Catherine had never felt so tense in her life, of course, other than around Princess Zenith who would demand anything out of the blue and she had to obey no matter what.
All the time, she was near Celia, she felt her heart might stop pumping blood. Two days ago she had no clue that the excellent maid of whom she was praising in front of her highness, was maybe a wizard.
Catherine peeked at Celia as the young maid put the dried leaves on the hot water pot. "Now, wait for a few minutes as it will leave its colour."
Catherine looked warily at the pot. What if she was adding something else so her highness might get sick or worse loose her mind. Personally, if that happened, there wouldn't be anyone more than happy than the head maid as she had to work extra hours because of Zenith's demands. She bit her tongue.
What was she thinking? She was bad-mouthing her highness! Was that some magic of the young maid? It could have been as she heard the princess saying about her powers and guilds and Lord knew what else.
Even though Catherine was a low level dragonborn who didn't have the blessing to turn into a dragon, she had the ability to sense if an unexpected individual came around her. However, she had never sensed anything from Celia. But what about Princess Seraphina?
Now that she recalled that Celia had requested them to take care of the Princess alone. She never allowed any other maids in her chamber. Catherine never found it suspicious but now it all started to connect. If the maids went near her, they might have sensed that the princess was no ordinary human but a wizard. Clever! Now she couldn't wait any longer to tell her highness about it.
What if, she thought, what if Princess Zenith rewarded her after she gave the information... Gold coins or maybe some jewels or ornaments. She smiled inwardly as expensive ornaments that princess Zenith wore came before her eyes. She smacked herself in her mind.
What was she thinking? She sounded like a greedy person! Was that the effect of the wizard beside her? It must be! She had to be careful otherwise the wizard would eat her mind.
Her highness must be suspicious and that's why she and the other three maids were sent to watch them. No wonder Princess Zenith was very smart. Catherine shivered.
"And now close the lid."
"Huh?" Catherine asked as Celia took a moment to observe her and she stepped back. What if she does something with her magic?
"Is there something wrong?" Celia asked.
"Ahaha, no. Nothing. Really. I—" Catherine didn't know what else she would say and her answer came in single words. She didn't even know how to come up with an excuse.
"I was just tired." She added quickly.
Celia smiled and said, "Don't worry, I will make the tea for your highness and Feya will give it to Princess Zenith."
"Ah! No! I am alright. I can... I can just go give her the tea. Don't worry," Catherine said nervously as her body went rigid before Celia's watchful eyes.
Celia nodded but still her eyes stayed on Catherine as Catherine started to sweat. Was she suspecting that she knew their princess was a wizard?
"You are sweating a lot, Catherine," Celia said as Catherine's heart thumped in her ears. "Take some rest. I will tell Feya to give it to her highness." Celia said worriedly.
"No, I—"
"No!" Celia said stopping Catherine abruptly, "Just go and get some rest. I will take care of the rest of the work here." Celia smiled and added as she pushed Catherine from behind so she would go out of the kitchen, "If her highness asked for you, I'll tell, you didn't feel well."
Catherine couldn't find anything as an excuse as her previous excuse got her in her own traps. She thought for a moment and mumbled weakly, "O—okay." And left thinking, she would tell Princess Zenith the next day and probably get a reward or two.
*****
Seraphina looked right and then left. The corridors were empty. No guards, no Zenith, and no Alonzo. Yes, that might be a good chance to go to Demian's chamber. For two days, whether the guards kept coming or Alonzo, so she would not leave her room. And it annoyed her as she had told them that she was going to Demian's chamber however, all of them diverted her some ways and at the end, she couldn't see Demian.
She grinded her teeth. Now she knew why Demian appointed Alonzo or any other guards. Because of her safety... That was a trick! He just wanted to avoid her coming to his room. That sneaky Devil! She would go and smack some sense to him.
She held her skirts as she started to walk while her eyes drifted everywhere warily for probable upcoming obstacles. It was morning and she knew Alonzo would come for her in an hour but before he could come, she snuck out.
As she came across Demian's chamber, there were no guards standing at the door. Strange! Where were they?
She slowly opened the door and entered. Sun rays illuminated from the floor to ceiling windows and fell on the empty bed of Demian. He wasn't there. The room was clean and was arranged orderly. She went near the bed and sat. The bed was cold. He hadn't come here for a sleep. Seraphina's face fell. Where was he?
She sighed and exited from the room but she didn't want to go back to her quarter so she thought it would be wise to go directly to the dining hall.
As she went ahead, she saw a man coming her way, his red strands danced over his dark hair as each step fell on the ground. His strong aura could be felt from this distance. As his silver eyes fell on Seraphina, he grinned. Did he know her? He seemed familiar but Seraphina could not remember where she saw him.
"Princess Seraphina..." His voice was smooth as butter and he stood with his strong build stopping her way.
"Yes?" She asked and stepped back as the man neared.
"I'm so happy to see you again after the last time we met at your wedding reception."
Wedding reception? Now that she remembered, he was Princess Zenith's brother, Casian. As she recalled, she tried to make a little gap between them. But instantly, Casian occupied the little space she managed to create.
