I am Reborn through Revenge

At the party

“Happy birthday Your Majesty! My wife, Queen Monica and I, King Hakuna, and our wonderful daughter, Princess Vera here want to say a very big congratulation to you. It’s really an honour to be welcomed here. This is the second time I have been to Zahrin and I must say, a lot has changed under your watch. Kiran kingdom would be proud to extend bilateral ties to Zahrin. Together, we could work out things for the betterment of our people!” A man of indeterminate age hailed the Queen. He had gray hair which grew in uneven patches on his head. His voice was solid and void of any fear.

Beside him was a beautiful woman who might be in her late forties or early fifties. My guess was, she might be the wife. She had a face of a woman who was born with a silver spoon. Her skin glamoured like someone who had never done any strenuous work all her life. The only thing that could reveal her age was her wrinkled face and nothing else.

“Thank you so much for coming," she replied. "I have also heard much about your kingdom and its uniqueness. I will also consider the offer and would give you feedback in no distant future."

“Yes, your majesty. You have treated us so well, we ate to our fill I must say." The man turned to his wife and she gave him a small bag. "We offer you these gifts.” He said. He brought out pieces of pure ornamental gold perfectly stored in a small transparent small box. They were so beautiful and unique. He kept them on the table in front of the Queen. “This is all we can give you presently. But we can give out more of this in the future.” He said and bowed.

“That’s so generous of you King Hakuna. Be rest assured that I acknowledged this you have done. I will sure work towards our future because I can't afford to be missing all these goodies from your kingdom,” Queen Veronica said and laughed.

King Hakuna and his wife laughed too but Vera's face remained unfazed.

I looked at Vera and my eyes caught hers. She winked at me, smiling but I remained motionless, refusing to smile back. I didn’t want to return the gesture.

They walked away.

I transferred my gaze to the gifts they brought. I didn't exactly know how I felt.

Jealous, angry?

I wasn't sure.

The Queen was already waxing stronger. She already had a kingdom begging to be her allies and King Hakuna was a perfect example. And this was exactly what happened while I was present. What would then happen when I am not around? I asked myself. The thought of it sent shivers down me.

If this is allowed to happen then sooner, she would be formidable that no force will be able to rival her, I thought. I glided my gaze to the dining hall and I immediately understood that the reason why everyone was there was because of her and nothing else. The influence she had established was quite undeniable.

It was night yet everywhere was still lively. Though it wasn’t as buzzing as it was before. It seemed like everyone was getting tired already. Many people had already presented their gifts to the Queen. And most people were already retreating to the guestrooms where they would stay for the night. According to the Queen, she would be looking into the maiden selection when almost everyone in the hall had gone to sleep. The Queen had placed an organizer outside the dining hall who would gather the maids and coordinate them accordingly.

“Her Majesty! Everyone is ready,” said the palace maid.

I remembered her. She was the palace maid who lost an index finger. She was on a simple brown plain dress. She looked stressed up. I believe she had been busy since morning.

“How many are they?” the Queen asked.

“Five came through.”

“What? Just five?”

"Yes!" she bowed.

Just five people came? I was as surprised as Queen Veronica. After the big party, only five girls came for the job. I knew people were running away from serving in the palace as maidens but I was expecting more people would turn up. If not for anything, at least for the recent increase in their wages. I thought it would attract more people.

“Yes, your Majesty. Only five girls came for it. They are outside the dining hall. On your command, I will gladly summon them and bring them all here.”

This girl was brave. I don’t think that if I were to be in her shoes, I would still be in the palace. She was among the few last maids currently serving the Queen.

“Hmm. I see,” Queen Veronica said, unimpressed.

The Queen kept silent for a while. I kept looking at her but she didn’t utter a word. It was as if she didn’t know what to say. Maybe she was disappointed.

“Your Majesty?” the maid called her out.

“Yes!” She seemed startled. “I would need you to bring them in. I will see what I can do then.” The Queen ordered.

The maid left immediately. I suddenly remembered the girl I saved, Marie. What was she up to? My mind had skipped her totally. I hope she was alright? And I had not seen Brad. Who knew where that big head was?

I wanted to sit down and watch how things would turn out to be. Now that I remembered this girl, I wanted to see how far her passion would take her. Since she really wanted the job, I was eager to see if she would be lucky enough to be chosen or if she would be rejected. But judging from the number of people I heard turned up, there was a slim chance anyone of them would be asked to return.

“Your Majesty, what are the criteria one must meet before they are enlisted?” I asked, looking at her angry eyes.

Her eyes changed ever since she was told that only five girls turned up. Her mouth was tight in a brim and her arched brows were pure dark. Her face looked grave and scary. I hate her when she looks like that especially when I was a teenager. But then, I was starting to learn how to leave with it.

“The whole selection process would be entirely based on my judgment. If I consider you worthy, then you will be taken. If not, then you will be of no use.”

What could be the criteria one must meet? What could be that which Marie would do to succeed? At this point, if I had known, I would have made her fail instead. She didn’t deserve to be in the palace as a maid. But as a guest? that would have been better.

“Oh! I see. But if I may ask, what could those criteria be?”

“Anon!” she said, looking at me inquisitively. There was a look she gave me that I did not like. “You seem so concerned.”

I shrugged. She was right. Why was I concerned? I shouldn’t even be asking her something like that. I had to find something to say quickly so I wouldn’t raise suspicions.

“Today is your day your majesty. I don’t think that there should be anything in the world you don’t deserve right now. I thought it would be necessary to know if there is anything I will help you with,” I said, softly smiling.

I didn’t even know what I said or if what I said made sense. I just needed to say something.

“But you said you wouldn’t help when I asked for it.” She smiled.

“I didn’t take the gravity of the day into consideration, your Majesty.”

“Anon. You don’t need to worry, everything is being taken care of. You are free to watch” Prince Nightwinder said.

Nightwinder was a cautious type. Always observant, acts more than he speaks. He smiled more at the party than the words he spoke.

“Hmm!” I smiled again.

I didn’t like Nightwinder and I was quite sure he didn’t like me as well. Whatever plans the Queen had tonight, he might have one or two things he might have said about it. The Queen always listened to him. He was wise as a serpent.

I accidentally shifted my gaze to Brady and he was... Why was he alone? Where was the girl? I asked myself. As if he knew I wanted him to look at me, he did turn his face to where I was and I winked and waved at him. Since I didn't see him with the girl, I assumed that she had already changed her mind.

“Your Majesty. I have arranged all of them. They have all gathered in the waiting room.” The maid announced. She stood in front of the Queen reporting.

“Good. Good. Have you prepared the letters?” Queen Veronica asked her.

“Yes, your Majesty. Everything is ready.”

The Queen looked at Nightwinder, he nodded and she smiled. She stood up and followed the maid. Prince Nightwinder and Diane stood up too and followed her.