Checkmate, Red Mate

𝔒𝔑𝔈

I'm Maven's maid.  He's engaged to Mareena Titanos.  Those are the facts.

I am Red.  I have powers like a Silver.  A shiver, as they call them.  I can make ice.  Those are facts. 

I've had a crush on Maven for months now.  That is a fact.  

The non-facts start to appear when I think about the idea of Maven and me together.  It'll never happen, ever.  I'm Red, a low maid.  He is Silver, a prince engaged to a long-lost girl.  The idea of us happening is like a dawn that rises blue.  It'll never happen.  

Now, that is where the lines get blurred.  "Never" happen.

Funny, because here he is, in his room for the evening.  He's more distressed than normal.  He takes off his blazer.  Out of instinct, I dash over and pick it up. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to toss that there," He says. 

"No worries, sir,"

"For the millionth time, please call me Maven,"

"Of course," I pause.  "Maven."

Silence fills the room.   I take his item of clothing into his closet and deal with it quickly.  I then come back out, and he is laying on his bed.

"I hope you don't mind, but what is bothering you?"

"You haven't heard?"

"No, I'm afraid not,"

He sits up, and our eyes meet.  My favorite feature of his.  His deep, piercing blue eyes.  "You don't need to talk so formally with me, you know."

"I'm sorry?"

"Don't act so innocent, I see how different you act when we play chess every now and then,"

My cheeks flush.  "My apologies."

"No no, I like it,"

Silence again.   My mind wanders to when we played chess.  He taught me how to, and I still haven't beaten him once.  

"Do you mind telling me what happened?"

He clears his throat.  "Cal ran away."

My breath catches in my throat.  "Wh-What?"

"Cal ran away, with Mare."

"I'm sorry, who is Mare?"

He looks at me, dumbfounded.  "You don't know about that either?"

"I'm afraid not,"

He chuckles, shaking his head.  "There are so many things I can tell you now."

I take a deep inhale.  "Such as?"

"Mareena was a lie.  Her name is Mare Barrow, she's a Red,"

"B-But she has powers.  I've seen her lightning," 

Is it possible?  There are others like me? 

"I know, I found out recently."

"But why did she run away?"

"Her and Cal have been having an affair, and the news broke to Mother and she had a fit,"

"Oh," I hang my head.

"Mother also did something... I didn't believe she'd do,"

"Oh?"

He pauses as if he is still taking in information.  "Father is dead."

My breath catches in my throat.  "H-How."

"Mother used her magic to have Cal kill Father.  He had no choice.  He was in such shock, and Mare was caught in a fit of rage, she killed Mother.  After that, Cal and Mare fled the scene."

My jaw is on the floor.  "M-Maven, I am so sorry."

I walk over to him and caress his arm, rubbing up and down.  

"Wait," I say.  He glances up at me.  "Who is King?"

"Me," He says, like a needle dropping in a quiet room.  "The coronation is next week."

I think.  Maven is King now.  There is no Mareena- or Mare.  She's Red and has powers.  Like me. "Wow."

"I know," He chuckles forcefully.  I continue to console him, but he gets up.  "There's something else too."

"Yes?"

"Genevieve, I need to tell you this,"

There is a long pause.  

"Evangeline Samos revealed her relationship with Elane Haven.   She was to be my betrothed after Cal left, but not anymore,"

"Oh, dear... all this drama," 

He nods, still standing.  "But Genevieve, I must admit this."

"Yes?"

"I'm glad it turned out that way, because I have feelings for someone else,"

"Who? Mare?"

"No no," He pauses, then walks up to me.  "It's a secret I have been keeping for a while."

"And what is that secret?"

"You,"