To Bewitch a Devil

Princess Jasmine asked when she noticed Kitana’s strange happiness. Kitana, she knew, could not be happy about not winning. She would spend the whole day quietly and be irked out about everything, but she was strangely happy.

“Nothing special. I’m just in a cheerful mood.” Kitana replied, taking another spoon of her food;

Jasmine squinted her eyes as she stared at her suspectingly; “Nothing exciting has happened recently to make you this happy, Kitana.”

“Well, I don’t think you live inside of me to know if something grand happened or not, or do you?”

Kitana asked, and Jasmine smiled and continued eating. Daphne was on the other end of the dining table, eating quietly. She was the only one sure that she would not be queen. She had failed a test. There were no use building castles in the air.

She had held her head up high as she walked out of the arena, but as she got into her room; she burst into tears. She did not have the zeal to continue the contests again; she was no longer interested.

Alicia was by her side trying to cheer her up, but she was not responding.

“It would be just one queen anyway. We shouldn’t be sad. We knew only one of us would be queen. I don’t think any of this is unexpected.”

.....

Jasmine spoke aloud. Although she did not look at Daphne, they all knew who she was referring to.

Daphne looked at her but said nothing in reply. She just turned to her food and continued eating.

“On that note, I was asked to pass a message to us all. By dawn tomorrow, we would each receive a letter.”

At her words, everyone looked up at her;

When Jasmine saw she had gotten their attention, she continued;

“The next test would be held in a week’s time but a few of us will not partake in the test. They have been disqualified.”

Daphne’s face drained of all color as Jasmine’s words rang in her ears. Although she knew she would not be queen, she was not yet mentally ready to hear it. Coming to the Castle, she had been laden with hopes, hopes that she would emerge queen of the seven kingdoms, but it seemed reality came faster than she had expected. If she had not been disqualified on this test, maybe she would have had a chance...

“The letters would tell if you are qualified for the next contest. Those who were not would return to their kingdoms. The dukes would be informed in time, so they would send over chariots to take them back home.”

The Princesses looked at Jasmine. She had been sent to deliver the message to them, which meant that she was sure she was not leaving. Well, she had gotten fourth place and second place in the two tests so she was obviously not leaving.

There was quiet in the dinette as the Princesses wondered who was disqualified. They were sure of one person, Princess Daphne, but who else was going with her?

Their hearts raced as they wondered if it was them.

Alicia, who had been consoling Daphne, suddenly grew quiet. She had come last in both tests, so she was scared. If over one person were disqualified, she was surely the second person.

Alicia felt bad for Daphne, but she prayed deep in her heart that only Daphne would be disqualified and not her. She did not want to leave yet.

Kitana already knew she was not going, and she was a tad bit glad that some of them would be removed. They were too many, and some of them were clearly not good enough to be queen. They were just here wasting their time. It was better they returned to their kingdoms early and stopped having imaginary hopes.

Standing up from her chair, she smiled;

“I’ll be going back to my chambers.” She spoke as she walked out of the dinette, her hips swaying from side to side confidently.

...

Kitana walked to her vanity, but before she could sit down, there was a mild knock on the door.

“Come in,” she ordered. The door creaked open and the maid and servant stepped inside.

“Did you do it?” she asked the girl and she nodded, smiling.

“I told her it was very important, after which I hid and made sure she left to see him.”

Kitana nodded with a smile. “What of the King?” She asked the servant;

“He was in his chambers before I came to you, your highness.”

Kitana smiled; “Perfect! Come see me tomorrow for your reward.” She said to them and they nodded, thanking her before they walked out of the room.

Kitana walked to the mirror and made sure she looked good; picking up a red lipstick, she drew it over her lips before she smiled and left for the king’s court.

...

“I am here to see the king. Let me in.” Princess Kitana spoke as she stood in front of the guards.

“Your highness, we have to confirm from the king before letting you in.” The guard said, but before he could complete his words, Kitana walked past him to the king’s chambers. Quickly, he stepped in front of her, stopping her;

“Your highness!” He called respectfully but did not let her go in. Zavian just returned, and he was sure he did not want to see any visitors. He would punish him if he let her in.

Kitana raised her eyes and looked at him with a glare;

“Did you just try to touch me?” She asked, raising her voice. The guard stepped back but did not still let her go in. He feared her but was more scared of the king.

“Let her in;”

A voice called from behind and they both turned to see Zavian walking out of his chambers. There was a dark glare in his eyes as he stared at Kitana. The guard moved to the side as he let her in.