A Beast's Tale

Chapter 5

It wasn't long before the door burst open again, and as I expected, the new intruder was Clavis, dragging Ivetta along with him. I didn't bother looking up at them. Clavis would use her to needle me until he lost interest. Acknowledging him would only prolong the annoyance.

"Chev, I found your new little pet fluttering around in your office and thought I should return her to you!"

I could picture her green eyes flashing.

"Please don't call me that, Prince Clavis."

"Hm, you're right. He doesn't feed or water you. I suppose you're more like his new toy."

"I am not a toy, and I am not a pet," she said, biting the words out in a measured, cool voice. "I am a maid, and if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get back to work."

"It's too bad Chev will never recognize you as a person. He places no value on the individual; did you know that? The kingdom over everything. If you had been at his little purge a few days ago, you might have died by his blade," Clavis said, keeping his tone as light and cheerful as ever.

I resisted the urge to sigh.

"Prince Clavis—"

"Now, me, on the other hand? I value the individual above everything else, which means you are much safer with me than with him. But you know, this is a conversation that would go better over drinks. You get off work at five o'clock, right?"

"Yes, but—"

"Then it's a date! Oh, and Ivetta," he lowered his voice, "bring a smile, won't you? You're lovely as you are, but I'll bet you're stunning when there's a smile on your pretty lips."

I looked up at that. He'd stepped closer to her, tilting her chin up with a brown-gloved finger and leaning in until his golden eyes were inches from hers. A delicate blush colored her fair cheeks as she looked up at him, wide-eyed. Her entire body was rigid.

"Clavis," I warned him.

He stepped back from her and smirked at me. "I'm going. Five o'clock, Ivetta."

He left as suddenly as he had come, before she could speak a word of protest. She stared at the closed door, her expression morphing from stunned embarrassment to frustration, and I had to admit he was right. Watching her was entertaining. Only a few minutes ago, she'd been a frightened little creature, ready to bolt at the sight of Leon, but now, she looked as though she would slap Clavis if he walked through that door again.

"So, you are my new pet," I mused.

She turned toward me, brows drawn together, lips pursed. "No, I'm not, and I'll have to ask you not to call me that, Your Highness."

I smirked. She was brazen. "And what should I call you?"

"I would prefer it if you called me by my name, but since you don't use anybody's names, I suppose 'maid' is fine." She lowered her gaze to her apron pocket, exhaling a sigh as she found the key. "Prince Clavis was already in your office, so I didn't need to use this. Am I free to go back to work, Prince Chevalier?"

Her hand was much smaller than mine, but calloused and rough. It made an interesting contrast. Much like the rest of her.

I took the key, twirling it between my fingers. "No."

She sighed again and stepped back, folding her hands in front of her and pressing her lips together. Resigned to whatever would come next.

"You have nothing to ask me?" I prompted her.

She furrowed her brow and tilted her head to the side. "About... the purge, Your Highness?"

I nodded, pleased she followed my train of thought with such ease.