"Are you sure you are going there elder sister?" My younger sister, Nezekiah, asked as she watched my maids pack my things.
"Little Kiah, a debt of blood must be repaid with blood." I answered her. Seeing the guilty look on her pretty face, I sighed. "She saved your life. It is only right for me to serve her with mine."
Nezekiah turned teary.
"If only I did not let myself be led on by some human." She said. "I.. You.."
I hugged her. I know how bad she felt that she got caught in the trap of a human and was almost sold as a slave.
"It's not your fault." I patted her lightly on the head and smiled. "Things happen for a reason. Keep your chin up, little sister, you are a princess and princesses can never bow or our crowns will fall."
Nezekiah sniffled but she held her head high and smiled through teary eyes.
"I will miss you elder sister." She said, her voice low.
"And so will I, little Kiah, so will I." I smiled at her.
There was a knock on the door before a maid announced our father's arrival and a black-haired man came in donned in fancy clothes with his firm chest and abdomen in full view. He was already in his eight hundred years yet he still looks no older than in his early thirties.
"Hezekiah, are you ready?" Father asked as soon as he entered the room.
"Father.." I curtsied and so did the others. "I am."
Father came close to me and placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Hezekiah, first princess of the succubus clan, I order you to serve House Castellan to the best of your abilities. May the blessings of Sidapa be with you."
"I accept." I replied, accepting the mission I have been entrusted with.
Father's hand tightened on my shoulder before he pulled me in for a hug. I hugged him back. I do not know how long I will be gone or if I could ever be back, but this is something I must do.
House Castellan, the family beloved by the goddess Parsua and is the pillar of the kingdom. I have learned that they kill without mercy and does not give second chances to traitors. But, they also help as much as they could. Be it humans or demons, there have been reports of them helping without regards of one's race.
As I travelled to Westreon, I kept repeating the things I should say, my introduction, answers to possible questions and how I should explain my situation. I did hear that they hire anyone disregarding their race or past position but I am still a princess and I know etiquette for both humans and demons. At most, I could be the head maid.
That's what I thought.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I am facing right now.
"So you are telling me that you were sent my your father, the king of your clan, to work for us because we saved your sister?" Lady Athanasia, the youngest daughter, asked with a raised brow. It was obvious by her tone and that suspicious look on her face, that she does not believe me.
"Yes, my lady." I answered shortly. I have learned that the best way to answer people who does not trust you is by short and straight to the point answers.
"A princess? The eldest princess is sent here to be hired as a servant?" She asked again.
"I could also be a maid, an etiquette tutor or a knight, my lady." I answered. I wonder if she would really hire me as a servant despite my status or my credentials.
"Hmmm?" The little girl across me raised a suspicious brow again as she lifted her head to stare at me.
This action of her instantly put me under pressure. I can't believe that I am under so much pressure just by being interviewed by a little girl, hundreds of years younger than me.
Knock! Knock!
The knock on the door took away the pressure I was feeling.
"Come in, Loki." Lady Athanasia spoke.
Loki?
That name sounds awfully familiar.
The door opened and a familiar face came to view. He was much cleaner, neat and refined than the last time I saw him but I was sure it was him. This idiot ragtag.
Loki took one look at me and I could tell he was not as surprised as I was.
"Do you know each other?" Lady Athanasia suddenly asked.
Loki came beside her and placed some paper on her table before answering.
"Princess Hezekiah and I are childhood friends, my lady." The idiot answered calmly.
"Childhood friends my ass, you stupid mutt!" I screamed at him. I wanted to rip him to shreds right then and there that my nails scratched the chair I was sitting on.
The moment those words left my mouth, an ominous feeling settled in my heart. Cold sweat started to trickle down my back. I looked at the little girl sitting beside Loki and saw a sadistic smile on her face. My entirety screamed for me to run.
"Well, sort of?" The idiot, Loki, chuckled as if the pressure in the room was nothing. "I was once engaged with her best friend which was cancelled when I crossed the border."
"Eh?" Lady Athanasia's pressure was lifted when she heard that news. "You were engaged? You?"
"Hey! I was am still a prince and a sought after one at that!" Loki said with a hint of pride.
Lady Athanasia rolled her eyes at him and muttered a low, 'Right' before facing me again.
"I will let your insult to one of ours go this time." She said as she looked at me sharply. "But I will not tolerate outsiders insulting our people, not even their old friends."
I nodded, too afraid to talk.
"By tge way, why are you here Kiah?" Loki asked.
"I was sent to serve House Castellan." I answered him plainly.
"Oh. The repayment of blood?" He asked and I just nodded.
"What do you think, Loki?" Lady Athanasia asked him which made my head snap towards him. 'Why is the young lady asking for this mutt's opinion?'
"Well, in terms of status and etiquette, Kiah has everything a princess could have. Her strength is not something to be belittled either. She would do well as a knight or maybe one of lady Mel's." Loki answered.
'At least this idiot knows me well to back up my claims.' I thought.
"Hmmm.. I see." Lady Athanasia nodded as she leaned back on her chair. "Go tell Sebby that there will be a new maid under him."
"You will be put under sister Mel's butler, Sebastiene, as a maid in training." She said and handed me a piece of paper. "Everything from salary to benefits are written there, you can read it and sign it if you agree."
I took the paper and read everything slowly.
'Hmmm.. three months training, okay. Wow, the pay is good and I even get a day off once a week! A yearly vacation leave too!?' The more I read, the more I find that I was treated as a person than as an object. I was beyond amazed.
Loki passed me a pen when I finished reading.
"You can sign your name at the bottom if you agree to our terms." lady Athanasia said emotionlessly.
I nodded, took the pen and signed my life to them. Sort of.
"Loki, send her to the head servant to explain to her what she needs to know." Lady Athanasia ordered Loki. "Sebastiene will look for you when he is free. For the meantime, try and learn everything from Miss Ragnar. She will explain the rules of the House to you."
With that, I was on my way to the servant's quarters with Loki.