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"No matter how far apart we are, I will always take care of you."
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"Oh," I muttered in disappointment, as I saw their hanging faces with guilt plastered in their eyes, and I cleared my throat in front of the throng very visibly to showcase my emotions.
"I-I'll eat later then." I whispered softly, realising this place has nothing not blood for digestion, even though my stomach was almost rumbling because of the want for edibles.
Vampires are like aliens, they don't need sleep and don't go insane, and they don't need food and still can get fat.
What is this pathetic theory? An abomination.
"We are sorry my Queen, we were not really uhh..expecting anyone here among us who would need to consume anything other than..blood."
Of course, why would a vampire suddenly crave some nice coco pudding in the middle of the day?
"It's okay Dahlia, it's just food. It's not like I'm going to die or anything." I joked sarcastically.
I might starve, but this won't be the first time anyways.
Ah, the 'good' old memories.
Everyone stiffened at my words, clearly not used to my sarcasm, as I rubbed my neck awkwardly to avoid any eye contact because of the situation, while some of them coughed in embarrassment and Dahlia just stared at me blankly.
Ah, embarrassment. My long lost best friend.
"Soooo, what's the agenda for today?" I said sheepishly while swinging my clenched fists, while all of them stared at me like my face slowly morphed into horse, and they straightened their postures properly.
"We'll be meeting the servant instructor, Mr Raphael, now he'll be giving us all our lists of chores." A man announced while drinking a glass of blood, and I nodded quietly at him.
"Let's go your majesty." Dahlia patted my back and made me follow the dozen dresses vampires who had their cleaning tools ready.
I really wanted to bring Zari's coat with me, but I knew it would probably become filthy after working for the whole day, so I just left it on the bed. And so God help me because I already miss him so much.
I need to control myself from barging into his bedroom and just jump him.
"What is she even going to do? It's not Mr Raphael will give her any work, we already know they have like limited amounts of chores reserved for her." I heard a guard hiss, as I hugged myself to ignore the comment.
I think at least vampires and humans have one thing in common, and that is pure gossip.
"Exactly, servant or not, she'll get the special treatment. Guess all the dirty work needs to be done by us itself." A woman servant hissed, as I bit my lip to not think about it too much.
"Why did she even bother coming down here? We know for sure that she's not going to do any work. She'll probably sit in one place and watch."
Or I'd probably make my fist land on your face super hard with so much mirth. Would you like that my compadre?
"Please don't listen to them my Queen, they are just trying to bring you down with their unscrupulous ways." A man muttered beside me, and I smiled at him in response.
"It's okay, nothing I can't handle." I replied casually, standing my ground and gaining my normal confidence among these judgemental walls.
We continued to walk deeper into the cold caverns, with flaming and igniting torches hanging on the walls and our footsteps echoing among the walls, making it very creepy for a person like me who's so used to living on the surface all her life.
I never knew what it's like to live underground, to me it would've been very weird to greet a love skeleton once you're in the soil where people are...buried.
I don't know why I described it like that, but skeletons are a no no.
We reached a part of the caverns which made it almost look like a ginormous ravine, with tiny waterfalls and wet rocks at the side, letting the torch light illuminate the misty area.
It honestly looked beautiful, and I would've never guessed all the servants lived in here.
We crossed a wooden bridge, as I saw the morning soldiers and guards stroll down the whole cave with swords and shields in their hands, avoiding eye contact as much as possible, while we stood in front of a huge wooden black door to wait for a grant to enter.
"Yeah, the King has been a mess since early morning." One guard groaned while adjusting his purr silver armour, as my breath hitched at the words spoken about my mate. I don't know whether I should eavesdrop or not, but my curiosity gave me a clear answer to my doubts.
"I know, it's mostly unknown of what he's doing these hours. I've heard he isolates himself a lot." Another guard commented, making my heart clench.
"He doesn't even speak to his advisers now. It's only been a few hours since what happened in the garden, and he's mostly investing his time into work." A new soldier announced.
That guy better not be sulking around the whole castle.
"Exactly. I think he's trying to distract himself before he goes on a killing spree. Bane messed up big values of trust this time." The first guard growled.
"But he was listening to lady Lola, I think she's the real villain." The second guard conspired.
"Of course she is, you should've seen 2 months ago how crazy she was about the King. She even tried to convince everyone that she's his real mate after Jacqueline."
Jacqueline? Who's she?
"Hey! You shouldn't even mention her name now. You'll get killed. And anyways, out of all the ladies our King was stuck with, Diana is probably the best." The third soldier whispered.
All the ladies?
Hmmm...
"Let's go inside." Dahlia announced, guiding me inside the new newly opened doors of the inspector's office, as I quickly adjusted my hair to ruffle it a a little bit to get rid of the oily sheen.
After entering these walls, about more than five dozens of servants joined our group, releasing my hormones of anxiety more than usual, as almost all of them eyes me up and down while I stupidly stood behind Dahlia the whole time.
Of course, all of them bowed and wished me when they saw me, as I couldn't do anything but wave awkwardly, I'm still not used to this title thing.
I thought these 15 days would go without them acknowledging me as the Queen.
"Good morning everyone," I heard a deep and soft wise voice speak as an old man entered with piles of papers in his hands, with his white beard covering his whole jaw.
"Welcome your majesty." He smiled while bowing his head a little bit, as I did the same for a gesture towards our elders.
"Here's everyone's schedule for the day, you all finish at seven in the evening, always remember to gather around the lake to receive your pay, for those who didn't get their schedules, please report yourself to one of my assistants for guidance." He spoke in a powerful voice even after being tiny and frail, his presence was honestly very comforting and welcoming, and I continued to wait for getting my own list of chores.
