The Devil's Warrior Queen
Chapter 132: The Queen’s Handmaiden II

Chapter 132: The Queen’s Handmaiden II

Malika was in a state of disarray, everything was happening too fast for her to process in properly, first it was the confusing night and the even more confusing event that had taken place in the wedding.

Why on earth had Rama gotten married to the vampire king? Why had no one said anything about it? Where was lord Damien? Many ponderings ran through her head like a broken dam.

After the wedding, she pushed through the crowd in the wedding banquet, looking for Rama but her human eyesight let her down as there was no sign of Rama or lord Damien perceptible to her sight.

But then, after the wedding banquet, she had heard the bride and groom had retreated to their chambers per the maids gossips, she had been pertrified because she was all alone, she didn’t come across lord Damien or Rama for them to explain anything to her, she was left wandering aimlessly, until she encountered Amon, the supposed demon of greed.

His twin orbs of glinting emeralds staring down at her with the intensity of a predator scrutinizing its prey. Her heart leapt to her throat, there was no one to save her, not Rama nor lord Damien was present, leaving her vulnerable for him to prey on.

She could feel the intensifying pace of her heartbeat echo loudly in her ears as it pounded hard against her ribcage, everything about him frightened her, from the way he loomed over her like the grim reaper, to the sinister smile crossing his lips and then those wicked eyes staring down at her with malicious intents he did not care to hide.

"Little girl, where are you off to? You look...lost." He pointed out with a dark drawl.

Hiding her fear was impossible, leading her to stutter as it was obvious his intents were nothing but deceitful.

"I-I..."

"I can prepare a chamber for you to rest if you like, you look tired." He implied with a charming grin, although a hint of menace underlined his tone.

"I’m fine, I-I have a room in the maids quarters." She managed to force out.

"It’s rude of you to reject a lord’s offer, don’t be hard and follow me." He said persuasively, his voice turning darker.

"Ahh, that would be an inconvenience for you my lord since I already have a room, so you don’t need to go through the stress of preparing one for me." She suddenly added in, in a rushed tone, her voice barely a smattering whisper.

He leaned in closer, his face a few inches away from hers, she could see his eyes darken as he spoke.

"I’m being gentle with you, you wouldn’t want to see my other side now would you?"

Her breathing turned ragged as her chest twisted painfully knowing she was already trapped, there was no escaping from this venomous demon, he would have his way with her, strip her of her innocence and dignity while she was unmarried, no man would see her fit for a wife anymore, he’d destroy her physically and mentally.

Her head spun, she hadn’t realized when he started dragging her through the hall, her life would fall apart in front of her eyes but she was too weak to prevent it, at that moment she hated being so fragile and vulnerable. She hated being a weak lesser human who held no power against the night creatures.

As if her rational senses had been rejuvenated back to life, she sent futile punches into his arms, screaming hysterically for him to let her go.

His hands suddenly flew to her neck without warning, pushing her roughly to the wall. She whimpered with shaky breaths, teary eyes staring back at him.

"Make another noise and I’ll not only devour you, I’ll send you to hell so you can scream all you want as the flames eat your flesh." He threatened between gritted teeth.

At that moment, a distant voice echoed in the hallway followed by the clinking of shoes approaching closer to them. The presence stole his attention for a split moment as he whipped his head to the side to catch sight of the figure interrupting him.

"I will respectfully advise you to let go of the young lady, Lord Amon." The voice said in a clipped tone as it approached them, but Malika couldn’t turn to look as a result of lord Amon’s hard grip on her neck.

"And who the fuck are you?" He queried with irritation in his voice.

"I’m the court lady who manages the affairs of the castle and also I manage the King’s subjective needs and orders." She stated out, Malika suddenly recognized the voice as Madam Eleanor’s.

"I don’t give a fuck about what you manage, stay out of my business." He warned with a low growl, the pressure of his fingers pressing into her skin intensified as he spoke.

"Courtesy to the king’s orders, she is to be given a chamber and looked after, prevent harm from coming her way. She has been given the role by the king to serve the Queen and he wants her to be in favourable condition at all time." Madam Eleanour said, her voice calm but hard.

