Enemy

"I assure you, Bella won't be able to protect her for long. We'll make sure she regrets coming to this castle! Can you believe that one of our friends got injured because she tried to help the new girl off the floor," another maid said, her voice filled with envy, and her eyes glinting with a devious gleam.

I was so angry to hear them backbiting about Mulan, and I decided to confront them directly.

"Humm, what is going on here? And what are you guys gossiping about? Don't you have important things to do?" I asked angrily, my lips twisted in distaste, I stepped forward with an air of nonchalance.

Another maid who was as loud as a broken trumpet yelled at me immediately.

"Find something to do Bella! You are a motherfucker, just like her!" She said, with a menacing voice, and I smiled inwardly.

"Go to your duty post, or else…."

"Or else what?" Sammy, one of the maids, interrupted me rudely.

"Or else, I will report your lackadaisical attitude to the crown prince, and you know what that will cost, right?" I asked with a threatening voice, purposefully teasing them by mentioning the prince.

"Ahhh! That reminds me; What is going on between you and the crown prince?" Eva, another bully maid asked with raised brows.

I smiled, giving her the satisfaction that she wanted before telling her the whole truth made up of lies.

"You see, what you guys don't know is that I am the crown prince's mistress; out of anger, I dumped him and began to date Beauty, but then I realized that Beauty was not the woman of my dreams. So I broke up with her and went back to my first love, Prince Nunew the first!" I explained with a sense of pride, and the other maids' mouths widened in amazement.

The maids exchanged startled glances, caught off guard by my unexpected love story, they were so speechless, that they didn't know what to say, and what not to say.

Before they could even think of responding, the door to Prince Nunew's room swung open, and Steve, one of the guards, peered out.

"What's all the commotion out here? What is going on? Are you guys bullying Bella again?" he inquired strictly, his eyes shifting between me and the group of maids.

"No! Of course not. It's just a little chit-chat," I replied with a dismissive wave of my hand, trying to ease the tension that lingered in the air.

Steve looked around for a while, before he nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation, and retreated back into the room. I took a moment to lock eyes with each maid, a silent warning hidden beneath a facade of calm.

Anyway, continue with your little gossip. But remember, It won't change a thing, it is just a waste of time, and it won't benefit your life in any way," I informed them, masking my true intentions as I pushed the door open and entered Prince Nunew's room.

………

The room was adorned with expensive and high-quality furniture, and made of rich fabrics, excluding an air of regality.

Nunew was seated behind a well-carved desk. A glass of red wine in his hand, and his eyes were closed, it was like those of meditating sage. And as he gently slipped the wine, part of it stained his lips.

The smell of blood was very thick in the room, and I smiled, happy to see my pal feeding well.

"You look relaxed, and I must commend your effort!" I said softly, a curved smile on my face, and his eyes immediately widened, he looked up from his work with a mild expression.

"Ah, Ella. What brings you here? And why didn't you tell me that you were around?" he inquired, his gaze lingering on me.

"Your Majesty, as for your first question, you sent for me; and as for the other, you were drinking and sleeping at the same time, so I decided to make sure that everything is in order, by observing you," I replied, keeping my tone respectful while masking the undertones of frustration.

He looked around his eyes searching for answers, "I wasn't sleeping, I was drinking, but I just couldn't sense your presence. I think it's already affecting my sense of smell, just as it affected my hearing! Ahhh!" He hit his fist on the walls in frustration, and the walls shook mighty.

"Well, the good thing is that you are still alive," I murmured under my breath.

He didn't reply. He simply closed his eyes, and I guessed that he was on the journey of a pilgrim, so, I looked around the room, exploring the things that were used for decoration.

"I noticed that there is something special about that girl! I could smell your claim all over her body!" I said with a menacing voice, paused, looked at him, and continued walking around the room, my fingertips, trailing on the library desk.

Nunew's eyes tightened at once.

Suddenly, his eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"You have a keen sense of smell, my dear. But I suppose you're right; I don't think Mulan is an ordinary human, she is something more powerful than that."

I paused, turning to face him with a sly grin. "So, what's your plan with her? Keeping her as a pet, or perhaps something more intriguing and mischievous?"

He leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face, “Mulan may indeed have potential, and I intend to explore it. But then, it's not something I'll discuss with a mere servant who is helpless and pathetic!" He replied, his voice filled with bitterness.

I chuckled, maintaining my composure, not bothered by his unfriendly tone. "Well, Your Majesty, I'm just here to ensure everything runs smoothly. You can keep your secrets, I have mine to unravel anyway."

As I made my way toward the door, I glanced back at him. "But remember, secrets have a way of surfacing, and when they do, I'll be here to witness it all." With that, I pushed the room open.

"You, I heard that you have become close with my slave!" Nunew said, and I stopped abruptly, but I didn't face him.

"Anything you decide to do, just make sure that you mind your business, and don't even think of telling her about our relationship, or else, I might have to kick you back to the baggage where you truly belong!" He said with a low menacing voice, trying to scare me into chickening out.

"Your concerns are duly noted, Your Majesty," I replied with a hint of sarcasm, not allowing his words to rattle me.

"I assure you, I have no intention of interfering in your affairs with Mulan. After all, I have my own games to play, and I need more puppets." I laughed like an evil witch.

I exited the room, leaving Prince Nunew to his thoughts.

As I walked away, a small smirk played on my lips, knowing that the game in the castle was far from over, and more than anything else, I liked my role, and I was excited to play the part.