4. Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Lillith
I groan in dismay, both at the sight of my two new roommates—they seem unnaturally pleasant—but also at the fact that I got in trouble. Who is Mrs. Umbernuckle to scold me? Her behavior is unacceptable for anyone working as a maid in my opinion, no matter the level they hold in the house.
And now, I am stuck in this room with these two, and I have no idea what to do with myself.
Mairelle, sensing my distress, springs to her feet and makes her way over to me in an instant. "Hello there!" she says brightly, her voice dripping with the same optimism that always seems to be radiating from her. "Remember me? I'm Mairelle. Who knew that we were going to be roommates?"
I force a smile, though it feels more like a grimace, and turn to the other woman. Where Mairelle is bright in every way from her hair to her behavior, this woman is almost the opposite. She has black hair and a much darker complexion. Her movements are far more stiff and reserved.
She stares at me with a carefully neutral expression. "Hello. The name’s Cherry," she says curtly, her voice devoid of emotion.
I nod in acknowledgment but say nothing. I'm not in the mood to talk, and even if I had been, I don't think either Mairelle or Cherry would be interested in the dark thoughts that are swirling through my mind, namely of revenge and of getting back at Mrs. Umbernuckle. Of course, I can't do anything that would make me get noticed, but maybe a laxative slipped into her tea or coffee at the very least is in order.
Mairelle, however, either doesn't get the hint or doesn't care. She continues chattering away, her enthusiasm never fading. She speaks of all the wonderful things that have happened that day, of how she found the perfect charm to add to her bracelet and of how, just that morning, she has seen Prince Asher from afar.
While I am tempted to tell her that the prince has asked personally for my name and thanked me, I keep my mouth shut. Let's be honest, those small acts of wickedness feel oh so good, but this woman is already exhausting without me engaging in actual conversation with her.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, she pauses, her eyes losing a bit of their shine. Maybe she realizes that her words have fallen on deaf ears. She glances over at Cherry as if seeking confirmation that I am not the talkative sort and then back at me.
"My apologies," she says softly, her voice gentle and understanding. "I didn't mean to ramble on so. It's just I'm so excited to have met you, and I'm eager to become friends."
I don't know what to say. Friends? I scoff inwardly, though I keep my face carefully neutral. I have never been the kind of person to have friends, and I highly doubt that either of these two would be willing to accept me as one, not when they know who I really am.
To my surprise, Cherry smiles and nods. "I'm sure we'll become friends in no time," she says confidently, her voice surprisingly warm. "It's nice to meet you."
I blink in confusion. What is she up to? Is she trying to make me feel better, or is there something else going on that I'm not aware of? I don't know, but I find myself strangely grateful for her kind words.
"It's nice to meet you both," I say, my voice surprisingly steady.
Mairelle beams, her eyes alight with pleasure, and Cherry gives me a small smile.
"Maybe we can do something together soon," Mairelle suggests, her tone hopeful.
I hesitate but then nod. Maybe spending time with them will help to distract me from my thoughts of revenge or possibly turn that focus onto them instead. Only time will tell. Of course, the prince will still be my main target. I need to figure out where to start with him. Everything is just too... perfect. Bleh.
"Sure," I say slowly. "That sounds like a good idea."
Mairelle claps her hands together in delight, and Cherry nods in approval.
"Wonderful!" Mairelle exclaims. "We'll plan something soon. I'm sure it will be loads of fun!"
I allow myself a small smile, though I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness. Fun doesn't seem like it is something I am capable of having. At least not in a way that would please them as well.
***
I’m on my hands and knees, my fingers raw and aching as they scrub at the stone floor of the hallway hard enough to make it gleam. The work is mindless, and it feels like an eternity since I've been able to think of anything more than the stubborn stains that refuse to budge. Several wings still haven't been cleaned up after the house was purchased, including this one. That is apparently my job.
It’s lonely here, which I thought would be a blessing at first. Nobody here wanting to be friendly with me, nobody wanting to know more about me. I’m just here to clean, though obviously not very well.
I really miss my magic. My own home stays spotless thanks to my constant spells.
Something small scuttles across the floor, catching my eye. A woodroach, the size of a fingernail. It is strange, for this is an old castle and I have only ever seen them in the kitchens, usually in buildings surrounded by natural forests.
I watch it as it makes its way across the floor, and then an idea strikes me. If there is one, there will be many more. They will be my tools.
If I can call the woodroaches to the prince's bedroom, then they can stay there. If he steps on them or kills them, it will be a small act of evil. My entire purpose of being here is to try and get the golden hero prince to slip up and do something less than perfect. I can't start with anything too big. This is small and unassuming. It is, for lack of a better word, perfect.
I stand up, brushing the dust from my knees, and begin to make a plan.
First, I need something to lure them. I have some bread crumbs left over from dinner, and I scatter them around the hallway. Then, I kneel back down, close my eyes, and begin to focus my power. I have to be careful not to use too much, or I’ll risk being discovered.
Slowly, the air around me begins to hum. I can feel the presence of the woodroaches as they gather around me, drawn in by the promise of a meal. I open my eyes. They’re crawling around me, their small black bodies wriggling as they move. Now, I just have to get them to the prince's bedroom without being seen.
I move slowly through the castle, taking care to be as quiet as possible. My second day here, I made sure to learn where the prince spends most of his time. His study, where he sleeps, where he eats... all so when the moments present themselves I would be ready.
Finally, I reach the prince's room. I open the door and step inside then quickly scatter the woodroaches around the bed and around the room.
I stand back and watch as they begin to explore their new home, scuttling around and through the prince's bed. I’ve done it. I’ve taken a small act of evil and used it to my advantage.
Smiling to myself, I leave the room, satisfied with my work. I’ve done something that no one else in the castle would have had the cleverness or the power to do. Okay, yes, I'm probably the only one who would be interested in doing this, but that's not the point. I’m the only one who has the power to control the woodroaches, and I am determined to use it to my advantage.
Sometimes being a villain means doing something just for my own enjoyment, even if others think it immature. The trick to being a really good villain is not caring.