Amon was quiet, but he still held onto the girl who was squirming in unease at the burning pain he inflicted on her.

"I’ll advise you to let go demon lord or you’ll have to answer to the King, as you are aware, he’s not very hospitable, be it family or friends." She added when she saw the reluctant look in his eyes.

He suddenly gave her a hard push with inhumane force towards Madam Eleanor, Malika’s body came crashing into hers and she braced herself for the aftermath when they would tumble down the floor, but surprisingly, Madam Eleanor supported her to regain her balance.

Amon hissed behind her as he walked away from them, his retreating figure fading into the darkness until they were left alone.

"Thank you, Madam Eleanor." She said with a low voice, cracking beneath the force of fear and her trembling body as hot tears rolled down her cheeks.

Madam Eleanor merely looked at her as she cried, while she supported her balance lest the fragile girl would fall.

She waited patiently for her to be done with her crying episode before she spoke "Don’t thank me, thank the King." The woman said clippedly.

She wasn’t sure whether to be happy about her appearance, but weirdly, she felt safe with the half vampire half human. Although she had a hard facade on the outside, her crimson hazel orbs retained a flicker of the human she was.

The woman stared down at her from an impressively tall height, her slender yet powerful frame hidden beneath the thick black dress she wore, her hair was always styled in a neat high chignon and her chin was always slightly tilted up, giving her the air of authority she possessed.

"Follow me." The woman had ordered with that stiff voice of hers. She frantically wiped her tears with the back of her sleeves.

Without waiting for a reply from her, she veered around and waltzed away, her heels clinking against the marble floor. Not knowing what to do, she tugged her yellow dress up and scurried behind her.

The woman was as stiff as a rock, although she walked with gracefulness and calculated movement down the hallway while Malika increased her pace to keep up with her.

Malika wanted to ask what she meant by the King had ordered a chamber to be given to her and had also assigned her to serve the Queen, who was undoubtedly Rama, but she kept quiet all through till they arrived at a chamber in a serene part of the castle where there was less prying eyes around, only a few rooms were situated there.

"This will be your room from now on. The King has assigned you to be the Queen’s handmaiden, I’m sure you’re well acquainted with that position. You can rest back for a day and start after tomorrow, I’m sure I was very clear but any questions?" The woman explained, one brow raised.

Malika meekly shook her head "No, Madam Eleanor."

"Good." The woman replied flatly and veered around to leave, she stood by the doorside and watched her disappear into a door opposite hers.

With a sigh, she entered the room.

The room was awash in soft, velvety hues of deep amethyst and rose, which danced upon the walls in the warm glow of countless flickering candles. A delicate, vine-patterned tapestry adorned one wall.

A massive four-poster bed, draped in regal silk canopies, stood at the room’s center, inviting rest beneath a mountain of plush pillows and sumptuous blankets.

Her eyes stopped on a carved oak wardrobe and instinctively opened them, only to find it hosting gowns of the finest silk and velvet, each embroidered with intricate designs that mirrored the castle’s rich history.

She could only open her mouth in awe and wide eyed in shock at the King’s generosity, but then she realized it was yet again,Rama’s doing, after all she was the queen now.

A small fireplace added warmth on the chilly night, its hearth adorned with polished marble carvings of mythical creatures.

In one corner, a vanity table displayed an array of shimmering jewels and perfumes, it made her eyes widen even more than it could, no one treated their handmaiden so comfortably, not even the richest kings on earth would, as they were considered nothing less than maids still.

And on the opposite side, a small nook concealed an intimate library of tomes and scrolls, fostering her love for knowledge.

While she relished at the unbelievable treatment, her eyes felt too heavy to keep open any longer. It had been a long strange night, so she retired to bed after locking the door.

She felt a strange void of emptiness everytime she closed her eyes, as if there was a blank space in her memory she couldn’t suffice no matter how hard she tried.

Lost in thoughts, she succumbed to deep slumber.