A Beast's Tale

Chapter 5

I was just getting back into my book when my door burst open again, immediately inspiring deadly annoyance within me as I looked up to see who the intruder was this time. Clavis, with Ivetta. He was practically dragging her along, his arm linked through hers. Her expression did not match his laughing golden eyes and sly grin. In fact, she was struggling to hide her irritation.

“Chev, I found this little dove fluttering around in your office and thought I should return her to you,” he said with glee.

She quickly pulled free from him, stepping back several paces to put distance between them.

“Thank you for the escort, Prince Clavis,” she said, her words polite but her voice cool.

“You’ll be pleased to know that she didn’t read that letter, Chev. She’s honest to a fault.” Clavis’ golden eyes sparkled as he grinned at her.

I was not in the mood to put up with his harassment this afternoon. Not after that exchange with Leon, and my frustrating conversation with Jin, and Clavis’ teasing all morning.

“If you don’t have anything of substance to say, leave,” I said sharply.

“Aw, don’t be like that, Chev. After I’ve been such a kind brother, returning your new little pet,” he said, smirking.

She blushed, her green eyes flashing angrily. “Prince Clavis-”

“Get out,” I snapped, cutting her off.

Clavis sighed dramatically. “I guess we’ll have to continue our little chat later, Ivetta. You get off work at five o’clock, right?”

“Yes, but-”

“Then it’s a date!”

He left before she could protest further. She stared at the closed door, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. Her ever changing expressions were, as Clavis would say, very entertaining. Only a few minutes ago, she’d been a frightened little creature, ready to bolt at the sight of Leon, and yet now, she looked like she could slap Clavis if he walked back through that door.

I wasn’t going to be able to read for a little while. If she were my new pet, I may as well play with her. I could use a distraction right now.

“You seem to enjoy being tormented,” I commented.

She frowned and looked back at me. “Not particularly, your highness.” She sighed, regathering her composure. “Oh,” she said suddenly, reaching into her apron pocket. “Prince Clavis was already in your office, so I didn’t need to use the key. Here.”

The hand that offered me the key was much smaller than mine, but much more calloused and rough. It made for an interesting contrast. I took the key thoughtfully.

“It’s just as well. I shouldn’t have entrusted this to a simple maid,” I said, twirling the key between my fingers mockingly. “Especially not one who frequents the red-light district.”

I’d struck a nerve. Her blush deepened and spread to her ears, her green eyes widened with shock, and her hands even started trembling. This was unexpected. I’d thought my comment would irritate her, but this was far more than simple irritation. Anger, embarrassment, hurt, humiliation, fear - the complex jumble of emotions made it hard to single one out from the rest. She was struggling to maintain the slightest degree of control.

“I pass through the red-light district regularly, yes, but I do not ‘frequent’ it in the sense you’re using, your highness,” she finally said firmly. “And if that means you don’t trust me, then that’s your own business, but I’ll ask you not to put me in situations where you can then call my character into question.”

Her biting words brought a condescending smirk to my face. A maid, telling me what I could and couldn’t do with her? If it were anybody else, such a statement would be intolerable. But from her, I found it amusing.

“You’re rather bold for a fragile little dove.”

She bit her lip, knowing she would potentially get herself into trouble if she continued. I wanted her to continue, though. She would disappoint me otherwise. And her flashing green eyes reassured me that she had much more to say.

“Maybe so, your highness, but I don’t appreciate false accusations. If you’re finished insulting me, I’d like to get back to work,” she snapped.

The complex jumble of emotions had narrowed down to just one: anger. Maybe I’d pushed her too far. Maybe. But what would she do if I continued to push her? I narrowed my eyes, considering what to do next. At the very least, I needed to address her disrespectful behavior. As much as I was enjoying this, I couldn’t allow her to think it was acceptable for her to address royalty in this manner.

“You forget your place,” I said quietly, setting my book on the end table.

She immediately recognized the threat in my tone and glanced at the clock, fear flickering through her eyes as I stood up. But, interestingly, the fear was only there momentarily, quickly replaced by a defiant glare.

“It’s too early for you to escape,” I said, approaching her slowly. She took a single step backwards, but otherwise held her ground. I stopped in front of her, looking down at her with a smirk. “You may as well be shouting, with how clearly you show your thoughts on your face.” I poked her in the forehead, and she flinched. “But at least you aren’t so foolish as to have lost your fear of me.”

My resolve was wavering, as was the defiance in her eyes. She knew better than to behave like this, but I’d really upset her. Jin had said that she’d admitted to running into trouble in the red-light district. Did I really want to punish her, or pursue that line of questioning?

No, no, I didn’t. On the whole, she’d handled my insults remarkably well, and she’d done nothing deserving of punishment in spite of my intentional provocation.

And then there was the way her nervous green eyes were looking up at me from her youthful face, the way she was unconsciously biting her full bottom lip, flushing it a deeper pink. She had an overall impression of innocence that I didn’t want to mar by even thinking about her in connection with the red-light district.

