Chapter 20: Pure Evil
Years have passed in the Grove Kingdom, nothing much has changed. The weather is mostly the same all year around, there have been no wars and the gods stay silent. In other words, "I'm bored."
"Have you tried gardening Young Master? Have you been practicing your tea ceremonies?"
A maid spoke from behind Jessup, with a mocking tone, "What about your swordsmanship, how can you ever kill a rabbit if you swing that thing like it's a metal stick?"
Jessup let out a silent sigh at his rude maid, "Why would Grandfather give me such a brat for a maid?"
He turned around and stared down at the young woman in front of him, "I would rather be bored than annoyed. Go. Away."
"I have orders to attend to your every need, Young Master. This was an order from the most wonderful and the most handsome man in the universe. Now go do something proactive!"
That's right. She's another follower of his Majesty the King, it's hard to find anyone on this island who isn't.
"If you want to serve him so badly, then go do that. Stop whining and go do something, 'proactive.'" This time I made myself firm and poked her on the forehead to make myself clear this time.
The maid looked back at me and for a second I thought she was going to strike me. There was this silent rage in her eyes after I used her words against her.
"You are truly an incompetent man. I thank Lord Dredan everyday for granting your grandfather immortality. Otherwise we would be stuck with you as king."
Jessup was taken aback at this remark, he had said something a bit rude just now but it didn't change the fact that her remark seemed a bit exaggerated, sure he wasn't the most ambitious nor was he proactive at times but he was still good at some things.
For example, he could make a good cup of tea. Jessup has served as an excellent servant of the palace, he was clean, tidy, he knew how to cook and he had mastered his ability to serve others. This of course was a problem on its own but it wasn't to the point that he deserved being called incompetent.
At least he excelled in something, Jessup looked taken aback at his servant and long time 'friend' very much annoyed and asked, "What proof do you have that I'm not doing my best?"
"You're 16 and still living with your mother."
That's it? On earth I knew people in their 40's still playing with action figures in their parents' basement. Some of them you would doubt if they should even be around children!
"That is a ridiculous argument! Anna! You're just trying to bully me because my grandfather chose me to serve him at last week's galla!"
"His majesty would have chosen me if your fat head wasn't blocking his vision! By now we could be happily married with kids if it weren't for you!"
Now things had become a shouting match between two children, one of them doesn't care for serving his king and the other has had a crush on him since she was a child.
"In one week?! You're unbelievable. You still act like a pretentious noble brat. Oh wait, you are!"
"I'm gonna ki- Ahh! Your majesty!"
I turned around quickly and only now did I realize the king was standing behind me. Despite the fact that I had all the doors locked.
"You need to stop portaling into peoples rooms unannounced."
I could immediately feel a menacing death glare on the back of my head.
"It's a good thing I did, if I hadn't, you probably wouldn't be able to bear any children if I had shown up a second too late."
What? I looked behind me and noticed Anna giving a sly smile. This bitch just tried to dethrone me!
"That's it! I've had it up to here with this demon witch! I want nothing to do with her!"
"That's a shame, I've spoken to your father many times about a betrothal between you two. He said 'My daughter talks about Prince Jessup everyday! Usually in a loud screeching voice. Sometimes I feel like she'll shatter the windows.' I guess this is what he meant."
Marry her? I would rather choose death! How dare you even consider such horrible torture!
"I thought slavery was illegal?"
"WHAT?!" Her father was right, her voice is screechy.
I glared back at her in rage. I truly hate this woman and the feeling is mutual. The first time I met her was when I briefly served under the king for the first time. She was the same bratty girl who cried like a baby and got smacked around like a ragdoll. That is my only good memory of her.
"Anna." Just then I heard a voice speak from behind the king, I didn't see her anywhere but I never do. My relationship with her is a love/hate relationship, but mostly love and admiration. Not because I have feelings for her but because she is the only one Anna is truly afraid of.