Soon enough, everyone got their work sheets, either mentioning some dusting of the windows, or sweeping of the stable floors, or mending the flowers in the gardens, or handling the crops.
Except my own list.
"Uhh...can I have mine too?" I spoke in a whisper hesitantly, not getting anything from him as he turned to me with a realising face.
"Ah yes my Queen, I won't be giving you the chore list for the next few days. I've heard you've been given the responsibility to organising one of the higher lady's parties yes?" He asked politely.
"Yes." I replied curtly.
"So until the party is over, I'm pretty sure you'll be occupied with all the planning and picking of colours." He chuckled, making some whispering start behind me.
Something in me is telling me that he's not speaking the truth.
"Told you, she won't get any work. Lucky woman." I heard the same gossiping voices from before speak again.
"Guess we have to do all the dirty deeds on her behalf. She's not exactly a servant if she's not doing our work at all." Another voice argued.
This is like the exact opposite of proving my worth and earning their trust.
"And also, my assistants have prepared some breakfast for you in the gardens. It has specifically been ordered and brought by the castle kitchens." Raphael spoke again, making my eyes widen.
I think I said no privileges Zari!
"She gets to eat castle food!? Not fair!" A man hissed.
"All we get is a loaf of bread and some milked diary. What about us?" A woman muttered sadly.
"Can I ask you something Mr Raphael?" I asked skeptically, and his eyes glistened in amusement.
"Of course my Queen, and please refrain from calling me that. Ralph is fine." He smiled, making some people groan in respond.
"I think Mr Raphael is fine." I shyly grinned while reminding myself about that being a privilege too indirectly.
"As you wish." He mumbled in understanding.
I took a deep breath and stepped in front of Dahlia, making myself clear in display to everyone and clenched my fists nervously.
"Can you please be honest?" I deadpanned, as he rose his eyebrow in thought, thinking to himself for a few seconds before nodding, not really sure about what I'm going to ask.
"Did Lazarus give you and your people the orders of bringing me proper food?" I asked boldly, making everyone gasp at my straightforward tone.
"Did she just call him by his name!?" A woman whisper-yelled.
"Of course she did, she's the Queen for God's sake! She can do that without anyone's permission." A man replied quietly.
"Am I not allowed to address him by his name?" I asked while turning around, as everyone flinched because of my stare, and gulped hard.
Well this is awkward.
"I-If that's the case, please help me acknowledge it. I-I don't know whether I'm supposed to or not. If I'm not, I won't do it hence forth. I'm sorry." I muttered softly, taking some people aback because of my gentleness, and they regained their posture.
"I really thought she was going to snap at us." A new voice spoke.
"Maybe we...m-misunderstood her." Another voice followed.
"To answer your question my Queen, it's your wish whether you would like to call him by his name or not. We have no power on your wishes." Dahlia smiled reassuringly, making me sigh deeply before I looked back at her.
"Great. So Mr Raphael, did the King order you to bring me some food?" I spoke this time using his title instead of his name, as some people choked on their spit behind me after hearing my preference to address him, and Raphael rubbed his neck awkwardly.
"Maybe...?" He spoke in a high pitch, making me suck my lips in.
"And did he possibly also order you to not give me that many chores as everyone else?" I asked with narrowed eyes, and he sighed in guilt.
"Heavens, okay. He chose well. And yeah, he did." He exaggerated by lifting his hands, making me glare to myself.
"I will hit him, stupid Zari." I growled to myself, making everyone shriek, as I completely forgot that all vampires can hear me loud and clear because of their powers, and I gulped nervously.
"I-I mean, stupid...me? Hitting him? No way! How could I? He's the oh so powerful King, and I'm just a meek lil old village girl who can't go to the bathroom alone at night, yayy. I don't stand a chaaance..." I spoke, completely embarrassing myself, as some people chuckled at the back, while Dahlia was trying to not snort loudly.
"....right?" I squealed, making everyone blink dramatically, before I cleared my throat and look at them coldly.
"Ahem, I can't hit him. Am I right?"
"YEESS." Everyone spoke loudly, agreeing with me frantically, as I sighed in relief and turned back to Raphael with a frown.
"Please refrain from listening to his orders and treat me like how you would treat every other servant Mr Raphael." I spoke firmly, making his eye balls almost come out of his sockets, as he stared at me like I was some kind of psychopath.
"Did she just...woah." A woman gasped.
"Bloody hell, I didn't think she was going to do that. That's equality." A man chuckled.
"I'm impressed, she's not a complete spoiled brat like lady Lola is." A group of people agreed, making me smile internally.
Mr Raphael looked very unsure about my words, starting to debate in his mind on whether or listen to me or not, and I crossed my arms determinedly to make sure I get what I want.
"Please Mr Raphael, it's a request. I want go through what everyone goes through on a daily basis, please don't give me this kind of treatment. It's not fair to anyone." I pleaded, making him debate even more, as he probably looked constipated right now.
"I can do that, b-but the King would punish me if I go against his orders. In fact, he wouldn't be much happy either if you go through something like that, it's not easy." He advised, making me tsk.
"It's not easy? Then I'm ready to accept that challenge. I considered this deal for a reason, and I'm here on my free will, so please, if the King orders about anything that has to do with me, then don't listen to him." I deadpanned, making everyone silently cheer behind me.
"S-So, what am I supposed to tell him if he asks me why you're not fed well? Or that you're not accepting his offers?" He questioned, making me smirk.
"If he asks that, tell him it's what I want. I know I'm supposed to be a servant, but I'm sure he won't object me. Because, after all, I want it that way."
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