8

VAELORA didn't expect these much maids would assemble. They were over a hundred of them.

Though, the House of Veylor was a large empire.

It housed over thirty High Lords and Ladies, so the number of maids working there, seemed quite reasonable.

"Luna, I have gathered them all."

Danika; the Chief maid over the House of Veylor, whispered to Vaelora.

She was a middle aged woman that still managed to look extremely younger.

Werewolf genes aside, she had a great look.

"Thank you, Danika." She gave an appreciative nod, looking back at the maids before her.

A small smile made its way to Vaelora's face. She was going to deeply root her feet within the grounds of the House of Veylor, and she was going to begin with the lowest of ranks.

A power move rooted in both politics and survival.

"Today, we are going to do a bit of reshuffling and reassigning." She began. "I hear that some of you have been serving in a particular department for too long."

She exhaled lowly, before going on.

"If you know you serve as a personal maid to any Lord or Lady, step aside."

She watched as the maids quickly separated themselves as she had requested.

"You can leave." She waved off the personal maids, before focusing on the others left.

"Danika." She whispered to the Chief maid, who stood beside her. "Have them stand in rows. Ten each."

"Yes, Luna." Danika nodded, getting to it.

Once she was done, Vaelora walked towards the end of the last row.

Still observing, she halted her steps when she heard a couple of maids giggling behind.

They had no idea she was just behind them, so they chattered away mindlessly.

"Ah.... he is sooo good." One of them whispered, making the others chuckle. "The king's sexual prowess is unmatched. I'd consider myself lucky, if he requests for me again."

Vaelora heard it all. Clearly.

They had obviously been speaking of Draekon.

She didn't know why she felt.... humiliated.

It wasn't the humiliation that stemmed from heartbreak. It was the one that stemmed from disrespect.

"Hm..hm." Vaelora cleared her throat, announcing her presence.

The moment the maids turned and saw her there, they all jumped in fear.

Already scared for the punishment they were about to receive, Vaelora shocked them by walking on ahead.

"Those who work in the kitchens, to the left please." Came her voice, as she continued with her business.

For the remaining hours of the morning, Vaelora got busy reassigning the duties, and getting familiar with the new maids among them.

Soon enough, it was noon.

She was tired, but kept going nonetheless.

"I hear that there is a council meeting currently going on."

Vaelora said to Danika, who nodded positively.

"So that means some of the maids are not presently here?"

"Why, Luna? Of course, they all are." Danika replied.

"Really?" Vaelora asked. "Then who are currently attending to the needs of the council chiefs?"

Danika looked clueless.

"Luna, no one attends to them...." She trailed off. She thought for a moment, if there was something she was missing. "No other person is let into the council room, during meetings."

"So the chiefs spend so much time here most days, without receiving any kind of refreshments during their meetings?"

Vaelora was quite surprised. It was strange for a kingdom so structured, to overlook something so basic.

"Lunaaa!!"

Zayn's teasing voice was heard, as he approached Vaelora from behind.

She turned to him, a small smile on her face.

"High Lord Zayn." Vaelora gave an exaggerated courtesy in return, making a few of the maids laugh.

"I see." He chuckled. "I was at your chambers this morning, but Vonne informed me that you stepped out. Have you been here since then?"

"Yeah." She nodded, releasing a low yawn as she did.

"Hungry?"

"Definitely."

"Great. Join me for lunch then."

"Uhhm...."

She looked hesitant, staring at the maids who were still very much assembled.

"Oh, come on." Zayn sighed. "They most certainly could use a meal themselves." He reasoned.

Looking at Danika, he signaled for her to come closer.

"Dani, please ask them to leave for lunch, and reassemble in another hour."

"Yes, Lord Zayn."

Danika gave a bow and walked off to do as he instructed.

"Glad you're looking bright." He whispered to Vaelora as they both walked off.

"Tired of crying." She gave a scoff. "Moreover, there is no escape route for me now."

Hearing her say that, Zayn went silent. His silence held so much fear and contradicting emotions.

"How was your first day as Luna?" He asked, changing the topic. She easily took the bait.

"Ohh, great."

Vaelora wore a genuine smile. One that Zayn hadn't seen in weeks.

He wondered if there was a chance that Vaelora could fall in love with her new position, if she settled in more.

Maybe, he was quick to judge.

Maybe Vaelora could be happy with Draekon.....

He paused that thought immediately.

Vaelora would hate him, if she ever found out he had thought such.

But then, it wasn't a complete impossibility. Was it?

The sudden slight frown on her face, made him frown as well.

"What is it?" Zayn asked.

"Oh, nothing much." She chuckled. "Just the irony of things. It's funny how we all criticized Dione for being a cheat."

"But he was. He cheated."

"And you think I wouldn't suffer worse with Draekon?"

The place fell silent for a moment, as Zayn struggled to understand what she was on about.

"Lora, what is this about?"

"I heard them. Some maids...." She began. "Giggling and talking about how much sexual prowess 'the king' has."

She couldn't help the urge to roll her eyes.

Zayn shot her a certain look. One she wasn't comfortable with.

"That is disgusting, Zayn." She blankly muttered. "I care not, if he sticks his p*nis into every other woman out there. That doesn't faze me. Shouldn't even."

"Then what fazes you?"

"The fact that it has to be the maids." She released yet another scoff. "At least, Dione was 'kind' enough to not rub it in my face. The disrespect."

'Disrespect' had this firm and irritated tone to it, making Zayn so sure that it was the reason Vaelora was bothered indeed.

He sighed, unable to understand what it was with him recently. Why did he keep thinking Vaelora was disturbed for different reasons?

Why had he thought she was jealous?

Maybe, these weird thoughts were the reaction that came alongside realizing he had betrayed her trust. Hidden a truth from her.

Somehow, he tried to justify his actions with the insane thoughts that she and Draekon could end up being happy together on the long run. Just the way he was with Amelia.

Maybe he badly craved to see that sweet side of his brother again.

Maybe he was..... just a horrible friend.

He had first hand seen how the past actions of his brothers had hurt her in the past and still did. And even then..... he hurt her too.

But then, could Draekon really do what Vaelora had said?

"Draekon only had these dalliances before your union. I don't think he still actively 'sees' this maid in question. More so, he never for once cheated on Amelia."

"Goddess!" Vaelora groaned in mild frustration. "Can't you see?! I am not Amelia! I will never be, Zayn."

Silence ensued for half a minute, before Zayn stuttered.

"I... I... I am so sorry, Lora."

"It's fine. I understand you want to see him happy again. At my expense." She muttered the last part.

"No, that's not it." He shook his head. "Might be it. But not it." He rushed out, further confusing them both.

Vaelora looked deeply into his eyes, and she could tell something was really wrong.

"Zayn, talk to me."

She sounded firm.

"I don't know if I should tell you this."

At that point, he was caught between loyalty to his brother and loyalty to his friend.

"I found it, Lora. I found the loophole."

"What?"