The wine spilled all over the queen's dress, completely staining it.
She maintained a smile, not caring about the dress itself. Dannep didn't know what had happened, but she hadn't been moving her hand.
Everyone's expression darkened instantly. The sin Dannep had committed was no small matter— their lives could be at stake.
"You damned idiot!" Cythian exclaimed as she stood up from the table.
Splash!
A slap instantly landed on Dannep's cheek as Cythian snatched the bottle from her hand.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I truly am sorry, oh great queen, my sweetie… I mean Dannep had just come out of the dungeon after a week, and that's why her pulse wasn't at its best. Please forgive us!" Cythian apologized while lowering her head.
Dannep stared at her hand in shock. She could now move it at will, as if the force controlling it had weakened.
"I am deeply sorry, Your Excellency. I apologize for my mistake and will accept whatever punishment is necessary," Dannep said, bowing as she already knew the consequences.
No one would believe her if she claimed that Ilyss Dracoryth herself had used her abilities to stain her own dress.
"Do not worry, Queen Ilyss. I will see to the execution of this orphan. If you wish, we can do it right now!" the king shouted as he called one of his guards.
"NO, Father, no! Dannep was just confused. I'm sure the queen will understand. She was tired, and Father, you can't kill her!" Cythian exclaimed in response.
She was visibly nervous as she looked at Dannep. It seemed she didn't want to lose her.
"Does she try this hard for me? Does she not have anyone else to hit?" Dannep thought while keeping her head lowered.
She knew that no matter how much emotional manipulation Cythian had over her father, she wouldn't be able to change her fate. Ilyss had done this for a reason.
"Oh my, how adorable!" Ilyss finally spoke, a devilish smile evident on her face as she looked at the king of Viremont.
"You know, because of the delicious dinner and grand palace, I forgot a few things about the negotiation. I believe the deal wasn't fair from the start."
This was what she had been aiming for. She used me to negotiate, Dannep thought as she looked at Ilyss with fury.
"In what way was the deal unfair, Your Highness? Tell me and I will fix it to your liking," the king said, trying to resolve things.
"Well, we agreed that I would help you with your farms and provide you with some weaponry. In return, you would give me 40% of the profits from the garrison and the farms, correct?"
Suddenly, Ilyss raised a hand and a large dividing line of purple fire ignited across the table.
"I don't like that!" she shouted while everyone remained silent, staring at her.
They knew that if they contradicted the demon woman, they would end up like that table.
"So this is the new deal: you will give me 7 of your 30 farms, and you will give me the southern garrison of the kingdom, plus an additional favor. In exchange, I will ignore the offense your maid has just committed."
She's taking advantage of the situation. She truly is a demon. Dannep's thoughts kept racing. She had been wrong about this woman—she really was evil.
Cold eyes settled over everyone in the room. They were in no position to negotiate, only to accept.
"Un… understood, great queen. Thank you for forgiving our offense. If you wish, I will have this maid killed right now in front of you," the king said as he called the guard again, who approached with a spear.
"Father, no! It's already been negotiated. There's no need to kill Dannep!" Cythian stepped in front of Dannep.
"I will punish her myself tonight and leave her in the dungeon longer, but don't kill her!"
"I agree with the young lady, Klaous. I see no need to kill a maid over a mistake like this, after all, it has already been resolved," Ilyss said as the fire on the table disappeared.
"Oh, thank you, Your Great Highness!" Cythian said with a smile as she bowed.
"Come here. Tonight I will truly punish you," Cythian said angrily, gripping Dannep's hands.
"After all, she is the favor I was going to ask for," Ilyss added with a smile.
"What?" Cythian asked, holding Dannep tighter.
"The favor I was going to ask for is this." Ilyss pointed at Dannep while maintaining her devilish smile. "I want that maid of yours to become my property."
What? Why me? Dannep wondered, clearly stunned.
"What? No! She's mine! You want a maid? I'll give you a maid—I'll give you as many as you want—but not Dannep! Please, Your Highness, she's just a malnourished and clumsy orphan. I have many better than her!"
Cythian began speaking while looking at her father.
The king of Viremont lowered his head with a somber expression. It was well known how much Cythian liked having Dannep, and he knew his daughter would hate him. Under normal circumstances, he would have refused.
But looking at the table that had just been burned by that woman's draconic magic… no, by that monster… he couldn't refuse.
"Dannep Silverline, starting tomorrow you will no longer serve the castle of Viremont under the command of Cythian Viremont and will become the property of the castle of Drakmorya under the orders of Her Great Highness Ilyss Dracoryth!"
"You—no—why… I hate you, I hate you!"
Cythian exclaimed as she dragged Dannep outside in tears.
Dannep didn't understand why Cythian was crying. She could find another maid to hit—what was so special about her? She was just a poor orphan.
But what she understood even less was that woman. Why did she want her? Just thinking about it made her uncomfortable.
Unconsciously, she looked back and saw Ilyss with a satisfied smile before she winked at her.
She didn't know why, but that woman angered her more than Cythian.
•••
"My whole body hurts."
Dannep muttered to herself as she got up. After leaving the dinner, Cythian had made sure to whip her enough so that, according to her, she would never forget her.
But it was strange. The more she hit her, the weaker her strikes became, as if she had grown tired of beating her.
The others had already packed all her belongings. As soon as they heard the news, they did everything possible to make sure Dannep wouldn't stay in the castle any longer.
She stood up, took the photo from behind her window, and headed downstairs.
A black carriage with white horses was waiting for her outside. All her luggage was already inside.
Wow, they really wanted me gone, she thought as she noticed the laughter and disdainful looks from the other maids.
"Hey, sweetie!"
Dannep stopped in her tracks at Cythian's shout. Supposedly, starting today she was no longer her mistress, but old habits couldn't be erased in one night.
The princess approached Dannep and hugged her, getting close enough to whisper in her ear.
"Next week is my birthday. I'll be older. I'll make sure to get you back, I promise. I still have something to tell you—just wait for me."
After saying those words, Cythian let go of Dannep, clearly angry at herself for doing so.
Dannep simply bowed and continued on her way into the carriage.
"Well, I thought you'd last longer."
But her sense of calm vanished as soon as she saw her companion. The demon queen was seated on the left, reading a book.
"Come in. I have some questions I want to ask you."