His Personal Maid — Chapter 24

The day of the king’s birthday finally arrived and before then, noblemen, dignitaries, the rich, wealthy and powerful had already tripled into the palace to celebrate the king’s birthday.

It was a massive celebration as different dance groups, display groups, those who performed with peacocks, snakes, lions and dragons all came out in their full numbers to wish the king a great and happy birthday.

Desire wasn’t able to see Queen Naomi during those past three days because of how busy she was. Even though Slyvester Ho was hurt, the King didn’t care, he still made sure he sent him on errands. Either to attend to a dignitary or make sure a powerful magician is given a nice place to stay.

Whenever he arrived at night, Desire would’ve been sleeping already and all he’ll do is sleep next to her and by the time Desire wakes up by morning, he’s gone.

Desire longed to talk about what happened between them but she never had the chance. She felt him distancing himself from her but she kept on giving an excuse that it was because of how busy he’s gotten.

“You May come in” Desire called out after she heard a knock on the door.

The same handmaiden that the Queen had always sent to her came into the room, holding an elegant ball dress in hand with a pair of beautiful sandals and a necklace that shines like Gold.

Desire couldn’t stop looking at the dress and everything they were holding. She loved it already.

“The Queen said you should wear it to the ceremony and that we should help you to get ready as soon as possible, the ceremony would soon start and she’ll love to walk in with you” The handmaiden relayed the message to her.

“Okay, shall we begin?” Desire asked and the girls nodded, smiling at her.

Desire went into the bathroom, took a thorough bath. This time she didn’t scoop the water with her hands, she actually used the traditional bath tub, soaked herself in the water so that her skin could shine brighter and better.

Once she emerged out of the water, she let the housemaiden moisturize her skin with the ointment, dress her up in the beautiful, elegant dress, decorated her hair with flowers and used some of the beauty products on her face.

After they were done, she checked herself out in the mirror, and she was satisfied that her look would please her master. He would be so happy once he sees her and she’ll be happy that he was happy.

Desire left with the housemaidens to join the Queen at the entrance to the hall. She bowed in respect to both Queen Naomi and Queen Beibei that she met there.

“I see that you’re still alive, Naomi” The first Queen said, glaring hard at her.

“Since I didn’t die like you wanted, I’ll always be here to torment your soul” Naomi returned the bad words of the first queen.

“You wait until I finally kill you. It would be the least of the time you expect” Queen Beibei threatened and Naomi laughed.

Desire didn’t see the reason why it was funny to Naomi when she was scared by the threat.

“Let’s hope I don’t tell the king about your secret affair by then. I might even make it my will, you know. If I die, Queen Beibei, you’ll go down too”

The first queen wanted to say something but she couldn’t as her name was called for her to enter into the ceremonial hall.

“This isn’t over, Naomi”

“I never even said it had begun” Ayeen Naomi replied glaring at the First Queen.

It was only after the Queen had left that Naomi could breathe perfectly. The first Queen had always managed to scare Desire and turn her into a puddle of mess anytime she saw her.

“You shouldn’t let her affect you that much, Desire. She’s just an empty can. That wench!”

Before Desire could say anything, Queen Naomi’s entrance into the ceremonial hall was announced and she entered the same way she had done during the banquet organized for the prince.

Queen Naomi was a beautiful woman who had always managed to gain the attention of noble men wherever she went but the fact that another beautiful woman was right beside her, it made her appear more beautiful and powerful.

Queen Naomi made her way to her seat at the left hand side of the king as usual while Desire joined Slyvester at the right hand side of the King. She sat quietly at his feet and when she turned to look at him, he was looking everywhere but her.

His attitude bothered Desire. She had looked this beautiful for me and again, he wasn’t even sparing her a glance.

The town crier started by introducing the various important guests that had come, bearing gifts for the king.

Different ones troped in one after the other, introduced themselves to the king and also showed him the gifts that they bought with them.

Some came beating arrows, some came with the skin of tigers, some cake with Swords made from far away countries where civilization was already at its highest peak while others came with money, different currencies to appease and celebrate with the king.

The performers were called in one after the other as well, to give their best for their king. Once the performances were over, the king stood up to give an appreciative speech to everyone who came.

“The people of my land had shown me so much respect today and I’m glad to be your reigning king. To everyone who gave me gifts of different kinds, I will return the favor as well someday. I will implore each and every household to make sure a son of yours joins the army because it is time for this region to grow in power. It is time we take over the surrounding regions and make us the most powerful and greatest region ever in the world. On this day, I, King Li, declare war on every region that refuses to submit to me”

His speech caused gasps and worry from everyone present. Slyvester wasn’t surprised as he knew the King was planning something and he only used them as a part of his scheme.

“Let everyone who do not wish to be a part of this glorious fight leave and never show their faces in my palace anymore”

The whole hall was silent as everyone was scared to leave, fearing the king might kill them if they left.

“I, Slyvester Ho, prime minister and son of the first Prime Minister of the land, remove myself from being a partaker of such. Not after I signed a peace treaty and promised to keep the other regions safe. As a noble and loyal man, I shall not go back on my promise”

Slyvester walked out, without fear and without looking back to hear if the king had anything else to say.