The Devil's Warrior Queen
Chapter 133: Memory Lane

Chapter 133: Memory Lane

Drowning in an ocean of slumber, Malika’s physical body fell unconscious while her mind traveled far beyond her reach, creating illusions of an enigmatic figure in her dreams.

Significant fragments were concealed in a blurry haze, like the face of the mysterious person or what was being said or the place they were at.

The strange events occuring between herself and the mysterious figure played in front of her, yet she had no concept of what it was all about, leaving her in a state of utter confusion.

It felt like a floating vision of secrets, it was right in front of her, yet she couldn’t reach it, she couldn’t understand what the vision was trying to portray, and when she would wake up, every single detail of the strange dream she had would dissipate from her head like dust, not even a lingering imprint in her memory to trace back to it.

It felt as though everytime she closed her eyes and sleep engulfed her, her willpower was fighting an inner battle to remember and resist the compulsion to forget while her physical form rested, but whenever she woke up, her mind’s willpower would crumble to nothing but dust, leaving her vulnerable to the compulsion.

Stretching like a cat, followed with a yawn, Malika squirmed in the soft squishy bed, she could sleep all day on the very comfortable mattress, but she thought against it even though Madam Eleanor had given her a day off to...recuperate?

It made sense as she was obscured by the drastic change that had happened last night at the wedding which was supposed to be taking place between Rama and lord Damien, until the groom was unexpectedly changed to Draco. She couldn’t help but wonder what on earth was going on and she would make sure to find out from Rama...no, the queen, she kept forgetting she was no longer Rama but the Queen.

She felt a bit gloomy, aware of the fact that being close to her like she was as ordinary Rama was not going to be possible anymore since she was a queen now, back to the way it once was.

Although they had been close for a relationship between a handmaiden and a queen, the line between their closeness had a limit, unlike when she was carefree and casually stated out her opinions to ordinary Rama even to the extent of teasing her, she couldn’t do any of that anymore to the queen, she was well aware of her place now and she didn’t plan on barring the line because they were close.

Scrampling out of bed, a smile danced on her face, grateful that at least amidst all the confusing events that was transpiring, they were both safe and Rama had kept her promise of protecting her and also giving her a comfortable life, even though she was back to being a handmaiden.

At least it was far better than the past, no handmaiden was given such a luxurious chamber all to herself or a wardrobe full of fine silky gowns or a vanity table with luxurious jewelleries seated atop it, this was more than a gracious act and she had no doubt it was Rama’s doing.

She wondered if she held so much power already within a day of their wedding to demand such things for her or if Draco loved her so much to the extent he made her closest friend comfortable, to her, comfortable was underrated, she felt like a princess.

Hauling to the bathroom gladdened, she abruptly halted as a stray thought crossed her mind.

What if she had sacrificed her happiness by marrying Draco in exchange for her own happiness, just to protect her and make her comfortable? She thought inwardly, her face turning pale at the thought that Rama had given up on the man she truly loved and wanted to marry just for her.

Wait a minute! Her intrusive thoughts kicked in. Nothing sounded right to her at that moment because if that was the case, then only one question rang in her mind.

Why on earth did Draco marry her?

She could only get the answer she needed if she stopped pondering in her lavish room and set out to find Rama even though she was given a day off, but then she shuddered at the fact that she could come across lord Amon on her way there.

The thought made her subconsciously tremble in fear when she remembered the events of last night as she rubbed on her sore neck where he had strangled her, but sooner or later she would have to leave her safety zone anyway, so taking in a deep breath, she strengthened her resolve, after all the king had personally ordered her safety.

Quickly taking her bath in the medium sized tub filled with steamy water, she clad herself in a simple aquamarine blue gown with tiny silver stones entailed on the bodice.

Tying her hair in a bun, she set to find Rama. Apparently she would be in the King’s chambers too, going there seemed like a nuisance, but as a handmaid to the queen she wouldn’t be disturbing if she requested to prepare the queen. Approaching the door, a sudden knock made her halt.