But there were other ways to keep her talking, to test her further, to elucidate her way of thinking. Her thoughts regarding what she’d heard of the purge, for instance, could be very interesting. On the surface, I would expect her to side with Leon, but I was increasingly aware that there was much more to her, hidden away, just out of sight.

“You agree with Black,” I said simply, knowing she was clever enough to follow my train of thought with no further explanation necessary. And she didn’t disappoint me. She visibly swallowed, confused by the turn this conversation had taken, but her voice was still steady.

“I don’t know enough to say who I agree with, but I don’t like to think of people dying, Prince Chevalier.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” I said thoughtfully, sliding my finger under her chin and tilting it upward. “You’re far too naïve.”

She pushed my hand away, the blush returning quickly to her cheeks. “I don’t care what Prince Clavis said. I’m not a pet, your highness.”

“No? What are you, then?” I asked, amused by her audacity, by the irritation in her eyes. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d enjoyed talking to somebody this much.

“I’m a maid. That’s all. If you would care to use my name, do so, but otherwise, I would ask that you refer to me with something factual instead of an insulting nickname based on rumor or opinion.”

I never used names. She’d noticed that by now, of course. I could summarize every person I’d ever met with one word. Every person until her. I hadn’t found the right word for her yet. Oddly enough, her name actually seemed to be what suited her best. But to use it would be an admission of value that I wasn’t prepared to make. Not for a mere maid.

“I’m not interested in your name,” I lied. “Show me your worth.”

This was another test, one which I administered to all who I foresaw having to interact with on a regular basis. Most took offense to the idea that they meant nothing to me until or unless they demonstrated their value. My knights took it as a challenge, using it as their mantra as they trained to protect the kingdom. I had no idea how she would react, but I awaited her response with bated breath.

“I think I’m worth more to you when I’m working, Prince Chevalier,” she said evenly, her voice calm but her green eyes flashing again.

Clever. She had taken offense, but she wanted out of this conversation, and she had found a way to make me end it. I chuckled. Perhaps she’d humored me enough for now. I could always pick this up again later.

“You may be right. You’re dismissed.”

I returned to my chair and my book, and she left for the main library, closing the door behind her. She maintained her facade of composure until the last second, but I glimpsed her defeated relief through the crack in the door just before the latch clicked.

Maybe I had pushed her too far. When considering the verbal jousting she’d undoubtedly endured with Clavis, right after overhearing my argument with Leon, it was really no wonder that she’d almost lost control at my comment about the red-light district. That had been a low blow to a single, poverty-stricken young woman who was just trying to make an honest living and take care of her only living relative.

It was unusual for me to regret my own words, but, in this case, I almost wished I hadn’t said that to her.

Jin may have been right when he said I didn’t deserve her. But he was wrong about one thing. I did care about what happened to her, and the thought of her slender frame walking through the red-light district was more and more displeasing.

I didn’t bother her the rest of the afternoon, though I struggled to concentrate on my book. There were no sounds from the main library to suggest any further unwanted visitors. She needed the time to cool down before Clavis returned. It was unfortunate for her that he had her in his sights, but I wasn’t going to interfere unless it seemed like she needed my help. She was significantly safer with him than she was alone on the streets, and she was clever enough to keep him at arm’s length.

A few minutes to five, she presented herself to me again before she left. Though she didn’t like me, she was dedicated to fulfilling her role to the best of her ability. And she appeared to have recovered sufficiently to handle one last tease.

“You handled Number One well yesterday. What is your clever plan for Noisy?” I asked, smirking.

“I’ll manage somehow, your highness,” she said confidently, although I saw the doubt in her eyes. “If that will be all-”

“Ready for our date, then?” Clavis asked, bursting through the open door with a wide grin.

Her green eyes widened at his sudden appearance. “Prince Clavis, I really don’t-”

She didn’t get more than that out before he’d grabbed her hand and took off. I watched with annoyance, made greater by the knowledge that he was targeting her to bother me. And it was working.

After dinner, I took a book to the gardens, taking advantage of the fresh air and the lengthening sunlight of spring evenings. The familiar cobblestone paths through the roses characteristic of Rhodolite led to many of my favorite reading locations, concealed by the reds, pinks, and whites of the full blossoms. Bushes, vines, arches, gazebos, stone walls; greens and grays contrasted and harmonized with the brightly colored blooms. I passed the central fountain, where clear water descended from a small bowl at the top through multiple consecutively wider layers to the large stone pool at the bottom. Too open, too public. My destination today was the pond off in the distance, surrounded by open grass, shade trees, and the occasional bench. I selected one, made of white wrought iron but surprisingly comfortable, and I stretched out on my back to read. The hours passed in blissful silence until the light became too dim to continue.

That was when Clavis returned, determined to get on my last nerve.

“Hey, Chev!” he called, his irritating voice coming to me on the breeze as I closed my book and sat up. “I took Ivetta to the Rose and the Thorn,” he continued as he approached, ignoring my glare. “Jin and I tried to ply her with alcohol, but she wasn’t having it.” He took a seat next to me as if I’d invited him. “Did you know she’s never had a drink before?”

