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.

"Thank you, Danika." She gave an appreciative nod, then looked 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 paused briefly. "If you know you serve as a personal maid to any Lord or Lady, please 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 of ten."

"Yes, Luna." Danika nodded, getting to it. Once she was done moments later, Vaelora walked towards the end of the last row, observing.

She halted her steps when she heard a couple of maids giggling. They had no idea she was just behind them, so they chattered away mindlessly.

"Ohhh, 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 and she didn't know why she felt... humiliated.

It wasn't the humiliation that stemmed from heartbreak, it was the kind 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 of the punishment they were about to receive. But 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.

Hours after that, Vaelora remained 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 mentioned and Danika nodded positively.

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

"Why, Luna?" Danika asked in confusion. "Of course, they all are."

"Then who are the maids attending to the needs of the council chiefs at the meeting?"

Danika appeared clueless.

"Luna, no one attends to them..." she trailed off, wondering if she was missing somethin. "No one is allowed into the council room, during meetings."

"So the chiefs just spend so much time here on 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 as basic as that.

"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." She gave an exaggerated courtesy in return, making some 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?"

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

"Hungry?"

"Definitely."

"Great. Join me for lunch then."

"Uhm..." she hesitated, staring at the maids who were still very much assembled.

"Oh, come on. 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, your Highness." Danika gave a bow and walked off.

"Glad to see you're looking bright," Zayn said to Vaelora as they both walked away.

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

Hearing her say that, Zayn swallowed a huge morsel of guilt because there was something he was yet to tell her. He couldn't bring himself to.

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

"Oh, great."

Vaelora wore a genuine smile, one that Zayn hadn't seen in a while. 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 conclude. Maybe Vaelora could be happy with Draekon...

He paused that thought immediately. Vaelora would be so mad at him if she ever found out he had entertained such a thought. 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?" he asked.

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

Zayn paused and observed her quietly. "But he was. He cheated."

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

"Lora, what is this about?"

Vaelora said nothing in response at first.

"Tell me," he pushed, realizing there was something indeed.

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

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

"That is disgusting, Zayn," she muttered blankly. "I care not, if he sticks his cock 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'--The firmness in her voice left no room for doubt that it was indeed what had upset Vaelora all along.

Zayn sighed.

What was wrong with him? Why had he been so convinced she was jealous?

Some foolish part of him kept trying to believe she and Draekon might eventually find happiness together, just as he and Amelia had. Maybe he simply missed the man that Draekon used to be. Or maybe...

Maybe he was just a terrible friend.

He had seen, firsthand, how much his brothers had hurt Vaelora in the past and even presently. He knew those wounds had never truly healed, yet he had added to them by keeping this secret.

Still... Could Draekon really betray the sanctity of their bond and cheat on her like Dione had done?

"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 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 regarded him closely, and could see he was itching to say something.

"Zayn, talk to me," she firmly demanded.

He hesitated before speaking. "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."