To Bewitch a Devil

37 Is there anything else, Your Majesty?

Zavian looked at the girl standing in front of him; she was biting her lower lip, and it looked like she was in a lot of pain; but even then, she pretended that she was fine. Earlier, he had not expected the witch to hurt her, and before he could stop her, her claw had dug into her skin.

He had said he was willing to do anything, so naturally, he should be ready to see her being cut apart, but watching it happen was totally different from just saying it. She looked like Lilah, so it felt like it was her who was getting hurt. He was relieved when the torture stopped and he wanted to check on her immediately, but he stopped himself. The last thing he wanted to do was show weakness in front of these witches. He did not trust them.

Although they were not against him, they were not totally in support of him. During the war, some of them had aided his father to fight him, and only came to his side when they saw he was triumphing. He only asked for their help because Eloise could not provide a solution.

If they saw that she affected him, they could start plotting against him, and he did not want that, not at this critical moment.

When Neera saw that he was not saying anything, she bowed her head;

”Is there anything else, your majesty?” she asked, her head lowered.

Zavian stared at her for a while, then he placed the bowl on a table; ”You may leave.”

He said, and she bowed and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Neera stood outside the door for a moment, then she breathed out before she continued forward.

She must have been stupid to have thought that the King would consider her. Although she knew she would go through a lot for his Queen to return, she felt repulsed that he would think of taking care of her, after taking her to the slaughterhouse. It was better he ignored her entirely and treated her the way everyone else treated her, then she wouldn’t feel this bad.

.....

He did not owe her any explanation, but it would not be totally wrong for him to tell her what he was taking her for, so she would prepare herself.

Neera was so angry, but she eased her frown when she saw a group of maids chatting.

”I hear some of the dukes have arrived, but the official coming to the Castle would be tomorrow. I can’t wait! Rumors say the princesses are the prettiest demons to ever exist...”

Neera overheard their gossip as she passed by them. Well, thankfully, the princesses would arrive the next day, and there would be something else for the Castle to talk about. She hoped Zavian would be too distracted to ask for her. She did not even want to see his face.

”Neera... ” Kira called when she noticed Neera coming down the stairs, her dress stained with blood.

When Neera saw her, she quickly covered her wrist, not wanting her to see the injury.

”What happened?” She asked as she walked up to her. Neera shook her head.

”It’s nothing. It is just a minor bruise. ” Now that they were back at the Castle, Kira was back to her post. She was a naturally good person, throughout the journey, she did not laden them with work unduly.

Kira frowned and looked at her dress, which Neera was trying very hard to hide. The blood on it was a little too much for just a minor bruise.

”Let me see,” she said, and without waiting for Neera’s response, she pulled her hand up;

”Who did this to you?” Kira gasped when she saw the deep claw mark on her vein. Neera could not keep lying now; she lowered her head, a low sigh leaving her lips.

”Was it the king?” Kira asked, and Neera shook her head.

”A witch, they are trying a ritual, to bring back the Queen.”

Kira grew quiet at her words. She was getting annoyed at everything. The queen was dead for over five centuries; can he not just let her go? Must he hurt an innocent person just because he wants to bring her back?

Besides, he would soon choose a wife, if he chose a wife and he brought her back, what would he do to the new queen? Banish her? Send her back? Surely, the dukes will not hear of it. This was a really messy situation and sadly, Neera was caught up in all of it.

Neera released her hand from Kira’s grip; ”It’s fine. It does not hurt much; please do not tell anyone about this.” She pleaded and Kira sighed; she wished there was somewhere Neera could hide, but it was not possible. Zavian owned all of these lands, and running away would spell greater doom for her. There was nothing she could do; she was stuck here. Kira did not know what to say to her, she just sighed;

”It is going to be fine, okay? Just hold on, before you know it, all of this is behind you.” She could not say her thoughts out loud; the walls had ears, and she was not ready to die. Pausing for a second, she continued;

”Lady Beatrice called for an assembly, clean your blood stains before joining the others. You know how much they love a new gossip.”

She said, and Neera thanked her; ”Thank you, I’ll be outside in a moment. ”

Neera went back to the maids’ room, and there were just a few maids in the room. It was a bright day, and most of them had gone out to their duty posts. Neera was thankful as she hurriedly went to her corner and changed her dress. Tearing a small part of her dress, she tied the wound. It had stopped bleeding but it was still bright red and would catch attention; so she covered it with a piece of cloth.