The Rose and the Thorn. That was a tavern frequented by Jin. I couldn’t picture her willingly entering such an establishment.

“Why would I know that?” I asked coolly.

He shrugged. “It could’ve come up in conversation.”

“I don’t converse with my employees.”

Usually.

“Too bad. She’s a fun one.” He leaned back, interlacing his fingers behind his head. “And you’ll be happy to know that I’ve ruled her out as a suspect.”

“She hasn’t worked at the palace long enough to be a suspect,” I said sardonically.

“True, but there was still the possibility that she was somehow connected. Except she isn’t. Isn’t that good news, Chev? Especially since you’re entrusting her with the key to your office.” His glittering golden eyes watched carefully for my response. He wanted so badly for me to have an interest in Ivetta.

“I wouldn’t have entrusted her with that key if I’d had any suspicions,” I said sharply. “But maybe now you can focus on your original task.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, you’re no fun.” He looked up at the darkening sky. “All work and no play makes Chev a dull boy.”

“To you.” I stood to go, knowing he would follow, but at least there was the chance we’d run into somebody who would distract him from me.

“I’m not bothering you, am I, Chev?” he asked, smirking as he fell in step with me.

“You’re always bothering me.”

“Hey, Chevalier!”

That was Jin’s voice. I glanced around and found him weaving down a path toward us, his face bright red.

“Aw, don’t tell me you struck out with that barmaid?” Clavis asked.

Jin shrugged. “Her loss.” He threw an arm around my shoulder, and I shoved him away firmly.

“You’re drunk,” I snapped. Which meant he’d imbibed massive quantities of alcohol. The tavern may well have run dry.

“Yep,” he said, grinning. “Wish your little maid was here. I’d rather see double of her than of you.”

“Who wouldn’t?” Clavis agreed.

“D’ya talk to her ‘bout the red-light district?” Jin slurred, wobbling dangerously on his long legs.

“What about the red-light district?” Clavis asked, his eyes narrowing as he looked back at me.

“He is referring to her daily commute,” I said coolly. “Which is none of my concern.”

“You don’t mean that little thing walks through the red-light district?” Clavis asked, his golden eyes suddenly sharp and serious.

“Sure does, and Chevalier doesn’t even care,” Jin said, and then he hiccuped. “I need another drink.”

“Can ya keep it down?”

Luke’s sleepy voice came from a nearby tree, where he was reclining on one of the branches. His green jacket blended in quite well with the leaves, and his black pants and brown boots were almost invisible in the shade and dim light against the bark. He had made an art of disappearing in plain sight to avoid working.

“It’s kind of late for a nap, isn’t it, Luke?” Clavis asked.

Luke jumped down and walked over to us, yawning and stretching to his full height. It was an interesting irony that the youngest and most immature of my brothers was also the largest, in both height and build.

“Nah, it’s never too late for a nap. Whatcha doin’?”

“We were discussing Chev’s new maid,” Clavis explained. “You haven’t seen her yet, have you?”

Luke shook his head, still rubbing his eyes as he tried to wake up. I noted he was still wearing the worn, fingerless brown gloves he came with when he arrived at the palace not long ago.

“Not yet. I hear she’s really pretty.”

“Not just pretty,” Jin cut in. “Smokin’ hot.”

With the drunk, the prankster, and the overgrown boy after her, maybe she was safer in the red-light district.

“You three are welcome to stay here and waste your time discussing inanities. I’m leaving, and I want to be left alone. Do you understand?” I said sharply.

Luke shrugged, the small bear charm that hung from the sword belt across his chest dancing across his plain purple shirt and gray vest. I didn’t see how he could sleep comfortably with that great sword strapped to his back. Then again, I didn’t see why he wore that ridiculous charm.

“Sure, I guess,” he said to me. “Wanna get something to eat?” he asked the others.

Of course, he wanted to eat. He ate like a starving teenage boy. At least he wasn’t going to grow anymore. He was useful in battle, but a drain on resources otherwise. But he got the subject changed to food, so I didn’t have to hear any more comments about Ivetta as I left them behind. Although why their comments bothered me was a mystery. She was just a competent little maid, nothing more.

An attractive, clever, interesting, competent little maid.

I hadn’t told her to come to my room in the morning. Such a measure was probably unnecessary, as she seemed to be handling my brothers well so far. But then, she hadn’t met Nokto yet. He was particularly skilled in the art of seduction. Luke was also tricky, with his boyish innocence routine lulling women into a false sense of security right up until they woke up next to him. I’d usually place my bet on Nokto, but Luke may have the better chance at getting to her. She was too wary for Nokto’s games. Probably.

Why did any of that matter to me? Let Nokto or Luke have her. As long as she did her job appropriately and didn’t keep them from doing theirs, it was none of my concern.

And her walking through the red-light district was also none of my concern.

So, why couldn’t I stop thinking about that?