Her heart jumping to her throat in fear on who it might be until she heard a female voice from behind the door. "Lady Malika? Breakfast is ready." The voice said in a hiss, not trying to hide whatever invisible feud she held with her.

Sighing out, she approached the door and opened it to meet a maid standing with a tray of fine dishes on it, alongside a glass of sweet wine. It wasn’t surprising, but still she was in disbelief. Was she a handmaiden or a princess? Her inner goddess smiled sheepishly.

"Thank you." She said politely as she took the tray from the girl, but the maid hissed vehemently with rolling eyes and stomped out on her, leaving her wondering what she did wrong, but then she realized it was probably jealousy, she shrugged nonchalantly as she settled to eat her food.

Eating quickly, but not too much or else her tummy would become bloated and the laces would break, she ate a good amount of food and without ringing a maid to take away the plate, she went to the kitchen to drop them herself or else the maids would probably curse her more.

She could hear a few maids snicker and gossip behind her with a sneer as she dropped her plates, but they were the least of her worries as she had Rama to find. Exiting the kitchen with despiteful scowls and glares burning through her back, she proceeded to find Rama or...more technically, the queen.

Strolling down the corridors, she encountered some maids, they were cleaning up after the wedding last night. She noticed how busy the maids were, scampering back and forth as they cleaned up.

Approaching a maid, she asked politely on the whereabouts of the King and Queen’s chamber, but instead of replying, her narrowed eyes scrutinized her from head to toe as though she was a disgusting artifact in the market which was cursed.

"The King’s room is in the East wing of the castle, its the only chamber there." The maid finally replied with a forced smile.

She thanked her and turned around to leave but as soon as the other maids attention was brought to her, whispers and gossips sated the air like an acrid smell emanating from the envious maids.

"They’re both cunts, her princess friend probably seduced the king, and now its her turn to seduce a vampire lord." A maid started, her voice loud even though she was there.

"They both haven’t even been here for so long, how did they gain favor from the King? Maybe its witchcraft." Another chipped in with disbelief.

"She smells like a whore, I saw her with not a vampire lord but a demon lord last night, he was touching her in the dark corridors and she moaned so shamelessly, she’d give herself to the devil as long as he’s powerful." A maid whispered loud enough to another maid for everyone to hear and they all gasped in shock with their hands clamped to their mouths.

Their voices echoed behind her as she walked away, she had wanted to talk back, but she realized proving her innocence to them wasn’t worth her time or energy, she couldn’t care less the rumours they made about her.

Proceeding to the East wing as the maid had directed her to, she saw only one chamber situated in the dark lonely corridors. She gulped with hesitant footsteps towards the door, it was a plain black double doors towering above her like a sinister sentinel to the room.

Trembling slightly, she knocked on the door. The sound echoed in the darkness, making her gasp at the chilling loneliness the vicinity in the hallway emitted.

Her breath hitched as the door creaked open with an ominous rumble, until it revealed the figure standing behind it, peering its crimson eyes down at her frail figure. She suddenly wanted to crouch and hide, but she gulped as if something clogged her throat.

"L-Lord Zamiel?" She pointed out rather than a query, she wasn’t well acquainted with him as she had only encountered him a few times in the past, but his stoic face and the chilling apathy in his eyes sent off an indifferent vibe in him.

He merely gazed down at her, unnerving silence hanging in the air, he had hoped not to see her again, not to graze his eyes with her angelic beauty, but still everytime he closed his eyes and shut the world out, pictures of her sun kissed hair, her doe golden eyes staring up at him fleeted through his mind like a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

"I-I’m sorry to disturb you, I honestly thought...No, I mean, a maid gave me directions to the King’s chambers because I was about to prepare the queen...." She trailed off, noticing how she spluttered while blurting out her nonsense.

She bit her lower lips, regretting spouting out so carelessly.

"I-I apologise once again lord Zamiel, have a good day." She said in a meek voice as she bowed.

His crimson eyes narrowed skeptically at her, the difference in her was too perceptible for a creature as he, making him to suddenly realise that something was wrong.