Queen Era: The Monster I Love - Chapter 131
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CHAPTER 129
“Get the door, please.” With that, Era moved in the direction of her bed and went to sit down beside her sister as she patted the young child on the head.
Not up to a minute, the door was already unlocked with Aeverie, Arya, Azzura and Aquatta walking into her room.
“Greetings, Your Majesty,” they said in unison while bowing their heads to her with both hands joined together in front of them.
She smiled at her sleeping sister and shifted out a bit from the bed, as she turned her head a bit to the side to look at them.
“Welcome. I was beginning to wonder if there was indeed something wrong?”
“Oh, our apologies. The kitchen was busy today,” Arya explained.
“Okay, but she should know that you serve me personally and so you are to be excused from most duties? Tsk, I guess leaving you girls to her during these three months did make her feel you were her attendants.”
None of the girls spoke. Although they agreed with her in respect to that, something else took their attention away.
One thing that bothered them the most was the fact that Era still rubbed the head of the person on her bed.
Just who was that anyway?
Several questions plagued their mind on that matter but no one dared voice it out but one look at their curious eyes and one would easily know what was going on in that head of theirs.
“Ahem!”
“Yes, your majesty, we are…” Azzura paused. Bummer she had spoken out of shock and ended up making a little fool of herself.
“Hehehee,” the lovely sound of Arya and Aquata giggling behind her made her roll her eyes at them before lowering her head. “Forgive me, your grace. I must have spaced out a little bit. What were you saying?”
“Nothing actually.”
“Nothing?” She tilted her head to the side a bit as her eyes narrowed at Era in confusion. “Wait, do you mean you…”
“I didn’t speak. I only cleared my throat, Azzura but now you three are going to tell me what is going on in your head.”
“Huh?”
“Us, three?”
“Why are we included?” Arya questioned absentmindedly.
“That is because I see the same look in your eyes as well. You three are absent-minded and it seems like I am just talking to myself and nothing more.”
“Your majesty, we…” Arya was about defending them and lying their way out of it when Azurra cut in.
“We are sorry, your majesty. We did get sidetracked just now. It may not be in our place but we would love to know if that is not too much to ask.”
‘Know what, Azzura? Be plain with me. I have given you girls the freedom to be free with me. Speak your mind.”
“It is just that we are wondering her majesty has someone in her bed with her. Do not get me wrong, we know it cannot be his majesty, else you wouldn’t have let us in but if it is not his majesty, who then can garner her majesty’s favour like this?”
“You three sure are nosy, you know that.”
Saying that Era stood up from where she sat on the bed and released her gown from between her legs, allowing it to flow down freely.
“Anyways, since it is you girls, my personal maids, I would let you know.” Hearing her say that, they all had smiles on their faces and as much as they tried to hide it, Era could still see through them and shook her head.
“But…” their smiles immediately fell as they watched on, hoping she wouldn’t change her mind all of a sudden.
“But, I would need you four to promise me secrecy. On no account should it be voiced out. It is a secret you must take to the grave except I say otherwise.”
Deep within their hearts, they knew this was something deep and whoever the person was must mean a lot to her majesty.
Somehow with the way she wanted secrecy a certain fear overshadowed Azzura’s mind. Was it that she was wrong and her majesty brought in a lover?
‘No, no, no. Stop thinking that stupid thought. Her majesty would never do such a thing. She and his majesty may not be on good terms but she most definitely would not do that. I need to trust her.’
Somehow she managed to get that stupid thought off her mind and focused on what Era was saying as the latter began pacing in front of them like a teacher invigilating her students.
“And if by peradventure any of you break this and say it out to the ears of anyone or my enemies, I would not hesitate to make your life a living hell that you would wish for death but would not get it.”
They all gulped at her words. This was one of the cons of serving in the palace and under a master. You had to stay true to them and once in, you cannot leave or speak out. Era was making sure they knew the gravity of the situation and what she was going to let them in on.
“This secrecy would include Aryx. So when she returns, she must come to me and I would brief her on the news.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“Now,” she stopped in her tracks and turned to look at them, “Knowing this, do you still wish to know who that is on my bed?”
Silence ensued. No one spoke. They had different thoughts in their mind and Era did not want to push them.
She wanted and needed to know that they would be with her and are ready to stand by her through thick and thin.
If they weren’t, she wouldn’t punish them for it or ostracize them. No, she would still keep them as her maids but would keep most things a secret from them and improvise.
“Mind you, do not feel pressured. I would not do such a thing. You are entitled to what you want and who you chose to serve. If you think you cannot handle it let me know. This is another step in being my person.”
She paused, allowing her gaze to sweep through the lot of them present.
“I would not promise you that it would be all peaceful. No. There would be times that require you to do some things you might not be willing to, are you sure you would want to stay then and serve me? If you would be in, know you would have to be all in.”
She waited again, but this time she went to stand before them to look them in the eyes as they made their decisions.
“Now, what are your answers?”
They looked at each other, then directed their gaze back to her before lowering their head to think finally on the issue.
There was no going back after this.
Suddenly, Azzura lifted her head. The second her eyes met with Era’s, she could tell that there was strong determination in her eyes. It was obvious what her answer would be.
Shocking Era, she half knelt on the floor, supporting her hand and body with her hand on her knee as she bowed her head before Era.
“Your majesty, here and now, I pledge my allegiance to you once more. Where you go, I would go, where you follow, I would, whatever your instructions and duties are, I would give my life to help and pursue that course.”
“Even if they are wrong by all human standards, Azzura?”
“Even if they are wrong, I believe and trust your decision and I know that you would not make mistakes as you cherish human life so much.”
“But what if I ask you to do something against your ideas?”
“I would do so with my heart as I have placed my life in your hands this day to serve you and your ideals. I promise to keep all of your secrets and share them with no one, taking them to the grave.”
Era took in a deep breath. She never intended for things to become so serious. ALll she wanted was for them to promise her to keep the secret but somehow things did indeed get so serious.
The next thing she knew, Arya too knelt down the same way Azzura did and lowered her head before Era.
“I pledge to serve you all the days of my life and give my life for you anytime and any day, to follow your leading and instructions with no questions asked.”
“I too,” Aquata half knelt as well, following after the others. “I pledge to serve you, my queen. I know you want what is best for us and would not force us but it is not about forcing us.”
“Then what is it about?”
“We have once pledged to stand by you and we would until the day we die.. We believe in your ideals and even if you change, we still believe in you and would follow you without question, cause we know we serve a true queen.”