"Yes, I am happy that we met again," Seraphina said nervously.
"Well, I may be busy with all the responsibilities, but," he took her hand and placed a wet kiss on it, "You have never left my mind." His voice was lusty as he smirked against her hand. The playfulness in his eyes was replaced by the seductiveness which made Seraphina uneasy.
Seraphina's cheeks fluhsed and she tried to pull her hand from his grip. However, that man knew how to hold it without being too harsh.
"Ah... I see... Well, then... I," Seraphina didn't know what to do at the moment as she ran out of words. Both Casian and Zenith gave off the same vibes of serpents. Just like how a serpent's eyes were captivating, these siblings had similar traits, being in the land of dragons these serpents sure made their living pretty nicely. Seraphina found it hard to get away from his hold, it was as if his venom had rendered her immobile.
"At loss for words...?" The smirk played on his lips as he said with a breathy voice, "Well, I haven't forgotten about my proposal, princess. You can call for me anytime you want... I can be a great servi—"
A hand slid up to Seraphina's hand and pulled it away from Casian's grip. "I would be very pleased if you could give your service to the unrest in the Northwest." A cold voice piped in as a shiver ran down Seraphina's spine.
Demian's emotionless face came to their view as they tilted their heads to the voice. Master Valentine and a puffy eyed Alonzo came behind him with displeasure portrayed on their faces.
Demian pulled Seraphina behind him and with a chilling voice said to Casian, "I believe, for that matter, you were called here to stay. Do that instead of doing something that would scar your position."
Demian may hold a straight face but the miasma seeping out of him told Casian, it was a warning. A few muscles clenched on Casian's jaw but he managed to cast a smile, "Of course, your highness. Your wish is my command."
He bowed to Demian and said, "Now, I shall join my sister for breakfast."
He looked at Seraphina before departing and said, "I don't go against my words and I always help the needy."
Needy? Who was needy? Seraphina's palms turned into fists. Did he feel she was in that dire position? Then Zenith's words came to her mind.
Well, she might be... However, that didn't give him the right to take pity on her!
She felt like exploding but she knew Casian was powerful and held a good position. If she threw insults at him, she might end up beheaded.
"My princess!" Alonzo cried and went near Seraphina, "Where have you been all morning? I was so worried and..." he looked at the way Casian went and added with a hiss, "I left you for a moment and that serp— err... Lord Casian got you."
Seraphina could feel the distasteful glance the steward gave Casian's way.
Seraphina chuckled nervously, "I—"
"Ho! I see you were very flattered as Casian said some sweet words to you," Demian said matter-of-factly which made Seraphina's blood boil in anger.
"I— I wasn't flattered at all!" She fisted her palms beside her as Demian added with a sigh, "Flirting behind your husband's back was the first thing you do in the morning," Demian looked at her and stated, "It is called cheating."
Demian's eyes didn't portray any anger, not even disbelief. Somehow it irked Seraphina more as he started to walk in the direction of his room and Seraphina followed him behind.
"I wasn't cheating!" Seraphina growled, forgetting the fact that Master Valentine and Alonzo were trailing behind them, "I went to your room but you weren't there so I thought I'd find you at the breakfast table but then Casian came all of a sudden..."
"Ho! You were planning to cheat on me in my wing? You got some praiseworthy nerves," Demian said in a teasing voice, "You should be glad that your husband is so considerate. Other Princes would behead their wives if they found them cheating."
"I wasn't! I told you he came all of a sudden!" Seraphina's nostrils flared and she felt like punching him as both Master Valentine and Alonzo tried to resist the laughter which threatened to appear. They found it amusing how their young prince was teasing his wife.
As he entered his room, he said while unwrapping his cloak, "Don't get swayed with Casian's sweet words, he may say he would do everything in his power but with a great price. It could be your life or," he looked at Seraphina and watched her for a moment as Seraphina quirked a brow.
"Or?"
"Nothing..." He diverted his head but Seraphina was certain, his jaw muscles had clenched.
"Or what?"
"I said nothing. Just don't get flattered just because some other men buttered your pride."
"I know that already! And he wasn't buttering my pride and nor did I get swayed by his words." Seraphina crossed her hands above her chest and said, "Just in case you didn't know, I'm not that easy going."
Demian rested his chin on his hand as he watched his wife in amusement but he was in a teasing mood today. "Well, I saw that already."
At that Seraphina became more furious and Demian found it hard to stop the twitches on his lips as he announced, "Master Valentine, today we shall do our breakfast here."
Master Valentine, who was watching the couple in their childish fights, nodded and said with a smile, "As you wish, your highness." And he left to order the servants.
Just when Alonzo was to leave with Master Valentine, Demian called, "Alonzo. Be sure to do your work properly next time, otherwise, I will appoint another one."
Alonzo with a horrified face started to plead, "Your Highness! I shall tag along with her highness from this instant until my life will perish!"
Demian gave a satisfied nod as Seraphina looked at him angrily. She knew it was a plan! That little Devil!