconvenience you.”

Axel stared at her; he knew there was no way he could make her go with him, so he let it go.

“Lord Fredrick would do anything to cause a war. He’s the closest relative to the King and the next in line to the throne if there’s a war, so that is why he tries to instigate a fight whenever he gets the chance.”

Axel explained. “I want my sister to be the queen, she wouldn’t if he becomes king, so I couldn’t watch him cause trouble.” He lied. Well, it was also part of the reason, but it was not the main reason why he saved her.

“Still, you saved me. I do not know how to repay you.” Neera spoke, and Axel cleared his throat, scratching the back of his head.

“Well, you can start by meeting me by the gardens tomorrow evening by six.”

Neera looked at him and sighed. She couldn’t, but he had saved her life, and if it was what she wanted, she would try. She hesitated for a second, then she replied.

“Okay, I would try to come.” At her reply, Axel heaved a sigh of relief.

“Oh my, for a second, I thought you were going to refuse. Thank you. See you tomorrow. Tend to your wound so it doesn’t leave a scar on your beautiful face.” He said, patting her hair. Axel stared at her for some time, then turned and walked back to the hall.

Neera stood for some minutes as she replayed everything that just happened. She had seen her life flash before her eyes. She already imagined that the dukes would ask for her head, and there was nothing the king would do if all the dukes agreed unless a war would begin.

There was no way the king would trade the whole kingdom to save her, a nobody. And even if he did so much as to hesitate, Freya would slice her in two.

Neera sighed as she walked back to the king’s chambers. She wondered what she would have done if Axel had not come to her rescue.

As she approached the King’s Court, her legs stopped to a standstill when she saw Freya, standing there with arms crossed in front of her.

Neera’s heart fell to her stomach as all color drained from her face.

She couldn’t run; the last time she tried running, she knew where it got her. Breathing in, she walked to Freya, and without waiting for her to speak, she fell to her knees.

“I’m very sorry for what I’ve done, I deserve to die.”

Freya was boiling with rage as she stared at the girl. Zavian had asked her not to hurt her, but she was at her brink this time.

“I warned you. I severely warned you not to let the dukes see you but what do you do? Walk right into the ceremony and cause chaos?!”

Freya shouted at her, her shoulders vibrating. Her claws were showing, and she was on the brink of slicing Neera’s throat with it and ending it all.

The worst Zavian would do was hate her for a hundred years; he would still forgive her.

Neera did not reply; she just remained on the ground, tears falling from her eyes.

“What do I do with you? What do I do with you, this godforsaken slave!” Freya shouted as she held Neera’s neck with her hand, her claws digging into her skin.

“Sister!”

A familiar voice called from the darkness and Freya raised her head.