Lady Alizah stood there in all her grace and glory. I could tell the head maid was fixing on punishing the brat quite harshly. The reason why it's a love/hate relationship is because she's cold and harsh to just about everyone except for my mother and grandfather. Even though I have been a victim of her punishments, I can take a beating. You know who cant? The girl currently quaking in her boots right now, that's who.
Anna's face was white as a sheet, as she should be. Lady Alizah is not a person you can easily mess with, despite her youthful appearance she too is super, an esper at that. Her esper power isn't all that special but it allows her to stay out of the peripheral view. I don't know how it works exactly but it makes her the perfect spy. I've even heard rumors that she has helped the king in poker once.
"Anna, what did you try to do just now?" Lady Alizah's voice was cruel and cold. The king just had his index finger on his cheek and his thumb on his chin. Likely wondering if he should step in.
"Now now, let's not forget why we came here. You can kill the girl later if you feel like it, but right now I would like you to come with me for a special meeting."
The king said two things that struck my excitement. One, I'll hopefully be rid of this wicked and evil creature once and for all and two, I will get out of the house.
I responded with excitement, "Yes of course! I respect your supreme and absolute grace's wishes."
"Gross, but at least you understand how great I am. Let's go suck up."
"Wait! Please your majesty, I didn't mean to disrespect the Young master, I promise I'll do better."
The king did not respond nor did he even look back her way, he just opened a portal and left Lady Elizah alone with her, "Lady Alizah, have i ever told you how much i love, respect and adore your ever being?"
She looked back at me and scoffed, "She was right about one thing, it's a good thing his majesty is immortal. We don't need a suck up as our king."
Huh? She heard the whole thing? How long was she watching us? I thought she came in with the king?
"Jess, let's go."
I look back at his majesty and sigh in regret that I wouldn't get to see Anna's punishment for myself. The world can be such a cruel thing.
I followed after my grandfather right before giving one last look at the two maids before walking through the portal. I swear I could hear crying in the back of my head but I think that was just my imagination.
When I stepped through the portal I noticed we were standing in a familiar place. It was Fort Jess. That's right, I have a fortress named after me. Although it's a bit small, and there are only about three people guarding it at all times, they are pretty useless.
Today was different however, it was bustling with people. Both soldiers and merchants alike, "You know we could have just walked right? The manor is just up the hill. I can see it from here."
That's right, my mothers dream had come true and we were now living on the other side of the island in a large manor on the hill, watching over the seas at all times. Although my mother is usually away in the palace, she comes quite often through the newly built tunnels built through the mountains.
"Today you will be making your first true trade deal. I've prepared plenty of empty contracts and I will be expecting you to write out your conditions and demands on paper before the meeting. I will check it first to see if there are any issues and we'll go from there with some extra contracts depending on how things go"
Once again I've been ignored, but what he said intrigued me. Specifically the part where he said 'demands.'
"So we have the leverage?"
The king smirked at my response, "Good, I was worried you were stupid. Yes that's right, I just recently went on a one man escapade and made a few enemies. You're in charge of dealing with the aftermath. I'll give you my own demands and depending on how much you achieve in this negotiation I will reward you."
I was a little annoyed that he was having me clean up his messes but I realized that's not what this is. He can handle this on his own. It's just that he wants to see how well I'll do if I take care of it. As for the reward, I'm looking forward to it.
"Remember kid, I believe in rewards and punishment. If you screw this up… Hmm, you don't seem to like Anna all that much do you?"
My face paled at his response. No, I couldn't handle dealing with her for another day, the idea of spending another hour, or another minute in the presence of such dark and cruel evil. I will not fail! I have to succeed!
I felt pumped and also slightly afraid that I'll screw this up, if I mess this up there is no telling what this man could do. I will escape this kingdom and live my life as a humble farmer rather than face such pure evil for the rest of my life.
The king looked back at his worried grandson wondering if he made a mistake, punishment is a good way to motivate others but if you push them too far they might fight back.
'I knew he didn't like her, but not to this extent. I might've just set him up to fail.'