The Blood-Witch Princess

Chapter 1

"Lalaine! Get your ass back here and finish the job now!"

Ugh! I hate my job. I have to love it and I hate that I have to love it. I have a lot of grinding petals to do today since Madam Putrid wants to deliver all the potions to castle before sundown, but I am trying to procrastinate for a few precious minutes here in the parlor pretending I forgot my bag of tools and materials back here just because I want to piss her off.

The parlor is plush and grand and it's my favorite place here in the apothecary. Mainly because of the view the floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer. You can see the whole town of Almbersville from up here and it's truly a stunning sight to me anytime of the day and all seasons of the year.  Now that it's Frost season, I can enjoy looking at snow-covered roofs, buildings, and pine trees at daytime and nighttime. Madam P's Apothecary is situated on top of one of the four hills surrounding Almbersville and the castle in the middle of the land. It's still 5:30 am but people are starting to wake-up and get ready for the day. I really have to get back to the workshop or else Madam Putrid would likely pull my hair off if I stay longer here in the parlor. Not that she did try in the past.

Madam Putrid is stirring the green liquid in the big cauldron as she watches me entering the room. "What has taken you so long?! You know we have to finish these beauty potions for the queen or we'll surely get an earful from her! Then you'll get an earful from me too!" 

"Mmm-hmm" I respond.

"Keep an eye on the cauldron and start grinding some petals now while I make our breakfast!" she nagged then dashes off to the kitchen. Madam Putrid becomes a nagger and gets flustered at times like this. She gets overwhelmed easily and then she would start yelling and barking orders until the job is done and the day becomes night.  I have been under her care since I was ten years old and she's the closest thing I have to a mother and family. She taught me all the things she can about medicinal and cures. I used to love this field until it became a necessity, a job to get by day-by-day.

I resumed grinding the orange petals with my granite-made mortar and pestle. It's a tedious task since you have to make sure to manually grind the petals so finely then separate the extract. 

While we were having breakfast, a knock sounded on the door, interrupting our breakfast. I went to open it, expecting our daily supplies for the shop, but I saw a royal messenger holding out a scroll to me.  

"What is your business? What is this?" I asked.

"It's a message from the royal family. It's about Prince Camilton's upcoming natal celebration. It's will be in a fortnight. Have a lovely day, Miss Lalaine." Then the messenger rides his horse and took off.

I opened the scroll, thinking what could be another ridiculous thing the royal family could have cooked up again just for their own entertainment and vanity.

        "We hereby appoint Miss Lalaine Ducona to be in charged of Prince Camilton's  appearance and health in preparation for his 18th natal celebration which will be in two weeks time. 

          This order is non-negotiable and must be followed. Any attempts to disobedience shall be considered a betrayal to the crown.

          Miss Ducona will be expected to be at the castle today  after midday."

I am rooted to the spot. I stared and stared and stared at the words, not entirely believing what I am reading. Shock and disbelief starting to spread through my body. What the hell am I reading in this scroll? 

Now I am forced to take care of Camilton's appearance and health! The boy who's been haunting my dreams most of the nights, bloody and crying on the floor for some lifeless body, whom I loathed for these past seven years, my nemesis! And I am going to be in charged of him?!